legendofcaesarrodney

The Legend of Caesar Rodney

Among many other Delaware Day traditions, there remains one particularly curious to out-of-staters: that of the nylons hanging over the fireplace on Delaware Day Eve. When questioning a Delawarean about the nylons, she or he will invariably ask you what you know of the Legend of Caesar Rodney, and his midnight ride.

The Eve of December 7th, 1787

Like Paul Revere, Caesar Rodney is famous for a midnight ride. Rodney’s ride ended up at the doorstep of Independence Hall, where his signature became the first to ratify the US Constitution. On December 7th, a motion for ratification of the US Constitution had been put forward, with Delaware delegate Thomas McKean in favor of ratifying, and George Read against.

Rodney, the third delegate, had been away from Congress because his role as a Brigadier General in the daring, somewhat helter-skelter Delaware militia, forced him back to Delaware to squelch a Loyalist riot.

McKean got word to Rodney that he was desperately needed in Congress. All night, as the 6th of December turned into the 7th, Rodney rode through a thunderstorm. Years later Thomas McKean remembered meeting Rodney at the door “in his boots and spurs.” He covered 80 miles and arrived at Independence Hall’s doorstep in time to make Delaware the “First State.”

And Ever Since…

Over 200 years later, the spirit of brave Caesar Rodney has not been forgotten, nor has Caesar Rodney forgotten the spirit of his homeland. Delaware legend claims that Caesar Rodney continues his midnight ride on the eve of December 7th, now celebrated as Delaware Day, even today. Instead of riding to ratify the Constitution, however, Caesar Rodney now rides to deliver gifts to all who live with true Delaware spirit.

For all those who truly believe, we hang our nylons over the fireplace, waiting for Caesar Rodney to fill them with gifts. Nylons, of course, because they were invented in Delaware, by the Dupont Company.

So if you are filled with Delaware Spirit this December, whether you were born on Delaware soil or not, hang a nylon on the eve of Delaware Day, and see if Caesar Rodney pays a visit to you and yours!