Smyrna times., 1904-07-06

Revolutionary War. 1t had HOlden's
Mill, and quite business, but it was
doomed as soon as the old shipping
point at Green's Landing, about a
mile above the present bridge at
Smyrna Landing, was abandoned; and
in 176S the village of "Duck Creek
Cross Roads"-an original and modest
title-began to be by the erection of
buildings upon lots sold by James
Green. The reason of its birth was
the crossing of the old "King's High
way through Delaware by the public
road leading from Maryland to Smyr-
ma Landing, whence there was fire.
quent and important transportation by
water to Philadelphia. Among the
first lots sold were about IS acres to
William and Samuel Ball, who, some
years later, presented BALL" street,
1ow Mt. Vernon street, to the town.
David Kennedy, as we'll as George
hennard Il Company, soon established a
large business here, and the latter free
ly advertised their goods as imported
directly from England. Robert Pat
terson, also. early became an important
merchant, and bought and built much
property, including the corner store
and brick row now occupied by H.
LinwOod Phillips, Cosgriff & Rey-
nolds, and the Transportation Co., as
we'll as the brick building at the corner
OF Mt. Vernon and Main streets, which,
after its extension by DR.. Samuel NJ.
Flsler, became the Delaware House."
Soon John Cummins opened an active
business career, and built extensively
the brick store building at the
-Four Corners" and that adjoining it,
now occupied by Harvey Jones, L. NJ.
Price and Thos. B. Megear, and the
present residence of his descendants,
as we'll as granaries at Smyrna Land
ing. Ebenezer Cloak, Sr., built and
sent out from the Landing" against
the British a privateer, upon which
he was captured, and be died a prison
er of war. He highly priced an auto
graph letter to himself from Washing
ton. Hence, also, under Captains
McLane and Pope, went local bands
to resist the invaders, while Governor
Thos. Collins, then residing at Bel
mont Hall, ably presided over colon
ial affairs.
Famous Boarding School in Smyrna.
In 1902 the village was known far be-
yond the limits of our State for its fa-
nous Boarding School, located in the
old brick building which stood where
the residence of w. G. Hill is now locat-
cd. 1t drew students from many parts
of Maryland and Virginia. In 1906 the .
village changed its name to SMYRNA.
and grew SO rapidly that its rising /
dignity demanded incorporation. This .
the Legislature granted in 1917, and
so began the ''town" with three COM
missloners, who were Robt. Patterson.
VIM. Kennedy and James Mcdowell /
and an area of half mile square. 1t
was lighted by the gentle moon,
watered by heavy log pumps-many
of them upon the sidewalks-and pro-
tected against fire by the bucket bri
gade, armed with those old long
leather buckets now no longer to be
seen. Later those ancient engines.
the Friendship" and Delaware"
tried the muscles of the fremen, but
saved many a building from the
flames. The town increased, and
business expanded. It's great feeders
were the grain trade, and the bark
industry. John and Alexander Pc
terson ground and shipped hun
dreds of cords of oak bark, and Rob
ert Cook, at the old mill SO we'll
known for its echo--now "Webb's
Mill"-began, in the same business.
the accumulation of what. after
wards, in st. Louis grew to be a con-
siderable fortune. He was the son of
Doctor Cook, well-known years ago in
this community. Later, John Mus
tard, who fer many years was a prom
inent figure among our people, Joined
the older firm, and, as Peterson &
Mustard. they continued the bark in
dustry and conducted a large tannerv
at and in the rear of the present resi-
dence OF A. E. Jardine, until perished
forests and changed circumstances
intervened.
Grain Trade Developed Into Large Interest.
The grain trade developed early into
very large and important interest
At first George Kennard, David Ken
nedy and Robert Patterson, and later.
John Cummins and Presley and
Enoch Spruance chiefly controlled it.
and built wharves and warehouses at
Smyrna Landing. Presley Spruance
subsequently became senator of the
United States, and his brother Enoch