Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-06


In continuing his "reminiscences of
the first half Of the century, Albert
Thatcher said Thursday: "Never man
spake like this man" While these were
the words of the officers sent to arrest
our Lord, Jesus said on another occa-
sion, "Gather up the fragments that
nothing be lost" "Reminiscences and
fragments are good deal akin.
Well, in coming to the point am
after, there was a merchant, Jonathan
Fish, who lived in Trenton, N. j., who
was going to build two new vessels,
either to build new line or to take the
place of vessels already in the line.
About the year 1929 Mr.. Fish came from
Trenton to Brandywine to see John
Harris, a shipbuilder, about building
these two vessels. Ittook Mr.. Fish two
days to go from Trenton to Philadel-
phia. Having put up at the latter city
over night, he took the morning stage
J for Wilmington, which arrived here
about noon at its stopping place, the
Indian King Hotel, Fourth and Market
streets. After getting his dinner there
be went to Brandywine to sec Mr..
Harris. The question may be asked,
"How did Mr.. Fish go out to Brandy
wine?" He did not go in the street car
: or even In an omnibus, but afoot, which
was about 80 minutes walk.
As matter OF course, he may not
have known Mr.. Harris, but after intro
ducing himself he would at once COM
mence on the work that he wanted done,
i that is, to have two vessels built suitable
for his line between Trenton and Phila-
delphia. When Mr.. Harris agreed to
build the question came up as to the
cost, after speaking of the size and ma
tsrials. This would take some time in the
afternoon, and there then being no con-
veyance TO take Mr.. Fish back to Phila-
delphia, he had TO remain in Whining
ton over night. In the course of six
months the vessels were built and de-
livered 10 Fish.
AS custom, we might add, Mr..
Harris had received instalments on the
vessels as they were being built, the
balance was to be paid according to agree
ment, when delivered. The names of the
vessels were, think, the "Maria" and
the annie"
This mode of travel is great COM
parison to our manner of travel now,
both in speed and otherwise. A person
may breakfast in Washington, dine in
New York, transact whatever business
he may have on hand and return home
III time for supper at 6 o'clock. This is
fast age. All things, I may say that
! have beginning also have an end.
Sometime:ago read in the Peninsula
Methodist of q gentleman whose name
is John Larkin, celebrating his Goth
birthday, and who had prior to this
alaNiad mo Nf d.
Larkin was man who commenced
business young, and which, if my
memory serves me correctly, was that
of running a packet between Marcus
Hook and Philadelphia, making about
two trips week. His first trip to Will
mington or Brandywine was when he
brought his boat to the latter place to
get her overhauled. Here is where first
became acquainted with him, in the
year 1881. Whatever he wanted done to
his vessel was done In satisfactory
manner and the bill paid according to
agreement. But thought arises here,
and as l have said, where there is a be-
ginning there is also an ending. Vino
were Mr.. Harris workmen They were
Charles Moore, James Hawkins, John
Stidham, William Thatcher, and Albert
Thatcher. None of these men are now
living with the exception of Captain
Larkin and the last one named, who
was at that time boy.
There is a gentleman living in this
city whose name is Milton Lackey who
lived on the border of Pennsylvania,
where Mr.. Larkin did and knew him.
Lackey used to haul lumber to Marcus
Hook, which was then taken to Phila-
aelphia by Captain Larkin on his sloop.
would like TO meet Captain Larkin
now and see If he looks as he used 10
when he brought his sloop to the
Brandywine. At that time | had two
aunts living at Marcus Hook, nv
mothers two sisters whose names were
then White, relations of John White
who resided near that town. One mar.
ried a man named Brown and the Other
man named Taylor who have left de
scendants now living at that place
Bishop White, who made the first orayel
at the first Congress at Carpenters Hall
Philadelphia, was connection of thi
family, and often preached at Ole
Swedes Church, this city.
As have stood on the Brandywin,
bridge / see only relics of what wa:
there when l was boy. The mills OF
the south side Of the Brandywine which
were then in existence, are gone. Will
we have the waterworks and the ney
filter, l wonder if the people know b,
the added purity of the water any diff
ference from what they used to drinl
and now. If so l would like to talk Il
them.
Standing on the bridge and lookin
down the Brandywine, it seemed to b
empty OF any vessels except small
schooners. In my boyhood DAYS, sa,
1881, there have been as many as 10 o
20 vessels seen either at the basin, tn,
mills or the wharVes. Some loadin,
wheat, others with flour or corn meal
While those at the wharves were un
loading slaves or hoop-poles and some
wood. While this work is now done b.
other ways, yet the Brandywine looks a
II she were going backward. Mr. Lee i
running the mills at the north side a
present, and l suppose he will rebuilt
his burnt property. Conspicuous to m
view down the creek there stands fin
looking house. This dwelling used t
belong to William and Albert Thatcher
having been built by the former abou
the year ls47. He told me that il COS
$lo,uOO, not counting the masonry.
another interesting memory IS con
nected with the Pennsylvania Dutch
who came to the BraEdywine to sci
their wheat Getting into Wilmingto
about noon, then unloading their team
and their well-kept horses, they woul
have to put up for the night at the oil
monumental Tavern on Market stree
between Ninth and Tenth, which i
now held by the Delaware Historical
Society," Bringing their nrnypnder wit