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The Judge Hugh M. Morris Estate:
Home of a prominent Delaware Attorney, Judge, and Educator
Morris was a Delaware native, respected attorney and distinguished federal judge. He purchased the house and 600 acres of land here in 1930.
Besides serving as a federal judge and running his busy law practice, Morris operated a farm here and remodeled the farmhouse into a comfortable home for his family.
About the House:
- Built between 1792 and 1798 by John Barclay.
- Originally a five-bay, 2-1/2 story stone structure with a kitchen ell and an entrance at the center.
- The rear wing was enlarged in the 1820’s to provide space for slaves and a new kitchen.
- The interior was modified and a modern kitchen wing added on the north side of the main building starting in 1930.
- Purchased by Delaware State Parks in 1998 and made a part of White Clay Creek State Park.
About Judge Morris:
- Born in Greenwood, Delaware in 1878.
- Graduated from the University of Delaware in 1898.
- Taught school in Sussex County until 1900.
- Studied law under Senator Willard Saulsbury, and later went into practice with him.
- Married Emma Carter Smith in 1908. They had one daughter, Mary Smith Morris, born in 1912.
- Appointed Judge of the U.S. District Court by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919.
- Retired from the federal bench in 1930 to set up Morris, Nichols, Arsht and Tunnell, one of Delaware’s most prominent law firms.
- Served on the University of Delaware’s board of trustees beginning in 1929. President of the board of trustees, 1939 – 1959. The university dedicated its library to Judge Morris in 1963.
- Morris died in 1966.
This page last updated
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Estate prior to addition,
ca. 1930 |
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Rear of Estate and Gardens, ca. 1930 |
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Front of Estate |
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Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration |
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