Milford chronicle., 1953-02-27
.eslager Addresses
Sussex ''Diggers"
CONTINUED from first narel

Continued from first page)
vatiOn done in recent months along
the Upper Brandywine, reaching
over into Pennsylvania. Al North
brook, in Pennsylvania, he told of
an Indian burial ground not work.
ed, but which according to records
showed digging done in 1879 by an
Edwin A. Barber, where traces of
80 graves were found, four of these
being opened revealing skeletons of
Lennie-Lenapes or Delawares, bur
led on floors of rock at a depth of
312 feet. He told of the objects
listed as being found in the graves
including Is spherical milky white
glass beads and a number of other
articles. The account of this find
ing was published in the "Ameri-
can Naturalist, which also report
ed a later excavation by DR.. Spen-
GER TrOtter.
Mr.. Weslager also gave a most
Interesting account Of excavation
done at a mound or hill on a farm
located on the East Branch of the
upper Brandywine, where at the
foot of an old chestnut tree, at a
depth of 4 feet, z inches, remains
found proved the contention it was
an old Indian burial ground and
where the Chester, Pa. Historical
Society will erect a marker, This"
he said, was the grave of one Of
the Lenapes and an interesting
part Of the facts was that the body
had been also buried on a stone
floor and with a stone pillow.
Three pipes, in excellent state of
preservation, together with bead
necklace and assorted beads and
other finds were among the articles
located. Picture slides of the exca-
vatiOn work and findings were
shown to illustrate.
Also discussed by Mr.. Weslager
was the log house, which was To-
Gated near Royal Oak Hotel in Del
aware and which has been disman-
tied and taken to Dover, where it
will be reassembled to become a
part of the historical exhibits. The
speaker stated that historical ar
research reveals that
log homes in America made their
first appearance in Delaware, where
the Swedes and Firms, who had
perfected the log homes in their
native land, erected like structures
in Delaware in the early 1600's. He
said facts uncovered showed that
settlers in Philadelphia made the
first home in the banks of the
River and later canvas or
sail covered shelter, followed by
buildings. The first Dutch
houses, at Lewes, he pointed out,
were of brick. He told of visiting a
twO-story log building in Arizona,
while on his trip. This was built in
1864 and was used as the then Cow
ernOrs mansion. COlOred picture
slides of the log house located in
Delaware and the digging done at
site to uncover archaeological find
ings, were shown by Mr.. Weslager
and gave an idea of the cOnstruc-
-lOn Oh the mouse.
Mr.. Omwake reported that ac-
oOmpanied by Mr. Frank Austin, he
had looked over an Indian site, To-
Gated south of South Bowers, where
Mr.. Austin had already located
)T refuse pits. The field, accord |
ng to Mr.. 0mwake, consists of an
4-shaped sandy ridge around which |
here appears to be an earthen wall, |
obviously artificially made, one
section of which runs out into the /
marsh. He suggested it would be |
to attempt exploration of
he dixie to learn whether it is of |
ibOriginal or Colonial origin and |
said one deed, dated 1850, refers to
The Old Dyke. A further search |
If records in Dover are planned,
Is we'll as aerial photos and tOpO-
sketches and the perInis-
ion to dig on the location will be i
sought from the owner. Mr.. Om-
wake also reported to the society,
lis acquisition of a part of the DR..
Barber collection of pipes and how
hey came into his ownership.
Mr.. PuTnell, the president, stated
hat in line with the desire of 4,
members to work more closely with
ike groups, a series of programs
re being planned for future meet
ngs and will bring a number of in
eresting speakers including Rich
rd Stearns, of Baltimore; DR.. G.
/. BOnine and possibly DR.. George