Report of the Archaeological Investigations of the New Castle Court ...

Appendix IV: Chronology
Blockhouses, Forts, and Courts in New Castle, 1670-1685
1670 March 9 William Tom and Peter Alrichs to Governor Lovelace (20:9)
“…our intencion here is to build a blocke house 40 foote square with 4 att every end for
Flanckers in the middle of the Towne the fort not being fitt to be repaired and if repaired of noe
defence lying att the extreame end of the towne and noe garrison therefore wee begg that wee
may have liberty to pull itt downe and make use of the tiles bricks and other materi [ ] for the use
of our new intented fortificacion which if we have no occasion for as wee feare wee shall be
convenient for a Court House notwithstanding” (Gehring 1977:11).
1670 October 5 Captain John Carr’s proposals to the Council at New Castle
“a suitable place might be selected here at New Castle to erect some fortifications for times of
need” (Scharf 1888)
1670 n.d. Council at New Castle resolution regarding Carr’s proposal
“1. That it was thought the market-place where the bell hangs was the most convenient place in
New Castle to erect block-houses for defensive purposes, and it was resolved to give the order
accordingly, provided his Honor, Captain Carr, shall cede forever the ground necessary thereto
without retaining any claim on it. As to the expenses and labor required for the aforesaid
fortifications and block-houses, the citizens of New Castle are first to advance money, each
according to his means and position, to pay the laborers, provided that inhabitants of this district,
able to do all such work, shall be held to assist in the work as occasion may require.”
“2. Concerning the fortifications above, the matter is left to the discretion of the people there, to
choose the most convenient place or places for the defence. All, however, with the understanding
that, if no war breaks out with the natives, which God may prevent, the said houses shall be used
for the public services, as council house, prison and for other public purposes, while they may be
used as such by the whole River for a general and public account and expenses.”
This resolution shall not be carried into effect without order of his Honor, the General, but
preparations may be made in secret without arousing suspicion among the natives” (Scharf 1888).
[signed John Carr, Will Tom, H. Black, Peter Rambo, Peter Kock]
1671 N.d. Proposals of Captain John Carr concerning Delaware (20:22)
“As first That a Block-House may be erected in some convenient Place of the Towne where a
constant Watch may be kept (now the Fort is fallen to Ruine and Decay) for their Common
Defence; the which will cost noe great Matter, graunted. And may be risen at the Charge and
Expence of the Inhabitants of the Towne and Plantacions upon the River, who will not be
backwards (if any Order shall be issued forth for it) contributing towards the same” (Gehring
1977:25).
1672 August Proposals from Captain Edmund Cantwell to his Honour the Governour
on the behalfe of himselfe, and the rest of his Neighbours the Inhabitants at Delaware
(20:29/30)