Behind the Rockwood Estate: Exploring the Shipley–Bringhurst–Hargraves Collection

By David Cardillo, Digital Collections and Preservation

 

 

The Shipley–Bringhurst–Hargraves family papers offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of several generations of Delaware families connected to Rockwood, a Victorian Gothic Revival mansion and estate in North Wilmington.

Built in 1851 by Joseph Shipley Jr. (1795–1867), Rockwood remained the home of the Shipley, Bringhurst and Hargraves families for more than a century. The collection spans from the late 17th century through 1987 and documents the personal, professional and social lives of these prominent Delaware families.

The collection’s depth and richness are largely due to Mary Thomas Bringhurst (1865–1965), whose dedication to preserving her family’s history helped ensure the survival of thousands of documents and artifacts related to Rockwood and its residents.

The Shipley and Bringhurst families were prominent Quakers who played significant roles in Wilmington’s religious, social, business and civic communities. The collection reflects these connections through correspondence, financial records, business documents, diaries, photographs and other materials.

Among the collection’s correspondence is a letter from renowned English author Charles Dickens, written in 1864 to Dr. Gill regarding financial assistance for a patient’s medical care. The letter provides a glimpse into Dickens’ personal generosity and the broader networks of support that connected the family internationally.

 

 

Gad’s Hill Place,
Higham by Rochester, Kent.

Monday Eleventh January 1864

Dear Sir
I should have answered your letter sooner, but that I have been away from home.

Your patient has a small allowance from me. It would be a larger one, if I had not reason to believe that I carry through life as long and as heavy a train of dependents as ever was borne by one working man.

If you will apply the enclosed three guineas as you deem best, I know it will be well expended.

Your faithful Servant
Charles Dickens
Dr Gill

 

The collection also includes diaries dating back to the late 1700s. Here is an excerpt from James Bringhurst’s diary from April of 1795 captures personal reflections on friendship, admiration and family concerns, offering insight into the thoughts and experiences of an early Delaware resident.

 

She proposes making me a collection of her native flowers. Kind–good–lovely Laura! how much do I owe thee!

What delicious flattery has she bestowed on me! She tells me “I indeed show myself in my real character, & she could be satisfied to find it a less pleasing one.” Ah! Laura – sincere & delicate Laura hast thou taken up the pen of flattery? – It is in truth “sweet as the breath of Heaven” to my heart. But thou, lovely Laura, shouldst not flatter me. “Thou couldst be contented to find it a less pleasing one!” This is the climax of compliment! – But from thy pen, my dearest friend, such compliments are inestimable–

Dost thou imagine, my friend, that I shall take thy advice & forget all the Laura’s in the world? Bid the rivers cease to ebb & flow, the ocean to roll their world of billows & when they obey thee I shall follow their example.

April 15th.

My brother Jonathan has no resolution & I am afraid he will never conquer his attachment to improper company. My letter made a deep impression on his heart & he made wise determinations, but they were feeble & almost useless – for the first person who came in his way led him into his immoral follies. He has been out ever since the 12th in the afternoon, until last night. He came & lodged with me & I treated him tenderly & represented to him.

 

Photographs and visual materials in Series IV further document life at Rockwood. Images include photographs and daguerreotypes of family members, views of the estate and interiors that showcase the elegance of the mansion during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

 

 

 

The back of the picture seems to have the names of the children

The Hargraves family were the final private owners of Rockwood before donating the estate to New Castle County in the 1970s. Today, Rockwood operates as a historic house museum and public park, where visitors can explore the mansion and surrounding grounds. Tours of the mansion and guided walks along the trails of the estate can be arranged via New Castle County Parks and Recreation.

Two portions of the Shipley-Bringhurst-Hargraves digital collection have been digitized and are available through the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press digital collections platform. Additional materials from the collection will be digitized in the future, continuing to make this remarkable archive accessible to researchers, students and the public.