History of the Hale-Byrnes House (By: W. Emerson Wilson)

This book was written by W. Emerson Wilson and published by the Delaware Society for the Preservation of Antiquities. This is a really neat little, and long out of print book. This historical and educational book should be recorded for history. A copy was kept in the Hale-Byrnes House Archives. It is reprinted here with their permission. To quote the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs: "The Delaware Society for the Preservation of Antiquities, a nonprofit historic-preservation organization and tenant at the Hale-Byrnes House."

All Media... Print, Digital, Audio, Visual, etc.... Is used with the kind permission of the copyright holders, or under Fair Use Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Criticism of this work, and educating future historians who want to be published:

This is a really neat little (Approimatly 4 inch by 6 inch) 15-page (12 of information) history book. It is well written... It has good information... It is a very enjoyable read... However, there no citations for any information in this book whatsoever. Which is confusing as this book was written by a historian. This poses a problem for future historians, educators, and researchers. Any non-fiction book... Especially, a history book designed for education... Must have a reference, works cited, or list of references page to make it credible.

Why we posted this book here:

1) This book was printed in a very limited quantity's for a very short time. Making it very hard to find for educators and researchers to find. This is being used for education and research on this topic as it was intended at the time of printing. Which was to spread the word about the Hale-Byrnes House.

2) It is also being used as education and educational criticism because it has no historical references, historical citations, or works cited of any kind in this histroy book. All students are taught "historical and social science analysis skill starting in kindergarten" according to common core. Most states require history teachers to "explain and demonstrate primary and secondary sources to their 3rd grade students. Including unscholarly works with no references" according to the State of Delaware, Department of Education.

3) Full credit, citation, and acknowledgements are given to the author and publisher. No plagiarizing has taken place.

4) We are not charging any money to view this publication. It is 100% free for anyone to use for education and/or research.

5) No copywrite was claimed anywhere in or on any page in this book.

6) We had permission to copy this from the Hale-Byrnes House Archives.

7) This is being used for non-profit, educational, research, and critiquing purposes.

Cover page book front cover is on right (On the rear cover can be found: No Library of Congress Number, No ISBN Number, No Book Identification Number, No Copyright, and No Copyright Contact. In fact that information cannot be found anywhere in this book ). Of interest many copies have 3 stapes instead of 2.

Inner cover left and title page on the right (On the title/copyright page can be found: No Library of Congress Number, No ISBN Number, No Book Identification Number, No Copyright, and No Copyright Contact. Infact that information cannot be found anywhere in this book ).

Illustration page left (An illustrated depiction of the Hale-Byrnes House in the 1960s). Page 3 on the right begins the work (this story's narrative beguins in 1777, the house was built in 1750).

Page 4 left mentions the Battle of Cooches Bridge (It does not mention the continental regulars and militia) Page 5 right mentions a sycamore tree (Presumed to be the Geroge Washington Witness Tree of Delaware).

Page 6 left starts the story of the Council of War (It only talks of picket lines, not of the evacuation of Delaware, and the decision at that council to fight the British Army at Chads Ford [Brandywine], Pennsylvania) Page 7 right mentions the building of the house (It does not mention the land grant or anything preceding the building of the house, property, or farm called "Mussel Cripple").

Page 8 left speaks about David Finney (Lists David Finney as a "gentleman" which would mean in 18th century vernacular someone who is rich, and has no trade or profession at the time he was alive. While he did have money, he owned that huge farm "Mussel Cripple" and was a potter. His pottery shop was located in the basement). It also mentions Reverend Daniel Byrnes purchasing the property. Page 9 speaks about the Brynes Mill and post-Revolutionary War property owners. (it does not mention almost all the land except immediately around the house were sold.)

Page 10 left speaks of the first historical marker placed on the property. It also gives the reason why preservation of the house was needed due the State of Delaware Highway Department. (It does not mention the money donated by the Tidewater Oil Company to save the George Washington Witness Tree during the preservation.) Page 11 right covers reconstituting the Delaware Society for the Preservation of Antiquities as it had become defunct and surrendered its charter due to lack of membership and lack of interest. (Does not mention the cement being used as filler inside the trunk of the George Washington Witness Tree.)

Page 12 left speaks to the purchase of the property and the start of the restoration (It does not mention the rebuilding of the back porch). Page 13 right lists the outdoor restoration work (Again, it mentions a "old sycamore tree" which is presumed to mean the George Washington Witness Tree of Delaware.)

Page 14 left speaks to the restoration and plans for use of interior space. It also mentions the second historical marker placed on the house (No mention of the George Washington Witness Tree of Delaware.) Page 15 right is the references page (No references can be found. The page only solicits donations for the Hale-Byrnes House in check form to an address long out of date).

The left/final page lists the Delaware Society for the Preservation of Antiquities members in 1961 and right blank inner rear cover. (The interior rear cover is blank.)

In conclusion... This is a really neat little book. It is a very interesting read. However, it can not be used as anything but a stroybook. It is not a history book. It has no references, no way to verify where this information can be found, and mentions unverifiable hearsay like "the Marqies goodnaturedly tussling the hair of tiny Caleb."

All Media... Print, Digital, Audio, Visual, etc.... Is used with the kind permission of the copyright holders, or under Fair Use Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Website by Historian Joshua Peter Loper