Grave of Jacob Nicholas Jones, USN

Last week in a post on the Lewes, Delaware, War of 1812 Heritage Trail, I wrote about the Ryves Holt House which at one time was the home of the famous Commodore Jacob Nicholas Jones, hero of the USS Wasp-HMS Frolic battle in the war.

He is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

--Brock-Perry

Caesar Augustus Rodney of Delaware

From Wikipedia.

American lawyer, politician and soldier from Wilmington, Delaware.  His uncle, Caesar Rodney signed the Declaration of Independence and is shown on the Delaware state quarter.

1772- 1824

Member Delaware and U.S. House of Representatives.   U.S. Attorney General under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

During the War of 1812 he was captain of a rifle corps which became the Delaware 1st Artillery.  Stationed at Fort Union and on the Canadian border.  He later assisted in the defense of Baltimore in 1814.

He later headed the American Commission to the new South American republics and their findings were a big reason for the Monroe Doctrine.  Appointed U.S. minister to Argentine, he died there and is buried there.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Christina-- Part 3: First Swedish Colony at "The Rocks"

From Wikipedia.

Also called Fort Altena.  first Swedish settlement in North America located one mile east of present-day Wilmington, Delaware.  It is at the confluence of the Christina and Brandywine rivers and at a stone outcropping which formed a natural wharf.  These are called "The Rocks."

The expedition to set up the first Swedish outpost was led by Peter Minuit, who also founded New Netherlands.  He ordered the construction of an earthwork fort around "The Rocks."

However, the Dutch claimed land south from New Netherlands to the Delaware River, so conflict was inevitable.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Christina-- Part 2: Site Where Swedes and Finns Came Ashore in 1638

From A History of Delaware:  A Brief History of Fort Christina.

Swedes and Finns stepped ashore at a natural wharf of stone called today "The Rocks."  This was at the Fort Christina National Historic Landmark.  It is located where the Christina River and Brandywine Creek have their confluence.

The colony, called New Sweden prospered because of the fur trade and the settlement increased to 300 people from 1638 to 1655.  Then, it was captured by the Dutch.

Today it is marked by the Swedish Tercentenary Monument and a replica of the Swedish ship Kalmar Nyckel is there.

--Brock-Perry

The Rocks at Fort Christiana Park

From the cardcow site.

The Rocks of Fort Christina Park, Wilmington, Delaware.

Postcard with inscription  "The Rocks believed to be the exact spot where Swedish colonists landed in 1638 and formed New Sweden.  The 25-foot monument  executed by Carl Milles, world famous sculptor, was paid for by subscription by the Swedish people, was presented to the American people by Royal Emissary at the tercentenary celebration in 1938."

You can see "The Rocks" in front of the statue.

I have seen the fort spelled both Christina and Christiana.  Christina would be the correct spelling.

--Brock-Perry

Delaware in the War of 1812-- Part 4

Wilmington was a British target because of the Du Pont powder mills.  The war was a boom for that company as it really grew because of the government contracts.

Gunpowder orders soared from 204,046 pounds (2,850 from the government) in 1811 to 519,551 (374,000 from govt.) in 1814.

To protect Wilmington, numerous waterfront fortifications were built from Wilmington to south of New Castle.  Three militia units with about 350 men, were sent from Philadelphia.  In 1813, the Brandywine Rangers militia unit was established, composed mostly of mill workers.

Lewes' watermen and merchants suffered greatly during the war.

Some Folks Make Big Bucks Off War.  --Brock-Perry