Delaware

**PJ Schepis and Brian Power **
 * Colonial Delaware **

**GEOGRAPHY **

Delaware is bordered in the north by Pennsylvania and in the south and west by Maryland. To the northeast of Delaware, lies New Jersey. Delaware was a coastal colony bordered eastward by the Atlantic Ocean. Delaware shares the Delmarva Peninsula with parts of Maryland and Virginia. Delaware is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The colony covered 2,489 square miles and was one of the smaller colonies. In some areas, Delaware was 100 miles long and 30 miles wide. There are three rivers that run through Delaware. The largest of the three rivers is the Delaware River. The Mispillion and the Nanticoke River run through Delaware as well. The only harbors and ports in the Delaware region were at the mouths of the Delaware and the Mispillion River. They were active and were used often for trade. Delaware has a humid climate with hot summers and mild winters. It is protected from cold winter winds by the Pennsylvania’s mountain ranges. The state has soil that is excellent for agriculture but some of the Piedmont region which runs through Delaware is extremely rocky. Corn was Delaware's most commonly grown crop, and it’s most grown fruit crop was apples. Corn was very easy because of the type of soil. Due to the fact that they did not have as long farming seasons or as high temperatures as the southern colonies, they were unable to sell the colonies the most sought after **cash crop**, tobacco. The three rivers running through the colony made transportation of goods very easy. Delaware was accessible to European traders and ships from the other colonies because Delaware is bordered in the east by the Atlantic Ocean, where many harbors were built. Therefore, there was no difficulty in importing and exporting their goods for trade. These harbors and ports allowed Delaware to participate in the **Triangle Trade** movement between the American Colonies, the West Indies and West Africa. Geography played a tremendous role in Delaware’s development. **﻿ ** **HISTORY **

Native American tribes existed in Delaware well before the arrival of the Europeans. The area was originally occupied by the Unami Lenape of the Eastern Algonquin tribe. They settled along the Delaware River. With a surplus of natural resources, the tribe was able to survive through hunting and fur trade. Under pressure of several other tribes and European settlers, the tribe migrated westward. The first settlers in Delaware came from the Netherlands in 1631, although Henry Hudson was the first European man there in 1609 but no one settled there until much later. There were about 30 or 40 settlers who were sent by Captain David Pietersen De Vries, a noted Dutch colonizer and a patron of New Amsterdam. These first settlers were lured into a quarrel with local native groups and were massacred to the last man. The Dutch settlers, following the Dutch groups of settlers from Sweden and Finland, also came to Delaware. The Dutch settlers came to claim the land because they wanted to control land in North America. The location and natural resources of the land could be very valuable to leading the settlers in become extremely wealthy. Therefore, the Dutch settlement in Delaware was for economic reasons. The Dutch wanted to expand their territories as well as controlling certain trade routes such as the Delaware River. They also were interested in claiming any precious metals that was possibly located in the Delaware territory. The Dutch occupied Delaware until 1682 when the Duke of York sold its rights to William Penn, and Delaware became a colony of Great Britain. The rights of New York and Pennsylvania were also sold to William Penn by the Duke of York. These three colonies were called "the lower counties" or the "territories" until 1702 when each began their own separate legislatures.

**SOCIAL **

Colonial Delaware’s social structure proved very similar to that of other New England colonies. The languages spoken in the Delaware region varied upon the time period and the current settlers. Before the arrival of European colonists, Delaware was inhabited by Eastern Algonquin tribes such as the Umami Lenape or Delaware. They spoke a Lenapé or Unami Delaware language which descended from the tribes original Algonquin settlers. When Delaware was later inhabited by the Dutch, newer settlers of the colony spoke a Dutch dialect, which incorporated very little native language through cultural assimilation. When Delaware came under the control of William Penn and the English, yet another language became primarily spoken in Delaware. Now, the old-world English language descending from Great Britain would become the primary language spoken in the Dutch colony. It would remain the primary language spoken as Delaware still remains English speaking today. During the time period of the 1700s, Delaware women had very little rights. In the year 1769, Delaware and the other colonies were still basing laws on England's Common Law. The Common Law stated, "By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in the law. The very being and legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage." As America gained freedom, women still did not. In the year 1777, the Thirteen Colonies passed a law which restricted the voting rights of women. During the colonial period of Delaware, several religions arose in the region. Original English settlers of Delaware adapted the Anglican religion in the Delaware region. However, in 1638 a Swedish colony, New Sweden, was founded. The Swedish settlers incorporated their Lutheran religion into Delaware for several years. In 1655, under Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch than captured this colony, assimilating a Dutch Reformed religion. When the English finally recaptured the Delaware region in 1664, religions such as Anglicans, Lutherans and Reformed had been influenced into the region. Religious assimilation may also include the indigenous inhabitants of Delaware who settled in the land before the Europeans. In 1682, William Penn was granted Delaware and Pennsylvania by the Duke of York. Penn, a famous Quaker, also assimilated the Quaker religion into Delaware. During the 1700s, the **Great Awakening** arose in European nations. This revival of religion effected Delaware because of their Britain rulers.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**Mercantalism** greatly effected the political and economic development of Delaware and the thirteen colonies. With a general policy of **mercantalism**, the Navigation Acts secured primary trade only with Great Britain. Trades to other nation's had to pass through English ports first. As well, Britain controlled the production of raw materials and crops in Delaware and the other colonies. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Slavery in the colony of Delaware existed until the year 1776, when the constitution banned slavery in the United States of America. In 1721 approximately two thousand to five thousand slaves were in the small colony of Delaware. Delaware did not have a large number of slaves, but slavery did exist in the colony of Delaware.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ECONOMICS ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Agriculture was the mainstay of Delaware’s economy during this time period. Most of the settlers in Delaware relied on farming to make a living. The people of Delaware capitalized on the colony’s soil, which was favorable for farming. Small manufacturing, fishing, and shipbuilding were also a small but important part of Delaware’s economy. The principal forms of commerce was mostly agriculture, small merchants, fishing, and shipbuilding. The majority of the people in Delaware were farmers but there remained a handful of fisherman, merchants, and shipbuilding companies. The shipbuilding companies built the boats for Britain, which they used fir their voyages across the Atlantic Ocean from Britain to the colonies.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**<span style="font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif';">POLITICAL ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Delaware was a proprietary colony. A proprietary colony is one which a noble uses his own money and gains rights to the land in order to start a business in the new world, but the land is still under the nation which granted the charter. William Penn was the proprietor and he bought the rights to Delaware, and he set up proprietary colonies in New York and Pennsylvania.

William Penn set up a representative government in Delaware. The government was not similar to other New England colonies where everybody had an opportunity to speak up. People elected officials who they believed had the same view on different topics, to vote on these things during the government meetings. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although the Delaware colony had involvement in the French and Indian War, the Delaware Indians of the Delaware River Valley had more of a contribution. Predominantly descending from the Delaware River Valley, the Indian tribe migrated as far west as Ohio. For a number of years, the Ohio section of this tribe remained allies with the French. However, the tribe continued to trade with Britain. When tensions continued to rise, the Delaware Indians removed themselves from the Iroquois tribes and decided to remain neutral in the French and Indian War.

As opposed to the involvement of the Delaware Indians, the Delaware Colony received more of an influence from the war’s outcome. During the French and Indian War, no major battles occurred in the Delaware region. However, Delaware remained allies with Britain as they were under Britain’s control. Through the duration of the French and Indian War, the majority of the population remained loyalists. Although not influencing much towards battle in particular, Delaware’s geography contributed greatly. As it was a coastal colony along the eastern seaboard, Delaware was a major factor by means of transportation for British ships. These ships transported soldiers as well as arsenal to the thirteen colonies to aid in the fighting efforts.

The outcome of the war however assisted Delaware even further towards becoming free of Britain rule. During this period, the British government had trouble directly governing the colonies. This period, now recognized as the period of **salutary neglect**, assisted in the colonies eventually becoming self ruled. Similar to most New England colonies, Delaware ran themselves through processes such as elected officials voting on issues during the government meetings. However, taxes that would follow the French and Indian War would later contribute to Delaware’s support of revolutionary ideas and eventual participation in the American Revolution.

**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">AMERICAN REVOLUTION ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although supporting the principles of becoming a free nation, the Lower Counties of Delaware showed little enthusiasm over a split with Britain. Nevertheless, Delaware leaders decided upon supporting their fellow colonies and objecting to British rule. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Several Delaware leaders proved influential in the road to Revolution. New Castle lawyer Thomas McKean heavily criticized the Stamp Act enforced by Great Britain. John Dickinson, a native of Kent County Delaware was later recognized as the “Penman of the Revolution” for his written works. The person who represented Delaware’s majority, George Read, could not arrive to vote on the Declaration of Independence. After an overnight ride from Delaware’s Caesar Rodney, the delegation finally was given the votes needed to cast Delaware’s independence vote. When the Declaration would eventually be adopted, George Read would sign the document. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Led initially under the rule of John Haslet, Delaware provided one of the Continental Army’s strongest regiments. This regiment was recognized as such nicknames as the “Delaware Blues” and the “Blue Hen Chickens.” <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In 1777, the British were lead through Delaware to eventually become victorious at the Battle of Brandywine which lead to the capturing of Philadelphia. As Wilmington was now occupied by British troops, Delaware State President John McKinley was taken prisoner. For the majority of the war, the British would remain in control of the Delaware River. This was to the liking of many Loyalists who primarily lived in the Sussex County regions. The only harassing of the British was done by the military actions of the Delaware State President Caesar Rodney. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Following the Revolution, Delaware statesmen were among leading proponents of a new, strong central United States. Once the Connecticut Compromise was reached, Delaware leaders ratified the United States Constitution on December 7th, 1787. Delaware was the first state to do so. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">SOURCES LISTED ** · <span style="font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ABC CLIO Database (http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com) · <span style="font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">State of Delaware History ([]) · <span style="font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">French and Indian War ([|http://usgeography.abc-clio.com]) · <span style="font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">State of Delaware Official Website ([]) · <span style="font-family: 'Poor Richard','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Delaware Geographic Resources ([])