Local History Archives - Page 2 of 3

Doe Bridge – History Meets Destiny – Part 3 of 5

19-Dec-1919-Feb-12 by Ed Carey

paynter-frame-grave-marker — Grave site of Paynter Frame – early Doe Bridge Mill owner

Doe Bridge – More Connections

Less than a quarter mile from the Kollock cemetery, on the east side of Delaware 30, just south of Doc Frame Road, is another cemetery. Here lie the bodies of Paynter Frame, an early owner of Doe Bridge Mill, and other members of his family.

“At Lawrence’s death in 1758 the tract with its mill was sold to Robert Fraim (later spelled ‘Frame’) for 500 pounds. This was a goodly sum compared to other land sales at the time and was further evidence that the tract on ‘Deep Branch’

Doe Bridge – History Meets Destiny – Part 2 of 5

19-Dec-1916-Feb-12 by Ed Carey

The Evidence Was Still There!

colonial-kings-highway-at-doe-bridge-aerial-photo — Colonial Kings Highway At Doe Bridge

Clearly identifiable on the USDA aerial photo that I held in my hands, even through the treetop canopy, was a thin line that could only be the remnants of that old colonial road. It wound from Delaware 30, in almost perfect alignment with Doc Frame Road, turned in the woods, passed near the Revel house, and disappeared at the mill site.

Doe Bridge – History Meets Destiny – Part 1 of 5

04-Sep-2212-Feb-12 by Ed Carey

Millsboro By-Pass

In late November last year, I was contacted by a WBOC-TV reporter who asked for an interview concerning the proposed Millsboro By-Pass. I accepted and agreed to meet with him at Doe Bridge. Many visitors to this website may have already seen the article and the video. As I stated to the reporter in comments that did not make the final video cut (and I’m paraphrasing from memory), “I understand the need for a by-pass to alleviate the heavy traffic that is beating Millsboro’s infrastructure to dust, but I am likewise sympathetic with those property owners who will have to endure the shift in traffic to their backyards as the result of any by-pass. While I cannot speak for my friends, as I am not a spokesperson for them, my personal desire is to learn as much about the history of the Doe Bridge area as possible before nature or man takes that opportunity from us.”

Doe Bridge Association Meeting

08-Dec-1914-Jul-11 by Ed Carey

The second meeting of the Doe Bridge Association was held on Sunday, 10 July, with five new members in attendance! Although the majority of original ‘members’ couldn’t be present, they are expected to be a part of the field trip in the fall. We wrapped up the 90-minute agenda in record time and spent the remaining 75-minutes reminiscing. There’s a lot to talk about when you haven’t seen each other in several years.

We decided on early November for our walkabout and now the task begins of pin-pointing the specific sites of interest, mapping out our route, determining what’s public or private, and gaining permission for access from the respective parties.

Although I speak of Doe Bridge, my actual interest is somewhat broader, and it lies in the old colonial road that began in coastal Delaware Bay and ran toward Millsboro.

Millsboro History Documents Shared

19-Dec-1907-Jul-11 by Ed Carey

Dick Carter has been gracious in his support for my endeavor with this website and he provided me a couple of documents that are being placed here in the Library for your enjoyment. The first document has a wealth of information about Millsboro, going way back. Bet you won’t be able to put it down!

In Dick’s words: “Someone gave me the PDF of the ‘History of Millsboro’ which was prepared by a group of teachers at the Millsboro Public School for some course they were taking, probably done about 1950. You will know many of the names. It has some very interesting information in it…”

Someone has stolen the Mason-Dixon Line!

08-Dec-1930-Jun-11 by Ed Carey

Image-Google Search-Mason-Dixon Line — Did Someone Steal The Masey-Dixy Line?

The Mason-Dixon Line

Well, I guess it’s not quite as bad as all that. No one has actually taken our southern border. And that boundary is not really part of the original Mason-Dixon Line, anyway.

The Mason-Dixon Line defined the southern boundary of Pennsylvania with West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, and the western boundary of Delaware with Maryland. The actual survey line between Maryland and Delaware has also been referred to as the North-South Boundary.

So, am I in Somerset County or Sussex County?

Traveling through time…and Millsboro

19-Dec-1924-Jun-11 by Ed Carey

You may be surprised to know that traffic through Millsboro, as slow as it may seem at times, is not as congested as it was around 1833.

image-painting-iron-ore-foundry — Iron Ore Furnace

Old Drug Store Bottles

08-Dec-1916-Jun-11 by Ed Carey

Early in 2007, when a new roof was being planned for Carey’s Frame Shop, it became necessary to remove all of the items from the third floor to prevent damage. The second floor had been transformed years before by dad with custom storage racks for picture frame molding, so room had to be found off-premises for everything.

In preparation for the move, my older daughter and I spent the better part of a couple of days sorting through years of dust, debris, and an assortment of period drug store-related items. But mostly it was bottles. Bottles, bottles and more bottles.