Parson Thorne Mansion (Silver Hill)
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Parson Thorne Mansion is one of the oldest homes in the Millford area. Over the years, numerous prominent residents have called the mansion home, including religious leaders, businessmen, and political figures. The home takes its name from one of its early owners, the Reverend Syndenham Thorne, a co-founder of Millford. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Images
Parson Thorne Mansion
Interior of the Parson Thorne Mansion
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Parson Thorne Mansion is one of the oldest and most unusual homes in the Millford area. It was long believed that the home was built in the late 1700s, but parts of it are actually much older. The central Georgian structure was built in roughly 1746 and was added to an existing wing which was likely built in the 1730s. There were later additions and the home's exterior was remodeled in 1879, but the interior was unchanged and remains today largely as it was built.
The home's significance is not only its age and somewhat eclectic architectural style. Over its long history, the Parson Thorne Mansion has been home to several of the area's most influential citizens, including businessmen, religious leaders, and a city founder.
The home sits on a 1,750 Duke of York land patent known as Saw Mill Ridge which was granted to Henry Bowman in 1680. The earliest known resident on the land was Joseph Booth, who purchased 580 acres from the Bowmans in 1730. In the 1780s, Reverend Syndenham Thorne, from whom the home takes its name, purchased the property. An Episcopal priest, Thorne was one of the city's founders and is buried on the grounds.
In subsequent years, the mansion was home to a number of other prominent figures. John M. Clayton, who served as both a US Senator and Secretary of State, lived in the home for a time during his childhood. Dr. William Burton, a governor of Delaware, lived in the home for part of his term. Henry Fiddeman, a founder of the First National Bank of Millford, purchased the home in 1858.The home eventually became the property of the Millford Historical Society and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
The home's significance is not only its age and somewhat eclectic architectural style. Over its long history, the Parson Thorne Mansion has been home to several of the area's most influential citizens, including businessmen, religious leaders, and a city founder.
The home sits on a 1,750 Duke of York land patent known as Saw Mill Ridge which was granted to Henry Bowman in 1680. The earliest known resident on the land was Joseph Booth, who purchased 580 acres from the Bowmans in 1730. In the 1780s, Reverend Syndenham Thorne, from whom the home takes its name, purchased the property. An Episcopal priest, Thorne was one of the city's founders and is buried on the grounds.
In subsequent years, the mansion was home to a number of other prominent figures. John M. Clayton, who served as both a US Senator and Secretary of State, lived in the home for a time during his childhood. Dr. William Burton, a governor of Delaware, lived in the home for part of his term. Henry Fiddeman, a founder of the First National Bank of Millford, purchased the home in 1858.The home eventually became the property of the Millford Historical Society and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Sources
Parson Thorne Mansion. SAH Archipedia. . Accessed June 24, 2018. http://sah-archipedia.org/detail%2Fcontent%2Fentries%2FDE-01-KT35.xml?q=type%3Amansions.
Parson Thorne Mansion. NPS Gallery. . Accessed June 24, 2018. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/71000222_text.
Parson Thorne Mansion. NPS Gallery. . Accessed June 24, 2018. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/71000222_text.