Gunning Bedford, Jr.
1747-1812. Member of Continental Congress and of Annapolis Convention. A framer of United States Constitution, which Delaware was first to ratify. Appointed first District Judge of Delaware by President Washington. Purchased this property 1793 as country home, naming it “Lombardy”. Buried at Tenth and Market Streets, Wilmington. Reinterred 1921 at Masonic Home. NC-6. Installed in […]
Delaware Public Archives
KC-96: The first recorded attempt to establish a state archives in Delaware was in 1818, when Governor John Clark urged establishment of a place for public records to be “securely kept and preserved.” Nearly a century passed before action was undertaken. By the early 20th century the possible loss of Delaware’s rich documentary heritage had […]
Lombardy Hall
In 1682, William Penn granted 986 acres of land at this location to Valentine Hollingsworth. A portion of the tract was subsequently conveyed to the Robinson family in 1726. The present stone dwelling was erected here circa 1750. In 1785, Gunning Bedford, Jr., signer of the United States Constitution, agreed to purchase the house and […]
