292 years ago …
"Founding Father" Caesar Rodney born Oct 7, 1728
On July 2, 1776, despite having melanoma, Caesar Rodney rode 80 miles to Philadelphia to cast the deciding Patriot vote for Delaware. This was a very significant event, as it was also the deciding vote for independence, separating from England. Speaker Stuart Forman will highlight the complicated character of this early American’s identity as a Founding Father, which was much more than just the act of his famous ride.
Remembered as a lawyer, politician, militia leader, Continental Congressmen, and Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Caesar Rodney was not alone in “wearing many hats” and working alongside multi-talented Delawarean colleagues Thomas McKean and John Dickinson. Also discussed will be an often forgotten controversy linked directly to Lewes- was there any truth in famed poet George Alfred Townsend’s writings that Caesar spent significant time in Lewes with Loyalist woman, Sarah Rowland?
Forman in his lecture will describe and help attendees imagine the “powder keg” environment that would have surrounded the election of 1777 in Lewes, comparing the charged nature of the country’s current election transition of the office of the President.
https://www.historiclewes.org/events/lunch-learn-caesar-rodney-and-american-revolution
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2783/caesar-rodney
https://images.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2003/123/2783_1052046670.jpg
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>Proclamation on the Birthday of Founding Father Caesar Rodney