Evening journal., 1908-06-13
ENTERTAINS AT
BELMONT HALL
Delaware Daughters of the
American Revolution Guest
of Mrs. Speakman
speelal to NEE EvEN1NG IorrRNA1..

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
SMYRNA. Del. June 1S-Delawars
Daughters of tbs American Revolution
are being delightfully."- entertained to-
day at Belmont Hall. near here, the
home of the State Regent. Mrs. c. e.
c. SDcakman. Vhere Z state conference
is being held. A warm welcome was
given the daughters, who came from
all parts of the State, Mrs. George c.
Hall and a party of Vilmingtonians
coming down this morning. The Eliza
beth Cook Chapter is sssisting Mrs.
Speakman in entertaining.
At the conference the bylaws of the
State We're ratified and there were re-
ports from the different chapters in the
state. A description Of the Delaware
coat of arms ives read. A handsome
CODY of the coat of arms hangs over
the colonial stairway Of Belmont Hall,
it being the production of the same
artist who pai rted the coat of arms for
the thirteen original. States for Me-
mortal Continental Hall at Washington.
Mrs. SnealSman's great grandfather,
John Coke. was appointed by the Legis-
lature in 1777 with Mexican and Robin
son to design the great seal for the
State. Other business matters also
were discussed. and she guests were
shown the historic points of interest
in Belmont Hail.
No more attractive or interesting place
could be selected for a meeting of the
Delaware daughters than Belmont
Hail. which is a famous colonial home
stead dating from 1854. when the wings
of the present building were erected.
The tract of land comprising the orr
ginal grant was made by William Penn
to an Englishman from whom II took
the name of Pearman's Choice. Fifty
acres of this tract. however belonged
to resident John Coke. (or CoolS) who
was one of the six presidents of Dell
aware. in 1888. The BODY Of the hall
was added by Governor Thomas Col
Inns. who bought the Belmont tract
from Mr.. Moore in 1770. and enlarged
the dwelling to its present proportions
in III. During the Revolutionary
War. Governor Collins Farrisoned Bel
mont Hall. stockaded the grounds and
maintained a brigade of militia at his
own expense. Belmont Hall was head
quarters for Revolutionary patriots
and the observatory was surrounded
with a railing for 4 sentinel, who
guarded the house day and night.
He was shot by a British scout and
the blood stains are s-ill on the fioof
] of the room to which he crawled. The
Delaware Legislature. oa which Gov
ernor Collins was a member, met AZ
Belmont Hall bv his invitation. Del
aware at that time had no State House.
/ The chairs used at this meeting were
presented to Mrs. Speakman, the pres
ont owner of Belmont Hall. by Jona-
than P. Collins. the great grandson of
/ Governor Thomas Collins.
Belmont Hall has been preserved as
originally built. the observatory, with
/ the railing surrounding g. still remain
1 ing as it was during the Revolutionary
I War. The bricks of which the hall Is
/ built are said 70 have come from Erg-
/ land. and all the hardware has the i'm
print of the British stamp. Mrs.
/ Speakman. the State Regent was Born
I at Belmont Hall. her great grand
/ father. President John Coke. of Della
ware. having bought the homestead
/ from DR.. w. Collins, sen Of Governor
! Collins. relative of the present owner.