This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Hundreds are unincorporated subdivisions of counties, equivalent to townships in some other states, and were once used as a basis for representation in the Delaware General Assembly. While their names still appear on all real estate transactions, they currently have no meaningful use or purpose except that non-renewable rental agreements for 120 days or less for dwellings located in Broadkill Hundred, Lewes-Rehoboth Hundred, Indian River Hundred and Baltimore Hundred are not subject to the Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code. The divisions, or "hundreds" as they are called, come from the times when Delaware and Maryland were colonial holdings of Great Britain. While Delaware alone retains the use of "hundreds," the origin of most place names in both states can be traced back to the times of British rule.
New Castle County
Main article: New Castle County, DelawareHundred Name | Created | Parent Hundred | Primary Town | Origin of Name |
Appoquinimink Hundred | 1682 | original | Townsend | Appoquinimink Creek |
Blackbird Hundred | 1875 | Appoquinimink Hundred | Blackbird Creek | |
Brandywine Hundred | 1682 | original | Bellefonte | Brandywine Creek |
Christiana Hundred | 1682 | original | Elsmere | Christiana River |
Mill Creek Hundred | 1710 | Christiana Hundred | Mill Creek | |
New Castle Hundred | 1682 | original | New Castle | Town of New Castle |
Pencader Hundred | 1710 | New Castle Hundred | Pencader (Welsh Tract) Church | |
Red Lion Hundred | 1710 | New Castle Hundred | Delaware City | Red Lion Creek |
St. George's Hundred | 1682 | original | Middletown | St. George's Creek |
White Clay Hundred | 1710 | Christiana Hundred | Newark | White Clay Creek |
Wilmington Hundred | 1833 | Christiana Hundred | Wilmington | City of Wilmington |
Kent County
Main article: Kent County, DelawareHundred Name | Created | Parent Hundred | Primary Town | Origin of Name |
Duck Creek Hundred | 1682 | original | Smyrna | Duck Creek |
East Dover Hundred | 1859 | Dover Hundred | Dover | City of Dover |
Kenton Hundred | 1869 | Duck Creek Hundred | Kenton | Town of Kenton |
Little Creek Hundred | 1682 | original | Leipsic | Little Creek |
Milford Hundred | 1830 | Mispillion Hundred | Milford | City of Milford |
Mispillion Hundred | 1682 | original | Harrington | Mispillion River |
North Murderkill Hundred | 1855 | Murderkill Hundred | Camden | Murderkill River |
South Murderkill Hundred | 1855 | Murderkill Hundred | Felton | Murderkill River |
West Dover Hundred | 1859 | Dover Hundred | Hartly | City of Dover |
- St. Jones Hundred was created in 1682, and was renamed Dover Hundred in 1823; Dover Hundred was subsequently divided into East Dover Hundred and West Dover Hundred in 1859.
- Murderkill Hundred was created in 1682 and was divided into North Murderkill Hundred and South Murderkill Hundred in 1855.
Sussex County
Main article: Sussex County, DelawareHundred Name | Created | Parent Hundred | Primary Town | Origin of Name |
Baltimore Hundred | 1775 | Worcester County, Maryland | Millville | Part of never-erected Maryland county |
Broad Creek Hundred | 1775 | Somerset County, Maryland | Bethel | Broad Creek |
Broadkill Hundred | 1696 | original | Milton | Broadkill River |
Cedar Creek Hundred | 1702 | Broadkill Hundred | Milford | Cedar Creek |
Dagsboro Hundred | 1773 | Worcester County, Maryland | Millsboro | Dagsboro |
Georgetown Hundred | 1863 | Broadkill Hundred | Georgetown | Georgetown |
Gumboro Hundred | 1873 | Dagsboro Hundred | Gumboro | |
Indian River Hundred | 1706 | Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred | Indian River (inlet and bay) | |
Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred | 1692 | original | Lewes | Lewes (Whorekill) and the Rehoboth Bay |
Little Creek Hundred | 1774 | Somerset County, Maryland | Laurel | Little Creek |
Nanticoke Hundred | 1775 | Somerset County, Maryland | Nanticoke River | |
Northwest Fork Hundred | 1775 | Dorchester County, Maryland | Bridgeville | Northwest Fork, Nanticoke River |
Seaford Hundred | 1869 | Northwest Fork Hundred | Seaford | Seaford |
See also
References
- 25 Del. C. ยง 5102
- The University of Delaware Library (2001). The Hundreds of Delaware Archived 2015-09-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 17, 2005.
- The Delaware Genealogical research Guide (1997). Delaware Counties and Hundreds. Retrieved August 17, 2005.
- The Historical Society of Delaware. Delaware Counties. Retrieved August 17, 2005.
- The Historical Society of Delaware. Delaware's Hundreds. Retrieved August 17, 2005.
- Delaware State Archives/Historical Markers
- 25 Del. C. ยง 5102.