Belmont Hall
1 mi. S of Smyrna on U.S. 13, Smyrna, DEBelmont Hall has been called one of the handsomest homes of colonial Delaware. The two back wings are said to have been built soon after the 600 acre tract of land, known as "Pearman's Choice" was granted by William Penn in 1684. The main front structure dating from the mid 18th century is representative of the best colonial building in the area.
Belmont Hall was the home of Thomas Collins, High Sheriff of Kent County, Brigadier -General in the American Revolution, and eighth President of the State of Delaware. It was under his administration that Delaware became the first of the original states to accept the United States Constitution on December 7, 1787, thus becoming "The First State."
In 1777 the State Council met at Belmont because Newcastle was not considered safe. Two of the chairs used at that time are still in the house. Belmont Hall, however, was not impervious.to..attack. Despite fortifications, a sentry on the Captain's Walk was shot and died in the room below. A plaque in the entrance hall commemorates this act.
The house is still owned by the descendants of Collins. Thomas Collins' sister married John Cook, also a President of Delaware. Their grandson, John Cloak bought it from his Collins cousins in 1827. He left it to his daughter, Caroline Speakman, who in turn left it to her son, Cummins E. Speakman, whose widow still lives there.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.