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FWCCSP RECORD
Newsletter of the Friends of White Clay Creek State Park

Friends of White Clay Creek State Park

P.O. Box 9734
Newark, DE 19714-9734

www.whitec1avfriends.org

Volume 8, No.1 April 2005

White Clay Bird Walk Scheduled for May 1

On Sunday, May 1, come to White Clay Creek State Park, one of Delaware's top birding
locations, to see newly arrived spring migrants in their beautiful breeding plumage. Beginning at
7:30 am, at the Chambers House Nature Center on Creek Road north of Hopkins Road, there will be
a guided bird walk led by Jeff Gordon, Associate Director of the Delaware Nature Society and
formerly a professional bird guide.
A joint program of the Friends and the Division, the walk is suitable for birders at all
experience levels and is especially good for beginners. This is the sixth year we have done this
program, and it is always a huge success. Jeff does an outstanding job of helping people see and
learn about birds during these walks.
The event is free and open to everyone; just bring binoculars. For further information or to
reserve a pair of loaner binoculars, call (302) 368-6900.

Presentation on Delaware Piedmont Geology Highlights Annual Membership Meeting

Sandy Schenck, Scientist at the Delaware Geological Survey, presented a fascinating and well
illustrated talk, "Delaware Piedmont Geology - What's Holding up Them Thar Hills," to 56 members
and guests at our eighth aruma] meeting, March 21 at the Newark Library.
In a brief business meeting the following officers were elected for the coming year by
unanimous vote of the members present: President, Andy Urquhart; Vice President, Marilyn
Sweeney; Secretary, Dick Benson; and Treasurer, Ken Daws. President Urquhart also expressed
appreciation to other key Friends leaders, including Lisa Wool, Membership Chair; Jim Ries, Projects
Coordinator; and Wendel Cassel, trail work leader, as well as all our other project leaders.

Spring Tree Planting a Success

We enjoyed another successful tree planting on Saturday, April 16. Lots of volunteer effort
went into the preparation - planning, publicity, coordinating resources and materials, laying out the
field, getting holes drilled, receiving the trees, and positioning them for planting. On planting day,

nearly 50 volunteers from the Friends and the community arrived to help. The final planting,
fertilizing, watering, and installation of tree wrap for the 100 trees was completed in under two
hours, an outstanding result.
These trees and those planted in the last couple of years are evident to park visitors as they
walk along the creek. Visitors to the nature center can look across the creek and see our recently
planted trees in the adjacent field. In time, these trees will grow and the understory will fill in,
providing a stable buffer for the creek. Visitors hiking the trail between the nature center and
Chambers Rock Road also see our handiwork as they traverse the field where we planted in 2003.
The plantings are a visible legacy of the Friends organization and all who participated in these events.
Thanks to all for your support of our reforestation projects through your membership and/or active
participation.

Special Newsletter Supplement Chronicles Mason and Dixon Activities in Delaware ­

Article ties to Archeological Dig on May 14 and 15

Did you know that the eastern terminus of the famous Mason Dixon line lies in White Clay
Creek State Park? Read all about how that came to be in a special historical supplement at the end
of this newsletter.
The article also ties nicely to an upcoming event in the park. On Saturday, May 14 and
Sunday, May 15, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, volunteers are invited to join Delaware State Parks
Archaeologist Dr. Cara Blume in an archaeological excavation of an 18 1h century farmstead on the
Bryan Farm site. Participants will sift through the soil searching for artifacts and pieces of the
structures that once stood on the grounds. The connection to Mason and Dixon is that the site being
excavated may be the original Bryan farmhouse. If it is, finding it will provide a more precise
location of the famous "Post Mark'd West," the eastern terminus of Mason and Dixon's line.
Stop by the site for a short time to observe, or join in for both days of excavation. Don't miss
this opportunity to witness local history coming alive right before your eyes! Call (302) 368-6900 to
register and for directions to the site. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

New Project Started to Improve Exhibits in the Nature Center

Several Friends volunteers have recently begun a series of projects to make the exhibits at the
Nature Center more fun and interesting for self-guided visitors to the center. This project is
envisioned as an ongoing effort that will be implemented in phases over the next few years. Recently
members visited the Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and the Fairmount Waterworks in Philadelphia
to seek ideas for new or improved displays.
Already there has been a significant addition. There is a new nest box outside the nature
center that has been fitted with an infrared nestbox camera connected to a monitor in the exhibits
room. Once some birds take up residence, visitors will be able to watch and listen to the entire
nesting process. In the meantime, there is a video of some local bluebirds taped raising their young
last summer at Tri-State Bird Rescue.

Bluebird Nestboxes Receiving Tenants

Our bluebird trail at the park has expanded again this year. Last fall ten new nestboxes were
built and placed by one of our members. These new boxes are located in the Possum Hill and Judge
Morris areas and along Pleasant Hill Road. This brings to more than 55 the total number of

nestboxes placed around the Park. The houses are currently being monitored by a group of
volunteers who started their weekly checks in early April. At this time nesting has already begun in
some of the boxes.

Trail Work Activity Continues

The Friends have continued an active program of trail maintenance and upgrades in the park.
Late last year, water diversion bars and stone rip rap were installed to control severe erosion
problems that were occurring on the old Cart Road Trail. With spring arriving, the major focus of
trail work activity has been upgrading the trails in the Judge Morris section. Several reroutes have
been completed around wet areas, and additional upgrades are planned. We expect to continue to
work in this area until early summer, including weekly Tuesday morning and monthly Saturday
morning sessions.
The Friends have also been working on a bridge design for the Tri-Valley Trail crossing of
Middle Run near the Pike Creek Bible Church. This location will require a bridge with a span of
approximately 50 feet, which precludes the use of the wooden structures that have become standard
in the park. A vendor has been located in the Philadelphia area that can provide a bridge with
fiberglass components that can be assembled on site. Several members took a trip to Delaware Water
Gap National Recreational Area to see similar bridges and learn about their experiences with them.
We hope to join in a cooperative effort with New Castle County Parks, Delaware State Parks, and
the Trail Spinners to implement this project sometime this summer.

Volunteer Opportunities Offer Something for Everyone

With the arrival of warm weather and the initial signs of Spring, the Friends are seeking
volunteers to assist with several projects this year. We will again be staffing the nature center at the
park on weekends and selling water ice at summer concerts. For those who love to work in flower
gardens, we plan to assist with the plantings at the Judge Morris Estate. The work is primarily
maintenance and care and will involve two work sessions a month. Finally, we are in need of
volunteers for two of our information type projects. The first one involves collecting oral histories of
the park area from individuals who remember those early days. The second involves organizing our
annual exhibit at Newark Community Day, scheduled for Sunday, September 18. All of these
projects offer a chance to meet other volunteers and help support our park.
If you are interested in any of these activities please contact Jim Ries, our Projects
Coordinator at 302-239-1658 or dries@udel.edu, and he will get you in touch with the appropriate
project leader.

Friends Volunteers Receive Recognition in Division Program

This year our most active volunteers will again be receiving awards through the volunteer
recognition program of the Division of Parks and Recreation. The award winners are about to be
notified, based on their hours of volunteer participation during 2004. The awards are very
impressive, with examples ranging from coffee mugs or tote bags for volunteers with 10 - 25 hours
up to free annual park passes plus windbreakers or duffel bags for volunteers with more than 100
hours. We thank the Division for providing these awards for our volunteers.

Visitors Cautioned about Leaving Valuables in Parked Cars

Earlier this month, one of our member's cars was broken into and items stolen while parked
during the daytime at the Carpenter Recreation Area. Similar incidents have also occurred recently
at Brandywine Creek State Park. Visitors are encouraged to leave valuables at home, if possible, and
to not leave items visible inside their cars that might attract a thief.

Membership Support Appreciated-Keep Renewals Coming!

We thank all of our new and renewing members for their support of our Friends organization.
We are now about 420 members strong! There are still some members who need to renew, and we
ask that they send in their dues to help us to continue to improve and preserve the park.
Memberships are $15 for families, $10 for individuals, and $5 for students. Please send checks
payable to Friends of White Clay Creek State Park to P.O. Box 9734, Newark, DE 19714-9734.

Unusual Wildlife Sighted in Park

Coyotes - On March 31, Friends member Peter Saenger observed a coyote near the top of
the Boundary Line Trail in the Corner Ketch vicinity. Peter had just entered the woods when he
heard an animal and saw a large canine with a scruffY coat that provided perfect camouflage. The
coyote ran down the slope of a ravine and part way up the other side, where he stopped, becoming
virtually invisible when stationary. When Peter started moving again the coyote did also, continuing
up the slope and out of sight.
Subsequently, on April 19, one of the residents of the Corner Ketch area saw two coyotes
walking across the field behind his house. This was the first time he had seen any coyotes in the area
during the 40 years he has lived there.

River Otter - On April 8, a group of visitors to the park observed a river otter in the vicinity
of the piers for the old railroad bridge approximately a mile downstream from the footbridge at
Wedgewood Road. This animal was proceeding downstream and did not remain in the area.

Calendar

May 1 Migratory Bird Walk

May 9 Executive Committee Meeting
May 21 Trail Work
June 4 Trail Work ~ National Trails Day
June 13 Executive Committee and Advisory Board Meetings
July 9 Trail Work
August 8 Executive Committee Meeting
August 13 Trail Work
September 12 Executive Committee Meeting
September 18 Newark Community Day Display
September 10 Trail Work
October 10 Executive Committee Meeting
October 9 Trail Work

November 6 Trail Work

November 14 Executive Committee Meeting
December 4 Trail Work
December 12 Executive Committee Meeting

Projects and Project Leaders

Adopt-a-Highway: Dee and Dick Benson, 410-398-4180 Adopt-a-Trail: Mike Ott, 738-6652
Advocacy: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471 Birders Guide: Gene Hess, 738-4690, and Andy Urquhart, 239-2471
Bluebird Boxes: Marilyn Sweeney, 235-2548 Judge Morris Garden Maintenance: Doug Kelley, 368-6562
Kestrel Boxes: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471 Historical Booklet: Debbie Keese, 369-9128
Light Construction: Nick McFadden, 368-6900 Member-led Park Programs: Angel Rosauri. 368-6560
Nature Center Staffing: Tom Hallenbeck, 610-274-1345 Nature Center Exhibits: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471
Newark Community Day: Ken Daws, 737-8120 Oral Histories: Andrea Cassel, 737-3319
Reforestation: AI Zverina, 239-5046, & Christa Stefanisko, 369-1933 Trail Benches: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471
Trail Improvement Work: Wendel Cassel, 737-3319 Water Ice Sales: Tom Hallenbeck, 610-274-1345
Wayside Historical Markers: Wendel Cassel, 737-3319 Website: Rick Hall, 831-1295
Wildlife Habitat Protection: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471

Executive Committee

President: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471, aurqu@aol.com

Vice-president: Marilyn Sweeney, 235-2548, iipurrtycatz@aol.com
Secretary and Newsletter Editor: Dick Benson, 410-398-4180, rbenson@dol.net
Treasurer: Ken Daws, 737-8120, wahkegan@hotmail.com
Membership Chair: Lisa Wool, 235-1873, lwool@delawareestuary.org
Projects Committee Chair: Jim Ries, 239-1658, dries@udel.edu

Membership Application

Join us! If you are not already a member and would like to join, please return this form with your
check made payable to Friends of White Clay Creek State Park. Annual dues are $5.00 for students,
$10.00 for individuals, and $15.00 for families. Any extra donation with your dues would be
appreciated and put to good use.

Name(s)
Address

Phone LJ _ E-mail

Friends of White Clay Creek State Park, Inc.

P.O. Box 9734, Newark, DE 19714-9734

SPECIAL NEWSLETTER SUPPLEMENT - April 2005

Mason and Dixon in Mill Creek

by Andrea Cassel

Most of us associate Mason and Dixon with the line dividing the north and south in the Civil
War. Fewer realize that the line that Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon created was surveyed from
1763 to 1767 to end 80 years of bitter and sometimes bloody feuding over the boundary between the
Maryland colony of the Calverts and the Pennsylvania colony of the Penns. A key location for that
survey was on Alexander Bryan's farm in what is now the Possum Hill section of White Clay Creek
State Park.
The story of how the two acclaimed English surveyors came to Bryan's field begins in 1632
when Charles I of England granted George Calvert the land north of the Potomac River to the 40 th
degree north latitude, east to the Delaware Bay, and west to the meridian through the source of the
Potomac. The grant excluded any previously cultivated land so some of what is presently Delaware
would not have been included.
Then in 1681 Charles II granted William Penn all the territory west of New York and New
Jersey, south of the 43 rd latitude, north of Maryland beginning at the 40th degree north latitude, and
north of a 12-mile circle drawn from the city of New Castle.
Both of these grants seem clear enough. However, problems arose. The maps of the time
were often inaccurate as to exact locations of boundaries. To the Calverts disadvantage, they had
never had their colony's borders surveyed, and there was no agreement as to where the boundaries
should be. They also never developed the portion to the east of the Chesapeake, so their claims to
that part were weakened. The Penns were much more aware of where their boundaries actually
were. They were upset because the 12-mile circle around New Castle was short of the 40th parallel by
13 miles. This difference would create a severe loss of territory to which the Penns thought they
were entitled and could mean that they were without a seaport. The 40th latitude actually goes
through the northern part of Philadelphia and present-day Downingtown.
When discussions between Penn and Calvert in 1683 failed to settle the border dispute, Penn
took action to have the boundaries established for his benefit. His first petition to the Crown resulted
in the (Delmarva) peninsula being divided in half lengthwise and the eastern half put under Penn's
control. This area, that is now Delaware, was call the Three Lower Counties of Pennsylvania.
(Delaware was granted autonomy in 1701, but remained under Penn's ownership.) As a result the
Penns were guaranteed a seaport. The Calverts, on the other hand, had lost much territory.
For the next 80 years the arguments over the boundaries continued with petition and
counter petition being sent to London seeking settlement of the very contentious border issues. With
each decree, the losing side sent another petition seeking redress. The dispute created a number of
problems. Taxes could not be collected in the disputed territories; residents who wanted to be in one
colony sometimes attacked surveyors who they thought were representing the other colony; and
some residents along the disputed borders were in armed conflict with each other.
In 1750 the Chancery Court in London issued a ruling that was made binding and included
provisions of many of the earlier decrees. The most important provision was that the northern
boundary of Maryland would be 15 miles south of the southernmost part of Philadelphia. A
commission made up of people from the colonies was selected to draw up the boundaries.
The commission knew it needed to do a proper survey, and at first local surveyors were

hired. Unfortunately they lacked the technical skills needed, and their instruments were not as precise
as was required. It also became evident that the surveyors must be viewed as independent, or the
attacks on them would continue. The solution was to hire Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in
1763. They had achieved renown by observing the Transit of Venus in 1761 in Southern Africa. In
this rare event Venus passes between the sun and the earth, enabling scientists to determine the
distance from the earth to the sun.
The surveyors faced many potential problems. One problem was armed conflict between
Native Americans and colonists in the western part of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The alliance of
tribes under Chief Pontiac was attacking settlers and forts in the area.
Another problem was where to start the survey line 15 miles south of Philadelphia. If they
traveled due south from the southernmost point, they would have to go across the Delaware River
and start in New Jersey. They decided to head due west instead and stopped at John Harlan's farm
31 miles west of Philadelphia. That spot is marked today by what is called the Stargazers Stone in a
front yard on Stargazers Road in Embreeville. The stone was named for the many astronomical
observations made by the surveyors to determine their exact location. Once they were sure they were
exactly west of the southernmost point of Philadelphia, they began to work their way south in
January and February 1764.
First, ax men were hired to cut trees in an eight-yard wide path to accommodate the survey.
Then Mason and Dixon started their measurements. After two and a half weeks they came to a field
owned by Alexander Bryan, 15 miles south of the turning point on Harlan's farm. An observation
platform was built on the spot from which celestial readings were made to confirm that they had
measured accurately.
When they were certain they had the right spot they placed a stout oak post in the ground
and painted it white with the word "west" on its western face. This was to be called the "Post
Mark'd West." It was from this point, 15 miles south and 31 miles west of Philadelphia, that they
would begin their survey. This became a constant point of reference that they would use as they
moved westward to establish the boundary between the battling colonies of Pennsylvania and
Maryland.
This is how Mason described the location of this significant point in his journal:

The point 15 miles South of the Southernmost Point of the

City of Philadelphia is situated in Mill Creek Hundred in the
County of Newcastle, in a Plantation belonging to Mr.
Alexander Bryan. The Middle of the Front of Mr. Bryan's
House, bears from the point 37' 52" Northwesterly distant
23.38 chains (each chain 22 yards). It is close by the East side
ofa small Run, the Head of which is due North distant 5.00
chains. From the Point to the Middle of a small rivulet called
Muddy Run, on a due South course is 7.15 chains.

During their time in Delaware in March and April of 1764 and again in 1765 the surveyors
stayed at a small inn in Newark, two miles south of Bryan's field. The history of the Deer Park
Tavern in Newark suggests that it was an inn situated on the same property, known as St. Patrick's
Tavern. An account of that time said that while at the Inn they kept a trained bear and consumed
large amounts of peach and apricot brandy.
The weather of that time was not very welcoming. In 1764 they had heavy rain for their visit.
In 1765 the weather was very cold with much rain, sleet, and snow. On March 24, 1765, the snow in

Bryan's field was measured at 2 feet 9 inches deep.

Before starting westward, they had to first determine the middle point of the (Delmarva)
peninsula so they would know the exact location of Maryland's eastern boundary. This meant
traveling to southern Delaware and, once determining the exact middle, working their way north
until they met the 12 mile arc from the city of New Castle. They worked on this from June to
November 1764. They then went back to Harlan's farm for the winter.
On April 4, 1765, they were ready to begin moving westward starting at the "Post Mark'd"
West" on Bryan's field and soon entered Maryland. At that time Maryland was much more of a
wilderness area than Delaware. Now they began living in tents and cooking by campfire. Wild game
supplemented their diet. In the forests were wolves, bear, elk, and deer.
The survey crew consisted of a steward, tent keepers, cooks, ax men, chainmen, and laborers.
They had 2 wagons and 8 draft horses. As this large group moved west they no longer faced the
hostility that had greeted previous surveyors. One reason was that Mason and Dixon were very
well-known astronomers and were viewed as independent. Their 40-member group constituted a
formidable presence in the sparsely populated area. The locals also benefited from the readily
available logs for buildings and firewood as the ax men cleared an 8-yard wide swath through the
wilderness.
They had to stop on October 9, ]767, about 30 miles short of the western boundary of
Pennsylvania because the Native Americans indicated that the limits of intrusion in their territory had
been reached.
Mason and Dixon's skills as surveyors have stood the test of time. Even with more modem
surveying techniques, there has been fOlmd to be only a very slight shift of the line they measured.
Today the important "Post Mark'd West" is celebrated by a cement marker donated in 1952
by Mr. S. Hallock duPont, owner of the property at that time. It is easily accessible from a short side
trail off Bryan's Field Trail in the Possum Hill section of the park.
The other Mason and Dixon monument near White Clay Creek State Park is the Tri-State
Marker (the northeast comer of Maryland) that is located offRt. 896 north of Newark on private
property.