Delaware

By Steve Atkinson

Delaware is named after the Delaware Bay and River, which were named for Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, who lived from 1577 to 1618 and was the second Royal Governor of Virginia. The Delaware Bay and River was first explored by Henry Hudson. At one time Delaware was part of the claim... »

Odessa, Delaware

By Steve Atkinson

Odessa, Delaware is a small town with an estimated population of 290 in southern New Castle County. Odessa was called Apequinemy when it was first settled by the Dutch in the 1660’s on a tract of land given to Alexander DeHinijossa. When the English took control of the region the DeHinijossa... »

Three Lower Counties on the Delaware

By Steve Atkinson

It was on August 24, 1682 James, Duke of York granted to William Penn "all that land on the Delaware River and Bay beginning twelve miles south of the town of Newcastle otherwise called Delaware, and extending south to the Whorekills, otherwise called Capin Lopin, on yearly payment of one rose to the Duke... »

Lewes, Delaware

By Steve Atkinson

The Dutch’s Swaanendael or Zwaanendael Colony of thirty-two first settled in Southern Delaware near Lewes in 1631. It was short lived since a local tribe of Lenni Lenape killed all members of the colony sometime in 1632. Lewes is located on the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware Bay and is pronounced ‘Lewis’. ... »