Delaware Historical Time Line
- 1609 – Henry Hudson in Haelve Maene (Half Moon), while seeking Northwest Passage discovers Delaware Bay.
- 1610 – Capt. Samuel Argall, Englishman, sails into Bay, names it Delaware after Thomas West, Lord de Ia Warre Governor of Virginia.
- 1614 – Capt. Cornelis Mey from Manhattan enters Bay, names Fenwick’s Island Cape Hindlopen, present Cape Henlopen he names Cape Cornelis, opposite point Cape Mey.
- 1615 – Capt. Cornelis Hendrkksen explores South River (Delaware) up to Schuylkill.
- 1621 – Dutch West India Co. chartered for trading and colonizing in America.
- 1623 – Capt. Mey sails up Prince Hendricks River (Delaware), builds Dutch trading post, Fort Nassau, site of Gloucester, N.J.
- 1629 – Holland grants land at Cape Henlopen to S. Blommaert, S. Godyn, David de Vries and associates, giving them title of Patroons.
- 1631 – Capt. Peter Heycs makes settlement at Zwaanendael on Hoorn Kill (Lewes Creek), 28 men.
- 1632 – Capt. David Pieterssen Dc Vries comes to Zwaanendael, finds colony destroyed, settlers massacred by Indians.
- 1637 – New Sweden Company organized in Sweden. First expedition in Kalmar Nyckel (Key of Kalmar) and Fogel Grip (Bird Griffin) sails from Gothenburg, Sweden.
- 1638 – Expedition under command of Peter Minuit arrives in Minquas Kill (Christina River), disembarks at The Rocks, builds Fort Christina, names river Christina Kill. Colony consists of 23 men, Capt. Mans Kling, Hendrick Huygen commissary. This was the first permanent settlement of white men in Delaware and the entire Delaware River Valley.
- 1640 – Two more expeditions arrive, with Peter Hollandaer as Governor of the colony, Rev. Reorus Torkillus, the first clergyman, and a few involuntary immigrants.
- 1641 – Fourth expedition arrives, with Herr Christoffer, a clergyman and 35 colonists including a number of Finns.
- 1643 – Fifth Swedish expedition arrives with Lt. Col. Johan Printz, new Governor, Rev. John Campanius and more involuntary immigrants. Printz builds Fort Elfsborg at Varckens Kill, N.J., Fort New Gothenburg at Tinicum, Pa. and a blockhouse at Upland (Chester), establishes a tobacco plantation on the Schuylkill; population now 118. First law court held at Tinicum.
- 1644 – Sixth Swedish expedition arrives with more involuntary immigrants, but losses by death and by those returning to Sweden reduce population to 98.
- 1646 – Seventh Swedish expedition arrives, with trade goods, hut only a few colonists. Printz expels Dutch settlers, from New Amsterdam, at Schuylkill.
- 1648 – Eighth expedition arrives with trade-goods, but few settlers. Now only 79 men in the colony, of whom only 28 are farmers-but the Swedes control the River.
- 1649 – Ship Kattan (The Cat), bringing supplies and settlers, wrecked near Porto Rico.
- 1651 – Gov. Picter Stuyvesant of New Amsterdam sends fleet of 11ships to the River, marches overland with 120 soldiers, occupies Sandhook (New Castle), builds and garrisons Fort Casimir there. Dutch thus control the River.
- 1653 – Printz resigns governorship, returns to Sweden. 36 families at Casimir; population of New Sweden decreasing.
- 1654 – Many Swedish settlers arrive, with Johan Rising as Governor. He takes Fort Casimir from Dutch. Population of New Sweden now 368. More land cleared, new farms established, first roads made, a village, Christianahamn, laid out behind Fort Christina. Fort Casimir, now Fort Trefaldighet, garrisoned by Swedes. Swedes now control River. Tenth Swedish expedition misses Delaware Bay, arrives at Manhattan and is seized by Stuyvesant.
- 1655 – Stuyvesant returns with 7 armed ships and 300 soldiers. Fort Trefaldighet’s little garrison surrenders; it becomes again Fort Casimir. The Dutch then besiege Fort Christina and burn Christinahamn. After 12 days the fort is surrendered. The Dutch hold all the River. So ends New Sweden.
- 1656 – Ship Mercurius from Sweden arrives with 110 new settlers. Jean Paul Jacquet, Dutch Vice-Director of the colony, refuses permission to land, but they disembark at Tinicum.
- 1657 – The colony is divided. Fort Casimir and the town beside it, New Amstel, become seat of government for territory below Christina, Fort Christina, now Fort Altena, for northern part. Jacob Alrichs, new Director, with 125 Dutch settlers, including Evert Pietersen, first schoolmaster, arrives at New Amstel, now the metropolis of the Delaware with “about 100 houses.”
- 1659 – Trading post established at Hoorn Kill (Lewes).
- 1659 Dissatisfaction, hunger and disease depopulate New Amstel. Scarcely 30 families remain. Lord Baltimore claims ownership of western shore of Delaware. Stuyvesant sends Augustine Herrman and Resolved Waidron to discuss the matter with Gov. Fendall of Maryland, without satisfactery results.
- 1662 – Peter Plockhoy from Holland establishes Mennonite colony at Cape Henlopen
- 1663 – Upper colony, above Christisa River, still Swedish in character, with a population. of about 700, mostly farmers, “110 good farms”. The two colonies are politically consolidated.
- 1664 – Charles II grants land in America, from Maine to New Jersey inclusive, to his brother James, Duke of York. English fleet takes New Amsterdam. Two ships, under Sir Robert Carr, come down to Delaware River and take possession of upper colony without resistance. Fort Casimir resists. After two broadsides from the ships, English storm and capture the fort, 3 Dutch killed, 10 wounded; name changed to New Castle. English hold all the River. Carr “destroys quaking colony of Plockhoy to a naile”.
- 1667 – Sir Francis Lovelace Governor of Duke of York’s territory, Carr deputy governor of Delaware colony.
- 1669 – Konigsmark, “the Long Finn”, attempts insurrection against English rule; transported to Barbadoes.
- 1671 – Indian malefactor shot and hung in chains in New Castle.
- 1673 – Courts established at Upland, New Castle and Hoorn Kill. War between England and Holland; Dutch fleet re-takes New York; Delaware colonies submit.
- 1674 – Treaty of Westminster returns New York and the Delaware to English. So ends Dutch rule on the River. Duke of York appoints Sir Edmund Andros as Governor of New York and its Dependencies, including Delaware territory.
- 1676 – New Castle offers bounty of 40 guilders for wolf heads. Duke of York’s Code of Laws formally promulgated by Andros.
- 1680 – Hoornkill County divided into St. Jones County (Kent) and Deal County (Sussex). First Court for St. Jones County held. Erection of log Courthouse at Hoornkill (Lewes) authorized, to cost 5000 pounds of tobacco.
- 1681 – Pennsylvania granted to William Penn by King Charles II
- 1682 – Duke of York grants Delaware Counties to Penn. Penn arrives in ship Welcome at New Castle, October 27th, receives possession by tokens of and twig, water and soil. His deputy, William Markham, similarly receives possession of two lower counties. First General Assembly of “Provicence of Pennsylvania and Three Lower Counties on the Delaware” meets at Upland. Penn gives present names to Kent and. Sussex.
- 1684 – Col. George Talbot, on behalf of Lord Baltimore, claimng Three Lower Counties, builds small fort near present town of Christiana. Population of Three Lower Counties about 4,000.
- 1688 – Kent County Court removed to “James Maxwell’s ordinary, site of Dover.
- 1689 – Immanuel Episcopal Church, New Castle, founded.
- 1690 “Hundreds” first established by Provincial Council. Fairs established in New Castle, May and September.
- 1691 – Government of Three Lower Counties separated from the Province; William Markham appointed Deputy Governor.
- 1692 – Benjamin Fletcher, Governor General at New York, appointed by William and Mary Captain General and Governor in Chief over Pennsylvania and Three Lower Counties.
- 1693 – Fletcher appoints William Markham Lieut. Governor.
- 1694 – William and Mary restore Penn’s colonies to him; he appoints William Markham his Lieut. Governor.
- 1696 – New “constitution” adopted by General Assembly.
- 1697 – Kent County’s second court-house built at Dover on site of present State House. Erick Biork, Andreas Rudman and Jonas Aureen come from Sweden as missionaries of Lutheran church.
- 1698 – Pirates sack Lewes, capture vessel off New Castle.
- 1699 – Old Swedes’ Church dedicated, Trinity Sunday, July 4th.
- 1700 – Assembly of Pennsylvania and Delaware counties meets at New Castle, enacts famous “New Castle laws”.
- 1701 – Penn grants new constitution for his Province and the Delaware counties, allowing separate assemblies. Isaac Taylor and Thomas Pierson, surveyors, establish 12 Mile Circle boundary.
- 1703 – Welsh Baptists settle on Welsh tract between Newark and Glasgow.
- 1704 – General Assembly for Delaware Counties meets at New Castle, William Rodney of Kent speaker. Immanuel Church built in New Castle.
- 1707 – Fort built at New Castle to compel all vessels to “report and receive leave to pass.
- 1708 – Philadelphia businessmen protest this control.
- 1709 – Nine Delaware Assemblymen petition English separation from Province of Pennsylvania.
- 1713 – Rev. Andreas Hesselius from Sweden suceeds Rev. Erick Biork in Old Swedes’ Church.
- 1716 Wm. Keith commissioned Lieut. Governor.
- 1717 – Dover Green laid out in accordance with Penn’s order of 1683.
- 1718 – Penn dies. Old Swedes’ Church receives gift of communion service from Falun Mining Co. of Sweden. Pirates commit depredations in River.
- 1719 – William Keith commissioned Governor.
- 1722 – Third court-house at Dover built on site of old one.
- 1726 – Patrick Gordon commissioned Lieut. Governor.
- 1727 – John, Thomas and Richard Penn become Proprietaries of the Province and the Delaware Counties. General Assembly establishes regular system of law and equity courts.
- 1731 – Thomas Willing founds Willingtown on land received from father-in-law, Andrew Justison, between French and West Streets, Wilmington.
- 1732 – First house in Willingtown built, N.W. corner Front and Market. Commissioners appointed by Penn and Lord Baltimore agree on boundaries between Delaware and Maryland.
- 1735 – William Shipley buys land, Second to Fifth and Market to West Streets, from Andrew Justison, builds three-story brick mansion, S.W. corner 4th and Shipley Streets, Wilmington.
- 1736 – Willingtown has 33 houses.
- 1738 – Thomas West builds house on Quaker Hill, N.W. Corner 5th and West Streets
- 1739 – Wilmington incorpbrated as a borough, William Shipley first Chief Burgess.
- 1740 – Bill in General Assembly to raise one thousand pounds to pay for “victualling and transporting” Delaware troops in England’s war with Spain. First Presbyterian Church and first sea-going vessel built in Wilmington.
- 1743 – New London Academy, forerunner of University of Delaware, established by Rev. Francis Alison at New London, Pennsylvania.
- 1747 – French and Spanish privateers commit depredations along River in War of Austrian Succession.
- 1748 – The Rocks fortified to defend Wilmington against French and Spanish privateers. Nanticoke Indians migrate to Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania.
- 1749 – Rev. Israel Acrelius comes from Sweden to succeed Rev. Peter Tranberg (died 1748) in Old Swedes’ Church.
- 1750 – Lord Chancellor Hardwicke decrees Delaware-Maryland boundaries in accordance with agreement of 1732.
- 1751 – New seal adopted bearing arms of King of England and legend “Counties on the Delaware”.
- 1754 – General Assembly passes bill to raise one company of troops for His Majesty’s service and to establish militia for defense in French and Indian War.
- 1758 – Charter granted for town at Newark, fair to be held in April and October, also weekly market.
- 1759 – John McKinly Chief Burgess of Wilmington, James Hamilon Lieut. Governor.
- 1763 – Lord Baltimore and Thomas and Richard Penn employ Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, English surveyors, to establish boundaries.
- 1764 – John Vining succeds Ryves Holt as Chief Justice.
- 1765 – Caesar Rodney and Thomas McKean attend “Stamp Act Congress” in New York as delegates from Delaware to protest against the Act.
- 1766 – Rodney, McKean and George. Read appointed by Assembly to prepare address to George III expressing loyalty of Delaware Counteis and gratitude for repeal of Stamp Act.
- 1767 – The Alison Academy removed to Newark by its principal, Rev. Alexander McDowell. Mason and Dixon finish their boundary work.
- 1768 – Rodney, McKean and Read appointed committee to draw up address to George III protesting against Townshend Act.
- 1769 – Delaware merchants sign Non-Importation Agreement, not to sell English goods nor trade with any who do so. New Ark Academy, forerunner of University of Delaware, incorporated.
- 1770 – Rev. Laurence Girelius succeeds Rev. Andrew Borreil as pastor of Old Swedes’ Church.
- 1774 – Rodney, McKean and Read delegates to First Continental Congress, Philadelphia Sept. 5. Meetings to protest British tyranny held in Lewes, Dover and New Castle.
- 1775 Rodney, McKean and Read delegates to Second Continental Congress, Philadelphia, May 10.
- 1776 – General Assembly at New Castle passes resolution (June 15) declaring Delaware independent of British Crown. Rodney rides all night (July 1-2) from Dover to Philadelphia to vote on resolution for independence. Rodney and McKean cast Delaware’s vote (July 2) for the resolution and (July 4) for Declaration of Independence. Convention at New Castle adopts first State constitution. Brig Nancy of Wilmington, Capt. Hugh Montgomery[1], first ship to hoist American flag in foreign port. British warships, Roebuck and Liverpool, in Delaware River; fight (May 8) between them and small boats off Wilmington, ships withdrew down the River; Lewes bombarded. The Rocks at Wilmington again fortified. Picture of George III burnt on Dover Green. First State troops mustered in, Col. John Haslet, Lt. Col Gunning Bedford, Major John McPherson and 800 men; leave Dover for war. Delaware troops nicknamed “Blue Hen’s Chickens”. Delaware troops, in defeat in Battle of Long Island, among the last to leave the field-not until “an express order from the General commanded them to retreat.”
- 1777 Dover made capital, Kent County Court House, built 1775, becomes State House. John McKinly elected first President of Delaware State. Gen. Samuel Patterson’s militia mutinies in Philadelphia, demanding higher wages. Col. Haslet killed in Battle of Princeton (Jan. 3). British, 18,000 strong, under Gen. Howe, land at Elkton, Md., advance through Delaware. Washington’s army, 12,000, posted near Stanton. American light infantry, under Gen. Maxwell, meets advance British forces in fight at Cooch’s Bridge. Washington withdraws forces to Chadd’s Ford. British Army passes through Newark (Sept. 8). Battle of Brandywine, Col. Hall’s Delaware regiment engaged, Major Lewis Bush of Delaware killed; defeat of Americans. Wilmington occupied by British troops; P?esident McKinly captured. Thomas McKean becomes acting President, then George Read. Colonel Hall severely wounded in Battle of Germantown.
- 1778 – Caesar Rodney elected President of State, succeding McKinly. Delaware troops in Battle of Monmouth; winter (1777-1778) in Wilmington.
- 1779 – Delaware ratifies Articles of Confederation. Capt. Allen McLane’s Delaware company in capture of Powles Hook (July 19).
- 1780 – First Delaware Regiment of Continental Army, Lt. Col. Vaughn, Major John Patten, Senior Capt. Kirkwood, 800 men, in DeKalb’s army in Southern Campaign. In disastrous Battle of Camden, Delawares withstand Lord Rawdon’s furious charge. DeKalb on his death-bed writes about “the gallant behavior of the Delaware regiment,” who stood their ground although 265 were killed or wounded. Lt. CoL Vaughn and Major Patten captured; Kirkwood commands remnant bf 175 men, who are then brigaded with Maryland and Virginia under General Smallwood.
- 1781 – At Cowpens, when front line breaks, Smallwood’s brigade stands fast and saves the day; British defeated. At Guilford Court House the brigade again holds the line when militia retreats, again wins tht battle. Special mention in dispatches of “the old Delaware company under brave Capt. Kirkwood.” After Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill, Delaware again cited for “gallant behavior.”
- 1783 – Delaware troops home from Southern Campaign. Nicholas Van Dyke elected President of State succeeding John Dickinson, resigned, who had been elected in 1781, succeeding Caesar Rodney.
- 1784 – Caesar Rodney dies at his home, Poplar Grove near Dover, June 26th.
- 1785 – Oliver Evans builds, near Newport, first flour-mill equipped with his labor-saving machinery. Barratt’s Chapel, “Cradle of Methodism,” built. John Dickinson chairman of Annapolis Convention. George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett and Jacob Broom Delaware delegates to Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (May 14 to Sept.17). Delaware ratifies Constitution in Convention (Dec. 3 to 7) at Dover; “First State.” Delaware grants patent to John Fitch for steamboat.
- 1788 – First Delaware U. S. Senators George Read and Richard Bassett, first Representative in Congress John Vining elected.
- 1789 – Joshua Clayton (Federalist) elected last President of State under first State Constitution. Charles Thomson of Newark, Secretary of Congress, 1774-89, goes to Mt. Vernon to inform George Washington officially of his election as President.
- 1790 – Delaware tatifies eleven of first twelve amendments to Federal Constitution. Population of State 59,096. Proposal to make Wilmington national capital fails when Jefferson and Hamilton agree on District of Columbia.
- 179. Fourth Kent County court-house built, State sharing expense in order to use building as State House. State convention meets in Presbyterian Church, Dover, to frame second State Constitution, John Dickinson President of Convention.
- 1792 – Second State Constitution adopted (June 12).
- 1793 – Delaware votes for Washington as President. Joshua Clayton inaugurated first Governor under new Constitution, William Killen first Chancellor, George Read first Chief Justice. Louis Philippe, afterwards King of France, sojourns in Wilmington.
- 1796 – Bank of Delaware, first in the State, incorporated. GeneralAssembly passes first act for establishment of fund for public schools.
- 1797 – Delaware votes for John Adams (Federalist) for President. Yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, many refugees in Wilmington.
- 1798 – Old Town Hall in Wilmington built.
- 1800 – Delaware votes for John Adams (Federalist) as President. Population of State 64,273.
- 1801 – Yellow fever epidemic in Wilmington. E. L duPont de Nemours buys land for powder-milk near Wilmington from Jacob Broom for $6,740. Building of mills begun.
- 1803 – Delaware and Chesapeake Canal begun.
- 1804 – Delaware votes for Charles C. Pinckney (Federalist) for President.
- 1807 – Federal government calls on Delaware for 814 militia. Wilmington public meeting expresses indignation and abhorrence at attack by British sloop-of-war Leopard on American frigate Chesapeake. Meeting at Lewes resolves that aggressions of Great Britain excite abhorrence and cheerfully anticipates a State of War.
- 1808 – Federal government calls (November 15) on Delaware for 1332 militia.
- 1810 – Population of State 72,674.
- 1812 – U. S. House of Representatives votes for declaration of war on Great Britain; Henry M. Ridgely, Delaware representative votes “No”. Governor Haslet sends (January 7) message to legislature calling for preparation for a crisis and for minds firmly and valorously bent on facing the conflict. Legislature authorizes purchase of arms and equipment. Delaware’s quota 10,000. Fort built at Rocks to defend Wilmington. Sloop-of-war Wasp, Capt. Jacob Jones of Delaware, captures British sloop-of-war Frolic (October 18); victory acclaimed throughout nation. Delaware River “swarms with American privateers.” Delaware votes for DeWitt Clinton (Federalist) for President.
- 1813 – British fleet blockades Bay and River, bombards Lewes (April 6) because of refusal of Col. Samuel B. Davis, Commander of American troops, of demand for fresh provisions. 1,000 men assemble to defend Lewes, including Wilmington troop of horse; attempted landing repulsed; powder supplied by duPont; British capture small vessels, commit depredations on shore. Specie in Wilmington and New Castle banks sent to Philadelphia for safety. Pea Patch Island (Fort Delaware) ceded to U. S.
- 1814 – Commodore Thomas Macdonough of Delaware, in command of American fleet, defeats British fleet on Lake Champlain. Victory celebrated throughout the nation. Treaty of Ghent ending war signed by James A. Bayard with the other American commissioners to negotiate a peace.
- 1816 Delaware votes for Rufus King (Federalist) for President.
- 1820 – Delaware votes for James Monroe (Democratic-Republican) for President Population of State 72,749.
- 1824 – Delaware Electors give one vote for John Quincy Adams, two for William H. Crawford for President. Town Hall, New Castle, built. Lafayette visits Wilmington, received with honors in Old Town Hall.
- 1828 – Delaware votes for John Quincy Adams (National Republican) for President.
- 1829 – First State general public school law passed. Delaware and Chesapeake Canal opened (July 4).
- 1830 – Population of State 76,748.
- 1831 – Third State Constitution adopted. Legislature votes opposition to slave trade.
- 1832 – Delaware votes for Henry Clay (National Republican) for President. Wilmington chartered as a city. New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad opened.
- 1834 – New Ark Academy becomes Newark College. Memorial funeral procession (May 20) in honor of Lafayette dead.
- 1836 – Delaware votes for Wm. Henry Harrison (Whig) for President.
- 1838 – Brandywine Springs Hotel, accommodating 1,000 built.
- 1840 – Delaware votes for Wm. Henry Harrison (Whig) for President. Population of State 78,185.
- 1843 – Newark College becomes Delaware College.
- 1844 – Delaware votes for Henry Clay (Whig) for President.
- 1846 – Secretary of War calls for volunteers for Mexican War; Delaware quota 390; few responses.
- 1848 – Delaware votes for Zachery Taylor (Whig) for President
- 1849 – John M. Clayton appointed U. S. Secretary of State.
- 1850 – John M. Clayton signs Clayton-Bulwer Treaty with Great Britain. Population of State 91,532.
- 1852 – Delaware votes for Franklin Pierce (Democrat) for President
- 1856 – Delaware votes for James Buchanan (Democrat) for President.
- 1859 – Lammot duPont discovers use of nitrate of soda in gunpowder.
- 1860 – Delaware votes for John C. Breckinridge (Democrat) for President Population of State, 112,216; 19,287 are free Negroes, 1,798 slaves.
- 1861 – Legislature votes not to secede from Union. DuPonts refuse to sell powder to Confederate States. Federal government calls for troops (April 14); Delaware’s quota one regiment, 780 men. Union demonstration in Old Town Hall (April 16). Wilmington appropriates $8,000 for defense. Union meetings throughout State. Volunteers called for (April 25). First regiment complete (May 20) for three months’ service.; 1st, 2nd and 3rd Delaware regiments, three years’ service, mustered in. Meeting on Dover Green opposing war (June 27), 1500 present. Land and naval forces under General Sherman and Commodore S. F. duPont achieve victory at Port Royal, South Carolina. Lincoln tries to arrange for manumission of all Delaware slaves, Federal government to pay $500 each; caucuses disclose lack of ma jonty of legislature to pass necessary act, one man holding out against plan.
- 1862 – Federal government orders draft for 300,000 men, Delaware’s quota 3,340; time for draft extended to allow securing volunteers; funds raised to pay bounties for volunteers and quota filled. In election, polls in State are policed by U.S. provost marshals; much complaint about this.
- 1863 – Volunteers not sufficient to meet requirements, draft is made; 2,454 drafted; allowed to buy off at $300 each. Martial law in force because of Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania. Natharnel B. Smithers (Union Party) elected Congressman with aid of Federal troops, Democrats declining to vote.
- 1864 – Delaware votes for George B. McClellan (Democrat) for President. First State debt created, $1,000,000. Four Delaware regiments, 1st Delaware Battery and 1st Delaware Cavalry mustered out of service, terms expired. Delaware troops during the war fought in battles of Fair Oaks, Gaines’ Mill, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Ream’s Station and Boydton Road. New draft takes 1,676 men. ‘Provost marshals again police elections against strong opposition. Fort Union built at The Rocks. U. S. Senate requires all senators to take oath of loyalty; James A. Bayard takes oath and then resigns, denying constitutionality of required oath.
- 1865 – Delaware legislature refuses to ratify Thirteenth Amendment.
- 1867 – Delaware legislature refuses to ratify Fourteenth Amendment.
- 1868 – Delaware votes for Horatio Seymour (Democrat) for President.
- 1869 – Delaware legislature refuses to ratify Fifteenth Amendment.
- 1870 – Population of State 125,015.
- 1872 – Delaware votes for U. S. Grant (Republican) for President.
- 1874 – Fifth Kent County Courthouse built -and present Old State House becomes Capitol exclusively.
- 1876 – Delaware votes for Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat) for President.
- 1879 – New Castle County seat removed to Wilmington.
- 1880 – Delaware votes for Winfield S. Hancock (Democrat) for President. Population of State 146,608.
- 1884 – Delaware votes for Grover Cleveland (Democrat) for President.
- 1885 – Thomas F. Bayard appointed U. S. Secretary of State.
- 1888 – Delaware votes for Grover Cleveland (Democrat) for President.
- 1890 – Population of State 168,493.
- 1892 – Delaware votes for Grover Cleveland (Democrat) for President.
- 1893 – Thomas F. Bayard appointed first Ambassador to Great Britain. Circular northern boundary re-surveyed by Pennsylvania-Delaware Commission.
- 1896 – Delaware votes for William McKinley (Republican) for President.
- 1898 -. Delaware responds to McKinley’s call for volunteers for Spanish-Amencan War, appropriates $30,000. First Delaware Regiment in camp at Middletown, Del., then Middletown, Pa.
- 1900 – Delaware votes for William McKinley (Republican) for President.
- 1901 – Delaware ratifies 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to U.S. Constitution on Lincoln’s birthday.
- 1901 – Death of Eugene duPont, President of duPont Company. Company reorganized as E. I. duPont de Nemours & Company by T. Coleman duPont, Alfred I. duPont and Pierre S. duPont; commences acquisition of other explosive manufacturing companies.
- 1905 – Punishment by pillory abolished.
- 1908 – Delaware votes for William H. Taft (Republican) for President.
- 1909 – State House restored and new wing added.
- 1910 – DuPont Company enters textile business, Fabrikoid.
- 1915 – Great expansion of duPont Company rendered necessary by demands for powder by the Allies.
- 1917 – DuPont Company supplies U. S. with powder in great quantities; expands into paint, chemical and dye fields, also automobile interests.
- 1919 – DuPont Company’s strictly war-time plants dismantled. New School Code enacted.
- 1920 – Delaware votes for Warren G. Harding (Republican) for President. Population of State 223,003.
- 1921 – Delaware College becomes University of Delaware.
- 1924 – Delaware votes for Calvin Coolidge (Republican) for President.
- 1928 – Delaware votes for Herbert C. Hoover (Republican) for President.
- 1932 – Delaware votes for Herbert C. Hoover (Republican) for President. Three hundredth anniversary of Dutch settlement at Zwaanendael celebrated by erection and dedication of Zwaanendael House at Lewes.
- 1933 – New Legislative Hall built at Dover, cost $748,306.
- 1935 – Delaware Swedish Tercentenary Commission appointed to make plans for celebration in 1938.
- 1936 – U. S. Congress authorizes appointment of U. S. Delaware Valley Tercentenary Commission and minting of 25,000 commemorative half-dollars. Delaware votes for Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat) for President.
- 1937 – Delaware Tercentenary Commission appointed; The Rocks acquired by State for park.
- 1938 – Celebration of the three-hundredth anniversary of first permanent civilized settlement in Delaware by the Swedes.