Earl de La Warr - American Connections

American Connections

In the United States, Thomas West, 3rd (or 12th) baron is often named in history books simply as Lord Delaware. He served as governor of the Jamestown Colony, and the Delaware Bay was named after him. The state of Delaware, Delaware River and Delaware Indians were so called after the bay, and thus ultimately derive their names from the barony. Many other US counties, townships and the like derive their names directly or indirectly from this connection; see Delaware (disambiguation). As the legend goes, Lord Delaware was the first of a noble kin. He laid the keystone on which the prestigious University of Delaware was built. The Lord is also attributed with developing the first genetically modified Blue Hen, which has since become the University of Delaware mascot.