Charleston’s Four Signers of the Declaration of Independence

From left: Middleton, Rutledge, Heyward, and Lynch.

As one of the oldest and most successful cities in the colonies, Charleston played an important role in the American Revolution and the development of the United States. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, South Carolina sent four representatives to the Continental Congress: Arthur Middleton, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward Jr, and Thomas Lynch, Jr. 

Arthur Middleton was born in Charleston in 1742 to a planter family. His father, Henry Middleton, served in the Continental Congress until 1776, when Arthur was elected to take his place. Arthur was bolder than his father in his politics, taking a ruthless approach toward Loyalists after the Revolution. Besides signing the Declaration, Middleton designed the Great Seal of South Carolina with William Drayton, and went on to serve in the defense of Charleston against the British. In 1780, he was captured along with fellow signers Edward Rutledge and Thomas Lynch, Jr; the three were held as prisoners of war in St. Augustine, Florida until the following year. After his death, he was buried at his home at Middleton Place, about which you can learn more here.

Edward Rutledge was born in Charleston in 1749. The youngest of seven children, his physician father sent him to England to study law. He returned to Charleston and built a successful law practice with partner Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (son of Eliza Lucas Pinckney, about whom we’ve blogged before). At 26, he was the youngest signer of the Declaration. When he returned to South Carolina, he joined the militia and served in the 1779 Battle of Beaufort. After the Revolution, he served in the General Assembly until 1796. There, he became known for his active role in politics, his advocacy for the confiscation of Loyalist property, and his stance against the Jay Treaty. He went on to serve in the state senate, then was elected governor in 1798. He died in Charleston before completing his term. Today, his home is an historic inn, which you can visit here. 

Thomas Heyward, Jr. was born in what is now Jasper County, South Carolina in 1746. He was educated at home and then traveled to England to study law. He returned to the colonies and was elected to the Continental Congress, becoming the final signer of the Declaration in 1776. Back in South Carolina, he served as a judge and When he was captured during the Siege of Charleston, the British confiscated his slaves; while he reclaimed some of them, most were sent to plantations in the Caribbean, a loss of over $50,000 in human property for Heyward. After the Revolution, he returned to service as a judge until 1798. Today, you can visit his home at the Heyward-Washington House.

Thomas Lynch, Jr. was born in what is now Georgetown, South Carolina in 1749. His father sent him to England to be educated in law, but upon his return to South Carolina, he chose to marry and run his plantation rather than practice law, though he remained politically active in local issues. He and his father, Thomas Lynch Sr, both served in the Continental Congress, and the younger Lynch took on the role of signer of the Declaration when his father fell ill. Only a few months younger than Rutledge, he was the second-youngest signer of the Declaration. He was also the youngest at his death: suffering from a long illness, he and his wife left South Carolina for the West Indies in 1779, but their ship was lost at sea, and he was presumed dead at 30. His childhood home, Hopsewee Plantation, can be toured today. 

It’s important to think critically about history and refrain from totally glorifying or vilifying these men. We can and should acknowledge the good that they did in founding, fighting for, and building America. However, it’s also vitally important to recognize their privileged backgrounds and the inherent biases they brought to the creation of a new nation. We need to learn about all aspects of our history and ancestors, the good and the bad, to better think about how to move forward. 

Join us on a walking tour of Charleston’s historic district to learn more about South Carolina’s Founding Fathers and their roles in the history of the United States.