Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-03-15


under Washington, was at his death,
carried from his home one mile from
the bridge at the other end OF New
Castle causeway, 10 the Old Swedes
Church. The old majors house is still
standing.
In burying an infant, in order to
show what little expense or observance
was attached to the ceremony | will, il
l may be allowed, describe the burial Of
little child OF my own, girl. 1t was
in the year 1889. William Jones at
tended. He came to the house little
ahead of time with the little coffin under
his arm. Afterwards he went to his
home and brought little bier. | recol-
lect as II it were yesterday how he set 1t
down ON the pavement under the win
dow. Then, when the time was come
he gathered four neighbors' little boys,
two on each side, to carry the little bier
with the childs coffin on it.
William Jones, with the pastor of
Asbury, Brother Gray OF old times,
walked ahead, with the father and
mother and lew relatives following.
Then they deposited the coffin in Asbury
churchyard.
When | was young man generally
made an effort to meet it'll people from
whom l could learn something. /
profited very much in the acquaintance
of people older than myself.
To explain further, when l Joined
Asbury Church, l went into what
was called the methodist corner"
among the older people. And l am
very GLAD to-day that | took such a
course, The same way liked talking
with William Jones. l never failed to
learn something from him. He used to
come down to the shipyard and sit in
the shade in summer time and talk
pleasantly. What made it interesting
to me was that he could toll all about
the old ship carpenters of Wilmington
and of the ships they built. More than
that he knew all about the West
India trade. He would also tell about
the steamboat and packet captains who
| have now in my memory and will talk
of at future time.
DELL NoBLIT--CENTENNIA YEAR.
The second man in my "reminiscences
is Dell Nobllt. He was born October
10Th, l777, near Chadd's Ford. He came
here young man, but he had probably
learned his business of cabinet making
before his coming here. Where knew
him first was at the northwest corner of
Sixth and Market streets, where Belts
drug store is. He was tall, good
looking man. Many boys learned their
trade from him. Among them was
Samuel Harlan of the beginning of the
Harlan g. Hollingsworth Company.
Another was the funeral conductor,
Thomas Mitchell. My brother William
Thatcher was still another.
remember one day after Harlan had
finished up coffin he got into it to take
a nap. This he could do with great COM
fort as the custom was to make pillow
| out of the wood shavings to place the
head of the corpse upon. 1t was start
ling but odd sight to meet going into the
shop,
ORIGIN OF ST. ANDREWS CHURCH.
About 1919 there was convocation
at Old Swedes Church, a revival fol-
lowed, and it seems that it was at that
time that Dell Noblit became convert
to the Episcopal Church and Joined.
| The preachers name was Bull. They
did not call them rectors then. 1t is a
later idea. In this revival, which lasted
a good time, my mother Joined and she
| took her five children with her and we
were all baptized. This revival was the
first start of st. Andrews Church and
when the company left Old Swedes
Church to seek another place, they held
meetings in the Presbyterian Church on
Market street and at the old Baptist
Church on King street opposite the
Court House. They also went to any
other place where temporary door
was open for them. Among those who
came out from Old Swedes and helped
establish St. Andrews Church were
Mrs. George Davis Of Brandywine hun.
dred, 1.-THE well.known Aunt Happy
Mrs. Mabel Thatcher, John B. Lewis
Thomas Kellum, and others / cannot
call to mind now.
AS lad many a Sunday morning
have ridden a-horseback with Aun
Happy from the farm in Brandywin,
hundred to the old church. The ole
lady's horse was very mischievou
one. His name was Bully. Uncl,
George bought him from Thomas Cald
we'll. The boys knew his viciousnes
and would spit at him when he woulC
squeal and run at them with opeI
mouth. This was great fun during
church time.
Aunt Happy was good horsewomar
and knew well how to ride. One Sunda,
morning she was crossing Shellpn
creek on the way TO church. | was will
her on my horse. Bully. nosed tn,
water as horses do when they want t.
get more relief from the reins in orde
to get drink. But in place of drinking
he laid right down in the stream. Al
that the old lady could do was to get OF
and wade out Bully was kind hearted
old nag and when he was through witt
his trick he followed Aunt Happy home
The old lady's handsome list slipper
were spoiled and there was no NOR
church for us that day. AS good lucl
would have it the bottom of the stream
was gravelly and hard and Aunt Happ,
took the bath kindly.
Dell Noblit afterwards purchased
property opposite Sixth ard Marke
streets at the place where Christie
cigar store is now. He built the presen
brick building there and lived in ii. Tn
shop was on Shipley street and the ware
rooms along Sixth.
AS he was about opposite the city hal
he attended all the town meetings an,
as matter of course, he being maj
of some consideration, they made hin
president. 1t was the regular thin
when the motion was made of "wh
shall be chairman" to hear tue reply, s"
move that Dell Noblit take the chair.
Mr.. Noblit celebrated his centennia
in 1877 and invited all his children +
be present He had married secon,
time, and large family was the result
Hamilton Noblit, q cabinet-maker. doin
business opposite the Masonic Temple
was child by the first marriage. B.
his second wife he had large family