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il-
S,
is
Y,
12,
Old letters provide firsthand look at ten.
sion in Lewes prior to bombardment
As a surveyor, Jay Wingate of
the Wingate and Eschenbach firm
has come in contact with a good
deal of Cape Region history over
the past several decades.
When he read last week's col-
umn about Capt. Bill Lowe's
acquisition of the famous March
16, 1813 letter from British Com-
modore John Beresford which led
to the April 6, 1813 bombardment
of Lewes, a light glowed in Jay's
head.
He remembered a group of let-
ters he acquired a number of years
ago which fascinated him because
they had been sent to Philadelphia
aboard vessels sailing out of
Lewes. On closer examination, he
found that the letters were first-
hand observations of the tension
that existed'in Lewes under the
threat of destruction from Com-
modore Beresford if the town
didn't comply with his demand
for a substantial amount of food.
("Officials at the Delaware
Archives told me these were only
the second primary account of that
time they had seen," said
Wingate.)
The letters were written by
Robert West. Wingate's wife,
Punx, did some research and
determined that West was a mer-
chant in Lewes. His son, Richard,
lived in Philadelphia.
Here's a sampling of the con-
cerns Robert West relayed to his
son aboard vessels.
Dennis Forney
"March 18, 1813
"My Dear Son,
"When I last wrote you we
appeared to be in safety. But the
times are much altered. We are
blockaded by one 74 [gun ship]
and one frigate and some small
tenders. The boats of the ships are
daily out and they have burnt John
Smith's sloop this week. Also a
schooner at the [Lewes] creek's
mouth from Charlestown ..... We
are now fortifying - we have al
addition of two cannon from the
schooner that was burnt. All com-
munication is cut off by water and
we can make no remittance till
times somewhat alter. I trust we
shall be able to pay all our Phila.
debts shortly and if we lose all
here we shall be as we begun.
"I trust a kind providence will
protect us. I feel a reasonable
BAREFOOTIN'
confidence.
"Your affectionate father
"Robert West"
The next letter, started Tuesday,
March 22, spans the time through
Friday, March 25.
"My Dear Son
"For several days we have been
in continual allarm Night and
Day. Since the threat to destroy
the town sent in by a Flag of Truce
all hath been bustle. Nearly all the
inhabitants have moved their
goods more or less. And many of
the houses [are] occupied by the
troops that have come in ..... To
tell you what number of men are
in I cannot. They are, at the
moment of writing this, on Parade
for Review. The Governor
[Joseph Haslet] is in ..... Our
Governor sent a flag on board
[Beresford's Poictiers] Tuesday
evening - they still insist that 25
Bullocks are a reasonable demand
but it is rejected.
They [the British] have sent a
few of their rocket but no Damage
Done..We have left the Bank
[canal] and live at the house by
Mr. White's - our goods scattered
about the country ..... I do not
propose to move further til we see
the result of Sir Beresford's
threats to burn our town. I hope
he will relent or providence put a
Hook in his and his Master's Nose
and lead him away.
"'Your Affectionate Father"
In a final letter, West chided his
son for poor penmanship and sug-
gested he practice by writing more
letters that would be legible To
make the point strongly, the father
penned a row Of graceful letters
across the top of his letter as a
guide. A portion of that penman-
ship primer is pictured here.
CAPE GAZETTE, Friday, February 23 - February 29, 1996.7
i!!':', i'i ,,: ii" ........ .... i i.i ii '
REHOBOTH BEACH YACHT & IN TOWN LOCATION BAYSIDE IN DEWEY
COUNTRYCLUB 3 BRcondo unlt in 2nd ocean block has Thls large 4 BR townhome in North
Beautiful contemporary 3 BR, 2 BA good rental history. Your tenants can Dewey is just a short walk from the
home on large lot. lovely combination walk to everything from this location, beach. Bay vlews from the 3rd floor
of hardwood, slate and vinyl flooring. $59,900. H-030 deck w/southern exposure. Great
Excellent condition & priced to sell. Ca//Aun C/ayton: 227-6200. rental history.
$210,000. A-119 $178,000. A-024
Call Helen Bleber - 227"611 I. Call Audrey Preftyman: 226"4149
VICTORIA SQUARE
REHOBOTH BEACH YACHT &
I ii !4i'.i#l
i
WHAT A VIEW
Bike to the beach from this 3 BR, 1 I/2 COUNTRY CLUB Ocean front 3 BR, 3 BA furnished con-
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beach getawayl planl Featuring Ig. family room w/brlck $385.000. H-919
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Call Pat Renault:. 227-6200. kitchen.
$16,500. -009
Call Doug Davis: 227-6111.
NASSAU PARK NEW IN SPRING OF '95 ASPEN MEADOWS
This 3 BR, I I/2 BA mobile is a fantastic This 3 BR; 2 BA rancher is nearly !aew & Ideal beach refreatl Fully furnished 2
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vacy. Owner wants to sell today! $I 16.500. H-134 near the beach!
$13.000. H-083 Call Mlck Kauffman: 227-6200. $59.500. A- 140
Call Sandra Je#emon: 227-611 I. Call Melanle Falr: 227-508 I.
DELUXE WOODWORK
THROUGHOUT
3 BR, 2.5 BA Cape Cod w/screened
porch, basement, family room, &
fireplace on large wooded lot.
$168,000. H-076
Call Ruby Jones: 227-6200.
SOUTH SHORE MARINA
Bayfront rancher with a panoramic
view of the Indian River Bay. Set sail
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enjoy crabbing and clamming just
steps from your yard.
$263,000. A-905
Call Bob Hackeft: 227-611 I.
PRICE
REDUCTION
Woods On Herring Creek
Pool/Ttennis community
Wooded lot
$26,500!
Call Irene Tillman
227-6200
PRICE REDUCTION PRICE REDUCTION NEW LOT LISTING IN
LOT LISTING BREEZEWOOD BROADKILL BEACH
Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Tennis Community Waterfront lot With bay
Country Cub view!
the boardwalk. Wooded lot
Now only $23,900! with |
septic installed
Call Harry Wooding ,Call Lihda Book
227-5080
227-5080 227-6200 A-640
A-602