Rodney, Caesar, 1728-1784

Caesar Rodney (October 7, 1728 – June 26, 1784) was an American Founding Father, planter, lawyer, and politician from Kent County, Delaware. He was an officer of the Delaware militia during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, a signer of the Continental Association and Declaration of Independence, and President of Delaware during most of the American Revolution.

Born on his family's farm, "Byfield", on St. Jones Neck in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, Rwas educated when he was 13 or 14 years old. He attended The Latin School, part of the academy and the College of Philadelphia (now known as University of Pennsylvania) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rodney joined Thomas McKean as a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress in 1765 and was a leader of the Delaware Committee of Correspondence. He began his service in the Assembly of Delaware in the 1761/62 session and continued in office through the 1775/76 session. Rodney served in the Continental Congress along with Thomas McKean and George Read from 1774 through 1776, voting to support independence and signing the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776.

In 1778, Rodney was elected President of the State of Delaware for a three year term, a duty that he assumed even as he served as Major-General of the Delaware Militia. In this office he played a crucial part not only in the defense of his own colony but also in support of Washington's Continental Army. He suffered from asthma and from a cancerous growth on his face, for which he never attained proper treatment. Rodney was again elected to the national Congress in 1782 but was forced to decline the office due to failing health. He nonetheless continued to serve as Speaker to the Upper House of the Delaware Assembly. He died in that office, in June of 1784. His body is buried at an unmarked grave on the Byfield property.