Delaware

﻿Delaware =Foundation and First Settlements= Delaware was founded in 1631. A town called Zwaanendael ( now Lewes) was set up by the Dutch. They were sent by a famous Dutch colonizer named De Vries to settle new land in America. They quickly set up trade with the Native Americans, who shortly after, raided the town because of a trade dispute. A new settlement was founded in 1638 by the Swedes. It was called Fort Christina (now Wilmington). The Swedes founded Fort Christina as part of their new colony called New Sweden. New Sweden also The Dutch seized Fort Christina from the Swedes in 1655 and then got the settlement taken from them by the British in 1964. Delaware was one of two colonies (the other being @New York) that wasn't originally founded by the English.



Caesar Rodney was an important factor in Delaware's early history. Rodney was born near Dover, Delaware on October 7, 1728. He received no formal education and his father died when he was 17. Nicholas Ridgely became his legal guardian and introduced Rodney to politics. In 1755 he became the high sheriff in Kent County Delaware. Eight years later, he was elected as a representative in the colonial legislature at Newcastle. Rodney then helped lead the colony towards independence by becoming a patriot and joining the colonial militia. In 1778, he was elected the President of the state of Delaware. He supported and helped Washington's Continental Army. Rodney became sick and was not given enough medical help, so a tumor grew on his face. This prohibited him from taking office in the National Congress. He served as Speaker of the Upper House of the Delaware Assembly. He died while still in office in 1784. Today, you can see him riding a horse on the back of the Delaware quarter.
 * Important Citizen **

Caesar Rodney Delaware's economy was mainly based off of general farming and tobacco. Fishing also contributed to the colony's economic development and growth.
 * Economy **




 * Capital **

Delaware's present day capital is Dover. A picture of the state Capitol is below.



Delaware was considered a proprietary colony which means the proprietor owned the land and controlled the colony's government.

Wiki Page edited by Patch Kenny and Shane O'Connell

Resources
[|Britannica.com] http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/rodney.htm __Civics Today__ textbook