Rodney was originally settled by the French in January 1763 and named Petit Gouffre,[3] meaning "Little Chasm". As a result of the French and Indian War, the area was taken by Great Britain. Spain would later control this area after taking West Florida from the British in 1781. Spain held the area until selling it to Thomas Calvit in 1798. "In 1802, Judge Wm. B. Shields of Delaware was appointed to the Mississippi Territory and arrived at Rodney or "Petit Gulph" in the company of Judge Thomas Rodney, who was also of Delaware."[6] The city was later renamed Rodney in 1828 in honor of Judge Thomas Rodney.[7]