Lewes in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Maull House
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011
1. Maull House Marker
This house is believed to have been built by Samuel Paynter, a carpenter who purchased this property in 1737. Following its completion, the house and surrounding land was sold in 1741 to Luke Shields, a prominent bay and river pilot. The close proximity of the bay and safe harbor of nearby Lewes Creek made this a prime location for those who practiced the competitive piloting profession. This section of Lewes, then some distance from the village, was known as Pilot Town, reflecting the occupation of its residents.
The property was purchased by Thomas S. Maull in 1836. The house was expanded with the addition of the present rear wing circa 1890, and it remained in the possession of the Maull family until 1957. It was obtained by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, in 1962. The Maull House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Erected 2000 by The Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-138.)
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 1737.
Location. 38° 46.889′
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Regionally, this marker is on Delawares 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: Home of Major Henry Fisher (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. George African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); deVries Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); The De Vries Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); University of Delaware (approx. half a mile away); Station Master's House (approx. half a mile away); Tapping the Power of Wind Energy in Coastal Delaware (approx. 0.6 miles away); Harbeson Railroad Station Privy (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.
Regarding Maull House. National Register of Historic Places:
Maull House (added 1970 - - #70000175)
Also known as The Thomas Maull House
542 Pilottown Rd. , Lewes
♦ Historic Significance: Information Potential, Architecture/Engineering
♦ Area of Significance: Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1700-1749
♦ Historic Function: Domestic
♦ Current Sub-function: Museum
Also see . . .
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011
2. Maull House and Marker
The early Maulls were pilots, shipcarpenters and farmers. In later years some continued in these occupations and others entered various professions. Dr. Joseph Maull was Speaker of the State Senate and, upon the death of Governor Thomas Stocton on March 2, 1846, became governor until he died on May 3, 1846. An interesting episode in the memoirs of the Maulls was the visit of Jerome Bonaparte and his bride, Betsy Patterson, when they were shipwrecked off Lewes in 1803 and were entertained by the Maulls.(Submitted on April 25, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011
3. Maull House Marker, looking east along Pilottown Road
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011
4. Maull House Marker looking west along Pilottown Road
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 4, 2024
5. The Maull House
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 4, 2024
6. The Fountain of Youth
The Fountain of Youth is across from the Maull House, and both are maintained by the Colonel David Hall Chapter NSDAR. The fountain has a lost historical sign that once read, Ye Olde Fountain of Youth. Tis said this spring contains the magic elixir of youth and longevity and that whoever drinks therefrom is impelled to return again.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 979 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on March 17, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.
