Seaford Hundred in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Governor William H. H. Ross

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

1. Governor William H. H. Ross Marker

Inscription. Born on June 2, 1814 in Laurel, Delware, William Henry Harrison Ross was the son of Caleb and Letitia Lofland ross. He was educated in local public schools and later attended Claremont Academy in Pennsylvania. As a young man Ross was employed in a variety of business pursuits in his native community including the operation of a general store, mills and a tannery. In 1845 he moved to a farm on the north side of Seaford where he became engaged in extensive agricultural activities. He was among the first Delawareans to embrace the emerging economic importance of fruit cultivation. An active Democrat, Ross served as Governor of Delaware from 1851 to 1855. During his term he played a major role in reviving efforts to extend rail service to the southern portion of the state. A slave holder and a noted Southern sympathizer, Ross spent most of the Civil War years living in Europe. After the war he returned to this community and conducted a successful business as importer and manufacturer of fertilizers and agricultural supplies. Following his death in 1887, William Henry Harrison Ross was laid to rest at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

Erected 2006

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by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-211.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1862.

Location. 38° 38.619′ N, 75° 36.543′ W. Marker is in Seaford, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Seaford Hundred. It is on Front Street (Business U.S. 13) 0.1 miles north of High Street, on the right when traveling north. Between the King and Poplar streets, in front of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seaford DE 19973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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

Governor William H. H. Ross Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

2. Governor William H. H. Ross Grave

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Luke's Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); Forty & Eight Boxcar (within shouting distance of this marker); Killed in Action Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Nanticoke Post No. 6 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Gateway to Freedom: The Tilly Escape (about 700 feet away); Mount Olivet United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Hiram Lodge No. 21 A.F&A.M. (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seaford.

More about this marker. St. Luke's Episcopal Church is the subject of its own marker, just a few feet to the left of this Ross marker. Ross' mansion, home of another Ross marker, is located about a mile and half north of St. Luke's on Ross Station Road.

Ross' Children's Graves image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

3. Ross' Children's Graves

Graves of Ross' children are in the graveyard, including Caleb Ross (marker on the right) who died in 1861 "in the Confederate service".

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,160 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on March 11, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on January 27, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 2, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on January 27, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide photo of the marker in context. • Can you help?