Lewes Historic District in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

David Hall House

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

1. David Hall House Marker

Inscription. This house was the home of Colonel David Hall (1752-1817), patriot of the Revolution and Governor of Delaware. Devoted to the struggle for American Independence, he enlisted in the Continental Army in 1776 and was commissioned as a Captain in the Delaware Regiment. He served with distinction at Long Island and White Plains before his promotion to Colonel and commanding officer of the Regiment in April, 1777. He was subsequently wounded at the Battle of Germantown. An active participant in post-war political affairs. Hall was a member of the state legislature and an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1798. In 1801 he became the first member of the emerging Democratic Party to be elected Governor of Delaware. The front portion of the home in which he lived is believed to have been constructed by his grandfather, Nathaniel Hall, circa 1730. Evidence suggests that the rear wing was added in the early 19th century. The Hall House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Erected 2007 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-219.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives

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, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1777.

Location. 38° 46.441′ N, 75° 8.328′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in the Lewes Historic District. It is on Kings Highway (U.S. 9) near 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

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,

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: H.M. Brig DeBraak (a few steps from this marker); Zwaanendael Museum (a few steps from this marker); Lewes (a few steps from this marker); Zwaanendael House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Lewes (within shouting distance of this marker); The Zwaanendael Club (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fisher-Martin House (within shouting distance of this marker); World Wars I and II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.

Regarding David Hall House. National Register of Historic Places:
Hall, Col. David, House ** (added 1976 - Building - #76000585)
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering, Person •
Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown •
Architectural Style: No Style Listed •
Historic Person: Hall,Col.

David Hall House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

2. David Hall House

David •
Area of Significance: Military, Politics/Government, Architecture •
Period of Significance: 1750-1799 •

Also see . . . Hall, Col. David, House - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

This was the home of Colonel David Hall (1752-1817), lawyer (admitted to the bar in New Castle at the age of 21); patriot; governor of Delaware; and judge, son of Captain David Hall. David Hall figured conspicuously in the American Revolution as a captain in John Haslet's regiment; battalion commander under Brigadier-General John Dagworthy; and colonel of one of the Battalions of Sussex and first in command of the Sussex Brigade. In 1776 he was appointed to the Council of Safety by the General Assembly. In 1777 he was commissioned colonel of a regiment which formed part of the Delaware Line, succeeding Colonel John Haslet. He fought in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, the Brandywine (receiving a slight wound), Cooch's Bridge, Germantown (seriously wounded), was at Valley Forge, sharing General Washington's tent, and at Middlebrook, N. J., called "the forgotten Valley Forge." Following the war, he resumed his law practice in Lewes, became active in political and civic affairs of the state, serving as governor, 1802-1805. In 1813, Colonel Hall was appointed fourth associate justice of the
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

3. David Hall House, seen today
Court of Common Pleas, Sussex County, a position he held until his death. He had married Catherine Tingley of New York soon after being admitted to the bar. They had one son, Joseph, a lawyer, who died in early manhood, and five daughters. Colonel Hall is buried in the cemetery of the Lewes Presbyterian Church, where he had been an elder for many years.

(Submitted on April 25, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Historic American Buildings Survey Cortlandt Van Dyke Hubbard, June 1960

4. David Hall House

Historic American Engineering Record: HABS DEL,3-LEW,7-1

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,746 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.