Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-05-03
Sons Of Delaware
VISIT HOME State
Make Annual Pilgrimage by
Special Train and Have
Shad Feast at Dinner
ENJOY THEIR
TRIP IMMENSELY

made a whirlwind motor tour of Della
wares famous apple belt. saw the
fruit trees in blossom, visited Bar
rats Chapel, Americas Cradle Of
Methodism," and returned to Dover
for an old-fashioned shad dinner.
The pilgrimages to Delaware are an
nual occurrences and the country
cousins lavishly entertain their city
relatives.
The Delaware Sons, 200 strong
Travelled on a special train, reaching
here shortly after ! o'clock. They re-
turned to Philadelphia at 10 o'clock.
Delawareans who have gained
prominence in various circles IN Phil
adelphia comprised the pilgrims. They
we're received by Chief Justice James
Pennewill on tho part Of the State,
Governor Miller being absent. and
Mayor Arley b. Magee and citizens
committee on behalf OF Dover
The pilgrims were met at the sta
tion by the reception committee,
hustled into rs motorcars and whisk-
cd TO Fairview Park. overlooking sill
Yer Lake. where luncheon was sorv-
cd. Then the motor cavalcade passed
down the Kings Highway. made his
toric by Caesar ROdney's dash TO
Philadelphia TO sign the Declaration
of independence Within a quarter
hours ride the edge OF the horticul-
tural district was reached. In sue
cession the tourists passed through
orchards of Frank c. Bancroft, Frank
Soper and Samuel II. Soper, a trio
fighting for the title of Delawares
"apple king"
Judge Henry C. Conrad of George
town made a brief historical speech,
reviewing what part in the early his
tory of the State the sections ira
yersed had played.
Judge Conrad spoke of three monu-
ments which had been erected in re-
cent years to the memory of distin-
guished Delawaroans. namely, Gener-
al Dagaworthy at Dagsboro. Del;
Dover Green and Valley Forge. He
then referred TO Barratt's Chapel as
a monument TO early Mothodism,
built 1856 years ago. a modest build
ing. compared with the more modern
buildings He said II was more ia
miliarly known as a preaching house,
and recalled the oft-repeatod declara-
ton. seen in the. early history by the
people of those days, that the build
ing of such a place was most
unnecessary thing. as when the war
was over a corn crib would hold
all the Methodists in that locality"
Judge Conrad then referred to the
early preachers, of Methodism. both
10 the chapel and in this part Of
Kent county. naming Captain Thorn
as Webb. Francis Asbury, Froeborn
Garrettson, William Walters, Jacob p.
Moore and Ezekiel Cooper. lie also
referred to the men who built the
chapel
In speaking of the early history OF
the Methodist Church. in which men
were raised up for the work. Judge
Conrad referred TO the work of Billy
Sunday and his being raised for such
active work
The meeting Of Coke and Asbury In
Barratt's Chapel and the embracing
OF each other. was also mentioned by
Judge Conrad. as a part of the sacred
History of the chapel
Another interesting item in the
early history of the chapel was re-
fcrred to by Judge Conrad. when he
stated that when Barratt's Chapel was
new there were only five towns in
Kent county, of which Dover was the
largest. having about eighty houses
at that time The other towns in
cluded Camden, Milford Duck Creek
Cross Roads and Canterbury The
population of Kent county at that
time was less than 10000. He spoke
of other denominations in Delaware
at the time of the erection of Bar
rats Chapel. but none seemed to
thrive and flourish like the Metho-
dists.
The former Delawareans returned
TO Dover over the old Canterbury
road, passing through Woodside
Camden. and Wyoming.
The shad dinner. unique because IL
was styled a made in Delaware"
feast. was served at o'clock at the
Hotel Richardson.
A song "Our Delaware" composed
by Joshua Pusey. and sung 10 the
tune of Maryland, My Maryland, u
was also heartily sung by all present
After the dinner had been finished
Mayor Magee introduced. Chief Jus.
flce Pennewill. The chief justice who
was at his best" said he thought
he was a listener only. but on beine
asked on Friday to take the part oil
felicacy in filling. he had agreed IL
welcome the visitors. which he die
with the same spirit in which he was
confident the governor would have
done, had he been present in per.
SON
The chief justice referred TO th,
horrors of the European war and Tho
hope that il would soon end and ex.
pressed the belief that President vii
son as a peace loving President would
do all in his power TO bring about
cessation of the hostilities.
In welcoming the visitors Judg,
Pennewill said "You don't come Of
ten enough neither do you stay Ions
enough when you do come"
He referred to the gala attire in
which the old State of Delaware was
in on the occasion of their visit Will
the apple trees in full bloom an,
nature verify spreading herself il
honor of their visit. He also refer
red TO Providence favoring them b,
The absence Of much needed and il
fact expected rain.
He called attention to the loyalt,
OF Delawareans one to the other il
ali parts of the country, citing in
stances. where in visiting points n
the far west and on the Pacific coast
there was nearly always some Della
Narean who had located in some Cit
or town who was glad to welcome
fellow citizen of the Diamond State
In closing he expressed the hop,
that the strong arm Of the govern
r snenf Of the United States NAV eve