Mansion Farm: the David Robbins Homestead
This two-story, late 19th-century Victorian house was constructed in phrases by the Robbins family between 1860-1909 and came to replace a modest structure built by David Robins Sr. in the early 1800s. The most notable change made was a two-story frame addition circa 1889 which nearly doubled the size of the home; it has been […]
McColley’s Chapel
SC-231: McColley’s Chapel was built and dedicated in 1858 as a Methodist Church. Congregation members had previously worshipped in a small house on the opposite side of the road. James Redden, a member of the board of trustees, sold the property to the church in 1857 for one dollar. The original church building was constructed […]
David Hall House
This was the home of Colonel David Hall (1752-1817), a patriot of the Revolution and Governor of Delaware. Devoted to the struggle for American Independence, he enlisted in the Continental Army in 1776 and was commissioned as a Captain in the Delaware Regiment. He served with distinction at Long Island and White Plains before his […]
St. Peters Episcopal Church
SC-202: In 1680 the Justices of the County petitioned Governor Edmond Andros for the right to grant lands. Under this authority, a lot of ground at this location was reserved for “public use.” Many of the settlers who came to this area in the late 17th and early 18th centuries were members of the Church […]
Lightship Overfalls
Responsible for establishing aids for the navigation of our nation’s waterways, the United States government initiated the use of manned lightships or “floating lighthouses” in 1820. These vessels addressed many needs. They could be placed in locations where deep water or shifting shoals made fixed structures impractical or impossible, and they could be moved and […]
Maull House
This house is believed to have been built by Samuel Paynter, a carpenter who purchased this property in 1737. Following its completion, the house and surrounding land were sold in 1741 to Luke Shields, a prominent bay and river pilot. The close proximity of the bay and safe harbor of nearby Lewes Creek made this […]
Byrd’s African Methodist Episcopal Church
In the early 1890s, Clayton was home to an increasing population of African-Americans, many of whom were railroad workers. Byrd’s African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church was built in 1894 to accommodate this growing community who previously had to walk several miles to Mount Friendship Church for services. The land was purchased from Willis C. Dickerson […]
Brecknock
In 1680 Alexander Humphreys received a warrant from the county court for 600 acres of land which he called Brecknock. The tract is believed to have been named for a shire of Wales. A milling operation was established here in the 1740’s. For nearly two centuries local farmers brought their grain to this place, known […]
Rockland Mill Village
NCC-224: The site of the Rockland Mill Village is one of the earliest and longest-functioning mill seats on the Brandywine. Grist milling commenced c.1724 and was replaced by a fulling and cotton mill c.1733. Paper was the primary product of the mill beginning in 1849 and the mill produced rag paper, fine book paper and […]
Penn Farm
The 112-acre Penn Farm is the last surviving farm of the 1,068-acre New Castle Common. William Penn, Proprietor and Governor of Pennsylvania, made his warrant in writing under his hand and seal in October 1701, granting the New Castle Common “to lye in Common for the accommodation of the Inhabitants of the Town of New […]
