Edward Roche (politician)

[2] On April 1, 1782, he married Eliza Brinckle in Red Lion Hundred, Delaware; the couple would go on to have nine children.

Roche, inspired by the writings of the Founding Fathers and other early Americans calling for independence, joined the local militia.

[4] The Delaware men were reported to have fought at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, as well as served during the encampment at Valley Forge.

[3] However, Roche makes no mention of these battles or encampment in his pension application,[4] nor does he appear on the digitized muster roll from Valley Forge.

[8] In February 1800, Roche was selected by the society to deliver an oration on the death of George Washington at Second Presbyterian Church in Wilmington.

[9] His membership certificate signed by George Washington is currently in the collection of the Tennessee Historical Society, a donation likely made by his descendants who relocated to Nashville in the 1800s.

[11] Following his short state political career, Roche was appointed as a Notary on April 18, 1800, a position he held for approximately 20 years.

He appealed the decision based on small overall value of items owned and lack of assurance in future income from appointments as a Notary and Justice of the Peace.