This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: DavidWilsonUSPL Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.delaware.counties.sussex/3218.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Here's something I saved from the Seaford, DE official web site a while back. I believe this information will be of general interest to you and to anyone else with roots in the Seaford area: "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." Happy hunting! Dave Wilson PS: I know that Seaford was officially incorporated as a "city" (as opposed to a town) in 1865. It's never been even REMOTELY a "city," though. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.