Newark post., 1910-09-14
WRITTEN FOR STORIES OF HIS
TORY AND TRADITION IN
THE POST

Delaware possessed one OF these ac-
comphshed daughters, upon whom
fortune seems to have bestowed her
choicest smiles.
So often we overlook these gifted
ones who live close to our homes that
it may be possible that many who call
themselves Delawareans are unac-
guanted with the record OF this beau
tiiul girl, the charm OF whose woman
hood spread to the old world and de-
MED the accusation OF a lack of cul-
ture and refinement in the new bo,n
nation across the sea.
The true story of Mary Nining, in
the days OF the Revolution, reads as
the fond imaginngs OF an author for
the heroine OF his own creation.
Born in an old homestead just out
side Of Dover in I7sN she soon became
a parsonage in the little colony where
beauty, wealth, social position and a
sparkling wit wera appreciated prob
ably even more keeniy than at the
present day.
Before the marriage OF Mrs. Mary
Middleton Vning and Judge Nicholas
Ridgely, the widow had transferred to
her three children the large fortune
lett her by their father. OF these three
children the most llustrious was Chief
Justice John Vining, the father OF the
girl about whom | am to tell.
In I745 the Judge Nicholas Ridgely,
? to whom ! have referred, became the
guardian OF an orphaned boy in his
seventeenth year, Caesar Rodney,
whom Delaware has long delighted to
honor as the chief OF her Revolution
AIRY patriots. So Rodney became one
of the inner circle of the families of
Vining and Ridgeiy.
+ One daughter OF the horse, Mary
Vining by name, is spoken OF as
famous beauty and charming person
ality.
Delaware in those days was not des
titute of social pleasures. The old
manuscripts speak OF the gatherings
at one house or another where all
joined in the play and frolic-''the
young TO dance, the elder ones to
wrestle, hop, jump or nay at some
manly exercise"
One OF the family describes Caesar
Rodney at the age OF twenty-one. in
height about five feet ten inches, his
person very elegant and gentcel, his
manners graceful, easy and polite. He
had good fund Of humor and the
happiest talent in the world for max
ing his wit agreeable"
In spite OF this pleasing picture
which seems enough to hatter the
heart Of even an ambitious maid his
addresses were unfavorably received,
for the Mary Nining mentioned failed
a. Ia Il, i,n1
suited from the years OF association
She turned from his Molly, love you
from my soul to the man of her
choice, the Right Reverend Charles
Ing-ies, who was first Bishop to the
Colonies She only lived year after
her wedding day.
Chief Justice John Nining, in I75t
named his baby daughter after hei
lovely aunt, and this we catch the
connection and the secret OF the affec-
tion which existed between the genia
bachelor when he became the COVER
nor OF Delaware and the beautiful
Mary Nining the second.
Besides the marital connection be
tween the houses, the Ridgelys, Rod,
ncys and Winnings were related by
blood So Rodney, as Governor, chose
his gifted little cousin to preside ove1
his home, and furnished the environ
ment for the development Of he>
charms.
During this term OF public servic,
he resided in house i'll Wilmington
later known as 900 Market street.
Here were welcomed many distin
guished visitors, chief among whom
was the Marquis de la Layette TIL,
French officers who followed, wei
coined with delight the acquaintanc
OF lady with all the graces OF th
court OF Marie Antoinette. Witt
these Mary Vining convcrsed il
French, never failing to punctuate he
thoughts with sparkling mirth 0
keener repsrtee.
Not only the susceptible Frenchma
but the more phlegmatic Engishma
succumbed to her charms. We hea
of me soldier who in his reckless de
sire to once more plea dhis case an
lay his all at the iady's feet, risked tn
danger of a ride through the enemy
country, and a call at this most yea
Gus patriots house. Hessyan an
American alike added 10 the list {
her devotees. So her fame spreas
kollS III TIC lIlt vi IlllduClpIls
her beauty, grace and winsome way
creating an irresistible charm whic
caused her to become the toast OF a
the armies, whether those of friend c
foe
In the cellar of the house over whic
she presided, General Lafayette stol
ed his casks of gold from which /
paid the army and struggled TO hel
the cause OF freedom Thus he ado
testimonial which marks her a
worthy of confidence. We can in
agine the girl with all the power I
her wit and fascination guarding Il
spot and thus turning all suspicic
aside from the hiding place.
We find her nearing forty spoile
and capricious perhaps, but with
disposition through which sweetne
and graciousness toward others pr,
dominated
Her friends had predicted sho
state Of single blessedness. To the
wonder and surprise she regretful