‘American Indian Towns of Sussex County’ is history topic Oct. 14

The Milford Museum will continue its American History Series of lectures at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct.. 14, at the Milford Public Library, 11 S.E. Front St., Milford.

Archaeologist Daniel R. Griffith will present “American Indian Towns of Sussex County, Delaware.” This program will focus on the land in what is known today as Sussex County, and how it was contested by competing English, Dutch and Swedish colonies as well as sizable and influential communities of Native Americans.

Among the topics covered will be the archival and archaeological research Griffith’s team used to find the location of significant American Indian towns in Sussex County. This research was based on records of Capt. John Smith's three-day voyage up the Nanticoke River in June 1608 as well as English and Dutch records of Indian communities. Smith's map and writings showed three Indian towns: Nause, Nantiquack (now known as the Nanticoke) and Kuskarawaok or King's Town (where Indian leadership lived). Extensive archaeological surveys along with historic maps and accounts have also revealed relevant sites in the Lewes area, where the Siconese and their town of Checonesseck were located.

The principal owner of Griffith Archaeology Consulting, Griffith has been extremely active in Delaware archaeological research for decades. After serving as director of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs for more than 15 years, Griffith took on the lead role in the 2005 Lewes Maritime Archaeology Project that focused on the recovery of the Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck. More recently, he has served as director of the Avery’s Rest Archaeological Site Recovery Project. He has been active with the Archaeological Society of Delaware, serving as a board member since 2007.

Sponsored by the Milford Museum, these monthly programs focus on a variety of topics concerning local, state and national history.

For more information, contact the museum at 302-424-1080 or tom@milforddemuseum.org. Programs are offered through a generous grant from the Delaware Heritage Commission.