Lower Red Clay Valley: June 2013

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Help Needed to Identify the “Annie Oakley’s” of The New Castle County Workhouse

There are larger photos below the text

Recently I received a message from a gentleman who asked if I would be interested in some information relating to the old New Castle County Workhouse that was located along Kirkwood Highway at Greenbank. Since it lies in The Lower Red Clay Valley and something I remember from my youth, I said sure. So we met so he could share the photos and documents he had. He showed me the information he has collected and explained how he was looking for information pertaining to the c1901 prison. I told him I would post his flyer so he could reach out to more people who may have information.That flyer is located in right hand column titled “Oral History Discovery Project”.
His contact information is in the flyer or you can leave a comment under this post.

Bill has also been working with local legislators to have a Sate Historical Marker placed at the site of the Workhouse.
Below is a short description, written by Bill, along with photos, on how he came across something he feels is quite significant relating to the old prison.
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Part of my research of the Workhouse has taken me to the Wilmington Library at which time I discovered a treasure trove of articles that they had saved on the Workhouse. One of the articles I found I am sharing with our community and It has to do with the first 11 woman who worked in the New Castle County Workhouse. Shortly after I started my project I received an email from Harvey Banning Sr. who stated that he worked at the Workhouse in the early 60's as a guard, his grandfather worked there in the 40's and 50's as a guard and that his mom and aunt were guards there in the 40's and that he had pictures of them holding guns. As soon as i received this email I knew that I had uncovered a part of Delaware history that no one was aware of. Harvey had the pictures of his mom (Ruth Peregoy and aunt Grace Kreer) and the other woman who worked there. These are the pictures that the Every Evening Journal took but were not allowed to print per Warden Elwood H. Wilson. When I sat down with Harvey and showed him the articles he was amazed that his mom had made history. He was not aware of the significant role that these woman held in our state and the country.

I only have 5 names of the woman pictured.

Grace Kreer, Ruth Peregoy, Ethel Diamond, Alma Dolan and Harriet Cheeseman

Welcome

The history of the Lower Red Clay Valley, stretching some 3 miles from Faulkland Road to Stanton, can be traced back to include parts of 5 centuries. From the settling of Bread and Cheese Island in the 1600’s through the 2000’s when the final industrial tract, whose start began as a gristmill, closed. The lower end of the valley has seen a whole host of different mills, names, places and events that play a major part in Delaware’s history. The region is also home to Delaware’s only steam powered train, The Wilmington and Western Railroad, which winds its way along the Red Clay Creek. It is also home to the famous Brandywine Springs and Spa established in the 1800’s that later became an amusement park.

Around 1679, before most of these facilities were in operation, a mill was constructed in proximity of where the Red and White Clay Creeks merge in Stanton, and then flow to the Christiana River. Stanton was to become the first settlement in what we know now as Mill Creek Hundred. The Stanton area also attracted names like the Lea, Tatnall, Byrnes and DuPont. Shipping goods at that time was possible due to the fact that navigation was achievable up the White Clay Creek to Stanton from the Christiana River. Goods would be brought down Limestone Road from Chester and Lancaster Counties to be shipped.

Over the next 100 years or so since that first mill was established, no less then four more mills were erected in the short distance of roughly three miles upstream to Faulkland Road. Delaware’s most famous inventor, Oliver Evans, worked in the family mill at Faulkland. This is where he invented his mill automation system that revolutionized the milling industry. He received the patent for his accomplishment in 1790. In between Faulkland and the Stanton Mill was the Phillips Mill (Greenbank Mill), Hersey Mill (Where the former Ametek site is) and The Reese Mill site (which much later became the Kiamensi Woolen Mills). Remnants from each one of these mills still exist. I believe all five of these mills were in operation in September 1777 when General George Washington assembled his troops along the east side of The Red Clay Creek, spreading south to north along the stream. He ordered mills in the area to be made inoperable and move products so they could not be confiscated by the enemy. This was all in anticipation of a battle with approximately 15,000 British Troops on their march, from the Chesapeake, to take control of the Colonial Capital of Philadelphia. According to writing’s, Gen. Washington believed this would be the final battle of the Revolutionary War. During that week in 1777 a Counsel of War meeting was held at the Hale-Byrnes House in Stanton, attended by Washington and his other officers. As history shows, that battle never took place as General Howe’s troops took a alternate route leading to Chadd’s Ford, PA. and the Battle of The Brandywine.

When a hotel was built at Brandywine Springs in the 1820’s it was the beginning of approximately 100 years of enjoyment for a site that transitioned from resort spa to amusement park that finally closed in the early 1900’s. The friends of Brandywine Springs keep the park alive through archeological digs along with providing and maintaining trails leading to areas where old foundations have been uncovered or old amusement rides once stood. The park had its own rail station where folks would be picked up and drop off by the Wilmington and Western Railroad that came into existence in 1870. The W&W railroad continues to operate today taking passengers on a scenic journey through the Historic Red Clay Valley and along the banks of the Red Clay Creek. Its station is located at Greenbank along Rt41. Its maintenance yard, with its soon to be completed new offices and meeting room, are located in Marshallton.

Not far from The Red Clay Creek remain pieces of the past which would have either supported or benefited from these industries and more. I hope some of the photos in this blog will show you some of those. Some may be gone now but some still remain.

By clicking here a DELDOT pdf document will give a more in depth look at the Brandywine Springs / Red Clay area.