David Henry Lank

  General Notes:

18 July 1860 Census for Milford, Sussex County, DE: Household included David Lank, 28, shipbuilder; "Sally E.", 27; and Robert J., 2.
10 June 1870 Census for Milford, Cedar Creek Hd., Sussex Cty, DE: David Lank, 36, ship carpenter; Sallie, 35; Robert J., 12; Virginia, 9; Wm. E., 7; Annie M., 3.
3 June 1880 Census for Milford, Sussex Cnty, DE: David Lank, 48, ship carpenter. b/ DE as were parents; Sallie E., 47, "tailoress", b. DE as were parents; John, 22, "wks in ship yd"; Virginia, 19; Wm. E., 17; Anna M., 13; David H., 5.


Milford shipbuilding and David Lank: "M. R. Carlisle and Wm. F. Revill carried on shipbuilding from 1830-1850, when Revill retired and Theo. Carlisle entered partnership with his brother. This lasted 30 years--they built many three-masted schooners of 1000 tons burden. Other shipbuilders were Sylvester A. Deputy and his son, James H. Deputy. William A. Scribner also had a yard where David Lank, son of John Lank, now is. Three yards were in operation in 1888: Abbott's, Carlisle's and Lank's. A tugboat, the first built at Milford, was launched from Lank's yard in 1887. Six to seven vessels were built per year at these yards for many years. They have been mostly sloops or two and three masted schooners, built for coast-wise trade, of from 150-1000 tons burden" (Scharf, J. Thomas, 1888).

David married Sarah Elizabeth Black, daughter of David Black and Sterleno Price, on Dec 28, 1854. (Sarah Elizabeth Black was born on Oct 26, 1832, died on Jul 2, 1903 and was buried in Milford Odd Fellows Cmtry, Kent County, DE.)