Dagsboro
Settled at the site of a gristmill on Pepper Creek,
this village was originally known as Blackfoot
Town. The present name of the community is
derived from that of John Dagsworthy. A New
Jersey native who moved to this area in the
mid- 18th century, he was awarded a
conciderable portion of the Great Cypress
Swamp by Maryland officials for his service
in the French and Indian War. He became one
of the largest landowners on the Delmarva
Peninsula and achieved considerable
success through the export of timber products.
The surrounding hundred, or geographic
subdivision in which this community lies, was
named in his honor following the settlement
of the boundry dispute between Maryland and
Delaware in 1774. Dagsworthy was a member
of the Sussex County Committee of Saftey
during the American Revolution, and a
Brigadier General in the Delaware Militia.
A member of Prince George's Chapel, he
was buried there at his death in 1784. This
was the birthplace of John Middleton
Clayton (1796-1856), a United States
Senator and Secretary of State under
President Zachary Taylor, The town of
Dagsboro was formally incorporated in 1899.
Marker is on Main Street, (Delaware Route 26), (Delaware Route 20) near Canal Street, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
