Samuel Paynter, a native and lifelong resident of the area, was born at Drawbridge on the Broadkill River on August 24, 1768. A successful merchant, farmer, and mill-owner whose prosperity was closely linked to river commerce, he was widely respected for his outstanding character and served as a member of the Delaware House of Representatives and Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1823 he was elected Governor of the State of Delaware, defeating Milton resident David Hazzard by 300 votes. A Federalist, he was one of the last members of that party to serve as a state governor. He strongly supported education, industrial expansion, and internal improvements; during his term construction of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal began, and efforts to erect a breakwater to protect the harbor at Lewes increased. After leaving office in 1827, he devoted much of his time and talents to his commercial enterprises. Following his death on October 2, 1845, his remains were interred at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes.