Delaware Colony

Quick Facts: Who was Delaware Colony?

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Delaware Colony

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A semi-autonomous region of Pennsylvania that became the independent State of Delaware.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

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.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

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. The three lower counties on the Delaware River were governed as part of the Province of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1701, when the lower counties petitioned for and were granted an independent colonial legislature; the two colonies shared the same governor until 1776. The English colonists who settled in Delaware were mainly Quakers. In the first half of the 18th century, New Castle and Philadelphia became the primary ports of entry to the new world for a quarter of a million Irish Protestant immigrants from Ulster, referred to as Scotch-Irish in America and Ulster Scots in Ireland.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Delaware had no established religion at this time. The American Revolutionary War began in April 1775, and on June 15, 1776, the Delaware Assembly voted to break all ties with Great Britain (and, simultaneously, with Pennsylvania), creating the independent State of Delaware. On July 4, 1776, Delaware joined 12 other British colonies to form the United States of America. From the early Dutch settlement in 1631 to the colony's rule by Pennsylvania in 1682, the land that later became the U.S. state of Delaware changed hands many times. Because of this, Delaware became a heterogeneous society made up of individuals who were diverse in country of origin and religion.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1631: 1631 Milestone — From the early Dutch settlement in 1631 to the colony's rule by Pennsylvania in 1682, the land that later became the U.
2. 1638: 1638 Milestone — The first European settlers were Swedes, who established the colony of New Sweden at Fort Christina in present-day Wilmington, Delaware, in 1638.
3. 1655: 1655 Milestone — The Dutch captured the colony in 1655 and annexed it to New Netherland to the north.
4. 1664: 1664 Milestone — England subsequently took control of it from the Dutch in 1664.
5. 1682: 1682 Milestone — 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.
6. 1775: 1775 Milestone — The American Revolutionary War began in April 1775, and on June 15, 1776, the Delaware Assembly voted to break all ties with Great Britain (and, simultaneously, with Pennsylvania), creating the independent State of Delaware.
7. 1776: 1776 Milestone — On July 4, 1776, Delaware joined 12 other British colonies to form the United States of America.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Delaware Colony

True or False: “The first permanent European settlement in the area was established by the English immediately after the Dutch takeover.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The first permanent European settlement was established by the Swedes in 1638, preceding direct English control.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Delaware Colony