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Beautification Of Grounds
Around The Grave Of Thomas Ogle |
 The 227-year-old gravesite of Thomas Ogle
(1705-1771), founder of Ogletown, Delaware, with its distinctive
capstone containing Thomas’ personal epitaph carved in old-font
letters, was a pitiful, deteriorating sight in early 1998.
The once elegant grave and capstone of the grandson of the immigrant
John Ogle (1664/65-1684) had badly endured the ravages of time and
the elements. Too many debilitating expansions and contractions
during too many freezing winters and hot summers had cracked the
tough capstone, forcing removal and storage of most of the broken
pieces. Too many years of acid rain, corrosive carbon monoxide, and
old-timer’s disease had eroded and practically destroyed this
carefully selected, once lovely, final resting site of an important
early Ogle Colonialist.
Uncut grass, ubiquitous weeds, poison ivy, and matted leaves
collected about the crumbling foundation. Assorted debris blown by
ill winds from the adjacent busy intersection further degraded the
sanctity of this pastoral retreat so carefully and thoughtfully
selected by Thomas.
Many Delaware historians, researchers, citizens, and even O/OFA
members, long aware of pioneer Thomas Ogle and the unsightly
condition of his grave, had become complacent. The gravesite might
well have continued in a state of disrepair and disregard had not
the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) decided in 1998
to correct the deteriorating situation.
Before proceeding with this story of the restoration and
beautification of his gravesite, let us first take a closer look at
Thomas Ogle, the man.
Thomas Ogle (1705-1771)
Thomas Ogle (b. 1705 in Del., d. 23 Dec. 1771 in New Castle Co.,
Del., possibly married three times and with nine known children),
was the son of Thomas Ogle (b. 1666/72 in Del., d. between 30 July
and 18 Sep. 1734 in New Castle Co., Del.) and Mary Crawford. He was
the grandson of the immigrant John Ogle (b. 1648/49 – d.1684) and
Elizabeth, whose maiden name has not been irrefutably identified.
Thomas (b. 1705) became a wealthy and influential businessman and
planter in New Castle County. He owned three mills and a wharf at
Christiana Bridge, hundreds of acres of agricultural and forested
land in New Castle Co., and many additional investments.
Thomas built a stylish, two-story, brick house in 1739 at the
northeast corner of a junction of three important roads: present day
Del. 273, which extended from Christiana Bridge to Nottingham in
Penn.; Del. 4 (Chestnut Hill Rd.) from Stanton through Newark (Del.)
to the Elk River in Maryland; and Red Mill Road, which ran north
from the intersection of 273 and 4 to Comer Ketch. All these roads
were significant transportation arteries by 1750 and have remained
important for 250 years. A fourth highway, Salem Church Rd., was
constructed in 1827 in a southerly direction from the intersection.
Thomas Ogle’s various businesses, large land holdings, and community
influence led to the sizable area around his home being named Ogle
Town (later Ogletown) sometime before 1762. The stately house, which
Thomas also operated as an inn, survived for 216 years. Thomas was
buried near the historic house and a reasonable distance from the
then narrow, dirt roads that formed the crossroads.
Delaware Department Of Transportation Restores Thomas Ogle Grave
In 1955, when the Delaware Department of Transportation widened the
roads, the Thomas Ogle house got in the way of progress. The State
purchased the land containing Thomas Ogle’s house and gravesite.
Delaware donated the historic house to the Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR), which agreed to move it.
Unfortunately, the DAR’s plans were never carried out and the
historic house was destroyed.
The original grave marker, a flat, stone slab inscribed with Thomas
Ogle’s epitaph, had been placed over a slightly raised base. Some
200-plus years later, after various expansions of the roads, Thomas’
burial site was very close to the eastbound State Road (SR) 273
overpass, at the northwest intersection ramps of SR 273 and SR 4.
The capstone slab cracked badly through the years. Sixteen pieces
(large and small) were removed in the late 1980s when the
intersection was widened and greatly expanded. The broken sections,
some with illegible or missing words, are being preserved at the
University of Delaware’s Center for Archeological Research. During
this period the gravesite became overgrown and unsightly.
Recognizing the need for a safer and smother highway mixing bowl,
Delaware Department of Transportation built a new interchange around
Del. 273 and Chestnut Hill Rd. New surfaces were aligned to avoid
the frequent flooding of the underpass and to give Thomas’ grave
more resting room. While building the new interchange The Delaware
Department of Transportation fulfilled its historic and cultural
responsibility to the gravesite. The new SR 273 construction avoided
the grave area as the ramp connection and intersection were shifted
away from the grave. Carefully and professionally, The Delaware
Department of Transportation provided for the excellent restoration
of Thomas Ogle’s burial plot, spending several thousand dollars in
the process.
Using proven archeological techniques, The Delaware Department of
Transportation expertly and respectfully confirmed that Thomas
Ogle’s remains were still at the original location. Without
disturbing the remains, The Delaware Department of Transportation
prepared new concrete footings on which a new brick mausoleum/base
was constructed to support the capstone. The 4”, red brick wall is
backed with 4”, solid blocks to establish an overall 8” masonry wall
6’ 6” long by 3’ 6” wide, by 20” high.
The Delaware Department of Transportation purchased a new,
600-pound, granite, replacement capstone, which, on August 12, 1998,
was placed on top of the short mausoleum base and sealed. The
inscription on the new capstone artfully matches the original design
details, old-fashioned, engravement font, and wording (insofar as
The Delaware Department of Transportation and the Center for
Archeological Research were able to determine): |
Here lies the Body of
THOMAS OGLE
Who departed this Life
The 23 of December 1771
Aged 66 Years
|
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Glass is run my Work is done
Dead I lie under Ground
Entombed in Clay until the Day
I hear the Trumpet sound |
| At a cost of $445 (funds provided by Del. State Representative Richard
DiLiberto), The Delaware Department of Transportation installed on the
brick burial wall under the capstone, a 20" by 10" permanent, bronze
plaque that reads: |
Thomas Ogle II Gravesite
Originally a cross-roads, farming and gathering community,
Thomas Ogle II and Ogle family generations have lived in the
Area for over 250 years. This plaque commemorates Ogletown
Area and the Ogle family influence.
The Delaware Department of Transportation (logo) |
Although The Delaware Department of Transportation did not install any
parking spaces off the busy intersection, visitors can park nearby and
walk a short distance to the gravesite that is easily visible from the
traffic flow. Large, circular, colored, stepping-stones were evenly
spaced from Ogletown Rd. to the gravesite for visitors to use during wet
conditions.
A writer for the Wilmington News Journal in 1998 said it well, “Thomas
Ogle’s grave is the last vestige of a town that was founded before the
American Revolution and has been virtually under siege ever since.”
Large office buildings, condos, apartments, sub-divisions, shopping
centers, and highways and streets have long since replaced the pastoral
setting of Thomas’ days.
Up to this point, restoration of the grave had been a coordinated effort
among a few state agencies and facilities. The Delaware Department of
Transportation had provided most of the funds for the project while then
Senior Transportation Planner Michael C. Hahn provided the leadership
and supervision.
The Ogle/Ogles Family Association became involved after learning that
The Delaware Department of Transportation was short of funds and was
seeking financial assistance to help beautify the grounds around the
grave.
O/OFA Finances Beautification of Area Around Thomas Ogle’s Grave
The O/OFA leadership quickly grasped the opportunity and privilege and
approved a grant dedicating $1,000 to landscape the immediate area
around the grave and $500 for a commemorative bronze plaque. After all,
Thomas Ogle was a notable, Ogle Colonial ancestor, the progenitor of
thousands of Ogles in America, and only two generations removed from the
immigrant John Ogle, who, very likely was the first Ogle to relocate to
America from England.
Working closely with Jennifer Hannum, a talented The Delaware Department
of Transportation Environmental Planner, O/OFA selected a landscape
proposal from a firm in Smyrna, Del. On Nov. 5, 1999, the landscaper
deposited eight yards of topsoil at the gravesite and planted Bradford
Pear trees, assorted perennial flowers, Rhododendron bushes and other
shrubbery and ground cover.
A December 1999 view of the landscaping at Thomas Ogle’s gravesite.
The bronze plaque purchased by the Ogle/Ogles Family Association
Was affixed to this side of the grave wall in January 2000. Someone had
left a nice Christmas wreath and a small American flag. (photo by The
Delaware Department of Transportation)
Also the landscaper installed a plastic liner for weed control, one ton
of white marble chips, and steel edging to form an attractive,
all-weather, sloping walkway around the gravesite. The plants, trees and
walkway are complemented by two mature trees that have grown close
enough to the grave through the years to serve as loyal sentinels
providing shade and companionship for Thomas Ogle and any summer
visitors to his gravesite.
Additionally, O/OFA purchased a bronze plaque 18” wide by 15” tall which
was installed in Jan. 2000 on the brick wall of the mausoleum/base of
the grave, opposite the side where the Delaware Department of
Transportation plaque is installed. The wording on our plaque is: |
1999
The Ogle/Ogles Family Association, Inc.,
a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the
preservation of the history and genealogy of
the Ogle and Ogles Families of North America,
helped beautify this gravesite and honor the
memory of a Colonial ancestor,
Thomas Ogle
(b. 1705 – d. 1771)
Founder of Ogletown |
By beautifying the area around Thomas’ grave and installing the
commemorative, bronze plaque on the brick base of the grave, O/OFA has
done a good thing! Our members can take justifiable pride in recognizing
and honoring the memory of one of our earliest Ogle ancestors in the
Colonies—one who made a difference during his lifetime.
Members are encouraged to visit Thomas Ogle’s gravesite in Ogletown if
ever in the area. Enjoy the trees, bushes, flowers and atmosphere
surrounding the site. Read the plaque and relate to the words. You
helped make it all possible!
All volumes of
The Ogle Genealogist can
still be purchased from the association. |
Printed here with Permissions:
Text: by George W. Ogles, President, The Ogle/Ogles Family Association,
Inc., 1999.
Photos: by James H. Donalson, Member OOFA, 1999.
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"For an hour the royalist defense held firm and the attack faltered. At
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On April 29, 2009, Mike Bilbrey, the Air Force Travel Card Component
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