Smyrna times., 1908-11-25
RECOLLECTION OF SMYRNA
OF OVER HALF A CENTURY
WILLIAM A.HUKILL RECALLS HIS
BOYHOOD DAYS INTHIS VICINITY
Tells of People He Knew Who Were
Prominent in Smyrna in The Early
Forties and Relates Incidents

FTOmlnenI IN smyrna IN ] ne EarlY
Forties and Relates Incidents
Wilmington, Del, November 24:-
John Cummins was born in 1777. He
was son of Daniel Cummins who
lived in Smyrna and was one of the
signers of the ratification by Della
ware of the Federal constitution
Daniel Cummins was son of Timo-
thy Cummins who according to my
best information came to this country
from Scotland and settled in Mary
land. His son, Daniel, removed to
Delaware and was a man of affairs
in those early days being one of the
founders of the Episcopal Church, then
at Duck Greek. He had sons besides
John. David, who never married and
George Cummins who lived, l think,
down in White Hall Neck and was
several times a member of the Legis-
lature. | knew David Cummins we'll.
David Cummins was very particular
both in his attire and in his manner
of doing business. They used to tel
in those days story about him. He
was dissatisfied with the old Smyrna
Bank, having had some misunder-
standing. The bank officers did not
conform to his wishes somehow and
he cody informed them that he would
break their bank. Suiting the word
with the action he backed up a dray
to take the specie from the bank.
He did not have quite enough of the
banks paper and he failed to break
the bank.
Bishop Cummins and His Career.
l wasnot acquainted with George
Cummins, the son of Daniel His
sons included, believe, George
David Cummins, who early left Kent
county, became an EpiscoaI minister,
held many charges and was finally
a rector in Louisville, KY. He
headed the reformed Episcopal
Church movement and was the first
Bishop of that church. He was an
austere looking man with side whisk-
ers. l think George Cummins,
although l am somewhat mixed, is the
father of Daniel B. Cummins. Dan
iel B. left the White Hall Neck
country in early manhood, engaged in
merchandising in Philadelphia, re-
tired and became president of the
Girard National bank which place he
filled for many years He was the
trustee of the Wi Hanson estate and
a director for many years of the
Pennsylvania railroad company.
Although frequent Smyrna visitor,
never forgetting his early home he was
very fond of Kent county sausage
and buckwheat cakes. l never met
him.
John Cummins and His Large Family.
John Cummins had fourteen child
rem. The sons were John, who lived
in Galena, Md, George W, DIR. Will
liam, David j., Daniel who died in
early manhood, Alexander G. and
Robert H. did not know the
daughters excepting Mrs. Susan Fis-
Ter, who married DIR. Fisler, for
years a practising physician in Smyr-
ma.
George W. Cummins, and His Methods
George w. married a Miss Denney
whose mother lived to be more than
100 years of age and died at the
Woodlawn residence near Smyrna.
He had two sons, George w. and
Walter and two daughters, Sarah
Ann and Louise. George w. Jr.,
who died some years ago married Miss
Clements daughter of James Clements
for years a merchant of the firm of
Clements & Temple. George W..
was man of fine physique, genial
and cordial and a little on his muscle
in his younger days, if things got
desperate. He was about the same
age and size of my father. They
were good friends and both Demo
Gratis. l once heard my father say
that he had seen George Cummins
ehastise man at the Smyrna Land
ing for a gross violation of his rules,
and my father said to him, George,
l didn't like to see you do that, he is
not man enough for you. 1t made me
feel kind/of funny - Mr.. Cummins
was fine conversationalist and had
way of making you think that he
thought little more of you than
anybody else. He was good land
lord, but his tenants had to be neat
and up-to-date. He kept good horses
and if he didn't have a pair of bob
tails there were no bob tails on the
market. l shall never forget the
four bay horses he furnished for the
Smyrna wagon in the procession tC
the Democratic mass meeting al
! Dover in 1874.