Built for Daniel Rodney -- governor of Delaware from 1814-1817 and later a Congressman and U.S. Senator -- in 1800. Rodney was the 19th governor of the state.
He also served as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1817-1819. He died Sept. 2, 1846, and is buried in the graveyard at St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
The Breakwater Light, later to become the Delaware Pilot, was established on this site.