Hardscrabble in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hardscrabble

By Nate Davidson, December 31, 2010

1. Hardscrabble Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The term "Hardscrabble" was created during the 1700s when two men of Irish extraction engaged in a rough fight where Sussex 473 and 446 cross. The skirmish ended in a stalemate, even when the first structured store was built in 1895 by Garrison Messick. The Hardscrabble tradition would continue as boys would compete to put each other in the store's flour barrell on Saturday nights. The store was torn down in 1940 by Ashua and Creston Messick.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 38° 37.167′ N, 75° 29′ W. Marker is in Hardscrabble, Delaware, in Sussex County. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seaford DE 19973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Asbury United Methodist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Concord United Methodist Church (approx. 4 miles away); Pilot Town (approx. 4½ miles away); Nathaniel Mitchell (approx. 5 miles away); Old Christ Church (approx.

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5 miles away); a different marker also named Nathaniel Mitchell (approx. 5 miles away); Cokesbury Church (approx. 5 miles away); Trinity Methodist Church (approx. 5.1 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2010, by Nate Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 10 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 31, 2010, by Nate Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.