Milford chronicle., 1907-05-24
Places and People Of Milford Neck From
lS4O TO 1907.

At the time of which we are writing the
family of Ex-Governor Charles Polk, per-
haps, was the most prominent Of any in
Milford Neck. He was man of hand
some physique and in manners and train
ing a veritabe type of the old school
gentleman, and one of the most graceful
horseback riders the writer ever knew.
Surrounded by all the comforts and lux
uries of life, and family of eight child
ren, educated and refined, his was indeed
an ideal home. As a factor in the affairs
of state his usefulness was almost without
limit. He had been President OF the
convention that framed the Constitution
of 1881, a work that remained unchanged
for sixty years, several times a member
of the Legislature and twice Governor Of
the State of Delaware. Again, in 1913
Governor Cooper appointed him Register
of Wills for Kent county which office he
held for five years. When his lifelong
friend, the Hon. John NJ. Clayton, en-
tered the Cabinet of President Taylor in |
1919 he promptly appointed Mr.. Polk
Collector of the Port of Wilmington, the
duties of which he performed through |
the Taylor-Filmore administration. He
died in 1857, honored and respected by
all who knew him. After the death of
his father, William A. Polk, the Oldest
son, became manager of the farm, plan
tation of more than a thousand acres.
Like his father William A. Polk was a
man of sterling qualities. He too, was
frequently called to positions Of trust and
honor in his county and state all of which
he filed with strict fidelity. Another
son John Purnell Polk held a clerkship
It Washington for more than forty-years. !
But two of the children of Governor Polk
ire now living Mrs. John o. Truitt, of /
Milford, and DR.. Charles G. Polk, Of
The farm is now the prop.
rty of William l.. Simpson who, since
lis ownership, has made very great i'm -
rovements. !;
We will next mention the family of :.
.lias Primrose. Mr.. Primrose was a "
ortly old gentleman of very determined
nd pronounced character, blunt in his
Spression but generally admired. He
as a consistant member of the M. E.
hurch and for years a class-leader. He
vned and lived on the farm now owned :
y Mrs. James S. Hudson. He had /,
mily of grown up children. Two sons,
homas and William had left the home
cad to seek their fortunes in the Sunny n
)uth." John w. was married and set
ed on the adjoining farm, Theodore, a.
e youngest, was at home with his par 10
its. Mr.. Primrose died in Milford +, r.
,out 1854. -
The adjoining farm then owned by Mr..
lusey but now by Robert H. Williams, 10
q , was tenanted by William Torbert a -; nj
ry industrious hard working farmer, -,
th a family of grown-up boys Few mr.
en- were neater farmers than he. =.
On the farm now occupied by James
aloney and now owned by Robert H. fri
illiams, resided John w. Primrose who nj
ring the excitement following the dis
very of gold in lS48 sold out and started o,,
+ California, went as far as Philadelphia. :
is enthusiasm abated however, he re- oo
rned, removed to Milton and later died fin
ere. The farm owned by John Davis an
is purchased by his father, James
avis, about lS43 to which he removed do
I'm the farm owned by Hon. Peter F.
usey, now the property of the heirs of w
e late Joshua Bennett. These farms w
We been improved more than one
ndred per cent. in productiveness, ;s
ice that time, and more than that
iount in appearance by the erection of vir
ndsOme and cOmmodious buildings. wv;
The track known as the "Big Stone" q
m was owned by John Steward and on,
lanted by James Thompson who after 4
rd moved to the Potter farm in the tou
rthern part of Milford Neck except oor
II grandchildren none of his decen- r
lts are now living. Situated on the w;
th side of the Polk farm was the farm of fo-
aries Jester which is still in possession
1ne of his sons. This farm had the 40,
ifortune to pass through the ordeal of
fe interest of his widow, controlled by MI.
second husband and consequently ~ =
not much improved during her life ooo
e. ISAAC r. JESTER.
Ell ENTn"E is 4,