Broadkill Hundred near Milton in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mansion Farm: the David Robbins Homestead

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 3, 2018

1. Mansion Farm: the David Robbins Homestead Marker

Inscription. This two-story, late 19th century Victorian house was constructed in phases by the Robbins family between 1860-1909 and came to replace a modest structure built by David Robbins 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 suggested that the name "Mansion Farm" originated following this addition. A row of outbuildings located on the property include a silo, shed, garage/storage building, and frame barn. Mansion Farm prospered under the Robbins family's guidance and was an economic asset to the Milton area, helping to create jobs and encouraging the establishment of canneries. The Robbins family felt a rich legacy in Milton and the surrounding area, serving numerous civic, military, and church related roles. Notably, John M. Robbins was twice elected to the state House of Representatives, serving in both the 88th and 96th General Assembly. The property was purchased in 1924 by Robert D. Lingo and Charles G. Jones and in 1932, became the center of the holly wreath mail order business owned and operated by Jones. At the

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time, it was the largest mail order business of its kind in Delaware. Various improvements made to the house during the Jones family occupancy included the addition of indoor plumbing, kitchen renovation, and installation of a central heating system. The Greaves family purchased the 1.6 acre estate in 2007 and continued to renovate the property. Mansion Farm was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Erected 2015 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-244.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 38° 47.626′ N, 75° 17.365′ W. Marker is near Milton, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Broadkill Hundred. It is on Broadkill Road (Delaware Route 16) west of Reynolds Road, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26285 Broadkill Road, Milton DE 19968, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 3, 2018

2. Mansion Farm: the David Robbins Homestead Marker

this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Zion United Methodist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Milton Public School #196-C (approx. 1.3 miles away); Milton (approx. 1½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); 337 Union Street (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named The Holly Industry (approx. 1½ miles away); Charles G. Jones, Sr. (approx. 1½ miles away); 406 Union Street (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Holly Industry (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Welcome to Mansion Farm Inn Bed and Breakfast. Page includes

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a history of Mansion Farm (Submitted on February 3, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

2. David Robbins Homestead National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

The David Robbins Homestead is significant at the local level under Criterion C. Its architectural integrity includes the unusually large, hall-and-parlor plan associated with the c. 1850 section, its Victorian-style addition, and its retention of original decorative embellishments throughout the interior. This dwelling is also the largest and oldest known surviving example of vernacular buildings constructed along Route 16. The history associated with the establishment of this road is essential to the story of the David Robbins Homestead. Nineteenth-century documents identify this historic roadway as the “Road from Milton to Broadkiln Beach.” Petitions record that residents, living in this rural area, requested that the Delaware General Assembly develop a road as early as 1801.

(Submitted on November 1, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 572 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on February 26, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.