Delaware’s Revolutionary Break from Pennsylvania and Britain
The New Castle Court House made history with one vote that changed everything.
On June 15, 1776, thirteen delegates gathered in the second floor Assembly Room and did something no colony had tried before.
They declared independence from both Britain and Pennsylvania at the same time.
Thomas McKean and Caesar Rodney led the debate, creating the Delaware State exactly one month before the Declaration of Independence.
Two months later, they wrote America’s first post-independence state constitution in that same room. This is the story of Delaware’s double breakup and the courthouse where it all happened.
Congress Told Colonies to Get Ready for Independence
The Second Continental Congress sent a notice to all 13 colonies on May 15, 1776.
They wanted everyone to set up governments that could work on their own if they split from England.
This wasn’t a full call for independence yet, but more like a heads-up to get prepared. Delaware’s Assembly got this message and started thinking about what to do.
Many people still felt loyal to Britain, so Congress moved carefully with this first step.
Whispers of Revolution Filled New Castle’s Historic Courthouse
The Assembly of the Three Lower Counties met at the New Castle Court House in early June 1776.
The old brick building buzzed with nervous energy as members talked about the Continental Congress advice.
Thomas McKean and Caesar Rodney led the push for bold action. Both men had fought against the Stamp Act back in 1765 and wanted complete freedom now.
The Assembly faced a tough choice between slowly pulling away from Pennsylvania or breaking free from both Pennsylvania and Britain at once.
McKean’s Fiery Speech Changed Delaware’s Path Forever
Thomas McKean stood up on June 15, 1776, and made the case for complete freedom.
The respected lawyer told the Assembly that Delaware should break away from both Pennsylvania and Britain at the same time.
He pointed out that Delaware had lived under Pennsylvania’s royal charter since 1682, so they needed to cut both ties to be truly free.
McKean knew other colonies were moving toward independence too.
Caesar Rodney Kept the Peace During the Historic Vote
Caesar Rodney managed the meeting as Speaker while tempers flared during the independence debate. The tall, thin man with facial cancer kept order and made sure everyone got to speak their mind.
Rodney balanced his job running the meeting with his own strong support for independence. His firm but fair leadership helped the Assembly work through this tough choice without falling apart.
People trusted Rodney even when they disagreed with him.
The Birth Certificate of Delaware Used Careful Legal Language
The Assembly wrote a statement that cut “all ties with the British Parliament and King.”
They spelled out that government workers would now serve “in the name of the government of the Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex Upon Delaware.”
The paper clearly took away the King’s power over Delaware land. They picked their words carefully to break free from both Pennsylvania and British rule in one clean step.
Delaware Beat America to Independence by a Full Month
The Assembly voted yes to the split on June 15, 1776, exactly one month before Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
Delaware became the first colony to declare complete freedom from both its colonial owner and the British crown.
The vote took courage in an area where many people still backed Britain. Every Assembly member agreed it was time for Delaware to stand alone.
A New Name Marked the Birth of America’s First State
The vote created the “Delaware State” to replace the old name “Three Lower Counties of Pennsylvania. ”
For the first time since 1682, Delaware became its own place completely separate from Pennsylvania.
New Castle served as Delaware’s first state capital. The state government took over all the jobs once handled by Pennsylvania and Britain.
Road signs, official papers, and government buildings all needed updating.
Local Militias Switched Their Loyalty Overnight
All military officers and units started serving Delaware State instead of King George III after the vote.
Caesar Rodney’s job as Brigadier General of the Delaware militia became official under the new state government.
Soldiers took down royal flags and put up Delaware colors. Military units changed their oaths from serving the King to protecting Delaware.
Delaware forces no longer took orders from Pennsylvania commanders and answered only to Delaware’s new government.
The Assembly Room Became a Constitutional Workshop
The Assembly began working on Delaware’s first state constitution right after the independence vote.
They looked at models from other colonies to help design their new government. The Assembly wanted to set up a permanent government as quickly as possible.
They planned to hold a constitutional meeting in the same Assembly Room later that year. People worked long hours drafting documents for the new state.
Delaware Created the First Post-Independence Constitution
Delaware adopted its first state constitution on September 20, 1776, in the New Castle Court House Assembly Room.
The constitution officially named the new government “The Delaware State” instead of “Counties Upon Delaware.”
It created a two-house General Assembly and an executive council system.
This document became the first state constitution created after the Declaration of Independence. Delaware completed its transformation from colony to state in just three months, faster than any other former colony.
The Founding Fathers Faced Backlash for Their Bold Move
The first Delaware General Assembly chose not to send McKean and Rodney back to the Continental Congress in October 1776.
This snub showed the anger from people who supported the King in areas with many loyal British subjects.
Things changed by October 1777, when the second General Assembly sent both men back to Congress after the British army occupied parts of Delaware.
Both McKean and Rodney later served as Delaware state presidents.
Visiting New Castle Court House, Delaware
The New Castle Court House at 211 Delaware Street is where you can learn about Delaware’s bold break from both Pennsylvania and Britain.
Admission is free, though donations help.
Guided tours run Wednesday-Saturday 10am-3pm and Sunday 1:30-3:30pm, lasting about 45 minutes with 15 people max.
Groups of 10+ need reservations at 302-323-4453. You’ll see exhibits on Delaware’s courts, government, and the Underground Railroad.
This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.
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