The Town of Dagsboro

Sussex County, Delaware

Prince George's Chapel and Cemetery

November 21, 2009 Meeting Minutes

November 21, 2009 Meeting Agenda

May 2, 2009 Meeting Agenda

May 2, 2009 Meeting Minutes

The new sign

Cemetery Project

by Melody Chandler

This research paper, completed in the spring of 2008, was written with the purpose of demonstrating the importance of cemetery preservation from a historical and cultural standpoint. The paper was the fruit of much research, both textual and hands-on, for a University of Delaware seminar: “Historical Archaeology and the Public.” As I already had a vested interest in the condition and history of the gravestones at Prince George’s Chapel Cemetery (I had begun survey work in the summer of 2007), the class provided a wonderful excuse to dedicate myself fully to a more detailed investigation. Although the class and paper are completed, the project itself continues.  

While the back section of the older gravestones is finished, documentation of the older gravestones in the front sections of the Cemetery is only partially completed. Additionally, I hope to make the recorded information on the gravestones accessible to the public for genealogical purposes. Maintenance and upkeep of the site is a never-ending project. Fortunately, the Prince George’s Chapel Cemetery Committee has been re-vamped; I extend my heartfelt thanks to the PGCC committee members and the Town of Dagsboro’s staff and Council Members for their assistance in the continuation of the research and preservation work on the Cemetery. I encourage anyone who has an interest in supporting the work being done (from feedback to assisting in the documentation of the stones themselves) to not be shy and contact the Town or myself! 

Feel free to access my research paper or to look at the chart below that provides a transcription of the gravestones and thus an interesting snapshot of the lives of these early inhabitants of Dagsboro, Delaware.

Contact:

Melody Chandler

Email: melodychandler@ymail.com

Cemetery Project - Chandler Research Paper

Cemetery Project - Chandler References

Prince George's Chapel was received by the Worcester Parish of the Church of England on June 30, 1757, when the Dagsboro area was still a part of Maryland.

The chapel, on two acres of land purchased from Walter Evans, was named for Prince George, who later became King George III of England, presided over the loss of the American colonies, and suffered from several bouts of insanity that eventually became permanent.

Less than 100 years after its construction, the chapel's condition had deteriorated to a point that services were discontinued. Services were held annually for some time but the building was largely maintained as an historic site by the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware.

The Sussex County Laymen's League funded a complete restoration in 1928 and the church was rededicated on June 30, 1929.

The state of Delaware bought the property in 1967. After major renovations, the chapel, located at the intersection of Routes 26 and 382, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

The cemetery is the site of the grave of General John Dagworthy, a Revolutionary War officer who settled in the area, supported the church, and for whom Dagsboro is named.

Source: Sussex County Online