A new article has been added at Newspaper Abstracts > United States > Delaware > Sussex http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=642 Also visit our new sister site: http://www.Genealogy101.com Direct link to article: http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/link.php?id=43565 Submitted by: Harrison H Howeth Article Title: The Philadelphia Inquire Article Date: February 22 1892 Article Description: Monument to Captain Drew Unearthed at Lewes. Article Text: Lewes, Del., Feb. 22, 1892: Though the recent efforts failed to locate the British sloop of war DeBraak, which foundered on the Delaware Capes in June 1798, with a big fortune in Spanish doublooons between her oaken walls, they were undoubtedly responsible for the acquisition by the town of Lewes, Delaware, of an imperishable memento of the disaster. Lewes is the second oldest settlement in the State and has the oldest grave yard. What is now the site of the Episcopal church was formerly occupied by a Swedish house of worship. As DR. PANCOAST was engaged in searching for the sunken vessel the inhabitants of the the town that adjoins the great artificial harbor discussed the the matter in every phase. A resident, who has but a short distance to travel on the road of time before reaching the century mark, stated that the body of the captain of the DeBraak had been washed ashore a few days after the vessel had gone down and was buried in the old Swedish graveyard. He had no distinct recollection of the occurance bur knew that a monument had been erected over the grave by the captains widow. After many decades the inscriptions on many of the tombstones habe been almost oblitorated by age. A close examination of every stone in the yard failed to reveal the name of the captain and the search was about to be abandoned when th! e cap of a monument was found projecting above the sod near the southern wall. The stone was released from its earthen walls and when the green scum that had accumulated in many years was scraped off it was found the body of Drew had been located. THe monument is six feet high and weighs about a half ton. It bears the following inscription: "Here rest the remains of Captain James Drew who Commanded His Britannic Majesty's Sloop of War DeBraak, in which he lost his life when she foundered off the Capes of Delaware, 10th June 1798. He was beloved for his virtues and admired for his bravery. His affectionate relict has erected this monument to perpetuate his memory." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ DE-Old-News ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NewspaperAbstracts.com - Finding our ancestors in the news! TM http://www.NewspaperAbstracts.com