One of the most popular pastimes in Milford in the 1880s was lawn tennis. The sport was so popular, newspapers of the time often reported results of tournaments and games.
Local social groups and prominent estates held tournaments. Causey Mansion was a popular location where matches were hosted. Lawn tennis was patented as “sphairistikce” in the United Kingdom in 1874 and it quickly spread across the Atlantic during the 1870s and 1880s. Prior to the arrival of lawn tennis, croquet was a fashionable lawn pastime for the middle and upper classes.
Participants in the 1880s played in traditional Victorian attire with heavy long-sleeved shirts, skirts and hats with asymmetrical strung wooden racquets. Te balls were rubber-and-flannel style with the matches played on natural grass courts.
The Morning News Journal reported on August 16, 1886, about one match held in Milford.
“An exceedingly well-played game of tennis was that of Friday last, which came off on the beautiful tennis grounds of Secretary of State Causey at South Milford,” the article reads. “Three large tents filled with chairs and with the stars and stripes floating in profusion from each, made the grounds very pleasing to those who were fortunate enough to have tickets of admission and very beautiful to the many others who looked upon the scene form different parts of the roadway surrounding the beautiful law.”
The games were called promptly at 10 o’clock, according to the article, and continued until 4:17 PM when Mr. H.H. Prettyman, formerly of this town but now of New York City and Miss Serena Gilmore were pronounced the victors.
“From beginning to end, the games were exceedingly interesting, and of the 175 games played to decide the contest, but 13 were love games,” the report continued. “The prize, which was presented by the gentleman players, was a solid gold racquet, two-and-a-half inches long and an inch wide set as a pin for either the hair or bosom, engraved with the word “champion” and the handle “Milford, Delaware, August 13, 1886.” About 200 guests were invited as spectators, the majority being ladies.”
The article named the six doubles, including Anna Causey, the oldest daughter of Peter Causey and A. Harcastle of Denton. The prize was awarded by Isaac L. Adkins and, immediately after, one of the lady players presented Prettyman with a very elegant and costly racquet.
“Nothing had been understood of the ladies giving a prize to the gentlemen winner,” the article concluded.
