Genealogy Trails

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Newspaper Stories Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) May 5 1824 Philadelphia, April 21 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal On the 15th instant the excavation of the canal was commenced at Newbold’s landing, opposite the Pea Patch, in presence of the president and directors, the chief justice of the state of Delaware, the mayor of this city, and a number of citizens. After the ceremony of removing the first sod was performed, an appropriate address was made by Thomas P. Cope, Esq., one of the directors. The whole of the canal is now under contract, and we understand all the sub-contractors were to commence operations yesterday. – Frank Gaz. [Submitted by Nancy Piper] Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) May 19 1824 The Philadelphia Press remarks the reduced prices at which wood is selling in that city, and addes “This is one, and but one, of many advantages which must flow into Philadelphia from the working of our coal mines and internal improvement. In a few years the tonnage of our coal craft will be greater than the tonnage of our foreign trade. The Chesapeake and Delaware canal, independent of all others, will employ more river craft than now belongs to the port of Philadephia.” [Submitted by Nancy Piper] Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) May 19 1824 The Press adds that it is now confidently said the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal will be completed before the Union Canal. [Submitted by Nancy Piper] Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 2 1824 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal This great work is going forward rapidly. There are at present five or six hundred hands engaged at work. They all appear healthy and in high spirits. A considerable number of mechanics are employed in erecting boarding houses for the reception of more hands; and it is expected that in a short time the number of workmen will amount to twelve or fifteen hundred. – Eleton Freer. [Submitted by Nancy Piper] BACK ©2008 Genealogy Trails