The two-day, 80-mile reenactment of Caesar Rodney’s ride from Dover to Philadelphia concluded last night on the steps of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Caesar Rodney symbolically cast the deciding vote in the Delaware Delegation for Independence at 8:35 Saturday Night, June 13th.
More than 200 participants helped retrace the Delaware Patriots’ 1776 journey from Dover to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — Caesar Rodney, portrayed by Ciro Poppiti, arrived at Independence Hall Saturday night, June 13, after a two-day reenactment of the famous ride that helped secure Delaware’s vote for American independence.
The symbolic arrival came at about 8:35 p.m., as the sun was setting over Philadelphia. Poppiti, portraying Rodney, had traveled roughly 80 miles from Dover by horse and carriage before walking the final 4.7 miles through Philadelphia with fellow patriots.
The June 12-13 reenactment drew more than 200 participants, many dressed in colonial clothing, and retraced the route Rodney took in 1776 when he traveled from Dover to Philadelphia to cast Delaware’s deciding vote for independence. Video of the full journey is available on the Delaware LIVE News Special Events YouTube Channel and the 250 Ride Facebook page.
A ride that began at Rodney’s church
The reenactment began Friday morning with a church service at Christ Church in Dover, where Rodney was a member in 1776.
The opening scene recreated the moment word reached Rodney from Philadelphia that he was needed to break Delaware’s divided vote on independence. A crowd of more than 100 people cheered as Poppiti climbed into a horse-drawn carriage and departed Dover at about noon Friday.
The journey included several Delaware stops, including a farm visit, a nature reserve outside Middletown and an early school historic site.
By Friday evening, Poppiti reached Thousand Acre Farm outside Middletown, where more than 100 well-wishers, family members and patriots gathered to welcome him. The crowd included U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, members of the Cooch family, whose ancestors are connected to the site of Delaware’s only Revolutionary War battle, and about 25 people dressed in colonial costumes.
Food and drinks were served at the event, including apple brandy from a family whose ancestors made apple brandy for George Washington.
From Separation Day to Wilmington
The journey continued Saturday to Delaware City and then to New Castle, where Poppiti appeared in the historic Separation Day parade celebrating Delaware’s independence.
From there, the reenactment traveled to Wilmington, where Poppiti met Mayor John Carney, who rode in the carriage with him for part of the trip.
The carriage then continued to the Robinson House in Claymont, a historic site where Rodney likely stopped during his 1776 ride to Philadelphia.
Final miles into Philadelphia
The journey continued by carriage through traffic into South Philadelphia. At about 7 p.m. Saturday, the reenactors dismounted and began walking the final 4.7 miles to Independence Hall.
Poppiti was joined by his brother Thomas, portrayed by Primas Poppiti, and several other patriots for the last leg of the journey.
At approximately 8:35 p.m., Poppiti arrived at Independence Hall and symbolically cast Rodney’s deciding independence vote.
Organizers said the reenactment was designed not only to honor Rodney’s famous ride, but also to give Delawareans and visitors a chance to experience the state’s role in the founding of the nation ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
“After two days on the road, more than 80 miles traveled, and countless stories shared along the way, Caesar Rodney’s historic journey reached its conclusion,” Jesse Heninger, the producer of 250 Ride said. “The 250Ride.org reenactment arrived in Philadelphia, honoring the ride that helped change the course of American history nearly 250 years ago.”
Heninger said the final miles offered a moment to reflect on “the courage, determination and sacrifice that helped shape a nation.”
“What began in Dover concluded in Philadelphia, just as it did in 1776, honoring the legacy of those whose actions helped secure American independence,” Heninger said.
Experience The Ride
- What: The 250 Ride reenactment of Caesar Rodney’s 1776 ride from Dover to Philadelphia
- When: Completed June 12-13
- Route: Dover, Middletown, Delaware City, New Castle, Wilmington, Claymont, and Philadelphia
- How to follow: The full journey can be found on the 250 Ride Facebook page and on the Delaware LIVE News Special Events page
- Learn more: Visit 250Ride.org
Delaware LIVE collaborates with a network of professional journalists to cover a diverse range of stories across various fields. Staff Writers include experienced journalists and young professionals. If you have questions, please feel free to contact editor@delawarelive.com or our publisher, George D. Rotsch at George@Delawarelive.com
This post was originally published on TownSquareDelaware
