National Register Listing

Mifflin-Marim Agricultural Complex

DE 9, Dover, DE

The Mifflin-Marim Agricultural Complex dwelling is a late example of eighteenth-century building traditions in that it was constructed after 1818 on an eighteenth-century model.

Except for some interior decoration on stairs, mantels, and windows, there is nothing about this dwelling that would indicate that it is anything but an eighteenth-century dwelling. In fact, previous field workers have identified a tentative construction date as sometime in the 1770s. This was primarily based on an inspection of the exterior and interior paneling of the south parlor and the second floor. However, the mantels and woodwork in the north parlor appear to be original and not second-generation additions. An additional clue to its late construction date is the presence of the collar beams in the roof framing system. These were not normally used in Delaware roofs in the eighteenth century.

The dwelling is thus an excellent example of the conservative nature of central Delaware Architecture. Most domestic structures built further north of this particular structure, and at the same time, reflect the stylistic influences of the nineteenth century. However, this house is constructed on straight eighteenth-century principles. The only major variation is the use of the ridge beam in the roof. This innovation was only beginning to be introduced in Delaware at this time. It is important to note that it was an internal innovation that did not involve stylistic alterations to the building.

There is also documentary evidence for its late construction date. The land it stands on is a part of the Willingbrook tract that was originally granted to John Stevens of Maryland. By the mid-eighteenth century his grandson, Henry Stevens, had control of the tract of land south of Muddy Branch. This tract was known as Chipping Norton.

When Henry Stevens died in 1789, he gave the land on the north side of Route 9 to his daughter Hannah. She was the wife of John Marim. When John Marim died in 1817, his lands were also split among his heirs. Kent County Orphans Court kept a detailed account of the estate and the case file contains a February 17, 1818 plot that shows how the land was to be divided. The eldest son Charles was to receive the home farm of his father. The plot shows the boundary line and also clearly indicates the presence of a dwelling. The only other dwelling or mention of a dwelling is on the portion of land given to son Thomas near Cowgills Corner. The portion of land that the Mifflin-Marim House is currently on contains no indication that a house was standing there at all. Given the care that went into the production of the plot and division of land. If a house had BFBRahbe8artt would have been listed in the inventory or documentation of the

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.