Facts about Delaware Marvel Families – 1700 to 1850

According to the Early American Series – Early Delaware Vol. I 1790, the Marvel family were in several of the Hundreds in Sussex County. They were listed as follows:

Listed as “ Marvil”
Obadiah Marvel Sussex Co. Little Creek Hundred
Philip Marvel Sussex Co. Nanticoke Hundred
Thomas Marvel Sussex Co. Broadkill Hundred
Thomas Marvel Sussex Co. Nanticoke Hundred
Aron (Aaron) Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
David Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
Parker Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
Phillip Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
Prittman (Prettyman) Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
Robert Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
Stephen Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
Thomas Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
Thomas Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred
William Marvel Sussex Co. Dagsborough Hundred

According to the taxable rolls of various Hundreds in Delaware

In the Delaware 1782 Tax Assessment and Census Lists by Ralph Nelson, Jr. et al., the following Marvels were listed in the STATEWIDE ALPHABETIC LISTING:

Name Hundred – Sequence Assesment Soun Notes-dex
David Marvel Dagsborough – 102 5 M614
Joseph Marvel Nanticoke – 109 6 “
Obediah Marvel Dagsborough – 120 4 “
Phillip Marvel Dagsborough – 112 8 “
Phillip Marvel Nanticoke – 110 2 “
Rachel Marvel Nanticoke – 106 3 “
Robert Marvel Dagsborough – 118 7 “
Thomas Marvel Dagsborough – 101 4 “
Thomas Marvel Nanticoke – 108 10 “

(I believe that the word assessment meant the number in the family)

Dagsborough Hundred:
The taxable roll of 1785 lists Thomas Marvel, David Marvel as landholders. Joseph Marvel operated a saw-mill in 1816 that was located on Sabrey Branch, about a half-mile from Stockley. It was rebuilt in 1840 by John P. Marvel and was later abandoned in 1882.
In 1817 Aaron Marvel established a tannery in Dagsborough Hundred. It was located on the road from Millsborough to Pine Grove. The tannery was later abandoned in 1837. As of 1888 the tannery was known as Marvell’s Old Tan-yard. Notten Marvel later established his own tan-yard in 1875 near Pine Grove.
Between 1800 and 1818,, there were only three school teachers in the Dagsborough Hundred. They had school in the short days of the growing season from sunrise to sunset. The teachers during this period were: Job Runnels, Henry Runnels and Thomas Marvel.
Souce: History of Delaware by J. Thomas Scharf, pages 1336-1338.

Nanticoke Hundred;
The taxable rolls of 1785 listed Thomas Marvel, Joseph Marvel, and Philip Marvel.

Georgetown Hundred:
The taxable rolls of 1833 lists Josiah Marvel, Aaron Marvel, Edward Marvel, Wm Marvel, Thomas Marvel Sr. as well as several members of the Pepper family. About Georgetown, it was the county seat for Sussex County. It also was located in the center of the county. There were several farms that grew fruits, peached especially, and vegetables. This created a demand for canning and preserving operations. One of the first establishments was operated by William H. Lingo. He opened up business on Laurel Street in Georgetown. Benton Harris had a small building in Georgetown that sold goods of various kinds. He established another shop at Faucett corner in Georgetown. Later James A. Harris took over and had the store until 1830.
Souce: History of Delaware by J. Thomas Scharf, pages 1239-1242

Indian River Hundred:

Governor’s Register

Delaware became a state in 1776 at the beginning of the new nation. There was a listing called the Governor’s Register that kept a log of the day to day operation of the Delaware area from 1674 to 1851.
These are from this book:

1803
April 15 The Register of the Patents for lands in the State of Delaware and signed by the Governor several land patents. Among them was on dated April 15, 1803 for Robert Marvel for 100 acres for the price of 14 dollars. Page 96

1812

August 3rd – Philip Marvel, Jr. was made Capt. Of the Light Infantry 1st Battalion 10th Regiment. Robt. D. Harris was made his vise Capt.; David Moore, Ensign, vice Aaron Marvel. Page 94

1805 Administration of Governor Mitchell – His 1st year.

February 6- This day the Governor signed two Patents, to wit, one for 96 ¾ acres of land in favor of the Heirs of Parker Marvel, and the other for 29 acres in favor of Kendal Batson. Page 54

1822
May 30 – Was received from the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace and Jail Delivery, by the Secretary of State, a list (signed by William B. Cooper and Jacob Stout Esquires, Justices of said Court) of the persons recommended by the said Court, during the last Term in Kent County, for licenses to keep houses of public entertainment within said County, whose names are as follows: Comfort Lockwood, Mel Harris, Jacob Biddle, Amelia Cook, Levi Wolcott, Elijah Register, Foster Boone, Daniel Godwin, Adam Marvill, Nutter Marvill, Cynthia Grig – filed. Page 186

1822

The Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace and Jail Delivery, delived to the Secretary of State, a list of the names of persons recommended by the said Court, during the last Term in Sussex County, for licenses to keep Houses of public entertainment within Sussex County; whose names are as follows: Samuel Ennis, James Gaskins, Philip Short, William H. Kollock, John Wilson, Capt. Silas Bush, Robert D. Stout, Prudence Hobbs, John Sharp, Robert Brereton, Benjamin Benson, Samuel Stevens and Thomas Marvel. Page 271

1823

June 16th – This day was received and filed one list of twelve persons who were recommended by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for licenses to keep houses of public entertainment in the County of Kent. One listed was Adam Marvel page 200

1827
May 14 – Received at this office a recommendation signed by James Booth, Chief Justice and Jacob Stout, Justice of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace and Jail delivery at third term in Kent County, of the following persons: to wit: George Appleton, Mileah Wirt, Amelia Cook, Jacob Biddle, Abel Harris, David H. Stayton, William Wolcott, Thomas Lane, Adam Marvil, Edward Stapleford, Reuben Anderson, and William Heather, for licenses to keep public houses of entertainment in the said County of Kent; the said list was filed. Page 245

1827

May 1 – Was received from the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace and Gaol Delivery by the Secretary of State, a List ( signed by James Booth Chief Justice, William Cooper and Jacob Stout Justices of said Court) of the persons recommended by s. Court, during the last term in Sussex County, for Licenses to Keep houses of public entertainment with-in Sussex County; whose, names are as follows: Samuel Campbell, William Franklin, Milaway White, William W. Morris, Thomas Robinson, John H. Elligood, Jeremiah Kinney, Elizabeth Stout, Fletcher Lacey, John Handy, Philip Short, Nancy Martin, Asa Clifton and Thomas Marvel. Page 242

1827

April 5 – The Governor commissioned Thomas Marvel, Captain, Resigned May 2, 1828; Levin Connoway, Lieutenant; Nathaniel Connoway, Ensign, of the 2d Company, 10th Regiment. Page 240

1828

May 12th – Was received from the Court of General Quarter Sessions a list of persons recommended for Licenses to Keep houses of public entertainment within Kent and Sussex Counties. Among the list is Adam Marvel of Kent County. Page 259

1829

April 23 – Received and filed in the Secretary’s office the recommendation of the Judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions, of fourteen persons to wit: Asa Clifton, Milaway White, Thomas Robinson of Mw. Jeremiah Kinney, William W. Morris, James Ward, William Franklin, Elizabeth Stout, Nancy Martin, Philip Short, Clement Spence, Thomas Marvel, Philip C. Jones and Ann White, to Keep tavern in Sussex County; – and licenses issued accordingly. page 185

1839

August 29 – This day the Governor signed a patent in favor of Aaron B. Marvel of Dagsboro Hundred, Sussex County for ten and three quarter acres situated in said County. Page 368

1840

April 18 – This day the Governor remitted unto Jehu Marvel of the County of Sussex, a fine of fourteen dollars, which had been imposed on him by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, in and for said County on the 13th. Instant, for keeping a tavern without license.
The grounds of this remission were the utter inability of the prisoner to pay the fine and the fact being strongly recommended to the Executive clemency, by several of the most respectable and intelligent citizens of the County of Sussex. Page 371

1848

November 16 – The same day the Governor having received from the Board of Canvass of Sussex County a certificate of the election of Theodore W. Marvel to the office of Coroner of said County at the General Election held on the 14th of November instant, commissioned his to be Coroner of the said County. Page 482

1849

May 2 – The Governor appointed and commissioned Josiah Marvel, to be the Commissioner of Weights and Measures in and for Sussex County; said appointment being made under an Act of The General Assembly passed February 27, 1849. Page 493

1849

July 25 – This day was filed in the Secretary’s office the official Bond of Josiah Marvel as Commissioner of Weights and Measures in for Sussex County; the same having been approved by the Governor on the 4th day of June. Page 495

1846

August 18 – The Governor commissioned several individuals to the Delaware Militia. In the Seventeenth Regiment- Aaron B. Marvel was commissioned as a 1st Major of the Battalion. Page 447