Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-09-13
Places and PEOPLE Of Milford Neck From
1870 to 1907.

Adjoining the "HerrinR's Corner property
on the eat is the farm OF John c. Clifton
Previous to 1913 1t was a tract OF wOrnout land
belonging to Curtis B. Beswick, who sold It TO
Daniel &. Clifton for a small sum; land at that
time not bringing on the market beyond three
dollars per acre. Mr.. Clifton built a house
upon it and began the routine of life, which
at that time meant hard labor and rigid
economy. In few years he had improved
his land so that it produced support for his
family, which consisted OF seven members.
He was a careful pains-taking man, and one
OF those who make haste slowly" In a few
years, though not as wealthy as some others,
he was living as independently as aSy man
OF his time. He died 1884 at the age Of y years,
leaving a widow and three grown children to
survive him. His brother Skyrain Clifton,
was Of rowing disposition but finally located
in Massachusetts-the land OF Baked Beans
and Boston Culchaw." Mr.. Daniel C. CliftOn's
children were: Sallie, who married Nemiah
Cole, young farmer Of Milford Neck, now re-
siding in Milford; Angelina. who married
James H. Kirby. an industrious and thrifty
mechanic OF Milford Neck; they reside on
their farm, Mr. Kirby having adopted that oc-
cupation: John C., the son, having received a
good education, taught in the free schools for
a number of years. After the death OF his
father, John c. Clifton bought the interests Of
his sisters in the homestead, erected new
dwelling house and otherwise improved II;
It Is one OF the best located tracts OF land in
Milford hundred and is now occupied by Mr..
Clifton's son, Harvey. John c. Clifton resides
In Milford and is bookkeeper for the firm OF
Draper, Davis 4 Co.
To the east Of, and adjoining the Clifton
land is the farm OF Herman Abbott, ID. d. s.,
OF Philadelphia. It was formerly the home of
the late Nathaniel B. Thomas. Mr.. Thomas
bought the tract OF snimproved land contain
ing about seventy acres, in the early ffties.
He erected suitable buildings upon 1t ana be-
gan to clear and cultivate the land. Though
laboring under difficulties he succeeded in
up a comfortable home for himself
and family, which he occupied fer many
years. Finally, under the stress OF financial
EN- bsrassment, superinduced by entering too
deeply into the political aren a, he succumbed
into liquidation-by which he lost his home.
It was purchased by Rynear Williams, who
sold 1t to William l.. Abbott who sold 1t to
the late John W. Hall, OF Frederick and during
whose ownership 1t was improved by repair
Ing the dwelling and erecting new out houses,
Mr.. Hall finally sold it to Herman Abbott,
who still holds it,
Nathaniel b. Thomas was man of many
oarts-he had failings as other men, but he
vas possessed OF many commemorate and re-
leeming traits, which went a long way
oward retrieving the Objectionable features
Il his character. He made enemies but he
made many friends whose friendship was
Iea ufN Of -
disposition. he was an alright man; charitable,
nd-hearted and generous to a fault He was
ne OF those men whose charity began at
ome, but did not stop there; 1t was bestowed /
n others, often to his own injury. He pro-