Saint George's Hundred in Middletown in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Witherspoon Tavern
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 date for this entry is April 30, 1761.
Location. 39° 26.976′ N, 75° 43.026′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Delaware, in New Castle County.
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Regionally, this marker is in Delaware’s Southern New Castle County, in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. 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 and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
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); The Middletown Transcript (within shouting distance of this marker); A Brief History of Middletown (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Pictures from Around Downtown
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 13, 2019
2. Witherspoon Tavern Marker
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 May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,563 times since then and 300 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.
