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NEWARK

DELAWARE


Like Elkton, Newark was also abandoned as the British passed by to the east. As the marker at the Newark Academy verifies, the school, founded in 1741, was closed from 1777 to 1780. 

A second marker at the school states that three signers of the Declaration of Independence attended the school. One signer, Thomas McKean, was also president of Congress. He was roused out of bed after midnight on October 23, 1781 to receive a dispatch from George Washington proclaiming the American victory at Yorktown. 

Newark Academy 

An original grant under William Penn has as pupils three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Thomas McKean and George Read for Delaware, and James Smith for Pennsylvania. 

(Newark Marker)

Further up the street of downtown Newark are many interesting, older buildings that are worth the walk to see. Look for the Stone Balcony.


ENROUTE TO BRANDYWINE

Wilmington, Delaware -- Like many of the other cities and towns in Howe’s path, Wilmington was also deserted upon his arrival. Before that, however, Washington had convened his officers here to discuss strategy. He marched his army through Wilmington and northward toward Brandywine. He ordered the Delaware militia south to harass the British advance. 

Brandywine Creek -- Up stream, the creek forms a natural geographic barrier where Washington set up a defensive position on the way to Philadelphia. 

The State of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania 

Founded 1681 by William Penn as a Quaker Commonwealth. Birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. 

(Route 202 Marker)

The Brandywine battlefield area is surrounded by highways: US Route 202 on the north, US Route 1 on the east, Route 100 on the south and Route 926 on the west. Except for a small part of the battlefield, protected by the state, most of the battlefield is residential neighborhood. These roads are very congested and residents travel them at high speed. Slowpoke tourists, like us, are an annoyance to them, so be careful and don’t be surprised by the tailgating car or the sound of a honking horn.


Onto Brandywine

Back to a Revolutionary Day