Before 1776, Delaware was already making history

The Minquas, from the Susquehanna River Valley, began to attack the villages of the Lenni-Lenape.

Sir Samuel Argall, an English sea captain, names the Delaware Bay after Virginia governor Thomas West, Lord De La Warr.

The first permanent European settlement, Fort Christina, is established on the Minquas Kill (renamed Christina River) by 23 Swedes, including Finns, led by Peter Minuit; it is the first permanent settlement on the Delaware and the beginnings of the New Sweden colony; it will become the city of Wilmington.

The first Lutheran minister in America, the Reverend Reorus Torkillus, arrives at Fort Christina.

Peter Stuyvesant, peg-legged governor of New Amsterdam, builds Fort Casimir at Sandhoek (now New Castle) just few miles south of Ft. Christina on the Delaware; the Dutch thus control the Delaware River.

The Dutch return to the Delaware River with seven armed ships and 300 soldiers, besiege Fort Christina for 12 days, and defeat the Swedes on the Delaware without bloodshed, ending the New Sweden Colony; Delaware becomes part of New Amsterdam; the Swedes pledge allegiance to the Dutch king but are allowed to keep their religion and law courts.

A trading post is established at Lewes; New Amstel (New Castle) now has 100 houses but dissatisfaction, hunger an disease causes it to depopulate.

Peter Plockhoy from Holland establishes a Mennonite colony at Cape Henlopen; destroyed by the English in 1664.

The first American jury trial was held in Delaware; Marcus Jacobson (aka Konigsmark “the Long Finn”) was captured by magistrate Peter Larsson Cock, condemned for insurrection against the English and sentenced to flogging, branding and hard labor in Barbados.

The Treaty of Westminster returns New York and Delaware to the English, so the English regain control of the Delaware; so ends Dutch rule on the Delaware.

The Duke of York transfers control of the Delaware colony to English Quaker William Penn, who receives possession in New Castle by tokens of a twig, water and soil.

Immanuel Episcopal Church, New Castle, founded; built in 1704

1698 through 1700 – Pirates including Captain Kidd sail along the Delaware, sack Lewes, and capture a vessel off New Castle.

Delaware is formally separated from Pennsylvania, but they share a governor; Isaac Taylor and Thomas Pierson, surveyors, establish the 12 Mile Circle boundry.

Fort built at New Castle to compel all vessels to “report and receive leave to pass”; Philadelphia businessmen protest this control.

The city of Dover is established.

Commissioners appointed by Penn and Lord Baltimore agree on boundaries between Delaware and Maryland.

Presbyterian Church and first sea-going vessel built in Wilmington.

New London Academy, forerunner of the University of Delaware, established by Rev. Francis Alison.

Nanticoke Indians migrate to Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania,

Men are raised for an expedition to Canada in the French and Indian War.

35,000 people lived in the Delaware region.

Lord Baltimore and Thomas and Richard Penn employ Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, English surveyors, to establish boundaries.

Caesar Rodney and Thomas McKean represent Delaware the the Stamp Act Congress to protest against the Act.

1767 through 1768 – Dover’s John Dickinson writes “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania,” an influential protest against British policies towards the colonies; for this he is known as the Penman of the Revolution.

The Revolutionary War begins.

Delaware elects its first state president as the Revolutionary War reaches its borders. British forces advance through the state, American troops engage them at Cooch’s Bridge, and Wilmington falls under British occupation following the Battle of Brandywine.

Read the Full 1777 Timeline

Delaware ratifies the Articles of Confederation; Capt. Allen McLane’s Delaware company in capture of Powles Hook.

At Cowpens, Smallwood’s brigade holds firm after the front line breaks, helping defeat the British. At Guilford Court House, the brigade again stands fast when the militia retreats. “The Old Delaware company under brave Capt. Kirkwood” receives special mention in dispatches, and after Hobkirk’s Hill, Delaware is again cited for “gallant behavior.”