Wilmington, Delaware - History (part 5 of 7)

The tract assigned to Charles Pickering, began at a Spanish oak, near the head of a rivulet known as " Stalcop's run." This tree stood in what is now Poplar street, about five perches below Seventh street, within live of six feet of a spring, which still sends forth a small stream of water. It was at a corner of lands of the late William Kirk and Patrick O'Flinn. From this point the line extended in a north-west direction four hundred and sixty perches, or nearly one mile and a half, to a white oak tree, in the vicinity of Rattlesnake-kill. It still forms a dividing line to several lots westward of Tatnall street, and is the .south-west boundary of lands of the late Dr. Win. Gibbons. From the termination of the last mentioned line, Pickering's tract was bounded by a line running south- westerly seventy -four perches to a corner of Peterson's land, at the cud of the four hundred and fortyfour perch line, thence by that line to its beginning in French street near Third street, thence down French street to the old thornbush, thence by the shore of (he Christina to the mouth of Stalcop's run, thence along the run to the Spanish oak at the beginning of the survey.

The remainder of old John Anderson's land was divided between Christiana his widow, and Andrew his oldest son. The widow took all those parts of it lying eastward of Stalcop's run. and northward of Pickering's tract. It was bounded by Tymen Stidham's land on the north, by a line at or near Rattlesnake run on the west, and on the south by the Christina. Its eastern limits is not precisely known, but it was near to the church yard, as appears by the article with Joseph Yard, for building the church.

Andrew's portion lay on the south-west of Peterson's tract, and extended westward beyond the poor house about half a mile. How far south-westward its extent is not certainly known. It included all the lower part of Clement's creek, which is the first stream crossed on the Wilmington and Christiana turnpike road, by travellers in the route to Baltimore. On the westerly part of it stands the Poor house, Galley's boarding school, the toll gate on the Wilmington and Lancaster turnpike, and a number of dwellings belonging to the descendants of Andrew Stalcop, the son of old John Anderson, or to their assigns.

The five tracts already described, include all the lands now within the corporate limits of the city of Wilmington, excepting perhaps, a small part of the Brandywine marsh. The patent to Tymen Stidham may include the whole of that marsh, but from the loose and indefinite character of the description, this is not quite certain.

The grant by Sir Francis Lovelace to John Anderson, like that to Tymen Stidham, was for the purpose of confirming to him his right, obtained either by purchase or original possession, most, probably by purchase, for Anderson was a Dutchman, and the land held by him, was in the possession of the Swedes, at the earliest settlement of that people on the shore of Christina.

time when the fort at (lie rocks was abandoned as a military post; and when his Swedish neighbours were willing to occupy lands more remote from scenes which reminded them of their defeat and subjugation. Here they had lived as lords of the land, the surrounding nations bringing their treasures and pouring them out at their feet, and here the crown had been taken from their head. Where they once reigned, they had become captives, and in sorrow of heart had often " hanged their harps upon the willows."

Tradition informs us that Anderson came over from Holland as cook on board a Dutch ship. He wore a woollen cap, which, during the voyage, he so frequently used instead of a towel, that it became perfectly saturated with grease, and by constant handling acquired a very smooth surface, which reflected the light like polished steel. Hence the sailors nicknamed him Staelkappe, pronounced " Stalcop." The truth of this traditionary account is much strengthened by the fact, that in the article of agreement with Samuel Peterson and Lars Cornelison, he signed his proper name Johan Anderson. In deeds of conveyance from his descendants reciting their title under him, he is called John Anderson Stalcop. His son John was actively concerned in the erection of the church at Christina, and in the contract with Joseph Yard he signed his name John Stallcop. On the division of the landed estate as aforesaid, his son Andrew is called Andrew Stalcop ; and his widow is named Christina Stalcop, and called in the writings John Anderson Stalcop's widow. There is no evidence that the name of Anderson was retained by any of his posterity. He left four sons, Andrew, Charles, John, and Peter, who all took the nickname of Stalcop, which has descended to our own times as the family name, and as such is inscribed on the monuments of their dead. One of the last of the name, who possessed any of the family domain, was Andrew Stalcop. One of his daughters married Andrew Crips. She was the mother of the family of that name, yet living on part of the old tract. The wife of Andrew Stalcop long survived him, living in a small tenement on the wester- ly part of (heir land. She was subject to occasional fits of insanity, in which state she would come into the town; ami is still vivedly remembered by those who were children at the time, and who had been terrified by her wild conduct, and had trembled at the sound of her name. Sixty years ago, the urchin who was tempted to wonder from home, was kept within due bounds by the fear of Hannah Stalcop.

The tract which was Charles Pickering's, afterwards became the property of the Swedish Congregation, and was long known as " the church land." In the year 1736, the congregation by an indenture under the hands of John Eneberg, their minister, Charles Springer, Jacob Stilly, and Garret Garretson, then church wardens; and Philip Van .De Vere, Moims Justice, Timothy Stidhain, Lucas Slidham, and Morton Justice, their vestrymen, together with many of the most conspicuous men of the congregation, appointed Charles Springer their trustee, who, with Jacob Stilly and Garret Garretson, their church wardens, and their successors, were authorized to lease and demise for term of years or for ever, in small lots, any part or parts of the said church lands.

The town of Wilmington had just been laid out, and between thirty and forty buildings erected. The church lands occupied that part of the city which is now nearly central. The prospect of rapid improvement in the value of their property, induced the congregation to come into the market with lots to lease at moderate rents ; and had it not been either for the superior wisdom, or great want of foresight, in those who had the management of their real estate, the church at this day would have been much too rich for the best interests of any ecclesiastical institution.

The tract which became the property of Samuel Peterson, he by his will dated November 20, 16S9, devised to that son who should live longest with his widow. Under this singular devise, his son Peter took the plantation, and his son Matthias, by deed dated December 4, 1702, released to Peter all his claim on the land. Peter held the tract during his life, and by his will dated January 29, 1714, devised it to his son Peter Peterson. He by deed under (he hand and seal of himself and Magdalen his wife, dated May 8th, 1727, granted and conveyed to Andrew Justison, all that part of the plantation lying on the Christina, extending from the old thornbush on the shore at French street, to the mouth of the rivulet west of the rope walk, on land late of Francis Way, and thence westward, within lines already described, to the dividing line between Thomas Shipley, and the assignees of the late John Way. This dividing line runs from Love-lane across the country, to a corner of Simpson's land, in the old diagonal line herein before particularly described.

This sale to Justison is one of the connecting links in the chain of causes which gave rise to the city of Wilmington, and it appears probable that he made the purchase with the view of laying out a town.

Thomas Willing in the latter part of the year lr/28, married Catharine, the daughter of Andrew Justison aforesaid, and by an assignment from his father-in-law, dated 26th of .September, 1731, became interested in part of his land lying on the Christina, between West street and French street. That portion of it lying between French and Market streets had a good shore, the fast land extending to the high water mark.

Along this part of the shore Thomas Willing laid out streets at right angles with each other, after the Philadelphia model, and sold a number of lots with a view to the erection of a town. At what lime this first crude plan of a town was adopted, is not exactly known, but it could not have been earlier than the month called October, 1731, The first house certainly known to have been built on Willing's plot, stood at the corner of Market and Front streets. It was a brick house and bore the date 1732, cut in a marble tablet, built in the gable wall, with the initials I. W. S. It stood out eight feet beyond the range of the buildings in Market street, and was occupied as a tavern until the year 1S25, when it was taken down by the owner, Eli Sharpe, and a much more commodious building erected on the site. The original marble was rebuilt in the gable wall of the new house, and may there be seen, with the date of its erection added to the former inscription.

But Willing had not the means of pushing the settlement, and the little town, then called Willlngtowx, languished for want of settlers with sufficient capital and enterprise to give life and growth to the new establishment. Up to the year 1735, the town contained only fifteen or twenty houses of every description.

vania, at the suggestion of bis wife, who had travelled through the vicinity, and had been favourably impressed by the situation and beauty of the place, came to Willingtown on a visit of inquiry. On the 20th of May he purchased a lot of land of Samuel Kirk and Margaret his wife, situate at the easterly corner of Market and Second streets. The lot was said to be "on the Market Square," by which we learn that it was originally intended to build the market house in that part of the town. Other documents confirm this fact, and say that the design was to erect it in .Market street, which probably was the reason for calling the street by that name. This view of the subject is corroborated by what is still obvious, that the town was originally laid out in close imitation of the plan of Philadelphia; so close, indeed, that, like the Chinese painters, who carefully copy defects as well as beauties, Willing copied, most faithfully, the worst feature in that beautiful city; a feature which never entered into the design of its liberal and enlightened founder, but since his decease grew out of those feelings which prefer present to future advantages. As Philadelphia had a narrow and unsightly avenue, passing close to the river, called Water street, so it was deemed proper that Wilmington should [have one also, and accordingly one was laid out as narrow as its predecessor, being about one-half the width of the streets crossing it. As Philadelphia had a "Market street," with a market house ranging along the middle of it, so was it intended that Wilmington should be accommodated in like manner ; and as that city had a street called " Broad street," near the central part, of it, running across Market street at right angles with it, so about the middle of Wilmington, a street running in like manner was laid out, and called Broad street. Its character, however, did not correspond to its name, for it is quite as narrow as any, except Water stieet, being only forty-nine feet wide.

In the summer of the year 1735, William Shipley again visited Willingtown, and while here purchased a larger lot, evidently with a design of removing to the settlement. On the

9th day of August in that year, Andrew Justison and Breta his wife, and Thomas Willing and Catharine his wife, for the sum of £101, granted and conveyed to William Shipley eight acres of land, all lying between Market and West streets, above Second street and below Fifth street. At the same time he purchased of Charles Erapson one acre and one hundred and four perches, adjoining the same land, and lying within the aforesaid limits.

On the 19th of the month last mentioned, William Shipley bought of Charles Empson another lot of land, containing one acre" and four perches, for the sum of £40. This lot was bounded on the south by the Christcen, and lay between Market and Tatnall streets. John Harris's ship yard now occupies part of it. He also purchased part of the church land lying above Fourth street and west of Shipley street.

These purchases are mentioned as involving important consecpuences to the new establishment. William Shipley had wealth, enterprizc, and influence. He and his wife were both distinguished and influential members of the Society of Friends. In the" fall of 1735, they removed to the new town, and were soon followed by many of the most enterprising and industrious characters belonging to that religious persuasion. From this period the town grew rapidly; emigrants flocked to the settlement; and all was life and activity.

In the. year 1736, there were thirty-three houses in the town. The plan of the city was extended northwardly to Seventh street, westwardly from Market to Tatnall street, and eastwardly to Walnut street. The streets were enlarged in 1740, by adding eight feet to the original width on each side. \\ illiaro Shipley at his own expense had erected a Market house in Fourth street, extending from Shipley street half way toward Market street: and had built that large house, yet standing at the westerly corner of Shipley and Fourth street.

The town being now laid out on a more liberal plan, the land ed proprietors exerted themselves to dispose of building lots, as extensively as possible; and many of the fanners within twenty the town, became interested in its improvement. The want of a better municipal government began to be felt, and this year a united effort of the lot-holders was made to obtain a charter of incorporation, for which purpose the following petition was presented to the governor :

The petition of divers inhabitants and freeholders of lands situate at a place commonly called Willing-town, in the Hundred of Christiana, in the county of New Castle upon Delaware, and other freeholders of Pennsylvania and territories belonging in behalf of themselves and others humbly sheweth.

Whereas divers of these petitioners and others in order for the erecting a town on a small neck of land lying between the rivers of Brandywine and Chistiana in the county of New Castle aforesaid, have been at great charge in the purchasing of lots, building of houses and removing their families ; and whereas, by the industry of these petitioners, who are now become as new adventurers, the said place begins to give the pleasing prospect of thriving and increasing, there being already divers houses built and others a putting forward ; and whereas the said river of Christiana, near which these improvements are made, hath a convenient landing place, the whole being well accommodated (as these petitioners conceive) with proper encouragement will prove a place advantageous for trade, and be a very considerable addition to the improvements already made within this province and territories :

These petitioners therefore pray, the premises considered, that the proprietor will be pleased so far to extend his favour to the inhabitants and owners of lands there, as to erect the same into a town or borough, that they may be authorized to keep markets on such days as may be thought convenient, that they may be impowered to chuse burgesses' and inferior officers as shall be found necessary for the encouraging virtue, preserving the king's peace, and the detecting of vice; that they may be enabled to form and enact such ordinances for the regulation of the market and streets, and cleansing and mending the streets and highways within the precincts of the said town or borough, as may prove commodious and advantageous both to the said town and country adjacent ; that the precincts may be bounded, and that the proprietor will be pleased of his good favour to grant them such of these, or such other privileges as in his wisdom he shall think and esteem expedient, and these petitioners shall as in duty bound ever pray, &c.

i The market house on Fourth street being completed, the parties concerned in its support .published the following advertisement in manuscript hand bills :

Advertisement. Whereas, it is thought very necessary that there should be particular days appointed and agreed to, on which days the country people may bring to town their victualing, which they are minded to sell, and when the inhabitants of this town may furnish themseves with what they think convenient,

Public Notice therefore is hereby given to all concerned, that it is agreed, that for the future, after the seventeenth day of this instant July, there may be a public sale of all sorts of victualing kept at the Market-house built in Willingtown on the fourth and seventh days, commonly called Wednesday and Saturday, in every week, hereafter, to begin about eight of the clock in the morning on the said days, to which publication we the inhabitants of Willingtown have set our hands.

was a disadvantage severely felt at this time by the little community at Willingtown. It tended to engender a party spirit, ami embitter the social relations whenever the least collision or supposed collision of interests occurred. A question which would have been quietly and permanently settled by the vote of a respectable majority, in a legally constituted municipal council, nowagitated the whole community. Such a question at this time arose, and for a short period disturbed the harmony of the rising village.

About the time that William Shipley first became interested in the new settlement, and when nearly all the houses in the town stood below Third street, the subject of a market house had engaged the attention of the settlers, and it was generally understood it was to be built in Market street, near Second street. With this proposition Shipley seemed satisfied. As it regarded his pecuniary interest, it does not appear that at any time it could have made much difference to him, whether it were located in Market street between Second and Third streets, or in Fourth street between Market and Shipley streets. He owned largely on both sides of Market below Third street, and only on one side of Fourth street, east of Shipley street.

Late in the autumn of 1735, Wr. Shipley, with Elizabeth his wife and two small children, removed to Willingtown. They passed the winter in a small brick tenement, standing on his own property, about fifty feet west of the westerly side of Shipley street, a short distance below Fourth street. This house is yet standing and is in good preservation. It is now used as a kitchen, attached to the. new brick house late of Deborah Bringhurst, deceased. Here he planned his improvements for the following year, and amongst others, that of a new market house, which he found it easier to build at his own expense, on his own ground, than to unite his fellow citizens in an agreement to build it any where else. It was put up in the spring of 1736.

With this movement of Shipley, the people owning lots, and those resident in the lower part of the town were dissatisfied, as it was a practical decision of a question contrary to their interests, and to their views and intentions, before he came to reside among them.

involved in a warm controversy. As the town was not incorporated, there was no convenient tribunal to settle the dispute, and while their weapons of war were not more effective than opinions and censures, and reasons of private interest, neither party made much advance toward the attainment of its object.

One of the means resorted to by the up-town party, under a general notion of its efficiency for the purpose of vanquishing their opponents, was the publication of written protests against the acts of the opposition. The people of the lower district had determined to settle the question by building a market house for themselves. They had in the year 1737, procured some materials, and consulted some workmen for the purpose. This movement alarmed the up-town party, who immediately took measures to counteract it, and soon issued the following protest :

" To all Christian People to whom these presents shall come - We wThose names are hereunto subscribed, inhabitants of, and adventurers in Willingtown on the Hundred of Christiana in the county of New Castle upon Delaware, and others, inhabitants of the country and parts adjacent, send greeting ;

Whereas there hath been already built in Willing Town aforesaid for the use and benefit of the said Town, and country adjoining, One certain house or building, commonly called a Market house or Shambles, and situate in High street,* and between Market street and Shipley street, in the said town : And Whereas, there is since proposed by some peisons inhabitants in the said Town, and now by them a putting forward to be built, another Market house, proposed 1o be erected in Market street aforesaid, but down nigher the water side: Now these are therefore to declare to all persons, that We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being very well satisfied that the Market house already built in High street as aforesaid, is and doth stand very commodious for the benefit of the said Town, both as to its situation, largeness and form of building : And that We and every of us do approve the same, and that We nor any of us do any ways approve of, but do utterly disallow and disapprove the building or erecting any other Market house or Shambles in the 'said Town at the present, and until we shall see more reasonable occasion for the same.

The Swedes having a distinct and deep interest in the settlement of this question, also came forward, and, as a body, opposed the erection of another market house in the lower part of the town. In the mode of opposition, they adopted the plan of their Anglo-Saxon neighbours, and issued a written protest. The exordium or preamble to their protestation was the same as that prefixed to the one already before the reader. In the statement of their objections to the plan of the opposite party, they go more at large into the subject, and honestly show that they arc primarily moved to make this protest tor the sake of their interests, and the interests of their lessees, which very probably was the great spring of action with all the parties, however patriotically they may have chosen to express themselves on the occasion. They proceed to say :

"Now these are to declare to all persons, that we whose names arc hereunto subscribed, members of the said congregation, holding divers lands in the said Town for the use of the said church and minister thereof, and having by our trustees leased many lots of land there, to divers persons, and considering the interest of our said church and minister, and as well the interest and advantage of those persons that have already, or which shallhereafter lease any of our said church lands, and the future advantage, rise and growth of the said town in general, and being very well satisfied of the situation of the present market house already built in High street aforesaid, it standing nigh our line, and as we find very nigh the center or middle of the whole town,* and therefore very commodious for every part thereof, that we and every of us do approve the same, and that we nor any of us do any ways approve of, but do utterly disallow and disapprove of the building or erecting any other markethouse or shambles in the said Town, at the present, and until we shall see more reasonable occasion for the same.

* Meaning the middle of the Town Plot as far a-' then laid down. which only extended lo Seventh street. At that time there were but two or three houses in the town noilh of Fourth street.

At the present time, and under our circumstances, it may seem extraordinary that much dependance should have been placed in protests, resting on the authority of individuals having no legal power in the case. 13 ut at that time, when the great mass of the people had little wealth, and a very limited education, the weight of personal influence, and authority in those who were raised much above the crowd in these respects, was often overwhelming, and would frequently overawe where it failed to convince. We can hardly doubt that the name of John Eneberg, the respected pastor of the Swedish community, and the venerated representative of ecclesiastical authority in the "fatherland," would be sufficient to deter almost any member of the congregation from joining a party opposed " to the said church and the minister thereof."* Nor can we suppose that the names of William Shipley, David Ferris, Edward Tatnall, Thomas West, Joshua Way, &c, would, on the other hand be lightly opposed by men connected with them in religious society, or looking up to them as the patrons and support of the infant community.

By the constitution or frame of government of Pennsylvania, established in 1696, one of the powers delegated to the governor and provincial council, was "to settle and order the situation of all cities and market towns in every county ; modelling therein all public buildings, streets, and market places, &c."t

For want of municipal law, no charter having yet been granted in conformity with the prayer of the petitioners, an appeal was made to the Governor, Thomas Penn, and the Executive Council, that they might exercise the power conferred on them by the afore recited article of the constitution or frame of government, which authorized them " to settle and order the public buildings and market places. "

* Thorn s Willing and his family were connected with the church. Andrew Justison was a Swede and a member of it ; both more deeply concerned in locating the market hi the lower part of the town than all the others, yet neither of them signed the address to the governor.

It appears by the following document that the governor, taking into consideration the subject of the appellants, and not entirely approving the proceedings of the party in favour of a market in the lower part of the town, as originally contemplated, he ordered James Steel to write a letter directing that party to suspend further proceedings in relation to their market house, until it would be convenient to the governor to pay them a visit.

In consequence of this proceedure on the part of the governor, the party concerned called a meeting of those interested, and adopted the following address, in answer to his letter, and explanatory of their situation.

To the IIonrble Thomas Penn, Esqr One of the Propri1"8 of Pensilvania. We being animated by your virtuous and generous actions for the public good of this Province beg leave to offer to your wise consideration the reason for erecting a Market house in Willing Town.

From the first laying this place out for a town [there] was generously bestowed by Andrew Justis and Thos. Willing a lott of ground to the public, to erect a Market-house thereon. The purchasers at that time found the burden too heavy to build, chose rather to refer building till there was more posses'd with lolls, which wo'd render the expence more cascy, and give more content to those that hereafter should become advents- William Shipley soon after became a purchaser, and then was informed of this Markett Lott: he approved and much commended the place appointed at that lime ; and at times after used endeavours to promote Market street by regulating the houses by puting them nine feet back of each side of s'1 street, to make the said street commodious for the benefit and advantage of said Marketplace, and by his instigation incouraged persons to purchase Lolls near said place, who gave considerable greater prices for the same, than what might been purchased at other parts in the town, on (he advantage of being near said markett, and by their Deeds said place is acknowledged.

To our concern and surprise, as William Shipley falling away from (he public interest, and his former good intentions ; without the knowledge or consulting of us the freeholders has erected a Markett house on his land at his expense, from what motive, reason or justice should he derivate from so just a cause, if it was not with a vew to gratifie his private interest. The result will leave to y1' Hon'" just reflection.

Tho at the same time it gives us a deep sense of concern, we being now in a capacity to build a Markett house for the public, that we should be represented as persons prejudiced to his interest, the regard we have is far from any design to injure him, we generously have offered to pay him the full expense he has been at in building his Markett house, but his resolution is so strong he is not to be moved to accept aney acknowledgement.

At the vew of James Steels letter by your IIonrs recpuest we readly would desist proceeding in building the public Markett house (ill it pleased you to visit this town, but provisions being made before the receipt of that letter for the going on of the same, would be a great detriment to us, the workmen being all ready employed, the bricks and other materials provided, and the season of (he year bc'ma: so far advanced, should it be delayed, it would injure those materials that hereafter would not be fitt for use.

The privileges that are intended by your Honr for this town will with due sence of acknowledgement be accepted whenever it pleases the Honble Propriers to bestow them grants on us, who are yr Honrs well wishers.

Whereas, I am charged by Thomas Peters and others, in a letter sent to thee, with several things that are not true, I am under the necessity to give some explanation. In the first place, they say, I approved and much commended the plot or lot of ground given, or intended to be given, for to build a market house on. To which I answer, that to the best of my remembrance, I never did so ; but have always thought it a place too low and dirty for that purpose. The lot intended to be given, was offered on condition that the adventurers should approve of it, as suitable for that purpose, so I was informed. But many of them were dissatisfied therewith. Neither was there any deed at that time made and acknowledged for lands near the market lot, except for the one I bought.

Secondly. They are pleased to say that I was in favour of regulating the said Market street, and of setting the houses on both sides nine feet back, which is not true. I did, by the request of one man, speak of a single house being set back that it might range and be regular with those already built. It was but last night that Simon Edgehill accused me of preventing George Coates from setting his house back from the street, and that he could prove it.

Thirdly. As to the charge of encouraging persons to purchase lots on the said street, because the market was to be kept there, it is as untrue ; for I encouraged none but Thomas Tatnall, and I told him I believed the market would not be kept there. And at the same time Thomas Willing, the owner of the land, offered to sell me the ground whereon they are now building, and which they pretend had been given for that purpose.

Fourthly. As to falling away from the public interest, that is far from me. I think it my duty to act for the public interest, as for my own. And I conceive that to build a market house on a pleasant plot of ground, convenient for (lie greater part of the people, both of the town and country, is for the interest of the public. To say it was built without the knowledge of several persons* who signed that letter, is untrue; for they not only knew it, but after it was built, signified their consent to it, by signing their name to an agreement, to hold markets at the said house on set days.

Fifthly. As for their offering to reimburse to me the costs of the said house, it manifests great weakness, for they know that the majority of the people, both in town and country, are well contented to have it where it already stands.

Sixthly. As for the allegation that provision was made for the erection of their house, before the receipt of the letter from James Steel, I believe it cannot be proved. The bricks were bought at Philadelphia a considerable time after the receipt of said letter. William Shipley.

In this letter, Shipley expresses an. opinion in relation to the ground on which the down-town party were building their new market house. He says it was " a low dirty place.*' All the lower part of the square lying between Second and Third, Market and King streets, was at that time a low swampy piece of ground, retaining much of the water that naturally fell on it ; its position and the nature of the soil being unfavourable for easy drainage. It appears by the oldest plot of the town, that the spot finally fixed upon for the lower market, was not in Market street, as mentioned in some of the earliest documents, but in Second street, and the lot alluded to, as having been " generously bestowed by Andrew Justis and Thomas Willing, to erect a market house upon," was part of the square just described. The market house stood on the spot occupied by the present one in Second street, and could not have been more than sixty feet long, that being the length of the lot obtained of Justison and Willing as appears by the aforesaid old plot.

The charges against Shipley, kid before the Governor of Pennsylvania, somewhat affected his public and private character; and did not sit easy either on his own mind, or on the minds of his friends. It is true the charges did not amount to any thing very onerous, but to those unacquainted with the true state of the circumstances, they might pass for more than they were worth. About two months after Shipley had sent his letter to the governor, his friend David Ferris sent also the following testimony in relation to part of the charge.

"A true relation of occurrences between-William Shipley and Thomas Tatnall, concerning a lot of land which Thomas Tatnall bought of Thomas Willing in Willinstown.

I understand it is reported and affirmed that William Shipley persuaded Thomas Tatnall to buy the said lot at a dear rate, telling him that it was joining upon the market place.

Now I was present when the bargain was made, 'and heard, I think, the whole of their discourse upon it. Thomas Tatnall having never seen the place, desired William Shipley to inform him how the lot was situated with respect to the water side and the market place. William Shipley frequently told him it was about mid-Way from the waterside to the market place as now intended. Moreover Thomas Willing repeatedly offered to sell to William Shipley the piece of ground which was formerly designed for a market place, saying, since the market was to be on the hill, he would sell the other piece ; and this was said in Thomas Tatnall's hearing.

This discourse was at William Shipley's house in Ridley; and the same day Thomas Tatnall with Thomas Willing went to Philadelphia, in order to make the writings, and William Shipley, with myself, came the same day to Willingtown. He showed me at that time where the market house was then concluded to be set, and was soon after built in the same place. At the same time, also, myself with divers others agreed for lots near this same market, place, and there was no discourse of the other place, otherwise than as a thing out of date and laid aside.

By this communication we learn that Shipley had fixed upon the site for his market house, before he removed from Springfield; and it must have been after he had made the purchase including the ground on which the Fourth street market house now stands, lie purchased that ground on 9th of August, 1735, and removed to Willingtown before winter set in, which shows that his plan for locating the Fourth street market was arranged in the fall of that year.

Joseph Hewes, one of the earliest settlers in Willingtown under Shipley, and father of the late Edward Hewes, a well known and worthy citizen of Wilmington, came forward in defence of his friend, shortly after the date of David Ferris's testimony, just related. His object like that of Ferris's, was to weaken the charge against Shipley by invalidating the testimony of his accusers, lie sent to the governor the following certificate ::

Whereas, it hath been reported by some people in Willingtown, who are concerned in building a second market house there, that at the receipt of a letter sent .there, by order of the proprietor, they had already employed the workmen, and provided the materials for the said house, and it being queried who they had agreed with, it was replied, with Joseph Hewes.

To which I answer, that they never bargained with me to build any market house at all. 'Tis true they sent for me to a meeting of theirs, and told me they had not agreed with any workmen, and if they could agree with me, they chose to employ me. They asked my price, and when they heard it, they said that they could have it done cheaper by several, and so lett

Now as for their stones, lime, and bricks and timber, there was not any at the place till long after, except shingles ; and I am not certain whether they were there at that time or not. From under my hand,

Up to the period at which we have now arrived, every thing relative to the little village of Willingtown had been effected by individual enterprise, or voluntary association. Willing, in the first place, had laid out a few avenues or streets along the river side, on which a small number of scattering tenements had been erected. In 1735, Shipley arrived, and with him came some active business characters. The following year the town plot was revised, and, by general consent, greatly extended. The plan was accurately laid down, and a copy of it sent to the proprietary and governor, with a petition for a charter. A market house was built and dedicated to the public use ; but all was done without municipal authority, and all lay open to the objections and opposition of individuals or parties, as the interests or caprice of such might dictate. The public market was private property. The very land on which it stood, the street itself, was the estate of William Shipley. In this state of things the public interests lay at the mercy of private persons ; and changing circumstances might bring the people into collision with individuals. In this view of the subject, the landowners became dissatisfied with their position in relation to the markethouse. They wished to possess an inalienable right to it, and to the land on which it was erected ; and also to such an addition to the ground, as future circumstances and the enlargement of the town might require. To effect these objects they entered into a coalition, the nature of which will be explained by the following document :

"A true copy of the contract made between divers persons of Willing-town, in the Hundred of Christiana, in the county of New Castle upon Delaware, and parts adjacent, with their sub-

" To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come We whose names are hereunto subscribed, inhabitants of Willing Town in the Hundred of Christiana, in the County of New Castle upon Delaware, and the parts adjacent, send greeting:

" Whereas. William Shipley, of Willing Town aforesaid, hath very generously, at his own costs and charges, built and erected up in High street, in Willing Town, aforesaid, a market house or shambles, which we esteem as an act that Lath been of great advantage to the said town, and very commodious to the country adjacent.

"And whereas, at the request and proposals of divers of us, the said William Shipley freely agreed that the same should be a public Market place for ever.

" And whereas, we being desirous that the same should be so established for ever, with the ground on which the present shambles are now built, with other ground thereto adjoining, whereon to erect other shambles or Market house, as occasion may require to extend from Shipley street to Market street in length, and in breadth thirty-three feet, with the privilege of the said High street, as it is now laid out to the breadth of five perches quite through the said William Shipley's land, for the better convenience of the said Market place.

" And that the same may be surely established for the public use, we being minded to make a purchase thereof, do therefore make the following subscriptions, which in these presents, to our several respective names, are attached, and which sums respectively, we do promise and obligate ourselves, and our respective heirs, executors, and administrators, to pay or cause to be paid into the hands of our trustees, hereinafter named, or some of them, within six months after the date hereof.

" And we do nominate, constitute, and appoint our trusty and well beloved friends, Thomas West, and Joseph Hewes, of Willing Town aforesaid, Timothy Stidham and Henry Colesbury, of New Castle county, and Joseph Mendenhall, and Jacob Chan- dler, of Chester county, our trustees, in and upon the premises -; impowering them our said trustees, or a majority of them, to receive and collect the said subscribed sums, to make the said purchases, to accept of all necessary conveyances of the premises, for the said uses ; to finish the said shambles ; to build an additional part thereto, as a further improvement of the premises for the public use, if the subscriptions will amount thereto, and they shall see occasion for the same. Hereby providing, that our said trustees shall make up their accounts with any number of us, who shall be and appear at the said Market-place, on the fourteenth day of December next ensuing the date hereof, at which time and place of meeting, it shall be lawful to and for us, the said subscribers, and our heirs, or so many of us then so meeting, or the majoiity, to choose two or more delegates for the making up the said accompts with our said trustees, and when we shall choose new trustees, or retain the old ones already chosen for the next ensuing year, who shall then on the said fourteenth day of December, render us an account by our delegates (for that end chosen) of all their proceedings, and so on yearly forever. And we do hereby propose, that at every such yearly meeting, our trustees and delegates then being, or a majority of them, shall direct what shall be done in the year ensuing, for the enlarging, erecting, rebuilding, or amending the said Market-house, and shambles, for the public use ; and according to our present intent of promoting the same : And we do propose, that these presents, or an exact copy thereof, be kept by some one of our said trustees, or some person whom they shall nominate for the same, as like minutes of all proceedings from time to time transacted, relating to the premises, as a public record : And wc do hereby propose the acceptance of any other donations, which we or any who shall subscribe further and other gifts, for the enlarging, beautifying, and improving the premises, to the public uses aforesaid. Hereby ordering our said trustees, and their successors, whomsoever hereafter, to receive the same, and make report of, and account for the same, at their then next general meeting. -

Dated this 15th of December in the eleventh year of the reign of George the Second of Great Britain, &c, King, Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven. (New style, December 2Cth, 1737.)

The object of this association being accomplished, the market bouse in Fourth street became public property. This circumstance, however gratifying to the up-town party, rather increased the uneasiness of the inhabitants residing in the lower part of the village, and the controversy continued with increasing asperity until the town, by its charter, was erected into a borough. During this interval the down-town people became greatly exasperated. At one time that party, represented by two athletic champions, came to the market house in Fourth street, provided with axes to cut it down. The house stood on large white-oak posts, and the men arranging themselves in due order for the purpose, commenced the work of destruction by driving their axes into one of these pillars. A very stout young man, belonging to the other party, excited by this outrage, promptly interfered, and while the. two men stood near each other, put one hand on each of their heads and brought them together with so much force, that they both fell senseless to the ground. The dissension having now proceeded to personal violence, and threatening more serious mischief, the moderate men of both parties were convinced that measures ought speedily to be taken to settle the disputed point; and by their representations to the governor, a clause was inserted in the charter, by which it was provided that the burgesses, freeholders, and such of the inhabitants who were housekeepers, might, at an election to be held for that special purpose, " chuse some fitting place or places within the said borough, for holding of fairs and markets, which place or places so made choice of, being recorded by the town clerk in some book by him io be kept for recording the transactions of the said corporation, should thereafter remain, for the holding of the said fairs and markets, without any alteration, for ever." In pursuance of the powcrsthus granted, it was, on the 30th of November, 1739, "Ordered by the Burgesses, High Constable, and Assistants of the said borough, that the 10th day of December, then next following, should be the day for the electing the said place or places, for the said uses. And accordingly on the said 10th day of December, 1739, the freeholders and inhabitants of the said borough being met, gave their voices thus :

13y this vote it is apparent, that the kindly spirit of compromise predominated in the election; for there was a majority for both places, although the Fourth street Market place had much the largest number in its favour.

Thus was happily, and most judiciously settled, a controversy, which for four years had disturbed the harmony of the village, and in some cases embittered the feelings of the citizens toward each other. This arrangement has now been maintained nearly one hundred and four years, and has been obviously advantageous to the extension of the town, the diffusion of business, and the value of property.

At the time of this decision it appears, that the down-town people had finished their Market house in Second street. The long existing controversy on the subject of a Market place, had excited and given strength to feelings of rivalry, and, in the disposition to surpass their competitors, they had erected a building of a more substantial character, and in a much handsomer style, than the one in Fourth street. The roof was supported by brick pillars instead of wooden ones, and at the end nearest Market street they built of brick a neat little Town Hall, over the Market place, on arches, springing from the columns which divided the stalls. During a part of the lime of its existence, it was used as a school room, the stairway to which was on the outside of the house. After the year 1774 the Burgesses and Assistants assembled there for the transaction of public business, having previously met at taverns. The building had a small square cupola, surmounted by a spire and vane, the whole beinoa close imitation, on a small scale, of the old Court House, which stood at the intersection of Market and Second streets in the City of Philadelphia. It was taken down about fifty years ago.

The minutiae of the controversy in relation to the market houses have been narrated as matters of history, and with a view to explain the circumstances which led to the adoption of the present plan, of holding markets alternately at the Fourth street and Second street houses. Why two market houses should be built for the accommodation of one market, is a question which has often been asked, and which few have been able to answer. Happy would it have been for mankind had all the angry contentions arising from collisions of interest, been terminated as advantageously to both parties as was this first and greatest controversy that ever agitated the citizens of Wilmington.

By the Charter now granted, the Burgesses were constituted Conservators of the Peace, with power to arrest and punish rioters and other disorderly persons breaking the peace, - to bind to good behaviour, - to commit offenders to prison for trial at the Quarter Sessions of the County, - and generally to do all other matters and things pertaining to the office of a Justice of the Peace. As the County Courts were held at New Castle, distant from the village five miles, it became necessary to have a prison within the borough, for securing prisoners, until they could be conveyed to the county jail. The first ordinance passed by the authorities under the charter, was enacted for this purpose. It was dated March 31, 1740, and provided, " that, for the better preserving and keeping the King's peace, and for the better ordering and good government of disorderly persons, &c, there be a piece of ground purchased of William Shipley, of this borough, situate in Market street, adjoining to the lot of ground belonging to Samuel Hoolen, io extend in the front thirty feet, and in depth back from the edge of the street, as it is now settled by the charter, fifty-eight feet, in order to have a cage, or place of confinement, and a pair of stocks and whipping-post erected, for such disorderly persons to be punished at, according to law. And we do order and appoint George Howell and Thomas West to treat with William Shipley about the said piece of ground, and that a necessary title be obtained for the same according to the charter." The same ordinance then goes on to provide for the erection of stocks, a whipping-post and cage. The cage was " to be built with brick, ground-pinned with stone, to the length of twelve feet on the front, and to the depth back of twelve feet, and in height from the floor to the top of the square, eight feet," and it was ordered "that the said cage, stocks and whipping-post be finished by the 2Sth day of April next."

In pursuance of this ordinance the ground mentioned was bought of William Shipley, and the cage, stocks and whippingpost were duly erected ; whether within the short period of twenty-eight days we have not the means to determine ; but that the cage was erected, and stood more than fifty years, the "opprobrious residence" of many a poor depraved creature, we have yet many living witnesses to prove. The lot of ground mentioned in the charter is on the northwest side of Market street, a few doors above Third street, and is occupied by a goldsmith and jeweller's shop, now in the tenure of J. T. Robinson, and the toy shop of Eliza Dauphin, widow of the late Joseph Dauphin.

The cage afterwards obtained the name of " the smokehouse," and until the year 1798, though it was only twelve feet square, was the most distinguished public building in Wilmington. It stood in the most public part of the town, had two doors with little grated windows, through which the prisoner might see and be seen, and by which the pure air from without might refresh the wretched sojourner. In front of the cage, at the outer edge of the pavement, stood the stocks, in -which was often seen some unlucky vagabond, who thus paid the penalty of his aberrations from the pleasant paths of temperance, or from the wholesome rules of moral propriety. This penalty consisted not only in his public exposure, and the cramped position of his legs and arms, but also in the gratuitous infliction of divers punishments not mentioned in the statute. They were inflicted by the rude spectators of his confinement, of their own mere motion and voluntary desire to aggravate the miseries of the culprit. He was often covered with the contents of rotten eggs and other offensive materials, well calculated to impress him with a desire for the future to keep out of the fangs of a law which exposed him to such odious inflictions. In addition to all these sufferings, he was sometimes sentenced to be "drummed out of town;" which was always attended with such additional punishment, as must have made him abhor the bare idea of ever paying us another visit.

Within the recollection of many yet living, public fairs were held in our city twice in the year. These fairs were often attended by the citizens of other states, and being the favourite resort of the rude and licentious part of society, were frequently scenes of disorder and riot. By an ordinance dated April 25, 1740, the sale of rum and other intoxicating drink at the fair, was confined to persons residing in the county. This attempt to monopolize, for the benefit of our own citizens, all the profits arising from drunkenness, it is hardly needful to say, was easily eluded, and proved abortive. In the early period of our country's settlement, such fairs may have been useful, but the disadvantages of various kind attending them, the vice and disorder they always introduced, at length convinced the community that they were far more fruitful of evil than of good, and after an existence of forty-five years they were suppressed by an act of the Legislature, dated June 4th, 17S5.

The first election under the charter was held on the Sth day of September, 1740. By that instrument, all the inhabitants who were freeholders, and all renters to the amount of five pounds per annum, having resided one year in the town, were entitled to a vote. As the town had now assumed the character of a borough, and the citizens were for the first time called upon to choose their municipal officers, it is probable that this occasion excited much interest, (hat the village was all in motion, and that a general exercise of the elective franchise took place. The result is on record, and the following named citizens were elected, by the number of votes placed opposite to their names respectively :

By the foregoing returns of the election, it appears that the highest vote given was 96. It may enable us to form some estimate of the number of inhabitants then in the town. Allowing for the absence of some of the voters, on account of sickness, and other circumstances ; supposing there were some widows having families of children, and some renters under five pounds per annum, or not having resided one year in the town - there were in Wilmington at that time, probably, one hundred and twenty families, which at five persons to a family, would make a population of six hundred inhabitants. Five years before that period, the number of families did not amount to more than thirty, consequently the increase in that time was fourfold.

In this year, [1740,] William Shipley, David Ferris, Joshua Way, Griffith Minshall, and others, built the first vessel for foreign trade that ever belonged to this port. This vessel was a brig, and was named "The Wilmington." She was loaded with flour, ship-bread, white and black-oak staves, beef in barrels, butter, &c, &c, and bound to Jamaica in the West Indies. She sailed in the summer of the following year. We find in an old memorandum book of William Shipley, a charge for pilotage, dated 3d mo., 27th, 1741, 0. S. ; answering to May 7th, according to the present mode of dating. This was the commencement of a trade, which was continued with considerable enterprise through the whole time of our colonial state. During the revolutionary period, extending from the year 1775, to the peace of 17S3, it does not appear among any authentic records that this trade was pursued with much energy. Nor do we find testimony to show that any considerable revival occurred until five or six years afterwards. Several years subsequent to the close of the war, all kinds of business was very dull. Our country, like a patient who has survived a violent attack of disease, was for a long while in a very debilitated state ; nor did any very decided improvement appear until after the adoption of the Federal Constitution. That happy event was directly succeeded by symptoms of returning strength, and Wilmington partaking of the vital energy then diffused through the whole body, soon became an efficient member of it. In the year 1789, we find a number of vessels belonging to the town actively engaged in foreign commerce. The schooner Isabella, Capt. Parks; schooner Pratt, Capt. Tho. Mendinhall ; sloop Hannah, Capt. Samuel Lovering ; brig Polly and Betsy, Capt. Andrew Morris ; sloop Industry, Capt. Hill ; sloop Sukey and Polly, Capt. Ingham ; sloop Hope, Capt. T. Ncwbold ; sloop Polly, Capt. Congdon; brig Munton, Capt. Staunton; brig Maria, Capt. Fort; brig Kezia, Capt. Collins; wrere here at that time, and all engaged in the West India trade. At the same time the brig Brothers, Capt. James JefFerics ; brig Keziah, Capt. Brown; brig Maria, Capt. Fort; brig Sophia, Capt. T. Thomson; ship Happy Return, Capt. Erwin; ship Nancy, Capt. Crawford, were engaged in the Irish trade. They took out flaxseed and other articles of American produce, and brought in Irish linens, window glass and other glass ware, together with emigrants, seeking an asylum on our shores, from the hardships of their native country.

ships from three hundred lo four hundred tons, belonged here. The principal object of this trade, was the transportation of passengers, of whom great numbers were brought into our port, and it is with satisfaction we add, that many who came over at that time, have since appeared on the stage of action among our most useful and respected citizens.

The insurrection of the blacks at St. Domingo in 1791, and the massacre of the white population which followed, drove hundreds of families into our country, anil Wilmington became a favourite place of residence for the refugees. Many families settled here ; and so large a number made it a temporary residence, as greatly to enhance the price of provisions in the markets. The cost of butter, eggs and poultry, was doubled. The old residents complained at the change, but the little advance on the cost of produce was amply compensated by the rise of rents and the increased activity of trade. If the consumer paid more, the producer had more to spend ; it was a season of real prosperity to our borough, whose livelier aspect contrasted finely with its dull and stagnant condition but a few years before. ^

But this was not the only circumstance by which Wilmington, about that time, was made prosperous by the adversity ot others. In the year 1793 the yellow fever made its appearance in Philadelphia. This awful disease spread consternation and alarm among her citizens, thousands of whom fled for refuge into the surrounding country. Our town being a seaport, and lying between that city and the ocean, presented the only good harbour and otherwise eligible situation for the ships and vessels belonging to her merchants. They flocked to Wilmington in great numbers. Every house and part of a house, that could be spared by our citizens, were taken at high rents. The Christiana, from the old ferry to the upper wharf, was so crowded with ships and vessels of ail sorts, that there was scarcely room left for the passage of a boat. All the wharves were constantly occupied in the discharge of cargoes, and every stable, carriage house, and other building', ali'ording shelter from the weather, were used for storing goods and merchandize. The shores re- 20* sounded with the cheerful cries of the sailors heaving the anchor, or hoisting out the lading of their respective vessels ; every ship carpenter was busy, and the whole town was perfumed with the wholesome odours of boiling tar and pitch. Such were the scenes exhibited in Wilmington, in the memorable year 1793 ; scenes never before, witnessed in our little town, and most probably such as will never be witnessed again.

At this period, Wilmington contained about 2500 inhabitants. A considerable number of those who took refuge here at that time, settled among us, material])- augmenting our population.

The French revolution was now in rapid progress. A heady had Louis XVI. been beheaded, and the old dynasty destroyed. The spirit of rational liberty, in which that revolution originated, soon passed the bounds of sober reason, and ran into excesses, justly alarming to the friends of constitutional freedom. Our country was just recovering from the weakness of a long and wasting war. Her wisest statesmen sawr that peace and repose were necessary to her safety. The wild enthusiasm which pervaded France, plausible in its professions, and infectious in its character, had begun to manifest itself amongst us. A generous sympathy for our late allies was producing effects, whose tendencies were calculated to involve us in the struggle existing between the European belligerents. Already enjoying all the blessings of a 2)crfeclly free government, the sagacious mind of Washington clearly saw that such a course could not possibly do us any good, and must inevitably do us much evil ; perhaps destroy the fair fabric of our freedom, reared at so much cost, and with so much suffering. With all the firmness, for which he was remarkable, he employed the whole weight of his character and influence, which was unparalleled, to counteract those tendencies. In the year 1794, he appointed John Jay our Ambassador to the court of St. James, with full powers to negociate with England a treaty of commerce. This measure was so unpopular, that when the treaty was laid before Congress, it was opposed by a decided majority ; and it was with difficulty the Senate could be induced to sanction it ; so strong was the popu- lar feeling opposed to such an arrangement with our late enemy, then at war with France our late friend. But experience manifested the wisdom of the measure, and added a new debt of gratitude to the great statesman then at the helm of government. All Europe soon became involved in a long and cruel war, during which the United States, from her neutral position, was enabled to engross much of the carrying trade, which, together with an extensive and lucrative commerce, produced a state of mercantile and national prosperity, perhaps unprecedented in this or any other nation.

Wilmington, in common with the'whole country, soon felt the animating influence of this revival of trade, infusing life and vigour through every department of society. The demand for our agricultural products was vastly increased, - commercial capital was enlarged, - and manufactures encouraged. In this state of things the want of a banking institution was for the first time felt in this borough. Application to our legislature for a charter was made, and a company incorporated under the title of" The President, Directors and Company of the Bank of Delaware." The act was passed February 9th, 1796. It has now existed nearly fifty years, and during all the vicissitudes of that long period, has been managed with so much ability, discretion, and sound judgment, as to rank it with the very best institutions of that kind in the United States. Its stock has always been much above par, at the present time it will sell for 175 dollars per share above its original cost. Since it went into operation there have been three other banks instituted in our city, - " the Bank of Wilmington and Brandywine," - " the Farmer's Bank of the State of Delaware," and "die Union Bank of Delaware." They are all flourishing institutions, and stand high in the estimation of the public in our own and neighboring States.

Before the year 1798, the municipal officers of the borough had no other public place of meeting than (he old town-hall at the west end of the lower market house. The rising importance of the town, and its improved financial condition, induced the corporation in that year to erect the present City-Hall. In it the)- placed a town clock, and in the cupola a bell of fine tone, and so large as to be distinctly heard three or four miles from the hall. The bell was presented to the corporation by the late Joseph Tatnall, who was the first President of the Bank of Delaware. The building, for its size and the elegance of its architecture, is a creditable monument to the liberality and public spirit of the citizens of Wilmington, at a time when its population could not have been much more than 3000 individuals. In this hall the city courts hold their sessions, and the city council meets to transact the business of the corporation. In the large room in the second story, is the Wilmington Library. Two other rooms are appropriated, one to the use of the clerk of the council, and as a depository oi the city records ; the other for the meetings of fire companies, and other public bodies. In the basement story are placed the cells, for the temporary confinement of offenders against the laws, and other subjects of imprisonment.

In the year 1793, the yellow fever as an epidemical disease, first appeared in our country in an alarming way, since the commencement of the eighteenth century.* For more than ten years after that time the maritime cities of the United States, with few, if any exceptions, suffered more or less under its awful visitations. In that year it made its appearance in Philadelphia. Many of the citizens fled in terror, to escape the dreadful scourge. A large portion unprovided with places of refuge, and not understanding the nature or character of the malady, remained and suffered severely. In the short space of live months, with a population of less than 50,000, and after a great part, of that number had left the city, more than 3000 persons were consigned to the tomb. In the year 1795 and 1790 it again appeared in Philadelphia, but did not spread so widely as to cause an extensive desertion of the city. In the year 1797, it appeared again in a more malignant form ; spread over the city, and caused a general flight of the inhabitants. It again made its appearance there in the early part of the summer of 179S, but did not spread rapidly till the eighth month (August) of that year, when it suddenly burst out like a flame that had been confined, and with unparalleled rapidity spread death, indiscriminately, among all classes of her citizens. The flight became general. Out of a population of less than 70,000, it was supposed that not more than 20,000 remained; yet such was the unprecedented malignity of the disease, and such the extent of its ravages, that from this small remnant of her inhabitants, death selected one hundred and nineteen victims in a single day, and more than 4000 during the season.

111 that year, for the first time, the disease made its appearance in Wilmington. The season was unusually hot and dry. Every thing in the state of the weather seemed calculated to increase its malignity. Such was the condition of the air that before the yellow fever prevailed, the cats and common house flies, both in Philadelphia and Wilmington, died in great numbers. The lower part of the town first became infected ; thence as the season advanced, the disease spread into the higher situations, and even into the village of Brandywine. On the north-easterly side of that stream, Joseph Tatnall lost two of his sons, who were cut off by it, in the bloom of manhood. Near the city hall, James Lea, senior, and several others, fell victims to its malignity. It was believed that the deaths by yellow fever in Wilmington that year, nearly equalled those in Philadelphia, in proportion to the amount of our population.

The last and only oilier visitation of that disease in Wilmington, wTas in the year 1802. Previous to its appearance here, it had broke out in Philadelphia. The citizens there had generally closed their stores, and were fleeing in all directions. Our Board of Health, to prevent, if possible, its introduction here, had established a rigid quarantine. Vessels were not permitted to come nearer to the town than the mouth of the Brandywine. All the avenues of approach to it were vigilantly guarded. At the bridge on Brandywine a watch was kept night and day, to prevent the introduction of persons infected with the disease. But these precautions proved in vain. The fever made its appearance, and spread among us with all its usual malignity. The last person who fell under its desolating power, was John Ferris, junior. He was a member of the Board of Health at the time of his decease; and during its prevalence, from a benevolent desire to alleviate the sufferings of the sick and afflicted, was in the practice of visiting every person within the borough who had the disease. He was frequently the only one left in the houses of the sufferers, to perform the last offices of laying out and burying the dead.

"Died on the 1st instant [November] John Ferris, of this borough, a most 'unexceptionable character ; his temper mild and conciliating. He was a most; worthy citizen and useful member of society, which has suffered a serious loss in his death. He fell a sacrifice to his indefatigable exertions to administer comfort to the sick and others, during the late mortality. The Board of Health have entered on their minutes the following just tribute to his memory."

" Sensible of the loss which the citizens of this place in general, and this board in particular, have sustained in the death of our worthy fellow labourer, John Ferris, Jim., who left this transitory for, we hope, a happier slate of existence, at seven minutes before 3 o'clock this afternoon, we conceive it to be our dutj-, and we are impelled by our feelings, to insert on our minutes a record of his extraordinary services. The prevalence of the yellow fever of 1798, first made us acquainted with his disposition and exertions to relieve the afllicted, but the present year has more intimately informed us of his usefulness. As soon as the disease, appeared which has made such ravages among our citizens, and consigned eighly-two of them to the grave, he commenced his arduous services, and during its continuance did not, for a single day, intermit his attention to the sick, the dying, and the dead. The fust mentioned, he was in the constant practice of visiting twice a day ; he took upon him the care of the funerals of the latter. After performing a serious tour of duty, a duty enjoined by his commiseration for the distressed, and anxiety for their relief, he fell a victim, a late sacrifice to his exertions for the happiness of others, and has left on the hearts of his fellow citizens a grateful remembrance of his labours and his virtues."

In the year ]S04, under the favourable influence of peace with foreign nations, our country had been ten years rapidly increasing its agriculture and commerce. Seldom has so short a time produced more happy results to a people. Wilmington had during that period greatly increased its trade and -wealth. A cotton manufactory, the first ever seen in this part of the country, had, within that time, been set into operation, in the Old Academy on Market street. It was afterwards removed to the shore of Brandywine, to be driven by water power. In the years 1S0G and 1S07, Bonaparte issued his Berlin and Milan decrees, which were soon followed by the British Orders in Council. Our commercial marine, which had lately covered every sea, was now in danger of destruction. Many hundreds of our ships, with their cargoes, were captured and condemned, and our commerce reduced to little more than a coasting trade. To protect our shipping and the commercial interests depending on it, our government passed a general embargo act. This was followed by the non-intercourse act, extending both to France and England. Our intercourse with foreign countries being thus obstructed, the attention of our. citizens was generally turned to the establishment of manufactures. Our city and neighbourhood partook largely of the. public feeling at this time. Manufactures of wool, cotton, iron, powder, and other articles, were introduced and established among us, by which a foundation was laid for the permanent prosperity of Wilmington.

Up to the year 1807, the road leading to New Castle from Wilmington, and the country situate to the North-east, North, and North-west of it, crossed the Christeen at the old Ferry, about half a mile below the town. It passed near the old Fort, and over the ground where the Dutch troops, under Governor Stuyvesant, had erected several of their batteries at the siege of Fort Christina, in 1G55. Passengers and their carriages were conveyed over the ferry in flat bottomed boats or scows, and often in winter were subjected to much suffering, delay, and danger, by reason of the floating ice. On the south side of the creek, lay a large body of excellent land and marsh, which on account of the difficulty of access to it, was of little value. The road to the town of New Castle, where the county courts are held, and the public records kept, was sometimes impassable, and the intervention of a tedious ferry, always a source of delay, was often vexatious and frequently of serious disadvantage. In the year 1806, the attention of our public spirited citizens being renewedly called to the subject, a company was formed for the purpose of erecting a bridge over the Christecn, at or near the town. On the 20th of the First month, (January,) 1807, the Legislature of the state granted them a charter, under the title of " The Wilmington Bridge Company," with power to build a bridge at Wilmington, and to lay out a road across the Holland's Creek Marsh, to the fast land near the dwelling house of Major Peter Jaquet, and thence by a direct line to the old New Castle road. A bridge was accordingly built, at the lower end of Market street, by which all the evils of the old system have been completely removed. But the benefits of this change have not been confined to the removal of former difficulties ; it has produced numerous advantages both to the public and individuals. To the public, by opening an easy and safe access to the courts and offices of the county; and withal so expeditious, that a person can ride to New Castle now in less time than was frequently spent in crossing the ferry. The trade of the city has been increased by opening an avenue into a country of considerable extent, to the great advantage of our markets and stores. The land and marsh opposite Wilmington have been doubled in value, inducing the owners to drain and cultivate them, by which the healthfulness both of the town and country have been inproved. To individuals by enhancing the value of their property, increasing their business, securing their health, and improving their comfort in a variety of ways, which those who never suffered under the old system cannot appreciate.

The increasing prosperity of Wilmington, by producing surplus capital, was attended with its usual consequences. It sought employment in the advancement of public improvements. About die year 1808, the attention of capitalists was turned to the construction of turnpike roads. The popular current in their favour at that time ran so strong, that in a few years almost every highway leading from our city became a turnpike road.

On the 1st clay of the Second month, (February,) 1S0S a company was incorporated by the title of " The Wilmington Turnpike Company." Its object, whkh they soon completed was to make an artificial road from Wilmington, about six miles to connect with the Gap and New Port turnpike. By this means a communication was opened the whole distance from the Susquehanna river at Columbia, through Lancaster, to our city, on a stoned road, passable by loaded waggons at all seasons of the year, and bringing to us the heavy products of a rich and extensive agricultural region.

" The Wilmington and Kennet Turnpike Company," was chartered on the 21st of the First month, (January,) 1811. It constructed a stone turnpike from our city to the line of the state, about seven miles. Its object was the easy introduction of agricultural products from the state of Pennsylvania.

A company called " The Wilmington and Great Valley Turnpike Company," was incorporated on the 23d day of the month and year last mentioned. They made a stone turnpike from Brandywine bridge to the line of the state along the old Concord road, on the east side of Brandywine. Its object was similar to that of the last named company.

Another company was incorporated on the 1st of the Second month, (February,) 1813, for the purpose of making an artificial road from Wilmington to the state line near Marcus Hook. It was made nearly the whole way on the old Philadelphia road, and was intended to facilitate the communication between Wilmington and Philadelphia. '

The last of the series of turnpike roads was made by a company incorporated by the title of " the President, Managers and Company of the Wilmington and Christiana Turnpike Road." They made a road about nine miles long, to Christiana Bridge, at the village of Christiana. The object was to improve the communication between this city and Baltimore. It was charered 1st mo. 30th, (January,) 1815.

least to the enterprising companies who made them. But they remain a monument to the zeal and public spirit of our capitalists, at a time when travelling over the earth at the rate of fifty or sixty miles an hour never entered the mind of the most sanguine speculator. The long season of exemption from the countless evils of war, both in Europe and our own country, has happily turned the attention of man to the cultivation of the arts of peace. Since the pacification of Europe in ISM, the advancement of mankind in science, in mechanics, and in useful inventions, has been without a parallel in the history of the world. The course of improvement has been so rapid, as to outstrip the calculations of the most gifted of men. It is now no dishonor to the highest order of thinking minds, to be found a little behind the actual march of science and discovery.

During the war of 1812, though the inhabitants of Wilmington suffered as little as their fellow citizens, generally, in other parts of the United States; yet being within the limits of annoyance by ships of war, and easily reached by an invading army, they lived in a painful state of apprehension, lest the enemy, emboldened by the hope of easy victory, might lay the town in ashes, or expose its population to the ravages of a brutal soldiery. There was no efficient protection on the river below New Castle, to allay their fears. At one time a report was circulated that a squadron of British ships of war was coming up the Delaware. A panic ensued. The timid were made to tremble, and the warrior to buckle on his armour. The old seat of military array at " the rocks," was once more converted into a fortress, mounted with cannon, and bristling with bayonets. But the alarm was groundless. The report was soon contradicted. Wilmington was saved from annoyance, and her soldiers from conflict, to the great joy of all parties. The old fort had never been a scene of sanguinary strife. The shores of our placid Christina, as if consecrated to the Genius of Peace, had never resounded to the war-whoop of savages, nor to the clamor of conflicting troops, and her soil was once more left unstained with blood.

At the time of the bombardment of the fort at Baltimore, the sound of the British cannon, booming along the waters of the broad Chesapeake, was distinctly heard in Wilmington, and caused intense anxiety for the consequences to that fair city, and its suffering inhabitants. Nor were our citizens without alarm for the consequences to themselves. Had that city fallen, there was a strong probability that the march of the victors would be northward, and that Wilmington might not escape the effects of military ferocity, from a foe that had not spared Washington city, nor confined his ravages to military institutions. The citizens of Philadelphia were terrified. They turned out without distinction of classes, to erect fortifications in its suburbs and near vicinity. Men, whose hands had never handled a spade, were seen at labur, casting up intrenchments, and mounting them with cannon. A great mound yet remains in the fork of the roads, one leading to Gray's Ferry, and the other to the permanent bridge over the Schuylkill at Market street, a monument of their fears as well as of their industry. Baltimore was saved, and we were happily spared the trial. The dulcet sounds of peace soon allayed our fears, and restored our beloved country to all the blessings that follow in her train. The treaty which again placed the parties in a state of harmony, was signed at Ghent, on the 24lh of the 12th mo. (December) 1814, James A. Bayard, a distinguished citizen of Wilmington, having been one of the negotiators of that treaty. After performing this important service for his country, he returned in ill health to his family and his home, and expired a few hours after his arrival.

In the spring of 1819, an occurrence of the most painful nature took place in our vicinity. On the Brandy wine, four miles above Wilmington, stood the powder manufactory of the late Eleuthere Irene Uupont & Company. It was then, as it is now, one of the largest establishments of the kind in the United States. About the middle of the Third month of that year, from some unknown cause, the powder in one of the preparing mills exploded. The roof was blown to pieces, and the ignited fragments scattered in all directions. By' this means fire was communicated to the drying mill, which was instantly blown to pieces. Such was the power of the explosive forces, that the building, which was a large wooden structure, was literally shivered to splinters, so small as to thickly cover acres of ground. The citizens of Wilmington being immediately apprized of the disaster by the noise and concussion it produced, large numbers instantly hurried out to the scene of distress, some in carriages, some on horseback, and many on foot. Before they could reach the spot, a third explosion took place. This was the magazine in which, it was said, was stored more than thirty tons ot powder. The building was made of stone, in a solid rock in the side of a hill, excavated with great labour, expressly for the purpose, at the distance of two or three hundred yards from the buildings previously destroyed.. It was so completely torn to pieces that not one stone was left upon another, nor was a sign of human labour remaining in its place.

After the buildings were all destroyed, the citizens were thrown into great alarm by a report that the magazine was on fire, and must shortly explode, - that the quantity of powder in it- was so large, that the town must be destroyed by the concussion. Such was the consternation produced by this report, that the inhabitants, men, women, and children, the aged, the sick and the. decrepid, left their houses, and took refuge in the streets and fields. Some were seen weeping and wringing their hands, some running up and down the streets in a frantic state ; while others were as busy, benevolently endeavouring to allay their fears, and restore them to quietness and confidence. The report proved erroneous, the magazine had already exploded, and no further mischief ensued. The only damage done to the city, was the destruction of window glass, which was less than had been generally expected.

It was a happy circumstance, that the crowd of persons flocking to the place, did not arrive before the last explosion, for circumstances made it too evident that many were killed by it, some by the mere concussion, on whose persons no wound could

The consequences of this desolating accident were appalling. Thirty-six persons were instantly killed. Many of their bodies mangled and torn to pieces, lay scattered in fragments, over many acres in extent. Four died afterwards from the injuries they had received.

Some of the effects of this explosion were very extraordinary. The numerous buildings in the vicinity were all more or less injured. Many of their roofs were crushed in, as if some great weight had fallen upon them. It was supposed that the expansive force of the gases, suddenly set at liberty by the ignition of such a vast quantity of powder, had so completely removed the ordinary weight of the atmosphere, that when it returned upon the roofs, they were crushed in by the pressure.

Houses at the distance of more than a mile from the powder mill, had all their window glass destroyed. The broken fragments of the glass were fouud, in all cases, outside of the houses ; some at twenty feet from the windows. It appears that the air within the walls, in rushing out to fill up the vacuum occasioned by the explosion, drove the glass with it so forcibly, as to carry it to the distance of ten, fifteen, and twenty feet.

Another curious phenomenon was related by some who were near the magazine when the explosion occuired. They were instantly deprived of the power to see. Though their eyes were open, and they exerted the usual powers of vision, all around them appeared as dark as the darkest midnight. In this state they remained until the atmospheric equilibrium was restored. Some operation on the optic nerve by the state of the air, was supposed to be the cause of this phenomenon.

By this calamitous event, many were left widows, and helpless orphans. In this case, the benevolent disposition of E.I. Dupont, had ample room for exercise. He pensioned every widow, and provided an asylum for every orphan, at his own expense; furnishing them with clothing and the means of education. He lived thirteen 'years' after this event, the father and friend of the bereaved. The blessings of the poor and afflicted cheered him through life, and when death terminated his earthlyexistence, his grave was wet with their tears. He died in Philadelphia of the Asiatic cholera, in 1832, and was buried in the family grave yard, on his own land, not far from his late residence.

The ground on which Wilmington stands is undulating, and in many places the original declivity of the streets, especially in the middle parts of the town, was too great to admit the easy passage of loaded wagons. Near the intersection of Shipley and Fourth streets, the ground descended toward- the Christeen, the' Delaware, and Orange street by a steep descent. This place was long called "the Hill."* The old houses in this neighbourhood, stood eight or ten feet higher than the present regulation. The house at the North corner of that intersection formerly had its front door on Shipley street, in what is now the second story, where the marks of the old door way may still be seen. Many can yet remember the old fashioned porch, and the family occupying it on a hot summer evening. Two large old buttonwood trees stood by the gutter at the gable end, whose roots grew far above the surface of the present pavement. Under their shade, in the olden time, the neighbours used to gather, in little groups, to hear the news. In Shipley street, between Second and Third streets, there was a very steep hill. The valley in Fourth between Orange and Tatnall streets, has been tilled up at least ten feet, and Market below Fourth street has been lowered several feet. These changes which extended to other parts of the town, sometimes left the houses standing high above the streets. The authority to fix or alter the ascents and descents was then vested in the Burgesses and Assistants, who were often changed at the annual election. Different councils differed in judgment. The consequences were frequent alterations. One year a street was taken down, the next year the same street was raised ; and as the owners of the property had to pay the expense, it often amounted to a burdensome charge. But a still greater grievance followed this course. They were sometimes irreparably injured by finding, after a final adjustment of the case, that the ground floors of their houses were below the pavement. These evils induced the call of a town meeting, where the subject was discussed, and it was unanimously agreed to apply to the Legislature for a remedy. The Council caused the streets to be accurately surveyed, expensive instruments were purchased for determining the true levels, and the ascents and descents being accurately ascertained, a plot of the whole was laid before a town meeting, and adopted. This plot was submitted to the Legislature of the state, and in the year 1822, a law was passed confirming it, as " the true map or ground plan of the borough."

The advantages of this regulation have been extensive. Before its adoption builders were uncertain how to act, so as to avoid injury to their property, by changes which they could not foresee. At present they have only to ascertain the true regulation, by means which the law has provided, and they are safe from injuries arising from the instability of opinion. Since the passage of that act, the city has been advancing with accelerated motion, having more than doubled in population since the year 1820. In that year the number of its inhabitants was 5268 ; at present it amounts to 10,G39.

But pediaps no act of our city authorities, nor any act within the power of man to achieve, for the benefit of a compact city population, whether it relates to the health, safety, or comfort of such population, can be compared in its importance with the power which can furnish it with a plentiful supply of pure, wholesome water. " Cloud capped towers, gorgeous palaces, solemn temples," lofty monuments, and antique obelisks, may adorn and give splendor to a city, but her true glory consists in the virtue and intelligence of her citizens, and in public institutions for promoting the health, the comfort, the relief and improvement of her population. With the former, the people may be miserable; with the latter, they must be happy.

In 1S27, the corporate authorities of Wilmington purchased a mill at Brandywine, formerly the property of Joseph Shipley deceased. This mill, being one of the first that was built on the long race, had what is termed " a first right;" that is, if by reason of a long continued drought, or from any other cause, there should be a deficiency of water, that mill should have a supply in preference to others. This mill was purchased for 2S,000 dollars. Soon afterwards the city authorities bought a lot of land including the whole square, lying between Market and King streets, and between Tenth and Eleventh streets ; occupying nearly the highest point of the hill, between the Christeen and the Brandywine. On this land a reservoir or basin was built, from which to distribute the water through the city. Its elevation above tide water, is one hundred and nine feet, and the height of the water in the basin, above the natural surface of the ground, gives ahead for distribution of about one hundred and twenty feet, from which every family in the city can draw an ample supply. The water is thrown into the reservoir by the forcing pump at the mill. Iron pipes, leading from the basin, convey it to the door of every dwelling, and hydrants, for the supply of fire engines and hose companies, and for cleansing the streets, are duly distributed in every quarter of the city.

With a skill and promptitude highly creditable to those who planned and executed the concern, the works were in operation within a year from their commencement, and at a cost, including the consideration for the mill, and the expense of distribution, of less than 100,000 dollars.