Middletown in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Witherspoon Tavern

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 31, 2021

1. Witherspoon Tavern Marker

Inscription. David Witherspoon, born in Ireland, built this tavern in 1761 as a midpoint between waterways to the east and west. While traveling to the Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson lodged here on June 20, 1775. George Washington also dined at the Witherspoon on April 30 and May 19, 1784. Robert Cochran purchased the tavern in 1844 and later improved it into the Victorian style Middletown Hotel. The tavern has operated on the town square for more than 250 years. It has survived the American Revolution, Civil War, Prohibition, Great Depression and a devastating fire in 1946. The first floor and foundation from 1761 remain intact.

Erected 2018 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NCC-237.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1761.

Location. 39° 26.976′ N, 75° 43.026′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on West Main Street (Delaware Route 299) west of S. Broad Street (Delaware Route 71), on the right when

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traveling east. The tavern is now named Sully's Irish Pub. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 W Main Street, Middletown DE 19709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Middletown (a few steps from this marker); Middletown World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); School Bell (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Forest Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away); Middletown Academy (about 700 feet away); Bethesda Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Lodge No. 5 A.F.&A.M. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Louis L. Redding Comprehensive High School (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 13, 2019

2. Witherspoon Tavern Marker

Witherspoon Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, December 17, 2022

3. Witherspoon Tavern

The marker can be seen on the right, with the tavern.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 903 times since then and 94 times this year. Last updated on September 1, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on June 2, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on October 22, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on December 23, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.