Delaware

When it began and who began it?

In 1631 David Pieterson de Vries started a Dutch colony in Delaware.

Why it begun?

David Pieterson de Vries began the colony because when he first made it a colony it was the more land the more power but then the England came and David Pieterson and the England work together to make a successful colony.

Who was already there?

The American Indians was the first to say that Delaware was their home meaning that they were the first people in Delaware. The largest group in Delaware was called the Lenni Lenape. Many people just called them Delaware’s Indians.

Land and Geography

Delaware is located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is mostly coastal plain. Delaware is a strip of lands between two bays. This land is called Delmarva Peninsula.

How people made a living?

Delaware was based on farming. Sweden and Dutch started a tobacco farm. The also grew rye, barely, and corn. They raised sheep and cattle. Colonist also produced dairy products. In 1790, an industry began. It made goods for Delaware iron ore.

Colonial Life

People worked to make the colony Delaware successful. Men ran to be a government. They made assembly meetings and voted. At home they made houses and barns. They also worked in fields and hunted for butchered animals for food. Women worked at home. They were responsible for keeping the house. They milked cow and made butter and cheese. They planted peas, beans, potatoes, beets, cabbages, and pumpkins. They also cured the meat the men had butchered. They ground corn, made clothes and soap, washed laundry, and raised the kids. Women were also responsible for cooking meals for her family.

Government

In 1681 King Charles ll made William Penn the Government of Delaware. Delaware became part of Pennsylvania. The freemen of the colony elected a council and assembly. The assembly can eject and accept laws but couldn’t make them. In 1701 William Penn elected a new person but not the same type of person this person could make the laws they were called a Charter. In 1704 Delaware became its own colony. Because Delaware was a royal colony and the colonist supported the king Delaware followed English laws.

Culture

Most of the Europeans came to Delaware to find a new passage to China and the West Indies. The Dutch was the first Europeans to sell along the Delaware River. In 1631 they started a new village called the Zwaanendael. The town lasted for only a year because they had a fight with the Indian called the Lenni Lenape and then the Indians burned down the village.