
Cast by Gorham Manufacturing Company and standing on a litholite base, the bronze sculpture commemorates a patriot's ride from Dover to Philadelphia to give the deciding vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 (it should read “July 2”). Kelly was known for sculptures of Civil War heroes. It took so long for him to complete the bronze tablets at its base (until 1925, when he was seventy), that the art committee grew “tired, disgusted & through with him.” The well-known statue has appeared on a U.S. coin, the Delaware state quarter of 1999.