One of the best known members of the Outten family during the greater part of the past century, was Charles Outten of Vernon, Delaware. He was born at Outten's Landing, now called Cherrytree Landing, on the Nanticoke River, in Nanticoke Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware on September 30, 1821. He was the eldest son of Louis Outten, and while he was a small child his parents moved to Milford in Cedar Creek Hundred, where he grew up to manhood. Charles married Harriet Wright, who was born December 15, 1824. She was the daughter of Roger Wright and sister to Elisha and Robert Wright of Dover. Charles and Harriett were the parents of nine children.
John R. Outten, the eldest son of Charles was born November 24, 1843. He was a wheelwright and a farmer. He bought the farm near Vernon, that was previously owned by his father. He married Nancy Farens who was born December 2, 1841. They were the parents of two children, Clara and James H. John R. retired and lived in Harrington where he died.
Clara was born October 11, 1867 and James H. was born August 22, 1870. He has been married twice. His first wife was Florence Kates, and they were the parents of a son, Arlington B. who was born January 31, 1904. His second wife was Elva Plesanton, and they had three children. James Lewis, born December 20, 1915, George Chipman born October 21, 1922 and Stephen who died while very young.
The eldest son of James H. and Elva Peterson was James Lewis. He was married twice. He and his first wife June Emma Wyatt were the parents of five children, Shirley Ann, Charles Terry, Robert Lee, William James and Bonnie Jean. Louis later married Catherine May Ervin who had three children by her late husband.
Shirley Ann was born April 25, 1936. She also was married twice. Her first Husband Norman Griffin were the parents of three children. Ruth Ann born June 19, 1959 and a set of twins, Dale and David born October 27, 1961. Shirley then married Robert Bennett and had a daughter named Kristy Lynn born November 3, 1980.
Robert Lee born September 6, 1939 married Delores Freeney and had two children, Janet Lee born February 2, 1961 and Deanne Jean born December 7, 1970. Janet Lee married Mark Newton and they had a daughter, Kasey Marie born December 10, 1980.
Charles Terry, born February 20, 1943 married Edith Gale and had four daughters, Holly Gale born November 30, 1967, Stacey born February 28, 1970, Shelby born February 28, 1974 and Joanne Michelle born July 18, 1975.
William James born September 27, 1945 married Rebecca Marie and they were the parents of three children. Kimberly, born January 25, 1967, William Mark, born April 6, 1971 and Cheryl Marie, born April 24, 1975.
Bonnie Jean, born February 19, 1949 married Francis White. They have a daughter Tricia and a son, Eric.
George Chipman (named after the birthing Doctor Chipman) Outten, son of James Henry & Elva Pleasanton Outten was born October 21, 1922. George married Louise Bernadette Myers on November 15, 1947 and together they had three children. Kay Elma, George Chipman Jr., and Stephen Allen. George Chipman Outten Sr. died on January 25, 1988 of complications resulting from a massive heart attack. George served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a Paratrooper. After the War, George held a variety of different jobs, but settled in electro-mechanical engineering until his retirement in 1976. George died on January 25th, 1988 after a three week hospitalization following a heart attack.
Kay Elma Outten, the first child of George and Louise died less than one year after she was born in 1948.
George Chipman Outten Jr., born June 25, 1953 married Carolyn Sue Stansfield. They have two sons, Nicholas James, born August 7, 1981, and Drew Stephen, born April 30, 1984.
Stephen Allen Outten, born June 24, 1958 married Robin Ann Eminizer on May 12, 1984 and they had a daughter named Stephanie Allison, born December 3, 1988. Stephen became a Maryland State Trooper in 1979.
Hebron B. Outten, the second son of Charles was born March 22, 1846. He married Lydia Hobbs who was born in 1844. They had no children. When Hebron retired, they lived in Burrsville, Md until their death in 1925.
Sarah E. Outten, the eldest daughter of Charles was born May 11, 1849. She married Tilghman Harvey, who was born February 20, 1845. They were married December 23, 1869, and were the parents of one son named Arlington C., born December 6, 1870. Arlington married Nettie Mae Garrett, April 20, 1900, and they gave birth to a daughter named Ruth Arlington on July 7, 1901. Arlington C. died August 16, 1901. Ruth Arlington married Fred Powell of Harrington, and they have one daughter, Christine.
Tilghman Harvey was a wheelwright by trade. but in 1885, he erected a large hardware store at Burrsville, Md. where he managed an extensive business. For many years he was a co-laborer with the Temperence forces in Delaware and Maryland. He has written a number of valuable papers on his favorite subject for publication, and challenged the opposite party to public debate upon the Prohibition cause at any time or place. He retired from business and lived in Burrsville, Md., where he died.
Charles B. Outten, the third son of Charles was born August 2, 1853. He married Rebecca Anderson, who was born April 6, 1849. They were married November 20, 1879, and were the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. The third child, Norman Outten was born November 20, 1885. He married Edna Wright on January 6, 1901 and they were the parents of five children. Miriam Virginia, born October 6, 1907 (she died October 2, 1921). Tilghman Charles, married Delma Paskey on December 14, 1934, and they were the parents of three children, Leonard Tilghman, born January 5, 1936, Walter Dale, born July 7, 1944, and Karen Mary, born September 11, 1950.
Tilghman Leonard Outten, son of Tilghman Charles Outten, married Alice Katherine Bowdle on August 25, 1957. Tilghman and Alice had three children - Robin Leonard born December 7, 1958, Renee Louise born October 10, 1960, and Reig Louis born August 2, 1962. Leonard works as an electrician and lives in Harrington, Delaware. Robin married Sherry Spinosl and is a pharmacist in Woodbury, New Jersey. Renee married Roy Robinson and lives in Houston, Texas with their daughter Kristin Nicole, born on March 24, 1989.
Tilghman Charles Outten's second son, Walter Dale married Irma Rae Masten on September 21, 1966. They had three children - Vanessa Faith born December 18, 1967, Theresa Amber born October 15, 1970, and Scott Ashley born on June 8, 1972. Walter served 20 years in the Navy and Coast Guard. Walter now resides near Felton and works in radio communications. Their daughter Vanessa Faith married Todd Dennis in 1987 and they had one daughter Alicia, born November 28, 1987.
The third child and only daughter of Tilghman Charles Outten, Karen Mary married Franklin Spence on December 21, 1968. Together, they had two daughters - Lisa Beth born August 3, 1974 and Michele Lynn born July 18, 1977. Karen is Postmaster in Woodside, Delaware.
The second son of Norman and Edna was Clifford Norman, born August 21, 1916. He married Edna Marie Smith, who was born May 28, 1918. They were married June 27, 1936 and they are the parents of three children. Clifford Norman, JR. was born June 13, 1937. Mabel Jean was born September 21, 1939 and Kenneth Paul was born January 17, 1941.
William Henry Outten the third son of Norman and Edna was born June 6, 1923. He married Irene J. Collins December 30, 1945. Irene Edna Outten, their youngest child was born April 21, 1925. she was married to Dale U. Dean on September 29, 1945. Dale was born June 19, 1921.
Charles B. Outten died April 15, 1905 and on May 20 Letters of Administration were granted to Rebecca Outten, late of Mispilion Hundred, to her son Norman Outten.
Virginia R. Outten, the second daughter of Charles, was born January 24, 1856. She was married to Peter W. Wright who was born May 2, 1846. They were the parents of three sons. Herman was born October 8, 1880. For many years he was a professor in Strayer's Business College in Philadelphia. George K. Wright was born September 21, 1882 and is now living on a farm in the state of Montana. Willard Lee Wright was born October 20, 1896. He lived near Burrsville, MD Peter Wright died August 21, 1916.
Missouri Outten, the third daughter of Charles was born October 7, 1858. She was married to R. Frank Thomas, and they were the parents of three daughters. Elsie May married a Cain, Ida L. married a Frazier, and Bertha is also married. Missouri, the mother of these children died August 15, 1910.
George Andrew Outten, the fourth son of Charles, was born April 26, 1861. He married Rebecca Harrington who was born December 28, 1858. She was the daughter of Peter D. Harrington, who lived near Bethel Church. They were married July 3, 1881, and were the parents of eight children. Eva Virginia was born June 6, 1882 and died in 1902. Arthur George was born December 24, 1887 and was killed April 28, 1900. Harold Powell was born February 6, 1892. He was married to Georgiana Seeders on November 5, 1913. She was born January 24, 1894. They have eight children. Pearl L. Outten, their eldest child was born July 1, 1915. She was married to Kenneth E. Hopkins, June 4, 1938. He was born in October 1914. Pearl was graduated as a Trained Nurse at Beebe Hospital Lewes, Delaware. Kenneth and Pearl have a daughter named Norma Lee, born September 7, 1944.
Clarence S. Outten, the eldest son of Harold, was born November 22, 1918. He graduated at the Greenwood High School and Goldy Business College in Wilmington and he was employed by the DuPont Company. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps, March 2, 1943, and received his Air Corps training at Lowery Field, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah and Tuscon Arizona. He was married November 9, 1943 to Reba Fenton of Wilmington, in the Chapel of the New Castle Army Base while he was stationed in Georgia. She was born September 2, 1920. Soon after his marriage, Sergt. Outten was sent to an Air Base in Italy where he served as a tail gunner on a B24 Liberator. His plane was shot down over Austria June 4, 1944 and he was reported killed.
Roberta H. Outten, the second daughter of Harold and Georgiana, was born December 20, 1922. She was married to James Albert Dill september 14, 1945. He was born November 15, 1922.
Lester H. Outten, the second son of Harold, was born January 2, 1926. During the Second World War, he joined the Navy. The other children of Harold are Alvin H., born June 13, 1928, Louise R. born September 30, 1932, and Everett R. born January 7, 1937. Harold now owns and occupies the farm that was owned by his father, about five miles west of Greenwood, near Todd's Chapel.
The other children of George A. Outten, were Ernest Andrew, born January 11, 1894, who now lives at Greenwood. Clarence Emory was born January 9, 1896. He graduated at Greenwood High School in 1914, and died April 16, 1916. Eleanor Harriett, born February 26, 1898 graduated at Greenwood High School in 1916. Grace Elizabeth was born September 6, 1901, lived at Asheville, North Carolina. Rebecca, called Reba was born December 26, 1903.
George A. Outten was the Administrator of his father's estate in 1893. He lived at Greenwood, Delaware where he brought up his children, and for many years he kept a hardware store. But in 1923 he moved to Asheville, North Carolina on account of his health and died there October 23, 1935. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery at Harrington, Delaware. The writer corresponded with him for several years, and received a letter from him only a few days before his death.
Rebecca B. Outten, wife of George A., died October 8, 1943 in her 85th year at West Asheville, North Carolina. The funeral was held at Harrington, Delaware on Sunday, October 11, 1943. She too was buried in Hollywood Cemetery. She is survived by three children. Grace never married and live in Asheville, Harold Powell and Ernest Andrew lived in Kent County, Delaware.
Laura B. Outten, the fourth and youngest daughter of Charles, was born July 1, 1864. She was married to Harry D. Hanson of Farmington, Delaware. He was born February 16, 1862. They were married May 28, 1902 and had no children. Laura died in 1919.
The writer would like to add here a word of personal appreciation for the data contained in the Charles Outten narrative, as it was all furnished by Laura Outten Hanson. When I was a boy Preacher, and a student at the Wesley Collegiate Institute, about 1887-1890, I sometimes preached at the Wesley Church, Burrsville, the church which Laura attended, and of course, we went to church together. Laura was at that time living at the home of her sister, Sarah E. Harvey in Burrsville. Then we corresponded for a while, but for some reason or rather for no reason, the visits and letters ceased, and we never met again. But thirty years later, at my request, Laura furnished practically all the facts that are recorded in this sketch concerning the Charles Outten family.
William Malone Outten, the fifth and youngest son of Charles was born February 3, 1867. He married Margaret Virginia Wroten, who was born July 21, 1864. They were married December 8, 1896, but they had no children. He was a wheelwright and blacksmith by trade, and lived at Burrsville, MD. William M. died November 4, 1908. After William died his widow married Robert Wyatt and they lived in Harrington, Delaware.
Charles Outten, the father of these children, was a practical farmer. On March 19, 1858 he bought of Dr. Witman Jones and wife, a tract of land containing 62 1/2 acres for a farm where he spent his remaining days. The house in which lived was a large bungalow, and it stood on a hill west of a little village called Vernon, in Kent County, Delaware. It was in those days a beautiful home, and is yet a splendid monument to his memory.
He died September 12, 1893, and Harriet, his wife died April 28, 1897. On September 15, 1893 Letters of Administration were granted to George A. Outten, the fourth son of Charles, and the farm was purchased by John H., his eldest son.
The writer knew Charles Outten personally, between the years 1885 and 1890. In those days most elderly men wore beards, but when I knew him he had a clean shaven face, and the characteristic features of the Outten family. He was straight and commanding in appearance, and always interesting and entertaining in conversation. He was a good neighbor, and a valuable citizen. I have heard that he always pronounced his name "Out ten" and that he required all who addressed him to do the same. I was only a boy when I knew him, and I called him Uncle Charley. Peace be to his sacred dust.
Rev. John Perry Outten, Laurel, Delaware, February 6, 1948