Daniel Rodney
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| Daniel Rodney | |
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| Governor of Delaware U.S. Representative from Delaware U.S. Senator from Delaware |
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| Born | September 10, 1764 Lewes, Delaware |
| Died | September 2, 1846 Lewes, Delaware |
| Residence | Lewes, Delaware |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Spouse | Sarah Fisher |
Daniel Rodney (September 10, 1764 – September 2, 1846) was an American merchant and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, and later the National Republican Party, who served as Governor of Delaware, U. S. Representative from Delaware and U.S. Senator from Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
- See also: Rodney family of Delaware
Rodney was born in September 10, 1764 at Lewes, Delaware, son of John and Ruth Hunn Rodney, brother of future Governor Caleb Rodney, and distantly related to President Caesar Rodney. He married Sarah Fisher and they had eight children, Hannah, George Brydges, John, William, Henry Fisher, Nicholas, Susan, and Mary. They lived at 231 Second Street and were members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes.
Rodney received little schooling, and worked as a sailor and merchant for some years. There is a story that before he was 21 years old he had his own ship and that during the American Revolution he was twice captured by the British. From 1793 to 1806, he served as a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas, during roughly the same time as Trustee of the Poor. He was also a trustee of Wilmington College.
[edit] Political career
His own political career began in 1810, when he ran for Governor of Delaware as a Federalist. He lost to the Democratic candidate, Joseph Haslet, by only 71 votes. His next campaign, in 1813, was against James Riddle of New Castle, and largely because of the unpopularity of the War of 1812, he was successful. He served as Governor of Delaware from January 18, 1814, to January 21, 1817.
The last year of the War of 1812 was as unnerving as the others had been. The British naval presence off the coast was more intermittent, but Indian River received a serious raid in June 1814. The burning of Washington, in August, however, really brought the war home. Everyone feared attacks up the coast. In Philadelphia old former President Thomas McKean was brought out of retirement to organize the defenses, and finally Pea Patch Island was actually fortified. Fortunately, the progress of the British army was halted at Baltimore and Delaware was not attacked again. Commodore Thomas McDonough of Odessa was one of the hero’s of 1814, defeating the British fleet on Lake Champlain, and U.S. Senator James A. Bayard, Sr. of Wilmington was one of the commissioners to the peace conference that produced the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war.
In the U.S. presidential election of 1820, Rodney received 4 electoral votes for Vice President, but lost overwhelmingly to incumbent Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins. This was the last virtually uncontested presidential election in U.S. History with incumbent U.S. President James Monroe facing no opposition. The lack of contest documented the complete collapse of the Federalist Party everywhere except Delaware.
When Caesar A. Rodney resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives in 1822, Daniel Rodney was elected to replace him, serving in the U.S. House from October 1, 1822 to March 3, 1823. Several years later Daniel Rodney was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Nicholas Van Dyke. He served briefly from November 8, 1826, to January 12, 1827, when the General Assembly chose another replacement.
[edit] Death and legacy
Rodney died September 2, 1846 at Lewes, Delaware and is buried there, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church Cemetery. His son George B. Rodney served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1841 until 1845.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Joseph Haslet |
Governor of Delaware January 18, 1814 – January 21, 1817 |
Succeeded by: John Clark |
| Preceded by: Caesar A. Rodney |
U.S. Representative from Delaware (2nd at-large) December 2, 1822 – March 3, 1823 |
seat lost in reapportionment |
| Preceded by: Nicholas Van Dyke |
U.S. Senator from Delaware (class 2) December 4, 1826 – January 23, 1827 |
Succeeded by: Henry M. Ridgely |
[edit] Public offices
Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and had a three year term. U.S. Representatives took office March 4th and have a two year term. U.S. Senators were elected by the General Assembly, also took office March 4th, and have a six year term.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judge | Judiciary | Georgetown | 1793 | 1806 | Court of Common Pleas | |
| Governor | Executive | Dover | 1829 | January 18, 1814 | January 21, 1817 | |
| U.S. Representative | Legislature | Washington | October 1, 1822 | March 3, 1823 | ||
| U.S. Senator | Legislature | Washington | November 8, 1826 | January 12, 1827 |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | Governor | Daniel Rodney | Federalist | 3,593 | 50% | Joseph Haslet | Democratic-Republican | 3,664 | 50% | ||
| 1813 | Governor | Daniel Rodney | Federalist | 4,643 | 55% | James Riddle | Democratic-Republican | 3,768 | 45% |
[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.
- Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company.
- 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.
- Munroe, John A. (2004). The Philadelawareans. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-872-8.
[edit] External links
- Biographical Dictionary of the U.S. Congress
- Delaware & U.S. History
- Daniel%20Rodney Find a Grave
- The Political Graveyard
- Appleton's Encyclopedia
- Lewes Historical Society
- St. Peter's Episcopal Churchyard.
[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
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