The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-13
"REMINISCENCES or OUR CITY
A Glimpse Into the Past Of the Numerous
Manufactures OF Our City. -.

or all the towns that have seen none
appears to me more PLEASANTLY located
than Wilmington, nor to possess greater
advantages for an agreeable residence,
was written by Elizabeth Montgomery In
her "Reminiscences Of Wilmington In 1874
We must give to our readers some remi-
niscences of older times connected with
the early settlement Of tho city Of vii.
mington and of the revolutionary wal, etc
| Wilmington is surrounded, one half by
rolling country and the other by water; 1t
stands on rising ground, skirted by beau.
| tiful meadows, with nm extensive view OF
the noble river Delaware on the East and
| its tributary streams fancifuily winding
through those meadows. stretching their
| courses past the town, where drawbridye
Is thrown across the ,Christiana to let
siels through, (this means the foot Of
| Market street now spaned by a bridge) as
| it is navigable four miles beyond.
On the other hand, tho Brandywino
takes Its course to tho mills, whore vessele
! stop. There is bridge connecting the
furnishing village of Brantywine with
| Wilmington; also drawbrldgca little be-
low for vessels to pass through and for the
railroad.
This Is romantic stream, long celebrat-
| cd In story and takes its name from the
| less of vessel at its entrance, laden with
brandy and wine. 1t winds Its way
great distance and gives water power to
many factories as 1t decends from its
source. The distance from ono bridge to
| the other Is little more than mile, in q
direction nearly North and south.
You can see all tho shipping passing,
some floating down, heavy laden with our
country sproduce going to distant lands
to reward tho farmer for his toll.
This town bears sad remembrance OF
disasters at sea. Many Of our youths, the
hope Of their parents, ah! ard some reck-
less ores too, sailed from here, with fair
breeze and light heart and found II wately
grave In the ocean and tho fats Of some
was never known. Yes and many in tho
prime OF life left widows and orphans to
mourn their sorrowful bereavement See
the feet of vessels large and small under
full sail, returning from foreign lands,
laden with the Injuries of life to enrich
the merchant and gladden. many al anx-
ious heart!
The three vessels you see close to the
shore and enter the Christiana, sail down,
then turn gracefully round, and sail up to
the wharves where they are made fast.
A whale ship lands with full cargo. after
being absent for three years and being
given up for lost what a rejoicing there
WINS amongst our people, us they greeted
loved ones they had given up for lost,
lisa full view of Shelpot hills, partly
topped with handsome trees, and ut the
the foot is the little gently flowing stream
that bears tho Same name, paying its
tribute to the Delaware
Tho house you sec opposite is called Pros
poet hill it formerly belonged to Joshua
North, ESD, n wealthy aud respectable
man, butt very active Tory in the Revolu-
ton, who was obliged to loave tho country.
His properly was contiscatcd rs was many
other estates on the river shore.
This was tho case of Jacob Derickson,
wealthy farmer, whose ancestor was ono
Of tho Swedish colonis S and prOverbtal for
his active bencyolence. General Washing
ton sent for him to return, but it was too
lato. His descendants are yet here
Doctor Wharton lived hero for many
years He was gentleman of great liter
AIRY attainment and was pastor Of Swedes
Church,
Tho next high point Of land Is Mrs. Eli.
otis; from her porticO you can see Fort
Delaware, 20 miles below and with good
spyglass SEQ the mon at work.
We now take n view of tho Brandywlne
Mills, and say something of their past and
present history and their original proprie-
tors. These mills like the stream that
sets them in motion, are of great notorie-
ty, and have run unrivaled IN he full tide
Of their glory for tho greater part of q cen.
tu.y. Recently thoy have been shaded by
those of greater magnitude and more
modern structure; yet 1t Is doubtful
whether they have ben rivaled in busi-
ness; certainly not in theirexports of corn
meal. The situation Is so accessible by
water TINT vessels can unload and reload
at their doors.
The first mill was built above the bridge
near tho northwest corner OF the city
bounds, Ivy Oliver Candy, whose descend
ants continued this business until very
latoly with great Success Samuel Candy
was one Of the most respectable and
wealthy citizens
Thomas Shpley built tho frs t mill be.
low the bridge, then two Others. They
arc now used by tho city rs II pumping
station to supply our citizens with drink.
ing water.
There are present thirteen mills in oper-
alton (this was in lS!i) These with tho
mechanics employed make Brandywlne u
busy place.
On tho day the steam cars commenced
running from Wilmington there was ex.
element. The Journey to New York was
So great an undertaking that few persons
attempted ii and those were thought trav.
elers.
Joseph Tatnall was the N ost distinguish.
ell OF those worthy men who C memories
deserve notice in this community. Ho
was daring patriot. He alone dared to
grind -four for the furnishing army Of the
Revolution at the risk of tho destruction
CT his min.
His house was the home OF Gen. Lafay.
ette during his soIourn h ere General
Washington and other officers, received
his hospitality during their residence here
and was warm friend of Miller Tutnall.
His business was extensive for Mr.. Lloyd
a great grain grower in Maryland, came
II .1,n. 70 ,r,I,N
agreed to take all he had. Mr.. Lloyd
smiled and said why, sir. my grain will
amount to $4,000" Tho reply was, II
will take it" ind no paid the cash for 1t
before Mr.. Lloyd had returned home.
Thomas Lea son.in-law Of Mr.. Tatnall,
was among the useful, entcrprising anu
wealthy mon of his day, was often heard
to say how much he had been b!esseds
seemed to prosper IN his hands,
hi, family We're just rs he wished they
should be; he had secured for them COM
potency of TIL. worlds goods and he
could take his ease. He built the largest
milf on the Bran!ywne, The mills wero
BURIED to tE3 ground
Now we viii take n stroll up the Brandy
wnc and view the beauties Of this charm
ng place. =, , ,,.,,,, up,oo-,,,o,..
Is yAu step off Market street, and moro
han 80 years have passed since the French
'esidcnts built BATH houses over the stream
IN this side for their own use though they
generally left the keys near where anyone
'ouli accept their protfcred Kindness and
t was fully apprcr!a ed They also had
Jcnchcs placed In the race whore tho ser.
ant women stood III the water to wash
othcs, drying them on the grass, ard we
viii remember tho snowy whitencsj OF
heir linen by this cold water process.
To be Continued
DR.. Bulls Pills cure all blood disorders.
CLn 4.,,1,nir,n h.,ar Tho sinnutnrn nG lr