Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-08-19
FENWICK'S
....ISLAND.
Reminicenses of Interest to WOr-
cester COuntianS.

Reminicenses Of Interest to WOr-
cester CountianS.
A writer in the Baltimore Sun has
told in an attractive and entertaining
manner some of the ancient history Of
Fenwick's Island and the upper part of
Worcester county.
There are some of Maryland sons
whom history. las il is writ, has failed
to give the importance due them. There
are others deserving Of notice who have
not been mentioned ut all. Among the
latter was Thomas Fenwick. from
whom Fenwick's Island derived its
name. He was one of those restless.
adventurous men who emigrated from
England tai Maryland during the latter
part of the seventeenth century. He
was not one of those who left their ma
tive country that they might worship
according To the dictates of their con
science. His object was the bcttermcnt
of his very much impaired fortunes. He
had the fibre of man. but not the
making of martyr. He was one of
those practical. close grained pioneers
who make possible a successful struggle
with the forests and savages of the new
world. Both kinds of men We're ncces-
sary for the successful establishment of
the colony-men who would sacrifice
their lives for the sake of conscience
and men who were not afraid to lose
their lives in the pursuit of their for
tunes. Colonial Maryland developed
men of both characters.
Fenwick took up grant Of land be-
tween what is now Little Assawoman
bay and the ocean. At that time and
up to n century ago this narrow strip of
land fringing the ocean was cut by
three inlets. The northernmost was
called Little Assawoman inlet. the
sou:hernmost one Green River and
about midway between there was Sine.
puxent inlet. All three have been
filed up for nearly century. II seems,
in fact, that the island is gradually ris.
ing. Fenwick's Island lighthouse
stands very near the center of this
grant secured by Thomas Fcnwick.
Fenwick was prominent man in To-
cal affairs and is frequently mentioned
in the records of Sussex county, Della.
ware. and Worcester county Maryland
II must he recalled that his grant lay at
the center of that territory. the posses
sion of which was holly disputed by
Lord Baltimore and William Penn.
Under the proprictorship of the latter
Fenwick held the position of sheriff.
notary public and several other minor
positions. During the latter part of his
life he took up his residence ut Lewes-
town, Del, where he died and is sup.
posed to have been buried. At his
death the island passed into the posses
sion of his daughter, Mary. who mar
ried William Fassctt about 1888.
CAPTURED ny PIRATES
This Fassett was a bold, seafaring
man. and in one of his ventures was
captured by the pirates that thickly in
tested the coast during the latter part
of the seventeenth and early part of the
eighteenth centuries. These pirates
made the coastwise traffic dangerous
and frequently made raids upon the
coast. as several chainballs discovered
on Fenwick's Island early in this cen
fury testify. When just off this island,
and not far from shore, the pirates
threw Fassett overheard to avoid the
expense of keeping him. The beach
being sandy and Fassett being good
swimmer. he succeeded in getting ashore,
after an exhausting battle with the tide
and surf Tradition has il that upon
landing Fassett vowed he should spend
the rest of his life in endeavoring to
become the possessor of the Island upon
whose hospitable beach he had been
cast Fortune smiled upon him far
more graciously than he had ever dream
ed it would. Hemarried Mary Fenwick
and secured the island and a bride.
The island continued in the possession
of the Fassetts until within half cen
fury ago. From William it passed to
three generations of sons-John, james
aud James-when it passed To Mary.
the daughter of the last son mentioned
The daughter married James Hall and
is still living. advanced in years, near
Berlin. Md. James Hall left the island
to his son. John c., who was killed
while securing the wreckage of Il vessel
loaded with masts The island was then
sold at auction at Berlin to John Burch.
who decided il to Samuel Bennett From
the latter it passed into the hands of
the family of Gums. well known i'll
this locality. 1t was from this family
that the joint stock company. headed
by Willard Salisbury and Capt. John
Long, bought the island.
THE TIDAL WAVE OF 1881
The death of John c. Hall wildly
calls to mind the great tidal wave of
1881. One of his most intimate friends
and a witness To his death was an old
gentleman named Jacob III. Brasurc.
This man is well-known character in
these parts and is highly regarded by
all He takes great delight in attending
camp meetings. and it is from his very
graphic description that the following
account of the great storm is condensed.
He was born in 1917 and was living ON
the island in 1881. His father. James
Brasure. was living on the island dur
ing the Revolutionary War. In 1881
he rented one of the three houses ON the
island owned by James Fassitt. Fas-
soft n1cnnind ono nnd tho third ,rnS lnf