Date Posted: Saturday, June 21st, 2025

Unlike Dover or New Castle, Kenton was not established and named by the government. According to Scharf’s History of Delaware, the village was originally called Lewis’ Cross-Roads, named after Philip Lewis, who bought the land the town was built on in 1791.

The village later became known as Grog Town, and despite its fun name, it was no stranger to drama. In 1802, Susannah Knock petitioned the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware to allow her to erect a gate on a new road that “considerably injures” the land she inherited from her late husband. Eleven others signed this petition.

	
Petition of Susannah Knock, widow of Joseph Knock, deceased, late of Duck Creek Hundred, and other inhabitants of the said Hundred praying that she might be able to erect gates through the farm she inherited from her husband across which a Road has recently been laid in such a manner that it impacted adversely on her tract of land.

In response, twenty-six members of the local community submitted a counter-petition, pleading that Susannah’s request be ignored. They argued the road she wanted to block was the main route connecting Maryland, Grog Town, and Dover — and closing it would steer away travelers and hurt local economic activity.

	
Petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the upper part of Duck Creek Hundred, praying that the Petition of Susannah Knock, widow of Joseph Knock, deceased, to erect gates across the Road leading from Cypress Branch to Grog Town and Dover would not be granted.
Page 1 and Back page
	
Petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the upper part of Duck Creek Hundred, praying that the Petition of Susannah Knock, widow of Joseph Knock, deceased, to erect gates across the Road leading from Cypress Branch to Grog Town and Dover would not be granted.
Page 2 and Inside page

Eventually, the residents decided their growing village needed a proper name. In 1806, several residents, describing the village as being in “an improving state,” petitioned the General Assembly to change the name to Kenton so those living there could better establish their objects. The petition was accepted, and an Act was enacted.

	
Petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the western part of Duck Creek Hundred, and in or near a Village named Grog-Town or Lewis's Cross-Roads, praying that the Village would be renamed Kenton.
A photo of Nicholas Ridgely

One notable figure to sign the petition was Nicholas Ridgely, Chancellor of Delaware’s Court of Chancery (pictured above).

By officially changing the name of the village to Kenton, the subscribers also set the stage for naming Kenton Hundred, which was created in 1869 out of Duck Creek and Little Creek Hundreds.

From Lewis’ Cross-Roads to Grog Town to Kenton, the story of this small town’s name changes reminds us how local voices helped shape Delaware’s landscape. Learn about these stories and more by visiting the Delaware Public Archives or searching our Digital Collections and Portal!