Delaware, U.S., Marriage Records, 1750-1954
Past In Review from 12-13-2001
125 years ago
December 16, 1876
LOCAL AND STATE AFFAIRS.
Having spent its winter fury, on Saturday and Sunday, the weather greatly moderated on Monday and has since been pretty respectable.
A Levels lady wouldn’t go to bed last Sunday night because it was so cold the night before. She just wrapped a blanket around her and sat by the fire all night.
Christmas is only nine days off from to-day. Our merchants and confectioners have been laying in their stocks of holiday goods, and the stores present an attractive appearance.
Rev. J. M. P. Otts, of the West Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, preached a sermon on the political crisis on Sunday morning, taking for his text, “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” an example worthy of invitation.
At the rate we have been going lately those “twenty-six snows” that are to bless this winter will be used up pretty rapidly. Some half-dozen, or more, of them have come already, and the first winter month only half gone.
The Burned Actor.
Mr. H. S. Hitchcock, the comedian, who lost his life in the recent burning of the Brooklyn theatre, was a son of Professor Hitchcock, once the principal of Middletown Academy. Mr. H. was better known to the public by his theatrical name, H. S. Murdock. He was a nephew of the eminent tragedian, James E. Murdock, his mother’s brother. He was about 30 years of age.
Town Improvements.
Col. Clayton’s new house is about finished; the frame of Dr. Patton’s has been raised; Mr. F. Elliason is getting ready to build on the lot adjoining the residence of his brother, on Main street; Mr. A. G. Cox contemplates putting up a dwelling for himself in the spring – on Green street it is said – and one or two other parties are talking of building soon.
Ice Gathering.
The polar wave which swept over the country last Saturday struck us about hard enough to form ice from four to five inches thick, and on Monday morning the owners of ice houses, mindful of the ice famine of last winter, hasted to make sure of the first chance and at once began the work of filling their houses. All day, Monday and Tuesday, wagons were kept continually running to and from Drummond’s lake with their cold loads of summer luxury.
Getting Ready for Christmas.
A large drove of turkeys and geese numbering hundreds, were driven through Middletown yesterday morning. They were brought up the railroad on the cars and were then driven from the depot out to Mr. J. T. Shallcross’ to whom they belonged. In going down the street some of the turkeys became obstreperous or frightened and flew up into the trees and some sixteen of them had to be shot before they could be gotten down.
75 years ago
December 16, 1926
OUR LOCAL NEWS HAPPENINGS
Many Brief Paragraphs Gathered Weekly By Our Scribes
During this time of the year, when snow covers the ground, don’t forget to feed the birds.
If one don’t believe Christmas is near read the advertisements in the Middletown Transcript.
The local postoffice has assumed a holiday appearance, when Christmas packages have begun to arrive for delivery.
The recent poultry supper served by the students of Chesapeake City High School for the benefit of the athletic fund netted over $100.
The pupils of Howell School will give their Christmas entertainment Thursday evening, Dec. 23d. at 8 o’clock. Santa Claus will be there and have a treat for the boys and girls of the community.
Chesapeake City, Md., Fire Company report the net proceeds from their carnival held in the late summer at $858.29. The small receipts were due to in-element weather and lack of electric lights.
Friends of Mr. and Mrs. James H. S. Gam, of St. Georges, have received word from them that they safely arrived at West Palm Beach after being on the road six days. They left St. Georges on Thanksgiving Day. On the trip down they had three punctures. Mr. Gam stated that there was not so much building as last year and that money seemed to be very tight.
Mrs. Samuel Wilde, 35 years old, who caused much excitement in Delaware City by her departure from her home with her three little children, returned Wednesday, and is now staying at the home of her parents Mr. and Mrs. Austin Saxton, a half mile from that town. Her return was quiet and to friends whom she met she said she had been visiting with relatives.
50 years ago
December 13, 1951
Local Personal Column
Those Who Entertained and Have Been Away
Mr. Robert C. Jones, of Flanders, N.J., who spent ten days here with his grandfather, Mr. Thomas S. Fouracre, returned home last Thursday with his mother, Mrs. John W. Jones.
Mrs. E. Woodrow Gonce and two daughters, Sandy and Cindy, of near Townsend; Mrs. C. V. Cannon of Middle Neck, Md. and Mrs. Leroy E. Mahle, of this town, were Dover visitors on Tuesday.
Mrs. O. A. Husfelt and Miss Emma Husfelt were Philadelphia visitors on Saturday.
Mrs. John W. Dickinson was the week-end guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Hanna in Wilmington.
Dr. and Mrs. Dorsey W. Lewis left on Monday of this week to spend the winter months in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Mr. Charles Joseph, who is a patient in the Veterans Hospital, Elsmere, is improving following a recent operation.
Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Cannon and Miss Rebecca Cannon, of Middle Neck, Md., and Mr. Charles Faulkner, of near Chesapeake City, spent Wednesday in Wilmington.
Rotary Children’s Xmas Party Thursday, Dec. 20
The regular meeting of the local Rotary Club was held in the Cathline Inn Wednesday evening, when plans were completed for the annual children’s Christmas party to be held in the school auditorium next Thursday evening, with James Buckworth chairman.
Dr. Walter H. Lee gave a report on the Mercantile Fair and Sportman’s Show which was held here Wednesday through Saturday of last weeks.
John W. Spicer of Wilmington, was a guest at the meeting last evening.
WARWICK HAPPENINGS
Mrs. J. P. Cochran, Correspondent
We hope that Mrs. Edgar Bishop, who has been on the sick list, will soon be well on the road to recovery.
Mr. Arthur L. Stearns was a dinner guest Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carville Maslin, in Havre de Grace.
On Friday evening, December 9, the Utopia Bible Class held its annual gathering at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Price near town. The regular monthly business meeting was preceded by a delicious and beautiful covered dish supper. An exchange of gifts was one of the features of the Christmas party which followed. These enjoyable affairs with their expression of warm fellowship are looked forward to by the members each year.
