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The John Dickinson Plantation

From the establishment of the Dickinson Plantation in 1740 until the 19th century, Slavery impacted the lives of more than sixty men, women, and children, as practiced on St. Jones Neck in Kent County, Delaware. The Plantation is the boyhood home of John Dickinson, a Delaware participant in the conventions that created the founding documents of this nation, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the federal Constitution. Called a "great worthy of the Revolution" by Thomas Jefferson, Dickinson inherited the plantation in 1760 and this experience, along with religious influences, helped him develop a personal philosophy about slavery over his lifetime. The Plantation, as a historic microcosm, chronicles social tensions surrounding the status of individuals who lived and worked on the plantation: free, enslaved, and manumitted; black and white. During the time of Dickinson's ownership, at least three slaves attempted to flee. The conditions of life and the subsequent escape of Clem, a slave of a Dickinson plantation tenant William White, is well documented.

Visitor Information: Currently open to public.

Location: 340 Kitts Hummock Rd, Dover, 19901

National Park Unit: No

Ownership: Tim Slavin

Location Type: Site