Difference between revisions of "Edward Rutledge" - New World Encyclopedia
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[[Image:Declaration independence.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Rutledge is standing on the far right in [[John Trumbull]]'s famous painting [[Trumbull's Declaration of Independence|''The Declaration of Independence'']].]] | [[Image:Declaration independence.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Rutledge is standing on the far right in [[John Trumbull]]'s famous painting [[Trumbull's Declaration of Independence|''The Declaration of Independence'']].]] | ||
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After his release he returned to the state assembly, where he served until 1796. He was known as an active member and an advocate for the confiscation of [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]] property. He served in the state senate for two years, then was elected governor in 1798. He died before the end of his term. Some said at the time that he died from [[apoplexy]] resulting from hearing the news of [[George Washington]]'s death.<ref name="ANB" /> | After his release he returned to the state assembly, where he served until 1796. He was known as an active member and an advocate for the confiscation of [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]] property. He served in the state senate for two years, then was elected governor in 1798. He died before the end of his term. Some said at the time that he died from [[apoplexy]] resulting from hearing the news of [[George Washington]]'s death.<ref name="ANB" /> | ||
| − | + | ==Family== | |
| + | Mr. Rutledge married the daughter of Henry Middleton, by whom he left a son, Major Henry M. Rutledge, of Tennessee; and a daughter. Upon the death of his first wife, he married the widow of Nicholas Eveleigh, comptroller of the treasury of the United States, in the time of Washington's administration. | ||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
Revision as of 17:12, 7 July 2008
| Edward Rutledge | |
| Edward Rutledge
| |
| In office December 18, 1798 – January 23, 1800 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Pinckney |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | John Drayton |
| Born | November 23 1749 Charleston, South Carolina |
| Died | January 23 1800 (aged 50) Charleston, South Carolina |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse | Henrietta Middleton, Mary Shubrick Eveleigh |
| Signature | 
|
Edward Rutledge (November 23, 1749 – January 23, 1800), South Carolina statesman, at the age of 26 was the youngest of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and later governor of South Carolina.
Early years and career
Like his eldest brother John Rutledge, Edward was born in Charleston. He studied law at Oxford University, was admitted to the English bar (Middle Temple), and returned to Charleston to practice. He married and had three children with Henrietta Middleton, daughter of Henry Middleton. Rutledge had a successful law practice with his partner, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. He became a leading citizen of Charleston, and owned more than 50 slaves.[1]
American Revolution
Along with his brother John, Rutledge represented South Carolina in the Continental Congress. Although a firm supporter of colonial rights, he was initially reluctant to support independence from Great Britain, hoping instead for reconciliation with the mother country. Like other Southern planters, Rutledge did not want the American Revolution to change the basic social structure of the South. He worked to have African Americans expelled from the Continental Army, and led the successful effort to have wording removed from the Declaration of Independence that condemned slavery and the slave trade.[1] Nevertheless, he signed the Declaration for the sake of unanimity, and at age 26 was the youngest to sign.
He returned home in November 1776 to take a seat in the South Carolina Assembly. He served as a captain of artillery in the South Carolina militia, and fought at the Battle of Beaufort in 1779. The next year he was captured by the British in the fall of Charleston, and held prisoner until July 1781.
He took leave of Congress in November of 1776 to join the defense of his colony. He was a member of the Charleston Battalion of Artillery, engaged in several important battles, and attained the rank of Captain. The colonial legislature sent him back to Congress in 1779 to fill a vacancy. He took his leave again in 1780 when the British conducted a third invasion of South Carolina. He resumed his post as Captain in the defense of Charleston, was captured and held prisoner until July of 1781.
n 1782 he returned to the legislature of his native state, where he served until 1796. He was a very active member, intent on the prosecution of British Loyalists. At times he served on as many nineteen committees. He also served as an elector, in 1788, 1792, and in 1796 when, despite his avowed allegiance to the Federalist party, he voted for Thomas Jefferson. He was then elected to the state Senate, twice, and in 1789 was elected Governor. This would be his last office.
After his release he returned to the state assembly, where he served until 1796. He was known as an active member and an advocate for the confiscation of Loyalist property. He served in the state senate for two years, then was elected governor in 1798. He died before the end of his term. Some said at the time that he died from apoplexy resulting from hearing the news of George Washington's death.[1]
Family
Mr. Rutledge married the daughter of Henry Middleton, by whom he left a son, Major Henry M. Rutledge, of Tennessee; and a daughter. Upon the death of his first wife, he married the widow of Nicholas Eveleigh, comptroller of the treasury of the United States, in the time of Washington's administration.
Legacy
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After the American Civil War, the Edward Rutledge House was acquired by Captain Wagener, a wealthy merchant, who helped renovate the mansion during Reconstruction in the South. During the Depression of the 1930's, the house fell into some disrepair and was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. The current owners acquired the home from a prominent Charleston family in 1998.
Edward Rutledge occupies a unique and celebrated place in American history. In recognition of this fact, his former Charleston residence, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1971 it was declared a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Today, the elegant Governor's House Inn is a historic Charleston SC bed and breakfast.[2]
Rutledge was a main character in the musical play 1776, in which he sings the song "Molasses to Rum to Slaves" about slavery and the Triangle Trade. He was portrayed by Clifford David in the original Broadway production and John Cullum in the 1972 film. In the 2008 miniseries John Adams, Rutledge was portrayed by Clancy O'Connor.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Williams, American National Biography.
- ↑ Governor's House Inn Governorshouse.com. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Williams, Patrick G.. "Rutledge, Edward." American National Biography Online, Feb. 2000.
External links
- Biography by Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, 1856
- SCIway Biography of Edward Rutledge
- John & Edward Rutledge of South Carolina
- NGA Biography of Edward Rutledge
- Biographies of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
- Find a Grave
| Preceded by: Charles Pinckney |
Governor of South Carolina 1798 – 1800 |
Succeeded by: John Drayton |
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