The Declaration of Independence: About the Signers
(Continued)
South Carolina
Thomas Heyward, Jr. (1746-1809)—Thomas Heyward was a planter and lawyer and was one of three
signers from South Carolina captured and imprisoned by the British. He signed the Articles of Confederation while
a member of the Continental Congress. He returned to South Carolina and became a judge and a member of the
state legislature. The British destroyed Heyward’s home at White Hall during the war and he was held prisoner
until 1781. After the war, he served two terms in the state legislature from 1782-1784. Thomas Heyward became
the first President of the Agricultural Society of South Carolina.
Thomas Lynch, Jr. (1749-1779)—Thomas Lynch, Jr. was an aristocratic planter who was the youngest signer
of the Declaration of Independence to die at the age of thirty. He was trained as a lawyer and graduated from
Cambridge University in England, and was elected to the Second Continental Congress to carry on the duties
of his ill father. Thomas Lynch Sr. and Thomas Lynch Jr. were the only father and son team to serve concurrently
in the Continental Congress. Thomas Lynch, Jr. and his wife were enroute to France in 1779 when their ship was
lost at sea.
Arthur Middleton (1742-1787)—Arthur Middleton was chosen to replace his more conservative father in the
Continental Congress in 1776, but failed to attend most of the sessions. He was captured by the British and was
held captive for over a year in St. Augustine, Florida. During the time of his incarceration, the British destroyed most
of his property. After his release in 1781, Middleton returned to politics and served in the Virginia state legislature
and was a trustee of the College of Charleston.
Edward Rutledge (1749-1800)—Edward Rutledge was elected to the Continental Congress from 1774-76 and
1779, a captain in the Charleston Battalion of Artillery from 1776-1779, a state legislator from 1782-1798, College
of Electors in the presidential elections of 1788, 1792, 1796 and elected Governor for South Carolina in 1798. He
was the youngest of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War, Rutledge was
a military captain involved in the campaigns at Port Royal Island and Charleston, South Carolina. He was captured
by the British in 1780 and held as a prisoner until 1781. From 1782-1798 Rutledge was a member of the state
legislature and was elected Governor in 1798.
Rhode Island
William Ellery (1727-1820)—William Ellery served with distinction in the Congress of the Confederation until
1786 when he accepted the post of Commissioner of the Continental Loan Office of Rhode Island. He served in
that position until 1790 when he was appointed Customs Collector in Newport. Although the British destroyed
his home during the American Revolution, Ellery was later able to rebuild his fortune.
Stephen Hopkins (1707-1785)—Stephen Hopkins was the second oldest signer of the Declaration of
Independence (next to Benjamin Franklin). He served on the committee that was responsible for the creation
of the Articles of Confederation. He was forced to resign from the Congress in 1776 because of health problems,
but was elected to the state legislature of Rhode Island upon his return.
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