Delaware, U.S., Marriage Records, 1750-1954
Past In Review from 07-07-2005
100 years ago
Saturday July 8, 1905
Found Old Letter
While Albert Wells was making some alterations to the home of Edward Hart, in Townsend, on Saturday last, he made an interesting discovery. It was a letter written in 1861, and fastened to the back of a mantle when the house was built.
The letter was written on May 11, 1861, by David and Jacob Wells, contractors, who built the house for Joseph T. Hill at the time. It was nailed to the timbers behind a mantle and has remained there intact until discovered on Saturday by a son of one of the men who wrote it.
The letter contains a record of the secession of several states, of Lincoln’s call for volunteers, and other interesting data of the early war times. It adds that more volunteers will be necessary, and concludes as follows: “The Union must and shall be preserved.”
The letter has been viewed with interest by residents in Townsend, and it is singular that it should have been found by Albert Wells, when it was written by his father, long since deceased.
Odessa
Mrs. G. E. Rhodes was a Wilmington visitor last Sunday.
Miss Bertha M. Stevens is the guest of Wilmington friends this week.
Rev. R. L. Hallett visited the City of Brotherly Love on Wednesday.
Misses Margaret and Mary McCoy left Thursday for Philadelphia, where they will spend two weeks with relatives.
Mrs. Clarence M. Howard has returned to her home in Havre de Grace, Md., after a very pleasant stay of two weeks here with her sister, Miss Burdette Rose.
Mrs. E. S. Stevens entertained over Sunday Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Sliter, of Philadelphia, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stevens and daughter Irene, of New York.
Mr. Wilmer Noland, who has been employed on a boat which runs from Philadelphia to Trenton, spent Sunday with his mother.
The Sunshine Society held its final meeting of the season at the home of Miss Kay Price on Monday evening. The lunch taken consisted of a variety of good things and much fun was had by all present.
One day last week while Edna the nine-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Spear was playing with a pet shepherd dog, when it bit her above the cheek, her parents thinking that perhaps the dog was mad sent its head away. Word was sent back the dog was suffering from “rabbies” and the child was at once sent to the Pasteur Institute for treatment.
75 years ago
Thursday July 4, 1935
Local Library Circulated 432 Books in June
The circulation of books at the library for June was adult, 364; juvenile 69, a total of 433 books. Mrs. Howard A. Pool will serve as librarian during July, and will be assisted by Miss Laura Willis and others.
Our long expected moving picture will be with us on Saturday evening at 8 o’clock. It takes about a half hour to show, and the part taken in Middletown is very good indeed. So do come and see yourselves as others see you, in a real movie! We hope for a crowded room.
Townsend
The game today (the Fourth), will doubtless be one of great interest as Townsend is coming along strong, while their opponents are rated as a worthy foe. The contest between Townsend and Middletown on the home grounds at 10 a.m. Admission, 25 cents.
The glorious Fourth (today) is being observed in the usual manner, the fine display of flags being a predominating feature. Main street, especially, is a galaxy of patriotic devotion, while the countryside is correspondingly supreme with patriotic devotion. During the day, many visitors are being entertained while our residents, in some cases, are spending the holiday elsewhere. The occasion has many charming features that must make the day a memorable one for years to come.
Odessa
Mrs. George Davis is visiting friends in Connecticut.
Mrs. F. D. Reynolds has been visiting friends in Wilmington.
Mrs. Jenine Rhodes, of Wilmington, has been a recent Odessa visitor with friends.
Mr. Howard Morris is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Preston Morris, near Penns Grove, N. J.
Mr. William Naudain, of St. Louis, has been visiting his sister, Mrs. Thomas Ford and Mr. Ford.
Miss Eleanore Mackie, of Fair Hill, has been spending some time with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Aiken, also with Mr. and Mrs. Richard Aiken, near town.
During Saturday evening’s electrical storm, lightning struck and killed a cow belonging to Mr. Arthur Lockerman on his farm near town. Some shocks of wheat on Mr. Edgar Bishop’s farm were set afire and the wind blew over Mr. Kenneth Price ’s silo.
50 years ago
Thursday July 7, 1955
Rotary Club Plans for Picnic July 13
The regular weekly meeting of the Middletown Rotary Club was held at St. Anne’s Parish House, Wednesday, July 6, at 6:15 p.m. President Harry McNatt presented visiting Rotarian Chester Thomas from the Malvern, Pa. Club. Harry Jeffcott introduced his guest, Cordt Vorhees, from the faculty of St. Andrew’s School and, Alden Keene presented his guest, John Baldwin. Alden Keene reported for the Auditing Committee. W. Dean Hatton, retiring treasurer, was highly commended for his work during the past year.
The International Contacts Committee reported that they had sent a block of four of the Rotary Commemorative Stamps to two English Clubs, Elverston and Westminster West. An interesting reply from the Elverston Club was read.
The Annual Picnic at Alden Keene’s, to be held Wednesday, July 13, was discussed. Ed Ennis, general chairman, announced the picnic committee.
President Harry McNatt made the committee appointments for the year 1955-1956.
Mrs. Brown Retires from Local Post Office
Mrs. Lottie J. Brown, a clerk in the local post office retired on Thursday, June 30, after 30 years of service in the office. Mrs. Brown had served under four postmasters.
A surprise dinner was given in her honor by the staff of the local office Wednesday evening of last week, at the Wellwood Club, at Charlestown, Md., when she was presented a gold wristwatch by her co-workers.
