Duck Creek Hundred in Smyrna in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Allee House

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 22, 2009

1. Allee House Marker

Inscription. In 1706 John Allee, of a Huguenot family, bought a 600-acre tract, "Woodstock Bower," of which this land is a part. One of his sons, Abraham, was prominent in Kent County affairs until his death in 1776: Member of the General Assembly 1726, Justice of the Peace 1738, Chief Ranger of Kent County 1749. This house was built about 1753, probably by Abraham. In 1963 the U.S. Government leased the house to the State of Delaware for preservation as a fine example of early Delaware "Plantation" Architecture.

Erected 1963 by Public Archives Commission. (Marker Number KC-A1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. 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 1706.

Location. 39° 17.067′ N, 75° 30.267′ W. Marker is in Smyrna, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in Duck Creek Hundred. It can be reached from Dutch Neck Road. To access this site entrance to the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge at Whitehall Neck Road is required. Entrance fees apply. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Smyrna DE 19977, 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. At least 8 other markers are within 4

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Former site of Whitehall Plantation (approx. 2.3 miles away); Roby United Methodist Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); In This Place… (approx. 3.3 miles away); In This Place... (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named In This Place… (approx. 3.3 miles away); Just Down the Road… (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named In This Place... (approx. 3.3 miles away); Just Up the Road... (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smyrna.

More about this marker. Although the marker itself does not have a number on it, the updated online records of the Delaware Public Archives identify it as number "KC-A1".

Also see . . . Allee House - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

The Allee House is an unusually authentic example of the home of a prosperous rural family of the second’ half of the eighteenth century, fortunately situated where the prospect of preserving its total environment is hopeful. It stands on lands purchased in 1706 and 1711 by John Allee, a French-born Huguenot who moved to Kent County from New Jersey between those years, bringing adult sons and daughters with him. A son, Abraham Allee, Sr., is the presumed builder of this house.

(Submitted on April 22, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)