Cambridge & Seaford Railroad Stock No. 37 from 1890, Jim Bowden collection
The Delaware Railroad
reached Seaford on November 30, 1856. It wasn't until June 24, 1867,
that the Delaware Railroad Board authorizes a branch from Seaford to
meet the Dorchester & Delaware Railroad (D&DRR) at the
Maryland state line and arranging a lease of the D&DRR. The
Delaware Railroad loans the D&DRR sufficient capital to complete
its 27-mile line to Cambridge, MD. On April 11, 1868, the Delaware
Railroad begins laying track at Seaford, DE towards the Maryland
state line. On November 1868, the Dorchester Branch of Delaware
Railroad opens between Seaford, DE and the Maryland state line near
Oakgrove, MD to link with Dorchester & Delaware Railroad. On
November 8, 1869, the first service
over the entire line between Seaford, DE & Cambridge, MD was
operated by the D&DRR. The total cost to build the railroad
amounted to $300,000.00 (that's $5,228,310.00 in 2015 dollars). The
line was constructed with 50 lbs. rail. Unfortunately, during one of
the first trips, a train struck & killed several pigs & a cow
owned by a “Mr. Hurley” near Cambridge, MD. The citizens of
Cambridge contributed $50.00 (that's $871.39 in 2015 dollars) to make
up for Mr. Hurley's loss. There are two Delaware Railroad
stations along the line: Flowertown, DE and State Line (Oak Grove,
DE).
By
1882, the fortunes of the D&DRR were playing-out. On May 3, 1882,
the Cambridge & Seaford Railroad (C&SRR) is incorporated in
Maryland for purpose for reorganizing the D&DRR. On November 23,
1882, the D&DRR enters receivership. Samuel M. Felton (1809-1889)
and, the railroad's former President, W. (William) Wilson Byrn
(1811-1886), are both named Receivers. On November 28, 1882, the
D&DRR is attempted to be sold at foreclosure at Cambridge, MD,
for $22,000.00 (that's $511,627.91 in 2015 dollars). It ends up being
insufficient and the sale is canceled. On December 30, 1882, the
Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad (PW&B) Board
authorizes purchasing 532 shares of the D&DRR at $30.00/share
(that's $697.67/share in 2015 dollars). On January 3, 1883, the D&DRR
is sold at foreclosure at Cambridge, MD for $51,000.00 (that's
$1,214,285.71 in 2015 dollars) to Richard D. Barclay on behalf of the
PW&B. On April 27, 1883, the PW&B's President Isaac Hinckley
(1815-1888) announces the Maryland courts have approved purchase of
the D&DRR. On May 16, 1883, the C&SRR is organized at
Cambridge, MD. The PW&B's President, Isaac Hinckley (1815-1888),
is elected President of the C&SRR. Either on May 16, 1883, or May
25, 1883 (there's a conflict as to the exact date), a certificate is
filed for the C&SRR. The PW&B agrees to operate as agent.
On June 1, 1883, the PW&B
begins operating C&SRR as agent under agreement of either May 16,
1883 or May 25, 1883. The C&SRR becomes part of PW&B's
Delaware Division. By December 1898, the
PW&B Board enters an agreement with the Queen Anne's & Kent
Railroad, the C&SRR, and the Delaware &
Chesapeake Railway to be merged into the Delaware Railroad. On
January 23, 1899, the Queen Anne's & Kent Railroad, the
C&SRR, and the Delaware & Chesapeake Railway are all merged
into Delaware Railroad under agreement of December 31, 1898.
