Evolution of the 'Three Counties on Delaware' (1704-1776)

In 1704, the region known today as Delaware underwent a significant shift in its governance. Although it was technically under the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, the area, then known as the "Three Counties on Delaware," was granted the privilege of having its own assembly. This decision marked a critical turning point in Delaware's journey toward autonomy and set the stage for the eventual creation of the Delaware state.

The Three Counties referred to Sussex, Kent, and New Castle counties, each of which had its own unique character and role in the region's development. Sussex, the southernmost county, was largely agricultural, with a focus on livestock and grain. Kent, in the middle, had an economy based on agriculture as well, but it was also developing industrially. New Castle, the northernmost county, was more urban and industrialized, reflecting its proximity to Pennsylvania and its integration with the economies of Philadelphia and other northern cities.

However, even with the establishment of a local assembly, the Three Counties were still not entirely independent. Legally, they remained a part of Pennsylvania, which had a profound influence on their legal and economic systems. The Three Counties were represented in the Pennsylvania assembly, but they also held their own assembly in New Castle, which made decisions on local matters. This unusual arrangement reflected the region's position at the intersection of the northern and southern colonies, as it straddled the cultural, economic, and political divides between the two.

Over time, the Three Counties increasingly operated as a separate entity from Pennsylvania. This arrangement culminated in 1776, when the Three Counties declared themselves an independent state under the name of Delaware, concurrent with the larger American Revolution. This development was largely possible due to the political autonomy the region had gained through the establishment of its own assembly in 1704. Thus, the story of the Three Counties is a crucial chapter in Delaware's history, setting it on the path to becoming the distinct state that we know today.