I too can vouch for the fact that very early families and family members seemed to navigate the Delaware River as if it weren't even there. I learned early in my research that I could not consider this river to be a dividing line, or barrier of any kind, when doing my research. In the year 1728 one John Pursel purchased land where Old York Road crosses the river at New Hope, Bucks Co., PA. from a John Coate. He then proceeded to operated a ferry at this crossing until the year 1732. At this time John Pursel sold his business to Emanuel Coryell, who's family had the ferry crossing well past the Revolution. My surnames, who definitely resided on both sides of the Delaware River, were: Pursel, Boyer, Shimer and Iliff. Sally Fisher