Why is Sussex County, Delaware Named After Sussex in England?

 

Why is Sussex County, Delaware Named After Sussex in England?: A Complete Guide

As one seeks to explore the rich tapestry of history in the United States, it is difficult to find a thread as colorful as the one depicting the process by which places in the New World came to bear the names of the Old. Sussex County, Delaware, a land now famous for its unspoiled beaches, rich agricultural land, and burgeoning communities, bears a name steeped in the heritage of the English. In order to understand the process by which this part of the First State came to bear the name of an old shire in England, it is necessary to travel back in time to the 17th century.

The Colonial Origins of Sussex County

The story does not begin with the American Revolution but with the Delaware Colony. Before the Delaware Colony came into being, it was part of the Pennsylvania Colony, which King Charles II of England gave to William Penn in 1681. But the lower counties along the Delaware River, which would later become New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County, had already developed their own identity. They had been originally settled by the Dutch and the Swedes, but by the mid-17th century, the English had firmly taken control.

The official establishment of Sussex County took place in 1683. William Penn, being a practical leader and recognizing the importance of simplicity in governance, decided to divide the "Three Lower Counties" into three separate governing bodies. Penn named these three governing bodies after English counties. This could have been Penn's way of showing allegiance to the English monarchy and providing a sense of comfort for English settlers moving into this new territory. While New Castle is named after an English city and Kent is named after an English county, the southernmost county is named after a historic English county located in South East England.

In an interesting historical parallel, it can also be noted that the connectivity that allowed these regions to come in touch with their mother country is not dissimilar to the kinds of transportation that are used to connect regions in the present day. Thus, if an individual were to plan a trip to England and needed to get around the historic regions of Hertfordshire to reach administrative centers, they might look to a service such as Taxis Hemel. This is not dissimilar to how colonial leaders sought to connect with their far-flung colonies in the New World.

A Connection to William Penn’s Heritage

In order to understand why this decision was made, it is necessary to understand more about William Penn's background. Though Penn is best known for founding the state of Pennsylvania, his ties to the English county of Sussex were considerable. For one, Penn's family had a long history in that part of England. Penn's father, Admiral Sir William Penn, owned property in that region. When it was time for Penn to organize his American territory, it is likely that he used the naming system of the English countryside that he knew best.

In addition, it has been theorized that the choice of "Sussex" was a nod to the potential for agriculture in that region. English Sussex, a region in southern England, is a picturesque place known for its rolling hills, coastal towns, and fertile farmland. Similarly, in Delaware, the early settlers of Sussex County saw potential for a similar kind of life. They saw hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, forest, and fishing. By naming this region "Sussex," they were, in a sense, projecting a potential for a life of prosperity.

The Evolution of a Shared Identity

The name has been a subtle yet potent connection between the English county and the American county for centuries. Though both counties have developed independently, with the American county becoming a vital part of the United States while the English county remained a classic English county, the connection through the name has been a reminder of the common heritage.

The connection between the two counties has been reinforced in recent times through modern conveniences like travel and commerce. Many visit both counties, either for academic or business purposes. For anyone interested in making the trip to either county, especially in the UK, ground transport is vital in connecting the county to the rest of the world. For example, anyone interested in exploring the heritage sites in the original county might want to arrange for Hemel Hempstead Airport Taxis to facilitate a smooth connection to Luton Airport or any other transport hub before taking a flight to the United States. This movement of people between the two counties mirrors the movement that led to the founding of Sussex County, Delaware, over three centuries ago.

The Legacy in Modern Delaware

Fast forward to the current era, and we find that Sussex County, Delaware, has developed into a unique entity in its own right, although the name itself is a reminder of history. While East and West Sussex are used to describe parts of Sussex County in England, in contrast, Sussex County in Delaware is a whole, thriving, and expanding county. Today, it is best known for being a summer resort, where Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach, and others are located. Today, the term "Sussex" in Delaware has become synonymous with a particular lifestyle that encompasses a relaxing coastal environment, a thriving agricultural sector, especially in poultry and farm produce, and a generally more laid-back pace of life compared to the more urbanized areas of northern Delaware. Yet, one cannot help but notice a lingering reminder of its English heritage. One will notice place names such as Seaford, Lewes pronounced "Lewis" in Delaware, but named after a place in East Sussex, and Georgetown, all of which attest to the British Isles influence on early American settlers.

Also read: Is It Worth It to Move to England from Belgium

Why Names Matter in History

Sussex County is a classic example of how colonial powers left their mark on a new territory. For English colonizers moving to this new territory in the 1680s, giving this new territory a name similar to one of their own in England was a psychological comfort. It was a way of imposing order on a wilderness, of saying to themselves that this was now English territory, and of keeping a connection to a culture and governmental system they were used to.

This was, of course, a common trend in all of the American colonies. From New England to the Carolinas, English colonizers named their new territory after places in England. What is interesting about this particular territory, however, is that it brings to mind a series of parallels between it and its English counterpart. Both are coastal, both are farmland, and both are pleasant places to live due to their beauty and peacefulness.

Conclusion: A Name That Bridges Centuries

So, why is it that Sussex County in Delaware is named after Sussex in England? Well, it is quite simple. It is because of a colonial naming convention that William Penn and other English settlers decided to impose on America. It is a symbol of tradition that brings a part of the identity of the Old World to the shores of the New World. More than 340 years ago, this naming convention has been a powerful connection between the two regions. While the English have their ancient castles like Arundel and their famous white cliffs of Seven Sisters, we have our boardwalks, state parks, and growing economy. But both regions also have something in common. While we have come a long way since the early settlers crossed over from Europe on their way to America in the 17th century, we have now come full circle. Today, we have a modern-day exchange of culture, tourism, and tradition. Whether it is through the historical records of William Penn or the transportation that brings us to international airports, the connection between these two Susseces remains unbroken.