Evening journal., 1921-03-31

sylvania. the wilkins and Barroll
families Of Maryland and the Cooch
family OF Delaware are descended
from him. His daughters have
descendants living in Baltimore and
in England.
Judge Cunning Bedford. Jr.. mar
ried Jane Ballareau Parker, who was
/ born June 18th. 174s She was a
member Of a prominent French fam
ny then residing in New York. Her
father. James Parker. was an inti-
mate friend OF Franklin. Judge
and Mrs Bedford had two daughters
/ and one son. None Of their chill
/ dren married.
Judge Bedford graduated at Mas
sau Hall, y. j., in 1771. with great
| distinction He studied law in
| Philadelphia with Joseph Reed.
I Reed was Adjutant General on Cen
eral Washingtons staff and later
/ Governor OF Pennsylvania. After
completing his law studies he prac-
I ticed for a while in Dover and after
ward removed to Wilmington. He
was Attorney General OF Delaware
and member of the State Legisla-
ture. He was one Of the delegates
to the conference that framed the
Constitution Of the United States.
BY his efforts, two Senators were OBJ
tanned for Delaware and the other
small states. He received from Pres
ident Washington. with whom he
was closely associated in the Revolu-
tion. commission as the judge of
tho District Court OF the United
States for the district OF Delaware
which position he held from 1883
until his death. During the Revo-
luton, Washington presented him
with his own pocket pistols while
sending him on a secret mission
saying TO him, Take these, my
, friend. for further protection. II
] you live to return. keep them as g
81 small memento Of my friendship
81 They are now owned by the Della
ware Historical Society.
I Mrs Washington afterward pre-
d sented Bedford with a Masonic sasl
@ OF crimson satin. worn by Wash
ington.
% Prior to 1906. the Masonic lodge
located In Delaware were connecte,
s with the Grand Lodges of Pennsyl
NANNNA anu va W AA AANlNAs 10 AAAAA NNaAA
a a separate Jurisdiction was made o
e Delaware. and the Grand Lodge o
~ Delaware was established Judg
Bedford was made its first Gran,
Master 90 which position he wa
y afterward twice reelected.
] Judge Bcdford's home was a
ii "Lomhardy ln Brandywino Hun
dred. az the junction OF Concor
"a pike and Fouik road. He also main
! tanned town house az COS Mar.,c
=, street. Both houses are still stand
IN ing. His town house is now used a
= place OF business His homes wer
,e the resort ~ the fame and INTEL
gence not only ~ Wilmington. bt
or Of larger cities. Distinguished jurist
90 statesmen and civilians were gues
% at his fireside. Mrs Bedford was
10 lady Of rare intellectual attainment
d. Il is said that she and the judi
A. were the finest looking couple in u
ed court OF the new republic.
al He died in Wilmington on Mar,
re 80, 1912. and was buried with NJ
as sonic honors in the cemetery Of q
'er First Presbyterian Church.
'or Judge Bedfords youngest chill
he Henrietta J. Bedford. lived un
on. 1871. She was a lady Of unusual G
Pr ucation and culture. She spo
IN French huently. and was passio
of ately fond OF music. being eQual
lr- proficient on the piano. harp a
OF guitar. Her will contains valual
-ch information as TO the life and fam
he OF her distinguished father. In II s
provided that her fathers portr
rec should be hung in the Capitol
lng Washington near that Of James Ma
ed ison, with whom he was a roo
Of mate al Princeton. She also pi
rhe yided IN her will for the placing
tn the marble railing around the b,
low iorc monument In the yard OF
ed First Presbyterian Church and
mn the erection Of a wall and iron fer
ded extending from the church to Tel
'rds street
nn-i Th- nf~ and serviess OF A.,