Evening journal., 1915-05-07
FRIDAY MAY 7, 1915
CAESAR RODNEY Ann his RIDE

TSoRMER JUDGE IGNATIUs C. GRUBB is TO be con-
graduated upon the fact that, through the offer
ing OF resolution tho nineteenth general court OF
the Society Of the Colonial Wars held in the Whining
ton Country Club Wednesday evening, he launched
and aroused acute interest in the patriotic enterprise
OF rearing equestrian statue to Caesar Rodney in
Court House Square this city IN commomoraton OF his
historic ride from Lewos to Philadelphia to give his
in favor OF the Declaration of Independence Gen
oral James II. Wilson and others who have promoted
tho project also are deserving of commendaton
II is movement In which all Delawareans should
be proud TO participate. because Rodneys ride had
important bearing upon the destiny Of the United States
II ranks with Paul Reveres ride and was more mo-
mentous in It's results than the dash OF that pa
trot when he rode from town to town arousing the
minute men TO seize their arms and resist the British
soldiers Rodneys ride like Reyeres ride has been
immortazed in grateful people should not
hesitate TO memorable it in stone and bronze in the
chief city of the State which he helped to create and
preserve and through which he coursed in the perform
ance of brave and selfsacrifcng public service to
great nation which was in process Of being brought
into being.
seharrs history Of Delaware shows that Caesar Rod
ney was born IN Dover in 172S He descended from
the ancien. English family of DeRodeney which traces
its lineage back the thirteenth century. The earliest
record of the family is found in ancient book be-
longing to the Cathedral Of Wells In It the name of
DeRodeney is mentioned in connection with the found
ing OF that church. three hundred years before the
Norman Conquest Rodoney Stoke then the resi-
donce OF the Rodeneys A small river In Wales is
called Abba Rodency' II named in honor of one
Sir Richard De Rodoney. who with his son, Richard.
slain there in 1894 by Leon, Prince Of Wales An
other Sir Richard DE Rodeney accompanied Richard,
Occur de Lion to the Holy Land, and killed at the
siege of Acre. Sir Walter De Rodeney was knghted in
the great hall OF the Abbey OF Rainsham county OF
Somerset IN the second year of Edward H. Margaret
Rodency married Thomas Burdet OF Arrow, who was
beheaded in the 18th year of Edward Nv for words
spoken concerning a white buck It is related
that the King while hunting in Burdetts forest, shot
this buck which much valued by its owner, who
said in great anger he would that the horns of the buck
were down the throat of him who killed It,"
For many generations the family possessed of
vast estates in Somerseshro most OF which lost
in the wars of the Commonwealth Soon after PENIS
settlement in America, William Rodoney came over and
selected new home in Kent county, Delaware. Dying
IN 17oS he left son. Caesar who married the daughter
Of the Rev. Thomas Crawford and became the father
the Revolutionary statesman and soldier whose exploit
OF riding from Lewes Philadelphia to sign the Dec
laraton Of Independence former Judge Grubb and his
associates now eager TO memoriaize by statu,
in Court House Square.
Caesar Rodney the sgner following his preparator,
studies read law and admitted to the bar. He
in active practice when elected high sheriff OF Ken
county In that capacity he served from 1855 to 1858
He was justice Of the peace and judge Of all lowe
courts. captain in the Kent county militia in 1856
perintendent Of the printing of Delaware currency IL
1853 member of the state Assembly for several years
superintendent of the loan Office in 1863. ASSOCIATE
justice 1869 l77S delegate in the Continenta
Congress- from 1774 to 1776 served in the Revoluonar
army. again elected a delegate to the Contincnta
Congress from 1777 177S, and reelected Befor
taking his seat. however, he elected President
Delaware, and served in that capacity from l77S I
1852. He declined reelection and died in Dover
June 20. 1854.
That is only brief sketch of the busy and
tive life of this man whose memory Delawareans dc
light honor judge Grubb and his associates no
have given TO them opportunity express ths
honor in bronze and stone. They should size up
their responsibilities aud do it in a handsome way