Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-31

1889 until his death. During the Revo-
luton Washington presented him with
his own pocket pistols while sending him
on a secret mission. laying 10 him take
these. my friend. for further protection,
II you live TO return keep them as
small memento Of my friendship"
They are row owned by the Delaware
Historical Society.
Mrs. Washington afterwards pre-
sented Pedford with a Masonic sash OF
crimson satin worn by Washington.
Prior to 1906 the Masonic lodges. 10
Gated in Delaware, were connected with
the Grand Lodges "a Pennsylvania and
Of Maryland. In that year separate
Jurisdiction was made Of Delaware and
the Grand Lodge of Della re WAS es-
tablished. Judge Bedford was made its
first Grand Master 10 which position he
was afterwards twice reelected.
Judge Bedfords u me was at LON
hardy in Bran win hundred, at the
junction OF Concord Pike and Faulk
Road. He also maintained a town house
at No. 606 Market street. Both houses
are still standing. His town house is
/ now used as a place Of business His
/ homes We're the resort of the fame and
+ intelligence not only OF Wilmington
but OF larger cities. Distinguished tur-
lists, statesmen and civilians were guests
at his freside. Mrs. Bedford was a lady
+ a. rare intellectual attainments. IL is
said that she and the Judge were the
I finest looking couple in the court of the
new republic
/ He died in Wilmington on March 30
1912, and was buried with Masonic hon
ors In the cemetery Of the First Presby-
tcrian Church
Judge Bedford's youngest chnd. Hen
/ rietta }. Bedford. lived until 1871. She
was a lady OF unusual education and
culture, She spoke French huently and
was passionately fond OF music, being
! equally proficient on the piano. harp
/ and guitar. Her will contains valuable
information as to the life and family OF
her distinguished father In II she pro-
/ vided that her fathers portrait should
/ be hung in the Capitol at Washington
near that OF James Madison. with whom
! he was a roommate al Princeton. She
( also provided N her will for the placing
Of the marble railing around the Bed
/ ford monument in the yard Of the First
! Presbyterian Church. and for the erec-
tion OF a wall and iron fence extending
from the church TO Tenth street
Governor Cunning Bedford.
! The life and services OF Judge Gun
ming Bedford. Jr.. have often been con-
fused with those OF his cousin, Cover
Eor Cunning Bedford Of New Castle.
/ This was from the fact that they were
contemporaries and that they both had
distinguished careers. Judge Bedford's
I cousin. Governor Cunning Bedford, was
I born in 1880. lie was a son OF William
Bedford. He also studied law in Phila-
. delphia. but practiced his profession at
! New Castle. He married Mary Read
/ sister OF George Read, one of the signers
Of the Declaration of Independence
They had no children. His sister mar
ried General John Stockton. He was
+ lieutenant in the French and Indian
/ War and entered the Revolutionary
! War as major AS lieutenant colonel
Of Haslet's Regiment. he was wounded
at White Plains. In 1876 he was ap-
I pointed muster master general. He was
a delegate from Delaware to the old
/ Congress. 1773-75. He served a term
as register of wills for New Castle
county and in 1896 was elected COVER
nor of Delaware. He died IN 1897 and
! IS buried in Immenuel chJrchyard az
| New Castle.