On September 17, 1740, Thomas Clark received a Proprietary Warrant from Thomas Penn for lands “adjoining his dwellin place” which he named “Clark’s Folly.” By the 1790’s Benjamin Clark and his son Matthew had established an inn and tavern on this land at a location which became known as Clark’s Corner. A mill, store, and blacksmith’s shop were located nearby. This was an important stop for travelers. A post office was established here in 1857. On January 31, 1859, the Delaware General Assembly formally changed the name of this community from Clark’s Corner to Harrington.