Cultural History

The St. Jones River component is endowed with a rich pre-history and a historic 18th Century plantation setting adjacent to the Delaware Bay. The cultural and historical resources of the Reserve have been intensively studied, resulting in the identification of 32 archaeological sites in the St. Jones River Component.

With the arrival of Europeans during the 1600's, Delaware began a process of change that would have an enormous effect on the land as the Native Americans had known it. Forests, rivers, and marshes were altered drastically with the expanding land use local farm communities. The land now within the St. Jones River Component's best known owner was John Dickinson (1732-1808), a signer of the Federal Constitution. An area resident in his youth, Dickinson later administered his property from his home in Wilmington. Between 1760 and 1808, the land felt his influence through the decisions he made as a farmer, manager, and owner of more than 5,000 acres in Kent County. Of particular importance were his decisions involving crop production, woodland management, and changes in the management of the nearby St. Jones River and adjoining marsh.

Throughout history, individuals, slaves, tenants, farmers, and others were engaged in crabbing, fishing, oystering, trapping and other wetland enterprises to help put food on their tables. By 1830, these activities became more commercialized and led to over-harvesting. The legacy of this overharvesting can still be seen in the scarcity of some marsh species today. In addition to tapping wetland resources for food, local farmers pastured livestock on the marsh and made hay from its vegetation.

Landowners in the 1700's considered the marsh to be more of a liability than an asset. Mosquitoes and swamp gasses were unpleasantries often complained about by residents and visitors alike. Though the St. Jones River was ditched and dredged many times, there was probably little thought of changing anything but the river's course.

In John Dickinson's time, the majority of houses and farm buildings in the area were built of log and frame construction. Wood was also the primary source of fuel for home use. European settlers continued to clear woodlands for the creation of farms and by the 1800's deforestation had taken its toll. Only remnants remain today of once endless forests. As forests dwindled, legislation was passed which limited the cutting of trees. John Dickinson responded to deforestation in his time by limiting the number of trees that were cut down on his property. Dickinson encouraged the use of trees already fallen to save the remaining woodlands.

As the 1800's progressed, farmers in this area turned to raising corn and livestock on lands that were worn out by poor farming methods and erosion. Declining productivity pressed some farmers into clearing marginal lands. Agricultural practices of the times, along with continuing deforestation. created more silt flowing into rivers and marshes. Erosion in some areas raised the soil level in the marsh enough to change the types of vegetation which grew there.