The History of Our Firm and Our Building

Long known for our litigation experience, Prickett, Jones has been a fixture on the Delaware legal landscape for nearly 120 years.  The firm was founded in 1888 by William S. Prickett.  Two successive generations of the Prickett family led the firm through the last century:  William Prickett Sr., who was active in the practice until his death in 1964, and William Prickett, Jr., who is now senior counsel to the firm. Over the years the firm and its members have helped shape the development of Delaware case law, playing major roles in many of Delaware's landmark corporate law cases, and the development of the Delaware General Corporation Law and laws affecting alternative business entities.

While we are proud of our historical role in the development of Delaware law, we have never been content to rest on past accomplishments.  Our first century was marked by a spirit of innovation and commitment to quality in the delivery of legal services that established Prickett, Jones as a leading Delaware law firm.  Those goals continue to guide us in our second century as we continually seek new and better ways to help our clients succeed.

The Starr House

The entrance to the firm's Wilmington office is in the "Starr House" which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The accompanying drawing by Jonnie Holzman, wife of firm member James L. Holzman, Esquire, depicts the facade of 1310 King Street and the surrounding buildings that house Prickett, Jones' Wilmington office. The original deeds to 1310 hang in our lobby and show that the house was built between 1802 and 1806 by Michael Van Kirk, a "stonecutter." The building contains many original features including marble and stone fireplaces, a large wooden staircase and an interesting indoor pump and basin in the dining room. A large beehive fireplace and oven still stand in what was a small wooden lean-to kitchen. Mr. Van Kirk sold the house in 1806 to Jacob Starr, described in the deeds as a "waterman," for $2,000. The house remained in the Starr family for more than 100 years. The most famous resident was Captain Thomas Starr, Jacob's son. Captain Starr owned a fleet of vessels that carried many local products, including flour from Wilmington's Brandywine Mills, to many ports along the Atlantic Coast.

1310 was sold by the last of the Starrs to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Monte in the 1940s who restored the house. In 1954, 1310 was sold to William Prickett, Sr. for use as offices for the firm then known as Prickett & Prickett. As the firm expanded, 1310 expanded by the purchase of the buildings at 1308 and 1314 King Street and the acquisition of a printing plant at 1306 King Street. The most recent expansion of the building occurred in 1990 when a three story structure was constructed on the firm's property abutting French Street. On March 24, 1971, 1310 was placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Additional information regarding the Starr House is available from the Library of Congress at the following link and by typing "Starr" in the search field.

The Starr House