Spring Grove Mill House
Over 275 Years of American History
Property Est. c. 1750 | House Built 1813 | Hockessin, Delaware
Welcome to Spring Grove
For more than two centuries, this stone mansion has stood along Mill Creek in northern Delaware, witnessing some of the most remarkable moments in American history.
From Revolutionary War combat in 1777 to the Apollo moon landing connection in 1969, Spring Grove Mill House has been at the center of events that shaped our nation.
Built in 1813 during the War of 1812, this historic property blends Georgian, Federal, German, and colonial architectural styles across 7 acres of pristine Delaware countryside.
Today, Spring Grove Mill House continues its legacy as a privately-owned home, carefully preserved and restored to honor its extraordinary past while serving as a comfortable residence for the 21st century.
Architecture & Craftsmanship
Spring Grove Mill House showcases exceptional craftsmanship from its 1813 construction and thoughtful additions over two centuries.
Original Structure (1813)
The main house features stone construction with stucco finish, built into a hillside. The five-bay design was considered extravagant for its time—typical of prosperous mill owners in the early 19th century.
Key Features:
✔ True divided-light Pella windows set 16 inches deep in stone walls
✔ 9-over-9 pane windows on first floor with 9-foot ceilings
✔ Original flagstone landing across the front entrance
✔ Red main door with arched transom window
✔Antique black wooden shutters
✔Three dormers on both front and back
✔ Gable-end chimneys
✔ Hand-hewn beams from trees dating to the 1600s
Modern Systems
The house successfully integrates modern conveniences—including multiple heat pumps, radiant heat systems, and updated electrical—while maintaining its historic integrity and charm.
Historic Additions
1930s
Stone basement addition and elevated landing
1950s
Attic conversion to living space with 6 dormers
1950s
Entrance addition with porch
1970s
Du Pont Ross Addition (1,250 sq ft) with massive stone fireplace and wet bar
1980s
Greenhouse addition (now removed, stone base remains)
2005–2019
Comprehensive renovations preserving historic character
The Property
A Historic Estate
Spring Grove Mill House sits on 7.41 acres along Mill Creek in Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. The property includes:
The Main House
-
4,000 square feet of living space across four floors
-
6 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
-
50 windows bringing natural light into every room
-
4 active fireplaces with hand-hewn ceiling beams from 17th-century trees
-
Original stone walls 16 inches thick
-
Extensive renovations completed in 2019
Historic Outbuildings
-
Stone carriage house (built 1813) with restored cupola
-
Goat and chicken barn
-
Loft barn with vintage doors repurposed as interior décor
-
Stone bank barn foundation from mill village era
-
Tree fort overlooking Mill Creek
Natural Features
-
Mill Creek running through the property
-
Mature black walnut trees (approximately 80 trees)
-
Slate patios and stone retaining walls
-
Historic mill race location
-
Private wooded areas
Official Recognition
-
Delaware State Historical Marker erected July 20, 2023
-
Lieutenant McMichael's Hill of Eminence officially named by Delaware House Bill 390 (2024)
-
General Washington's Hill of Deception named for the hill where the house sits by Delaware House Bill 120 (2025)
Experience Spring Grove from Above
Stunning drone footage of the historic 7.41-acre estate and Mill Creek
A Living Timeline of American History
"The home has witnessed more pivotal moments in American history than perhaps any other privately-owned residence in the country."
1777 Revolutionary War
British and Continental forces clashed in the area surrounding Spring Grove. General Weedon's Foray, fought on and around this property in September 1777, influenced George Washington's strategic decisions during the Philadelphia Campaign.
1813 Construction
The economic impact of the War of 1812 was the catalyst for the construction of a small mill village on Spring Grove, which included the Spring Grove Mill House, the cotton mill factory, and mill village houses for the workers.
1861–1865 Underground Railroad & the Civil War
Mill Creek Road, which runs directly past the property, served as a documented route of the Underground Railroad carrying freedom seekers from Delaware toward Pennsylvania. During the Civil War, Delaware remained a border state, and the tensions of the era were felt throughout the community surrounding Spring Grove.
1891 The Great Fire
A suspicious fire destroyed the Spring Grove Mill Factory, ending the milling operation that had sustained the community for nearly 140 years.
1929–1977 The Du Pont Ross Era
Donald P. Ross Sr. and Wilhelmina du Pont Ross owned Spring Grove for nearly five decades. Ross co-founded Delaware Park Racetrack and served in the Delaware State Senate. Their racing stable won the Preakness Stakes in 1962.
1963 The Kennedy Assassination
Joe Clancy, who lived at Spring Grove, served in the Marines with Lee Harvey Oswald. When President Kennedy was assassinated, Joe attempted to reach Dallas with plans to kill Oswald himself before being arrested in Tennessee.
1977 Apollo 11 Connection
The Blount family, whose construction company built Launchpad 39A that launched Apollo 11 to the moon, purchased Spring Grove, creating an unexpected connection between this Delaware property and mankind's first steps on the moon.
2017–Present Preservation & Research
Current owners Brigadier General David Deputy (Ret.) and Florence Deputy have undertaken extensive restoration work and historical research, resulting in official state recognition and the publication of a comprehensive history.
General George Washington's decisions during the Philadelphia Campaign were influenced by events at Spring Grove
.png)
The Complete Story
The Spring Grove Mill House
The Home with the Most Ties to American History
After years of research through declassified documents, military records, Congressional testimony, and personal interviews, the complete history of Spring Grove Mill House has been documented in a comprehensive book.
What You'll Discover:
230 pages of documented
Revolutionary War combat analysis
The JFK assassination plot
Du Pont dynasty stories
80 historical images and primary source documents
Underground Railroad connections
Apollo 11 launchpad builders
Architectural restoration guidance
About the Owner
Brigadier General David Deputy (Ret.)
.jpg)
David and his wife Florence purchased Spring Grove Mill House in 2017, beginning an unexpected journey into historical preservation and research.
A retired Brigadier General with a distinguished military career, David initially sought a beautiful historic home. What he found was a property with connections to American history so remarkable, he spent years documenting and verifying every story.
His research led to:
-
Official Delaware State Historical Marker (2023)
-
Delaware House Bill 390 naming Lieutenant McMichael's Hill of Eminence
-
Publication of the comprehensive history: The Spring Grove Mill House
David regularly speaks about Spring Grove's history to local organizations, schools, and historical societies. He has undertaken extensive restoration work on the property, including a major 2019 renovation that preserved the home's historic character while integrating modern systems.
"God brought us to Spring Grove. What started as finding a beautiful home became a mission to preserve and share 250 years of American history."
How to Contact Us
Location
Spring Grove Mill House
3200 Stoney Batter Road
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
Please note: Spring Grove Mill House is a private residence. The property is not open for public tours.
Speaking Engagements
Brigadier General David Deputy is available for speaking engagements about:
-
Spring Grove Mill House history
-
Revolutionary War in Delaware
-
Historic home preservation and restoration
-
Leadership and military history
-
Delaware's role in American history
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, interview requests, or speaking engagements, please contact:
Book Inquiries
Available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions.