Delaware Colony
Part of Pennsylvania in North America (1664–1776)
About
The Lower Counties on the Delaware was a semi-autonomous region of the proprietary Province of Pennsylvania in North America. Although not royally sanctioned, Delaware consisted of the three counties on the west bank of the Delaware River Bay.
In the early 17th century, the area was inhabited by Lenape and possibly Assateague Indian tribes. The first European settlers were Swedes, who established the colony of New Sweden at Fort Christina in present-day Wilmington, Delaware, in 1638. The Dutch captured the colony in 1655 and annexed it to New Netherland to the north. England subsequently took control of it from the Dutch in 1664. In 1682, William Penn, the Quaker proprietor of the Province of Pennsylvania to the north, leased the three lower counties on the Delaware River from James, the Duke of York, who went on to become King James II.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
Wilmington, Delaware
Largest city in Delaware, United States
0.8 mi awayNew Sweden
Swedish colony in North America (1638–1655)
1.1 mi awayDelaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame
Sports museum in Delaware, United States
0.5 mi awayWilmington Rail Viaduct
United States historic place
0.2 mi awayFort Christina
Site of first Swedish settlement in North America
1.1 mi awayHarlan and Hollingsworth
Ship and railroad car builder in Wilmington, Delaware
330 ft awayPlaces to eat nearby
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