I was very lucky a number of years ago to get some glass plates of Tinicum from c.1900. This one I do not know the location and I have posted it before. It says "Smith's Landing". I have looked at maps, talked to people but still can't come up with a location in Tinicum. Any help would be appreciated.
Essington Orgies!! Baseball, gambling, drinking and??
Note: Tinicum was the place to party 120 years. Technically an island, it was the place to go for gambling, Sunday baseball etc. The problems went on for years till it was finally stopped by enforcement raids by Delaware County and Philadelphia in 1906. Below is an article about some of the problems.
CHESTER TIMES – August 16, 1904
ESSINGTON CITIZENS PETITION THE COURT TO SUPPRESS ORGIES
Paper Now Receiving Signers for a Legal Movement Against the Invasion of Tinicum Island by the Hordes of Sabbath Desecrators, Whose Debauchery Has Aroused the Residents to Action to Protect Themselves Against Scenes of Indecency and Drunkenness in Which the Visitors Indulge – Threats Made Against People in the Crusade
The
residents of Essington are again up in arms against the continued invasion
almost every Sunday of an undesirable class of people from Philadelphia, who
assemble on Smith’s field, near the tracks of the Southwestern line of the
Chester Traction Company and make the Sabbath Day hideous with their orgies.
Postmaster
A.M. Diehl, ex-Justice of the Peace Charles Seiberling, George B. Reynolds,
proprietor of the Yacht Restaurant, and other prominent and substantial
citizens of Essington began yesterday to get up a petition praying the Court to
instruct the officers of the law to live up to their duties, alleging that last
Sunday when a crowd of five hundred or more people from the lower precincts of
Philadelphia and Chester were violating the law in various ways, the officers
of Essington, instead of making any attempt to stop the all-day disturbances,
cohorted in a certain degree with the lawbreakers.
CRAP
SHOOTERS IN EVIDENCE – The above gentlemen claim that a number of crap
shooters, who were plying their nefarious game along the public highway, were
told by the constable to get out of sight behind the bushes along the road. They further allege that an official, ever
accommodating in his manner, hired teams for the conveyance of the crowds from
the trolley lines to the scene of the Sabbath Day desecration. It is also claimed that one of the county
officials was also in the vicinity, but made no attempt to make any arrests.
The head
signers of the proposed petition also allege that a full-fledged bawdy house is
conducted in a boat house in the locality of Smith’s field, and that among the
patrons of the place are well known residents of Essington.
BASEBALL
IN FULL SWING – Among the various attractions on Sunday was a game of baseball
between a team managed by Lew Bailey, called the Broadway Club and the National
Club the aggregations being composed of pugilists, who find contests on the
diamond a pleasant diversion from the slugging that is necessarily infused in
the manly art.
A large
number of lewd women were numbered in the Philadelphia crowd and the language
that was used by both sexes was unfit to hear by the Essington people who found
it necessary to pass the high carnival to and fro from services in the
Essington Protestant Episcopal Mission.
Mr.
Reynolds had to secure assistance from neighbors to eject four intoxicated
women from the porch of his Yacht Restaurant.
The women finding the porch a refreshing place to sleep off their booze,
highly resented the attempts made to remove them and the language used was of
the foulest character, being mingled with oaths.
During
the baseball game, a fierce fight ensued between the rooters, one of whom
picked up a bat and struck his opponent over the head. The man lay unconscious on the ground for
several minutes. Other quarrels took
place and the air was filled with oaths and ribald talk.
A
GAMBLING DEN – Another place that the people of Essington will file complaint
against is the headquarters of a local club not a thousand yards from the
railroad station, where it is alleged a gambling den and drinking hole
exists. Sunday is a big day at this place
and one walking along the road when the excitement is at its height can hear
such remarks as
“I raise
you ten.”
“I’ll
see you.”
“Let’s
have another drink.”
“Make
mine a dark beer,” and other talk of a like character, which pollute the care
of the good people of Essington, who are tired of being compelled to put up
with this sort of thing and have decided to take the bull by the horns by
bringing the attention to Judge Johnson to the Sabbath Day disorder.
THREATS
ARE MADE – The Sunday desecrations boldly enter Charles Seiberling’s pasture
field and milk his cows. He made
complaint once, but was told that if “he made too much of a holler” his cows
would be all poisoned.
It is
estimated that eleven beer wagons, hailing from Philadelphia and Chester, make
weekly trips to Essington and that the beverage is stored ready for Sunday
distribution in a boat house along Darby creek and above Essington.
Colonial Plantation Events
Spring Calendar of Events
Spring Events 2021
New this year-Sunday Storytime! Join us the 3rd Sunday of every month from 12:00pm until 2:00pm we will be reading from a children's book, the children will then do a hands on activity, go on a behind the scenes farm tour and then you are welcome to picnic in our grove!
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April 18th-How a Shirt Grew in the Field
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May 16th-Homespun Sarah
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March 27th-Opening Day- The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation will reopen March 27, 2021 for the opening of our 48th season! See all our farm animals especially our new Leicester Longwool sheep, Hog Island sheep, and Tamworth mixed breed pig. There will be hearth cooking, woodworking, long rifle demonstrations, spinning, weaving, working with flax, colonial music, candle making and seed planting. The ox will be yoked and the horse harnessed so some farm work can be completed. To purchase tickets or make a free member reservationCLICK HERE
April 10th-Historic Timeline-Witness history throughout the ages from Europe to the Americas and from the 16th century to modern times. To purchase tickets or make a free member reservation CLICK HERE
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April 24th-Slavery and Servitude in Colonial Pennsylvania- Come and see how work was accomplished on our farm. This will be a day for children and adults alike. There will be hands on activities such as candle making and planting in the garden. Ned Hector will address slavery in the colony with his “Imaginary discussion with George Washington”. This 1:00 presentation is designed for grades 3 and up.As well as a discussion on slavery, our volunteers will portray indentured servants, redemptioners, cottagers and poor free laborers. The blacksmith, rumored to have been a convict in his youth, will make and repairs items for the farm. Women will spin and knit to make some extra funds for their Quaker households. The farmers will take part in demonstrating a working ox and horse. It promises to be an educational enjoyable experience.To purchase tickets or make a free member reservation CLICK HERE
May 8th & May 15th-Sheep Shearing and Textiles-Come to the Plantation on Saturday, May 8th or Saturday, May 15th, and see our rare breed sheep lose their fleece. We will have Eva Mergen, one of our farmers, explain how to shear and then demonstrate the skill by using hand shears. We will also have people demonstrating most of the steps for turning that wool into cloth for clothing, and visitors will have an opportunity to card wool. We will explain how to care for sheep, what they eat, and the advantages of various breeds. There will also be a chance to learn about our other farm animals including our horses, ox, pigs, chickens, geese, and turkeys. There will be hearth cooking, garden, farm, and house tours. Check website for shearing times. Enjoy a day in the country that is very close to home. To purchase tickets or make a free member reservation
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May 29th-Militia Camp and Memorial Day Observation-Camp life, flint lock, demonstrations and military history of revolutionary Pennsylvania.
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