Looking Back 5/24

ANN O'HARA
Posted 5/23/18

The Land House on the Delaware River just north of Milanville, PA is considered the oldest house in Wayne County. It was built in 1796 by John Land, son of early settler Robert Land, who was sent to …

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Looking Back 5/24

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The Land House on the Delaware River just north of Milanville, PA is considered the oldest house in Wayne County. It was built in 1796 by John Land, son of early settler Robert Land, who was sent to Cushetunk in 1763 as a justice of the peace for the Crown. A confirmed Tory (British loyalist), he and his family were subjected to much persecution during the Revolution. Robert Land was arrested and sentenced to prison but escaped and moved to Canada, where most of the family remained. However, son John returned after the war and married Lillie Skinner, whose grandfather, Joseph Skinner, was one of the very earliest settlers in Wayne County, and whose father, Daniel Skinner, was the first man to take a raft down the Delaware River. 

Lillie’s brother Nathan later became owner of the Land House, which was originally an imposing three story dwelling, It is not known why Nathan Skinner chose to remove the upper stories, leaving the one-and-a-half-story structure that remains. 

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society, 810 Main St., Honesdale, PA. The museum and research library are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. 

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