what was the first settlement in delaware

Which was first European country first settled in Delaware?

Delaware - Delaware - The colony: The Dutch founded the first European settlement in Delaware at Lewes (then called Zwaanendael) in 1631. They quickly set up a trade in beaver furs with the Native Americans, who within a short time raided and destroyed the settlement after a disagreement between the two groups. A permanent settlement was not established until 1638—by Swedes at Fort Christina ...

What religious groups settled in Delaware?

What religious groups settled in Delaware? Delaware, first settled by Scandinavian Lutherans and Dutch Reformed, with later infusions of English Quakers and Welsh Baptists, had perhaps the most diverse beginnings of any middle colony. Why did colonists come to Delaware?

Why did the Swedish settle in Delaware?

Why did the Swedish settle in Delaware? Its purposes were to plant the Christian religion in the New World, to enlarge the Swedish domains, and to gain trade advantages. Two ships were furnished to the company by the Swedish Government. Theywere called the Kalmar Nyckel (the “Key of Kalmar”) and the Fogel Grip (the “Griffin”).

What was the religion of the settlers in Delaware?

What was the religion of the Delaware Colony? The Delaware Colony did not have one specific religion, which then opened it up to religious freedom for Quakers, Catholics, Jews and more. The Charter of Delaware specifically stated that there was no one religion to subscribe to, but instead offered its residents a chance to explore their options.

British colony

American Revolution

1783–1860

When was the first settlement in Delaware?

1638The first European colony in the Delaware Valley was established by Swedish settlers in 1638. Between 1698 and 1699, the descendants of these early colonists constructed Old Swedes Church (also known as Holy Trinity Church), which is one of the oldest houses of worship in America still in use.

Where was Delaware founded?

December 7, 1787Delaware / Founded

What was Delaware originally called?

Delaware was first settled by the New Sweden Company in 1638. Their first settlement was named "Fort Christian", after the queen of Sweden. In 1655, Peter Stuyvesant captured New Sweden for the Dutch. In 1664, when the English captured New Netherlands they also took control of Delaware territory.

Who was the first person to discover Delaware?

Delaware's history is a long and proud one. Early explorations of our coastline were made by the Spaniards and Portuguese in the sixteenth century, by Henry Hudson in 1609 under the auspices of the Dutch, by Samuel Argall in 1610, by Cornelius May in 1613, and by Cornelius Hendricksen in 1614.

Is Delaware the oldest state?

On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, and has since been known as The First State.

How many slaves did Delaware have?

The last complete census in 1860 found 1,900 people living in slavery in Delaware. Most of those were in southern Delaware's rural Sussex County, although smaller numbers were held throughout the state.

When did Delaware end slavery?

And still, even after Juneteenth, and the end of the Civil War, Delaware took no action to make slavery unlawful. Those enslaved in Delaware remained in bondage until December 6, 1865, when the 13th Amendment was declared ratified, without Delaware's concurrence.

What was the 1st state in the United States?

Delaware"The First State" Delaware is known by this nickname due to the fact that on December 7, 1787, it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. “The First State” became the official State nickname on May 23, 2002 following a request by Mrs.

What was invented in Delaware?

Even though Delaware is the oldest state in the nation, there are few things that we can claim to have invented....Some People Don't Know These 14 Things Come From DelawareSpacesuits. ... Jell-O gelatin and pudding mixes. ... Chemicals. ... Teflon coating. ... Drugs (the legal kind) ... Baby wipes. ... Fuel cells.More items...•

Who owned the Delaware Colony?

It was originally settled by the Swedish and Dutch under the leadership of Peter Minuit, but fell under English control in the mid-17th century. The land that became Delaware was deeded to William Penn and was eventually separated from Pennsylvania and became its own colony with its own government.

Why is Delaware the best colony?

The Delaware Colony's mild climate made farming and agricultural pursuits feasible for the colonists. The Delaware Colony was often referred to as the breadbasket colony. The colony grew a lot of wheat (which is used to make bread), and after being ground into four it was exported to England.

Why is Delaware so special?

Delaware declared its independence from Great Britain on June 15, 1776 and thereby also became independent of Pennsylvania with which it had been connected since 1682. Delaware was the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution and thus became known as the “First State.”

Where did Delaware come from?

How did Delaware get its name? In 1610 explorer Samuel Argall named the Delaware River and Bay for the governor of Virginia, Thomas West, Lord De La Warr. The state of Delaware takes its name from the river and bay.

How was Delaware Founded who found it and why?

The colony of Delaware. The Dutch founded the first European settlement in Delaware at Lewes (then called Zwaanendael) in 1631. They quickly set up a trade in beaver furs with the Native Americans, who within a short time raided and destroyed the settlement after a disagreement between the two groups.

Was Delaware originally part of PA?

The Lower Counties of Delaware were governed as part of Pennsylvania from 1682 until 1701, when the Lower Counties petitioned for and were granted an independent colonial legislature; the two colonies shared the same governor until 1776. The English colonists who settled Delaware were mainly Quakers.

Was Delaware the first state in America?

State Seal 1704, the year that Delaware established its General Assembly; 1776, the year that our independence from Great Britain was declared; and 1787, the year that Delaware became "the First State" by being the first colony to ratify the United States Constitution.

What was the first European settlement in Delaware?

The Dutch founded the first European settlement in Delaware at Lewes (then called Zwaanendael) in 1631. They quickly set up a trade in beaver furs with the Native Americans, who within a short time raided and destroyed the settlement after a disagreement between the two groups. A permanent settlement was not established until 1638—by Swedes at Fort Christina (now Wilmington) as part of their colony of New Sweden; they reputedly erected America’s first log cabins there. The Dutch from New Amsterdam ( New York) defeated the Swedes in 1655, and the English seized the colony from the Dutch in 1664. Thereafter, except for a brief Dutch reconquest in 1673, Delaware was administered as part of New York until 1682, when the duke of York (the future James II) ceded it to William Penn, who wanted it so that his colony of Pennsylvania could have access to the ocean. Though Penn tried to unite the Delaware counties with Pennsylvania, both sides resented the union. In 1704 he allowed Delaware an assembly of its own. Pennsylvania and Delaware shared an appointed governor until the American Revolution. Only in 1776 did the name Delaware—deriving from Thomas West, 12th baron de la Warr, a governor of Virginia—become official, though it had been applied to the bay in 1610 and gradually thereafter to the adjoining land.

Who ceded Delaware to the Dutch?

Thereafter, except for a brief Dutch reconquest in 1673, Delaware was administered as part of New York until 1682, when the duke of York (the future James II) ceded it to William Penn, who wanted it so that his colony of Pennsylvania could have access to the ocean.

What was the Delaware Railroad?

The Delaware Railroad connected Wilmington to Seaford in western Sussex county by 1856. Steamboats on the Delaware River assisted the commercial development of the state’s agriculture, especially the growing of peaches for urban markets.

What is the proudest thing about Delaware?

The proudest boast of Delaware is that its speedy ratification of the U.S. Constitution, on Dec. 7, 1787, gave Delaware its right to be called “the first state.”.

What was Caesar Rodney's purpose in the Delaware vote?

The event best remembered, however, is the spectacular ride (July 1–2, 1776) of Caesar Rodney from his home to Philadelphia to break a tie in the Delaware delegation and cast Delaware’s vote for independence.

Why did the Quakers come to Delaware?

During the Penn family’s proprietorship, members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) came to the northern part of Delaware because it was close to Philadelphia and offered good farmland. Quaker merchants established the town of Wilmington in 1739.

What was the key to Wilmington's rapid industrialization in the mid-19th century?

Steam-powered transportation also provided the key to Wilmington’s rapid industrialization in the mid-19th century. The city grew from about 5,500 in 1840 to some 77,000 by 1900 and attracted immigrants from Ireland, England, and Germany.

What was Delaware's history?

Their early inhabitants tended to identify more closely with the county than the colony or state. Large parts of southern and western Delaware were thought to have been in Maryland until 1767. All of the state has existed in the wide economic and political circle of Philadelphia .

Who claimed the Delaware Watershed?

The Delaware watershed was claimed by the English based on the explorations of John Cabot in 1497, Captain John Smith, and others, and was given the name held as a title by Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, the governor of Virginia from 1610 until 1618. At that time the area was considered to be part of the Virginia colony.

How long has Delaware been a state?

The history of Delaware as a political entity dates back to the early colonization of North America by European-American settlers. It is made up of three counties established since 1638, before the time of William Penn. Each had its own settlement history. Their early inhabitants tended to identify more closely with the county than the colony or state. Large parts of southern and western Delaware were thought to have been in Maryland until 1767. All of the state has existed in the wide economic and political circle of Philadelphia .

What did Minuit do to settle New Sweden?

They established a Swedish South Company, aimed at settling the territory of New Sweden, and, following much negotiation, he led a group under the flag of Sweden to the Delaware River in 1638. They established a trading post at Fort Christina, now in Wilmington. Minuit claimed possession of the western side of the Delaware River, saying he had found no European settlement there. Unlike the Dutch West India Company, the Swedes intended to actually bring settlers to their outpost and begin a colony.

How many Confederate prisoners died at Fort Delaware?

Halloway of the 27th Virginia Infantry. Captured at Winchester, Virginia on March 23, 1862, he died at the fort on April 9. By the end of the war, the fort had held almost 33,000 prisoners, roughly 2,500 of whom died as the conditions continued to deteriorate. Half of the deaths were reportedly due to an outbreak of variola (smallpox) in 1863. Other causes of death included: diarrhea (315), inflammation of the lungs (243), typhoid fever and/or malaria (215), scurvy (70), pneumonia (61), erysipelas (47), gunshot wounds (7), and drowning (5). In addition, 109 Union soldiers and 40 civilians also died at the fort during the war.

What tribes lived in Delaware?

Before Delaware was settled by Europeans, the area was home to the Lenni Lenape (also known as the Delaware), Susquehanna, Nanticoke, and other Native American tribes. After the Swedish then the Dutch colonists settled there, the native peoples traded with the settlers for a half century.

Which state was the first to ratify the Constitution?

Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution . Éleuthère Irénée du Pont arrived in America from France in 1800 and founded the young United States' largest gunpowder factory on the banks of the Brandywine River just north of Wilmington in 1804.

Where did the Swedish settle in Delaware?

They took the additional settlers to New Amsterdam (New York) instead. In March 1638, the Swedish colony of New Sweden was established as the first permanent European settlement in Delaware. The Kalmar Nyckel anchored at a rocky point on the Minquas Kill.

What was the Delaware colony?

Delaware Colony in the North American Middle Colonies consisted of land on the west bank of the Delaware River Bay. In the early 17th century the area was inhabited by Lenape and possibly the Assateague tribes of Native Americans. The first European settlers were Swedes, who established the colony New Sweden at Fort Christina at present day ...

How deep was the Dutch land?

Hossitt and Jansz secured a treaty granting the Dutch a parcel of land running along the shore eight Dutch miles long and half a Dutch mile deep (roughly 29 by just under 2 US miles). This nearly coincided with the length of the coast of modern Sussex and Kent counties in Delaware.

What was the state of Delaware in 1682?

Pop. From the early Dutch settlement in 1631 to the colony's rule by Pennsylvania in 1682, the land that later became the U.S. state of Delaware changed hands many times. Because of this, Delaware became a heterogeneous society made up of individuals who were diverse in country of origin and religion.

Why did William Penn want to merge the Pennsylvania and Delaware governments?

Penn had a very hard time governing Delaware because the economy and geology resembled those of the Chesapeake Bay colonies more than that of Pennsylvania. The lowland areas were developed for tobacco plantations and dependent on enslaved Africans and African Americans for labor. Penn attempted to merge the governments of Pennsylvania and the lower counties of Delaware. Representatives from each area clashed strongly and, in 1701 Penn agreed to allowing two assemblies to be elected and conduct their separate affairs. Delawareans would meet in New Castle, and Pennsylvanians would gather in Philadelphia. Delaware, like Philadelphia and more so than Maryland, continued to be a melting pot of sorts. It was home to Swedes, Finns, Dutch, and French, in addition to the English, who constituted the dominant culture.

Why did the Dutch build a fort in Cape Henlopen?

This first colony was intended to take advantage of the large whale population in the bay and to produce whale oil. A cultural misunderstanding with the Native Americans resulted in their killing these 28 colonists before a year had passed. Patroon David Pietersz. de Vries arrived shortly thereafter with an additional 50 settlers. Although he concluded a treaty with the Indians, deVries, his partners in Holland, and the Dutch West India Company decided the location was too dangerous for immediate colonization. They took the additional settlers to New Amsterdam (New York) instead.

Where did the Dutch settle?

Initial Dutch settlement was centered up the Delaware River at Fort Nassau at Big Timber Creek, south of what is now Gloucester City, New Jersey . Neither the Dutch nor the English showed any early interest in establishing settlement on this land.

What were the original inhabitants of the land before the Dutch arrived?

Original Inhabitants. The inhabitants of the land previous to the Dutch arrival were of an Algonquian group called the Cinconicins, written in early records as Sickoneyns, Sikonessink, Siconesius and Siconese, or Great Siconese.

Who were the Dutch who bought land from Native Americans?

In 1629, Gillis Hossitt and Jacob Jansz, agents of the Dutch West India Company, traveled to the Delaware area to ‘purchase’ land from the Native Americans. The concept of land ownership was foreign to the Native Americans, who were more familiar with the concept of gifting. A tract of land, eight Dutch miles long and half a Dutch mile in width, was acquired by the Dutch in exchange for cloth, axes, adzes, beads, and various other goods. A patent was registered and confirmed in 1630.

What was the South River in the Dutch colony?

The South River, including the Lewes area, became a flourishing Dutch colonial area. The settlement at Lewes also included a Mennonite colony under Pieter Cornelisen Plockhoy by 1663. As a result of political, economic, and military rivalries, in 1664 the English seized the Dutch holdings in New Netherland.

Why were the settlers killed in the Swanendael?

A report to de Vries confirmed that the settlers had been killed and the buildings destroyed as a result of a cultural misunderstanding between the Dutch and Native people in the area.

How long did the Dutch colony last?

Although the colony lasted barely a year, the claiming of the territory fostered Dutch resettlement of the lower Delaware Valley. In 1655, after approximately twenty-four years, they would intensify settlement efforts. The South River, including the Lewes area, became a flourishing Dutch colonial area.

What did the Dutch do in 1609?

In 1609, Henry Hudson sailed into the Delaware Bay in search for a Northwest Passage to China. His voyages contributed to the establishment of European colonies in North America.One of these, called New Netherland, was established by the Dutch. New Netherland included present day New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.

When did De Vries set sail?

In 1632, de Vries prepared to set sail with two vessels bearing additional settlers and supplies for the settlement. Before they departed, however, news relating to the destruction of the colony by local Native Americans postponed the trip. Sailing on May 24th with the Walvis (whale) and the Teencoorntgen (little squirrel) with fifty men, de Vries came upon the burned settlement on December 5th, 1632.

Where did the Dutch settle in Delaware?

Sussex County was the site of the first European settlement in Delaware, a trading post named Zwaanendael at the present site of Lewes. On June 3, 1631, Dutch captain David Pietersen de Vries landed along the shores of the Delaware to establish a whaling colony in the mid-Atlantic of the New World. The colony only lasted until 1632, when De Vries left. Upon returning to Zwaanendael that December, he found the Indian tribes had killed his men and burned the colony. The Dutch then set about settling the area once again.

Who was the first person to survey the boundaries of Pennsylvania?

As part of the settlement, the Penns and Calverts commissioned the English team of Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon to survey the newly established boundaries between the Province of Pennsylvania, the Province of Maryland, Delaware Colony and parts of Colony and Old Dominion of Virginia.

Who claimed the land between the 39th and 40th parallels?

But the boundary disputes continued between Pennsylvania and Maryland. Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore and William Penn both claimed the land between the 39th and 40th parallels according to the charters granted to each colony. Whereas Penn claimed the Delaware territories extended to Fenwick Island, Calvert claimed the Colony ended at Lewes with all the land south of the settlement belonging to Somerset County.

What was the first settlement in America?

It's hard to know what the first settlement in America was but the largest one in what is now the U.S. was the city of Cahokia. Located on the Mississippi River in what is now Illinois, Cahokia was founded around the year 700 and reached its peak in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Where were the first English settlements?

Since colonial America was formed from 13 British colonies in North America, the first English settlements might be considered the earliest U.S. towns. The very first English settlement in what is now the U.S. was the Roanoke Island colony in North Carolina, which was founded in 1587. However, when the colony's governor left for supplies and returned three years later, he found the settlement mysteriously deserted, and its ultimate fate is still not known today. The earliest long-term English settlement was Jamestown, Virginia which was founded by Capt. John Smith in 1607. The settlement survived for almost 100 years before eventually being abandoned. Meanwhile, the title of oldest continuously inhabited English-speaking city in colonial America is claimed by Hampton, Virginia. It was founded in 1610 and still exists as a populated city today.

Where did the Spanish colonize?

His arrival did mark the beginning of Spanish colonization in the New World. The oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental U.S. is St. Augustine, Florida which was founded in 1565 as a Spanish military base.

Which is the oldest continuously inhabited English-speaking city in colonial America?

Meanwhile, the title of oldest continuously inhabited English-speaking city in colonial America is claimed by Hampton, Virginia. It was founded in 1610 and still exists as a populated city today. 00:00. 00:04 09:10.

When was Jamestown founded?

The earliest long-term English settlement was Jamestown, Virginia which was founded by Capt. John Smith in 1607.

What is the oldest continuously inhabited town in North America?

Cahokia was abandoned before the arrival of Europeans in America but some other Native American settlements have survived until today. The Acoma Pueblo, an adobe village in New Mexico, is sometimes said to be the oldest continuously inhabited town in North America.

Who was the first person to settle in Lewes?

The earliest permanent settler in Lewes was probably Helmanus Fredrick Wiltbanck. Born in Sweden in 1641, Wiltbanck settled in the area around 1658-59.

What was the first town in the first state?

The First Town in the First State, Lewes boasts old homes and structures that date back to the late 1600s and early 1700s. It has also been the scene of historic battles and has been visited by infamous pirates such as Captain Kidd.

What happened in 1673?

1673-1674 -- In 1673, the Dutch retake New York and Delaware and a court is established at Hoorn Kill. In 1674, the Treaty of Westminster returns New York and Delaware to the English and ends Dutch rule on the river. 1709 -- Lewes is ravaged by 100 men sent on shore from a French Privateer. Two men-of-war finally moved the ships out of the bay.

What was the name of the pirate who buried gold in the Cape Henlopen sand dunes?

Finally, a law was passed requiring all citizens to own a musket and ammunition for protection from future raids. Legend also has it that the famous pirate, Captain Kidd, buried a chest of gold in the Cape Henlopen sand dunes during a visit in 1700 on his trip to the West Indies. And the pirate Blueskin was Levi West, the step-son of a respected miller who lived in Lewes in 1750.

What was the name of the ship that the Dutch sailed from?

Important Dates in Lewes History. 1629-31 -- The Dutch Expedition, captained by Peter Heyes, commander of the ship Walvis, sails from Holland to Delaware Bay and settles at Swanendael on Hoorn Kill (Lewes Creek), land purchased by the Dutch from local Indians.

Why is Delaware named Lewes?

The territory which is now Delaware was conveyed to William Penn in 1682. It was then that the town was named Lewes in honor of a town in Sussex County, England. Throughout, Lewes has relied on the sea for its existence.

What were the names of the early Lewes?

Early Names of Lewes. Sikomess or Sikeoyness, after the Indians who lived there. Swanendael, by Dutch settlers in 1631. Hoorn, during the second David DeVries expedition. Whorekill, by the English in 1664. Deale, by the English. Lewes, in 1682, by the English in honor of the town Lewes in Sussex County, England.

Overview

The history of Delaware as a political entity dates back to the early colonization of North America by European American settlers. It is made up of three counties established since 1638, before the time of William Penn. Each county has had its own settlement history. Their early inhabitants tended to identify more closely with their county, than Delaware as a whole. Large parts of southern and western Delaware were thought to have been in Maryland until 1767. All of the stat…

Native Americans

Dutch and Swedish colonies

British colony

American Revolution

1783–1860

Delaware in the Civil War

1865–1899

Overview

Dutch and Swedish settlements

From the early Dutch settlement in 1631 to the colony's rule by Pennsylvania in 1682, the land that later became the U.S. state of Delaware changed hands many times. Because of this, Delaware became a heterogeneous society made up of individuals who were diverse in country of origin and religion.
The first European exploration of what would become known as the Delaware Valley was made b…

English conquest

Durham County, Maryland

New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties, Pennsylvania

Sources