Milford in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Parson Thorne Mansion
(Silver Hill)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010
1. Parson Thorne Mansion Marker
Inscription.
Parson Thorne Mansion. (Silver Hill). This historic building lies within a 1,750 acre Duke of York land patent called Saw Mill Range granted to Henry Bowman in 1680. The first known resident of this portion of the tract was Joseph Booth, who purchased 510 acres from the Bowman family in 1730. The center brick section of the present structure was built by John Cullen after his purchase of 263 acres in 1746. Reverend Syndenham Thorne, an Episcopal clergyman who was instrumental in Milford’s development, bought the property in the 1780s and is interred on the grounds. John M. Clayton, United States Senator and Secretary of State under President Zachary Taylor, spent a portion of his boyhood here. Members of the Clayton family lie at rest nearby as well. This was also the home of philanthropist Col. Benjamin Potter and Dr. William Burton, Governor of Delaware during the early years of the Civil War. Col. Henry Fiddeman, founder of the First National Bank of Milford, came into ownership of the mansion in 1858 and changed the Colonial Georgian architecture to Gothic Victorian. The Draper family purchased the property in 1916. In 1961, the building and grounds, then known as Silver Hill, were conveyed to the Milford Historical Society by J. Richard Draper. The Parson Thorne Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
This historic building lies within a 1,750
acre Duke of York land patent called Saw Mill
Range granted to Henry Bowman in 1680. The
first known resident of this portion of the
tract was Joseph Booth, who purchased 510
acres from the Bowman family in 1730. The
center brick section of the present structure
was built by John Cullen after his purchase
of 263 acres in 1746. Reverend Syndenham Thorne,
an Episcopal clergyman who was instrumental
in Milford’s development, bought the property
in the 1780s and is interred on the grounds.
John M. Clayton, United States Senator and
Secretary of State under President Zachary
Taylor, spent a portion of his boyhood here.
Members of the Clayton family lie at rest
nearby as well. This was also the home of
philanthropist Col. Benjamin Potter and Dr.
William Burton, Governor of Delaware during
the early years of the Civil War. Col. Henry
Fiddeman, founder of the First National Bank
of Milford, came into ownership of the mansion
in 1858 and changed the Colonial Georgian
architecture to Gothic Victorian. The Draper
family purchased the property in 1916. In 1961,
the building and grounds, then known as Silver Hill,
were conveyed to the Milford Historical Society
by J. Richard Draper. The Parson Thorne Mansion
was listed on the National Register of Historic
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Places in 1971.
Erected 2005 by The Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-92.)
Location. 38° 54.815′ N, 75° 26.102′ W. Marker is in Milford, Delaware, in Kent County. Marker can be reached from NW Front Street (Delaware Route 14) near Maple Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Located near the north end of Mansion driveway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 NW Front Street, Milford DE 19963, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Parson Thorne Mansion. National Register
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010
2. Parson Thorne Mansion and Markers seen from NW Front Street
of Historic Places:
Thorne, Parson, Mansion (added 1971 - Building - #71000222)
Also known as Silver Hill •
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering •
Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown •
Architectural Style: Georgian •
Area of Significance: Architecture •
Period of Significance: 1700-1749 •
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010
3. Parson Thorne Mansion Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010
4. Parson Thorne Mansion curbside Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010
5. Parson Thorne Mansion and Marker (L)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010
6. Parson Thorne Mansion Front Door
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010
7. Parson Thorne Mansion " City of Milford Historic Landmark " Medallion
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,123 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 31, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.