Arthur Middleton
Arthur Middleton (June 26, 1742–January 1, 1787), was one of the four signers of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina.
The son of Henry Middleton, one of South Carolina's representatives in the First Continental Congress and its President in 1774, Arthur also became a political leader in the colony starting in 1764 when he was first elected to the Commons House of Assembly. He succeeded his father as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776.
In 1776 he was also part of an 11 man committee that prepared a constitution for the state and was also a co-designer of the state seal. He was chosen Governor of the state in 1778 but declined to take the position.
Early Life
Middleton was born at Middleton Place, St. Andrews Parish, South Carolina. His parents were Henry Middleton and Mary Baker Williams.
He was educated in Britain, at Westminster School, London, and St. John's College, Cambridge University. He studied law at the Middle Temple and traveled extensively in Europe where his taste in literature, music, and art was developed and refined.
He returned to South Carolina in December of 1763 and by 1765 he was elected to the Commons House of Assembly from both St. James parish and St. Helena parish.
In 1764 Arthur married Mary Izard and settled at Middleton Place. Keenly interested in Carolina politics, Arthur Middleton was a more radical thinker than his father and he became a leader of the American Party in Carolina.
He served for three years and then took his new wife to Europe, where they traveled for three years. He used the time to pursue his interests in literature, music and painting. Their son Henry was born in London during their travels. Also while in London the family's portrait was painted by Benjamin West.
Political career
Upon returning to Charles Town in 1771 he resumed his political life by serving in the provincial House of Commons from 1772-1775 and attending the provincial conventions in 1774 and 1775. In 1775 it was decided that the Province needed to be in a position to resist impending oppression so three regiments of regular troops were formed and a Council of Safety was selected to direct the affairs of the Province. Middleton was chosen as one of the thirteen delegates who essentially served as the Executive Branch of South Carolina until an independent government was established.
During this time Middleton contributed many political essays on the issues at hand and signed them 'Andrew Marvel'.
In 1776 he became a delegate to the provincial congress which formed a state constitution. Within a few days of being named to the constitution committee he was elected as one of the delegates from South Carolina to the Constitutional Congress, along with Thomas Lynch, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr. and John Rutledge.
the same time Member of the Continental Congress 1776-1777 and 1781-1782; a signer of the Declaration of Independence; elected governor of South Carolina in 1778, but declined; member of the state house of representatives 1778-1780, 1785, and 1786; served in the state senate in 1781 and 1782; member of the privy council in 1782; member of the board of trustees of Charleston College; serving as Justice of the Peace from 1776-1786.
and one of the boldest members of the Council of Safety and its Secret Committee. In 1776, Arthur was elected to succeed his father in the Continental Congress and subsequently was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Also in 1776 he and William Henry Drayton designed the Great Seal Of South Carolina. Despite the time he spent in England, his attitude toward Loyalists was said to be ruthless.
During the American Revolutionary War, Arthur served in the defense of Charleston. After the city's fall to the British in 1780, he was sent as a prisoner of war to St. Augustine, Florida (along with Edward Rutledge), until exchanged in July the following year.
Legacy
Arthur died on January 1, 1787 at the age of 44. He was buried in the family tomb in the Gardens at Middleton Place. The plantation then passed to Henry, his eldest son, who went on to a career in politics. He was elected Governor of South Carolina (1810–1812), U.S. Representative (1815–1819), and held the post of Minister to Russia (1820–1830).
The United States Navy ship, USS Arthur Middleton (AP-55/APA-25), was named for him.
He was related to three Confederate Generals:
- A son-in-law Daniel Elliot Huger Jr was an uncle of Confederate General Benjamin Huger.
- A granddaughter of Daniel Elliott Huger Jr (1779–1854) named Mary Procter Huger (1833–1893) was the wife of South Carolina Confederate General Arthur Middleton Manigault (1824–1886) – a grandson of Arthur Middleton's sister, Hester Middleton, and South Carolina Lt. Gov. Charles Drayton. {Note: Charles Drayton was a brother of S.C. Congressman William Henry Drayton.}
- A cousin twice removed, Alica Middleton, was married to Confederate General Roswell S. Ripley. {Note: Alica Middleton's grandmother, Anne Manigault, was a wife of Thomas Middleton – a brother of Arthur Middleton. Anne Manigault was a sister of Joseph Manigault, the father of Confederate General Arthur Middleton Manigault.}
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
- Middleton, Arthur. Bioguide.congress.gov.
- Middleton Place. Middletonplace.org.
- Biography by Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, 1856. Colonialhall.com.
- Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence Books.google.com.
- Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History.navy.mil.
- Arthur Middleton. Findagrave.com.
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