Caleb Rodney
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| Caleb Rodney | |
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| Governor of Delaware | |
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| Born | April 29, 1767 Lewes, Delaware |
| Died | April 29, 1840 Lewes, Delaware |
| Residence | Lewes, Delaware |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Spouse | Elizabeth West |
Caleb Rodney (April 29, 1767 – April 29, 1840) was an American merchant and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
- See also: Rodney family of Delaware
Rodney was born April 29, 1767 in Lewes, Delaware, son of John and Ruth Hunn Rodney, brother of former Governor Daniel Rodney, and distantly related to President Caesar Rodney. He married Elizabeth West and had five children, Hannah, Hester, Penelope, Eliza, and Daniel. They were members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes. He ran a store at the corner of 2nd and market Streets in Lewes, the door to which was allegedly damaged in the British attack and is now on display at the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes.
[edit] Political career
Rodney served in the State House for four sessions from 1802 through 1805, when he was elected to the State Senate and served for four more sessions from 1806 through 1809. He was back in the State House for two sessions in 1812 and 1813, and then returned to the State Senate for one session in 1816. In October 1816 he ran for U.S. Congress, but lost the election. So, the following year he was returned to his old seat in the State Senate and served for five sessions from 1818 through 1822. He was the Speaker in the last two sessions and, therefore, became Governor upon the death of Governor John Collins. He then served as Governor from April 23, 1822 until January 21, 1823.
Rodney was known as an opponent of slavery, expressing the desire that the institution could be ended through continued manumissions.
[edit] Death and legacy
Rodney died April 29, 1840 at Lewes, Delaware and is buried there, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church Cemetery.
No known portrait of Caleb Rodney exists.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: John Collins |
Governor of Delaware April 23, 1822 – January 21, 1823 |
Succeeded by: Joseph Haslet |
[edit] Public offices
Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State Senators had a three year term and State Representatives had a one year term. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and had a three year term.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1801 | January 5, 1802 | January 4, 1803 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1802 | January 4, 1803 | January 3, 1804 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1803 | January 3, 1804 | January 1, 1805 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1804 | January 1, 1805 | January 7, 1806 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1805 | January 7, 1806 | January 6, 1807 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1806 | January 6, 1807 | January 2, 1810 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1811 | January 7, 1812 | January 5, 1813 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1812 | January 5, 1813 | January 4, 1814 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1815 | January 2, 1816 | January 7, 1817 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1817 | January 6, 1818 | January 4, 1820 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1819 | January 4, 1820 | April 23, 1822 | Speaker |
| Governor | Executive | Dover | April 23, 1822 | January 21, 1823 | Acting |
[edit] References
- Sobel, Robert, John Racino (1988). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978, Vol. 1. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-930466-00-4.
- Munroe, John A. (1954). Federalist Delaware 1775-1815. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University.
- Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
- Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.
[edit] External links
[edit] Places with more information
- Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library 2nd and High St., Odessa, Delaware (302) 378-8838
- Historical Society of Delaware 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- Newark Free Library 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 731-7550
- University of Delaware Library 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
- Zwaanendael Museum Kings Highway & Savannah Road, Lewes, Delaware (302) 645-1148
- St. Peter's Episcopal Church 212 Second Street, Lewes Delaware (302) 645-8479
