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

The Judges

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

1. The Judges Marker

Inscription. This home takes its name from the many judges who have lived in it. The Judges was built circa 1809 by Peter Robinson, who served as Secretary of State for Delaware under three governors and was appointed Associate Justice for Sussex County in 1832. Following his death in 1836, his daughter Mary and her husband Edward Wootten, who served as Associate Justice from 1847-87, occupied the house and made substantial renovations to it. Other members of the bench who have lived here include Chancellor David T. Marvel, Judge Henry C. Conrad, Judge Caleb M. Wright, and Judge Battle R. Robinson. In 1979 the home and adjacent law office were listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 1996 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-111.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. 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 1809.

Location. 38° 41.343′ N, 75° 23.237′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is on West Market Street close to Front Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Georgetown DE 19947, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Alfred Townsend Birthplace (within shouting distance of this marker); The Brick Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Relocation of the County Seat (about 500 feet away); General Alfred T.A. Torbert (about 500 feet away); Chad E. Spicer (about 500 feet away); Return Day (about 600 feet away); Wesley M.E. Chapel Cemetery (about 600 feet away); Sussex County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.

Also see . . . Judge's House and Law Office - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

The Judge’s house and law office, on West Market Street, one block southwest of Georgetown's Public Square and Circle, are significant as the home and office of a long line of Delaware judges, government officials, and political leaders. The house is architecturally significance as one of the better preserved 19th century houses in Georgetown, the county seat of Sussex County, Delaware. The law office,though substantially altered, is significant as the last remaining 19th century law office in Georgetown. It is perhaps equally significant that the structure has been used as nothing but a law office since the date of its construction in about 1809 except for several years during the 1960's
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

2. The Judges House
when it served as the county Red Cross headquarters.

(Submitted on April 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

3. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

Adjoining Law Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

4. Adjoining Law Office

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,059 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 3, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.