A few posts ago, I told you there were 67 counties in PA. I lied. There are 70. I neglected to mention three to the south of Philadelphia: Kent, New Castle, and Sussex. You may have thought, “Aren’t those counties in Delaware?” Not so fast, Sherman. Let’s fire up the Wayback Machine…
The year was 1682. Straddled with debt to Admiral Sir William Penn, Sr., King Charles II, in an attempt to settle affairs with the Penn estate and rid himself of those annoying Quakers, oatmeal and all, deeds “New Wales” to William Penn, Jr. In honor of the elder Penn, Charles renames the land, “Pennsylvania.” As delineated by the King, the new Colony was to occupy lands west of the Delaware River, south of New York, and north of Maryland, including the eastern portions of the Delaware Peninsula.
Großpennsylvania
From 1682 to 1776, all of these lands were under the authority of the Governor of Pennsylvania. Due to incessant whining, the southern three counties were granted their own assembly in 1704. Before anyone had a chance to put them in their place, they showed up to various Continental Congresses (I like the sound of Congressi better) representing their own interests. In a hasty move to sure up their cause, in 1787, these upstarts ratified the Constitution and started calling themselves “The First State.”
For over two centuries now, we have let them prance around with their “tax free shopping,” blue hens, and their moderately priced, quaint shore communities. It’s time to reign them in! To all that join, the cause will pay tolls on Route 1, one complimentary meal at the Smyrna Diner, and all the dead horseshoe crabs you can collect at Slaughter Beach. Remember, we’re only taking what’s rightfully ours.
Gee Mr. Peabody, I never knew! Don’t worry, Sherman – we’ll still keep the tax free shopping, cheaper alcohol, smooth roads, clean beaches…
- Brian
