Delaware Important Dates
- 1631 The Dutch plant colony of Zwaanendael near present day Lewes. Indians massacre the settlers.
- 1638 The Swedish began settling in the Delaware area, build Fort Christina.
- 1655 The area was conquered by the Dutch.
- 1662 A Mennonite colony was established at Zwaanendael. (Lewes)
- 1664 Delaware became a British colony.
- 1682 Duke of York granted land to William Penn who called it the "Three Lower Counties of PA"
- 1682 - 1776 Pennsylvania's governor controlled much of Delaware, although Delaware had its own Provincial Assembly after 1703.
- 1684 - 1736 The colonial government of Maryland laid claim to southern and western Delaware.
- 1743 New Ark Academy, predecessor of University of Delaware was founded.
- 1747 First Roman Catholic congregation established in northern Delaware.
- 1764 Mason-Dixon laid down Delaware's western and southern boundaries, then laid down the MD-PA line.
- 1775 Delaware boundaries were set at today's lines. Before 1775, parts of the present day Delaware were in Maryland, so many of these records are in Maryland.
- 1776 Delaware declared its independence from Britain and established a government separate from that of Pennsylvania.
- 1777 Only battle of the Revolution in state was fought at Cooch's Bridge near Newark.
- 1782 A Census of white population was taken for tax purposes.
- 1787 Dec 7th Delaware was the first state to ratify the U. S. Constitution
- 1800 First surviving US census of Delaware
- 1834 Delaware College established from former New Ark Academy.
- 1861 - 1865 During the Civil War, Delaware, a slave state, fought on the Union side.
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