Milton in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Governor James Ponder
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 12, 2010
1. Governor James Ponder Marker
Inscription.
Governor James Ponder. . A lifelong resident of this community, James Ponder was born October 31, 1819, the son of John and Hester Milby Ponder. His father was a successful merchant who was active in local political affairs. After receiving his education in the academies of Milton, Lewes, and Georgetown, James joined his father in business. In addition to general merchandising, the firm was active in the shipping of grain and lumber, and the construction, purchase, and sale of ships. James Ponder was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1856. He was elected to the State Senate in 1864, and served as Speaker in 1867. In 1870 he was the Democrat Party's successful candidate for Governor. After completing his term in 1875 he continued his business endeavors, bringing one of the first canneries to the area in 1881 and playing a key role in the construction of the Queen Anne's Railroad. He was President of the Kent County Mutual Insurance Company and Director of the Farmer's Bank of Delaware. He served as warden of St. John the Baptist Protestant Episcopal Church and was an active member of the Masonic order. James Ponder passed away on November 5, 1897, and was laid to rest in Milton's Goshen Cemetery.
A lifelong resident of this community, James Ponder was born October 31, 1819, the son of John and Hester Milby Ponder. His father was a successful merchant who was active in local political affairs. After receiving his education in the academies of Milton, Lewes, and Georgetown, James joined his father in business. In addition to general merchandising, the firm was active in the shipping of grain and lumber, and the construction, purchase, and sale of ships. James Ponder was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1856. He was elected to the State Senate in 1864, and served as Speaker in 1867. In 1870 he was the Democrat Party's successful candidate for Governor. After completing his term in 1875 he continued his business endeavors, bringing one of the first canneries to the area in 1881 and playing a key role in the construction of the Queen Anne's Railroad. He was President of the Kent County Mutual Insurance Company and Director of the Farmer's Bank of Delaware. He served as warden of St. John the Baptist Protestant Episcopal Church and was an active member of the Masonic order. James Ponder passed away on November 5, 1897, and was laid to rest in Milton's Goshen Cemetery.
Erected 2005 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-198.)
Location. 38° 46.571′ N, 75° 18.703′ W. Marker is in Milton, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is on Coulter Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker stands in Governor's Walk Park between Federal Street (State Route 5) and Mulberry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Mulberry St, Milton DE 19968, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Governor James Ponder. During his tenure, legislation was enacted that gave married women additional legal rights, and hotelkeepers were granted the sole license to sell liquor. A law was constituted that banned non-citizens from fishing in the state.
Also see . . . James Ponder , Wikipedia entry. The election of 1870 was the first opportunity for African-Americans to vote in Delaware elections,... (Submitted on November 8, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 12, 2010
3. Governor James Ponder Marker, looking east along Governor's Walk (Park)
Delaware Department of State, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
4. Governor James Ponder, Collection of the Delaware State Museums.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 732 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on April 22, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
