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

“Pettijohn’s Old Field”

Photographed by Maggie Lora, June 24, 2006

1. "Pettijohn's Old Field" Marker

Inscription. The future home of Sussex County’s seat of government was a sparsely populated rural area when the 76 acres which would become the Town of Georgetown were purchased on May 9, 1791. Located “near the centre” of the country at a place known as “James Pettijohn’s Old Field,” the land was surveyed by Rhoads Shankland, who divided it into lots which were sold to defray costs associated with the establishment of the town. The most prominent feature of his design was this Public Square, known today as The Circle. (Marker Number SC-86.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1811.

Location. 38° 41.434′ N, 75° 23.153′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Georgetown Hundred. It is at the intersection of The Circle (U.S. 9) and Bedford Street and Market Street, on the left on The Circle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Georgetown DE 19947, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

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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 walking distance of this marker: Sussex County Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); W.W.I (within shouting distance of this marker); Chad E. Spicer (within shouting distance of this marker); Women's Suffrage in Delaware (within shouting distance of this marker); Relocation of the County Seat (within shouting distance of this marker); Return Day (within shouting distance of this marker); Sussex County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sussex County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.

Also see . . .
1. Georgetown, Delaware History. (Submitted on July 1, 2006.)
2. Walking Tour of Historic Georgetown, Delaware.

“Pettijohn’s Old Field” Marker with 2011 paint scheme , at the Court of Chancery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011

2. “Pettijohn’s Old Field” Marker with 2011 paint scheme , at the Court of Chancery

(Submitted on July 1, 2006.)

“Pettijohn’s Old Field” Marker near the Market Street Circle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011

3. “Pettijohn’s Old Field” Marker near the Market Street Circle

Georgetown Circle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

4. Georgetown Circle

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

5. Georgetown Circle

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

6. Georgetown Circle

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2006, by Maggie Lora of Kensington, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,511 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on April 19, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. Photos: 1. submitted on July 1, 2006, by Maggie Lora of Kensington, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on October 25, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 2, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.