Seaford's Rich History
The land at the head of the Nanticoke River has long been inhabited by
mankind. The Nanticoke Indians and their ancestors have lived along
the river for over 6,000 years. The first record of a European to
explore the head of the Nanticoke, however, was in 1608 when Captain John
Smith set out exploring the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Development along the Nanticoke River was slow partly due to friction
that developed between the Nanticoke Indians and the English settlers.
Once the conflicts were resolved, development in
th e
area flourished.
All land in current western and southern Sussex County was first settled
as part of Maryland. Seaford, along with Bridgeville, Greenwood, Middleford,
and others, were all part of Dorchester County in the Province of Maryland.
Blades, Laurel, and Concord areas, on the other hand, were part of Somerset
County. The area shows a definite link with the British Isles. The majority of
the settlers into the Seaford area came from England; but Ireland, Wales, and Scotland
are well represented. It is reported that an error in a map coordinate resulted
in the east-west line of Delaware being from current Delmar to Fenwick.
The original agreement had the east-west line at the Cape Henlopen, not at
the false cape. If the line had survived, Seaford would now be in Maryland.
After many years in the courts of London, the boundary lines are as the
surveyors Mason and Dixon defined in 1763.
The first record of any settlement in the area around Seaford was a
very large tract of land identified as "Martin's Hundred".
This 1,750 acre plot of land, bordered by the Nanticoke river and Herring
Creek, was granted to Jeremiah Jadwin of Virginia on January 22, 1672.
Despite development in the area, the river was the main highway for many
years. It wasn't until 1720 that roads began appearing in court records. The
primary industry of the area was agriculture, particularly the
cultivation of tobacco, and the style of living was plantation. In
addition to agriculture, however, evidence suggests that the area east of
where Seaford now resides was a very busy bog iron area.
Innovation in agriculture developed through the efforts of
William Henry Harrision Ross. Ross became Governor of Delaware in 1850
and had extensive holdings
north of Seaford. Ross was in politics throughout his adult life, holding office from
January 1851 to January 1885. His principal place of residence was an Italian
Renaissance style mansion (which still exists today) in present-day Seaford that
he built in 1850.
The Civil War brought division into the community of Seaford, but
immediately after the war ended, the town received its charter
and was incorporated on April 6, 1865 with a Councilman-Alderman form
of government which is still in existence today.
This development is what shaped Seaford into what and where it is
today. By the 20th century, Seaford was a town of some
2,000 people and had become one of the peninsula's most important economic
sites. In 1925, the poultry industry became important as new methods of housing
and feeding were introduced. The nature of farming changed from truck
crops to grains and corn for chicken feed as Sussex County became the
largest chicken-producing area in the world. In 1939, the DuPont Company
chose Seaford as the site of the first Nylon plant in the world leaving
Seaford known as the "Nylon Capital of the World".
Growth and flourishment still continues today as Seaford adds more
quality businesses and people to its vibrant residence. With more
than 500 retail stores and service-related businesses, a stable
and respected local government, a diversity of residential developments,
a modern hospital and numerous support clinics, elderly care, fine schools
and churches, many youth and adult extracurricular educational and recreational
programs, numerous volunteer service organizations, and Seaford's location
near the most pristine river and recreational beaches on the East Coast,
it is little wonder Seaford is considered such a desirable place to live,
work, and play.
Special thanks to Richard Thek and Wright Robinson for providing the History of Seaford information.
A Pictorial History Book about Seaford is currently available. It includes over 200 photographs from
1850-1950 with captions describing them. For more information, please contact
Trisha Booth, (302)629-9173.
Historic Attractions
The Seaford Historical Society's Ross Mansion and Seaford Museum
The Seaford Museum is located at 203 High Street in the historic former post office and
serves as a repository for items
of significance in the history of Seaford. Collections
and exhibits highlight Seaford area history from Native Americans to present day. The
original map of Seaford is on display. There is a special exhibit from the DuPont Company
highlighting the development of nylon which was first manufactured in Seaford. Rotating
exhibits showcase artifacts not on permanent display. The museum is handicapped accessible.
The Ross Plantation is located at 1101 North Pine Street Extended in Seaford. It is a 20
acre property that includes in addition to the Mansion, a granary with farm equipment
exhibits, carriage house, a Victorian cottage and Delaware's only documented log slave
quarters. The Mansion is a brick Italian Villa style structure completed in 1859. It is
furnished in authentic Victorian style with many pieces having belonged to the Ross family.
The Mansion's lawn is available for rent for special functions like weddings.
Telephone number at the Mansion is 302-628-9500.
Both facilities have gift shops and can be toured at any time by calling ahead. It is
advisable that large groups make advanced reservations. Tours to either facility can be
arranged anytime by appointment. Phone the museum at 302-628-9828.
The Ross Mansion is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The Seaford Museum is
open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Both are closed on holidays. Admission to each facility is $3.00 per person or $5.00 per person to visit both facilities.
Woodland Ferry.
Woodland Road, west of Seaford. Operates sunup to sundown, seven days a week. No fare charged.
The 200-year-old cable-run ferry boat crossing the Nanticoke River, one of the last remaining
ferries on the East Coast, was established circa 1793 by the Cannon family, and served as a
major river crossing and trading center for travelers.
Historic Downtown. Seaford's downtown area is full
of buildings and churches that are rich in history.
U.N.O.I. Mill. This mill, over 100 years old, still has the original corn stone in use to
create products sold commercially today.
DuPont Plant. When this plant was built here in 1939 it was the first Nylon plant in the world,
giving Seaford its title "Nylon Capital of the World." It is still in operation today as Invista.
Patty Cannon House. This house, located at Johnson's Cross Roads, is where the noted
kidnapping group including Patty Cannon had its headquarters. The group was involved in robbery
and entrapment of free blacks in the area. This house was ideal because of its location: one side
sits in Maryland while the other side sits in Delaware. Today, the house still stands and is
a historical landmark.
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