Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Caesar Rodney Monument

Photographed by Nate Davidson, December 30, 2009

1. Caesar Rodney Monument Marker

Inscription. This statue was dedicated in 1923 to commemorate Caesar Rodney's ride to Philadelphia, July 1-2, 1776. Despite ill health, Rodney rode through thunder and rain to cast the deciding vote in the Delaware delegation for independence.

Erected 1992 by Delaware Heritage Commission.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 44.75′ N, 75° 32.833′ W. Marker was in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It could be reached from N. Market Street. Between 10th & 11th Streets, and between Market and King streets, in Rodney Square. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument was in Greater Philadelphia.

It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

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and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Rodney Square (a few steps from this marker); Suffrage Rally (a few steps from this marker); United States Post Office, Court House and Custom House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Joseph Church (about 500 feet away); The Monday Club (about 600 feet away); Burton V. Wilmington Parking Authority (about 600 feet away); A French Legion Kept Watch Here (about 800 feet away); Ezion Methodist Episcopal Church (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

More about this marker. Statue was removed because Rodney 0wned 200 slaves, even though he freed then in his will.

Also see . . .
1. Caesar Rodney. Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress 1774 - Present entry (Submitted on May 30, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

2. Caesar Rodney. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on September 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. Delaware Declares Independence.

Caesar Rodney Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 3, 2010

2. Caesar Rodney Monument

Text around base of monument reads: "To commemorate Caesar Rodney's ride from Dover to Philadelphia to cast Delaware's vote for the Declaration of Independence - July 3 and 4, 1776." Contributor's Note: Rodney's ride actually occured on the night of July 1 & 2, 1776.

“Thomas McKean and Caesar Rodney, the same two men who represented the Lower Counties in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, proposed the Lower Counties’ simultaneous separation from Pennsylvania and the British crown. McKean and Rodney, along with George Read, represented the Lower Counties at the First Continental Congress in 1774 as well as the Second Continental Congress in 1775-76. When Read refused to vote for independence, McKean had famously summoned an ailing Rodney, who rode overnight from Dover, Delaware, to Philadelphia in order to cast his vote in favor of independence and break the Delaware delegation's stalemate.” (Submitted on June 15, 2014.)

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 3, 2010

3. Caesar Rodney Monument

1923 bronze by sculptor James Edward Kelly (1855-1933) is 14 feet tall on a 29½ foot base.

Plaque on Front of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 3, 2010

4. Plaque on Front of Monument

Caesar Rodney arriving at Independence Hall Philadelphia, is greeted by Thomas McKean - July 4th, 1776. Contributor's Note: This event occured on July 2nd, 1776, not July 4.

Plaque on Rear of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 3, 2010

5. Plaque on Rear of Monument

"As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of Independence, my own judgement concurs with them. I vote for Independence."

Caesar Rodney Monument Decorated for Christmas image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, December 30, 2009

6. Caesar Rodney Monument Decorated for Christmas

Caesar Rodney Quarter image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Britannica, unknown

7. Caesar Rodney Quarter

First in the State Quarters series, 1999

Photographed by Carl Gordon Moore Jr., June 13, 2021

8. Caesar Rodney Monument

Statue has been removed. Plaque appearing here is on monument rear.

July 7, 2026

9. Caesar Rodney Monument

The sculpture was re-erected on Freedom Plaza in DC for the 2026 for the Freedom 250 event. The temporarybase reads:

Caesar Rodney
Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,389 times since then and 88 times this year. Last updated on December 24, 2018, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 29, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. 7. submitted on September 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 8. submitted on June 13, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. 9. submitted on July 11, 2026. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.