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.
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.
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.
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!
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