Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-04-18
sIeNERs OF DECLARATION.


Times.
sIeNERs OF DECLARATION.
Sketches of Edward RutIedse and
Thomas Hayward.
South Carolina's vote for independ-
ence in 1776 is preserved by four sig
natures on the Declaration Of Indepen-
dence. They are the signatures of Ed
ward Rutledge, Thomas Hayward, Jr"
Thomas Lynch, Jr, and Arthur Mid
dleton.
Edward Rutledge was born In
Charleston in November, 1749. Des-
tined for the legal profession, at an
early age he was placed with his elder
brother, who was at that period. or
was rapidly becoming, the most dis
tinguished member Of the Charleston
bar. In 1859 he was sent to England
to complete his legal course and was
entered at the Temple. After close at
tention to his studies and constant at
tendance at the bar before leaving
England, and on his return home, he
began the practice Of law in 1773, at
the age Of 21. His mind was sound
and logical. He was a fluent speaker,
possessing harmonious voice, and was
pleasing orator. "He never failed to
dazzle where he did not convince"
In 1774 he was sent q delegate to
congress and the following year was
an active member Of that body. He
engaged in the discussion Of independ-
ence and was associated on a. commit
tee with Richard Henry Lee and John
Adams to draw suitable preamble to
it, He was next appointed on COM
mittee with DR.. Franklin and John
Adams to confer with Lord Howe on
his negotiations for peace. Mr.. Rut-
ledge was again appointed to congress
in ITS, but sickness compelled him to
return home before he had reached
Philadelphia.
Returning to Charleston, where he
was soon restored to health, Mr.. Rut-
ledge assumed command Of a company
in the ancient battery Of artillery. His
great friend, Thomas Hayward, (also
signer of the Declaration,3 commanded
another.
While Charleston had been in the
hands Of the British the aged mother
of Mr.. Rutledge, had endured some
persecution at their hands, for her sup
posed power to aid the American cause.
The commandant at Charleston had or
dered her to be removed from her
country residence and confined to the
limits of the town, upon suggestion
that much was to be apprehended from
woman like Mrs. Rutledge.
| Mr.. Rutledge was now engaged In
the practice Of his profession and In
the duties incumbent upon him as a
member Of the state legislature, IN
which body he served for seventeen
years. When General G. c. Pinckney
left the senate Mr.. Rutledge was ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy. In 1898
he retired from the practice Of law
and was elected governor Of South
Carolina. But he lived to complete but
half the term for which he had been
appointed. His constitution, which
was very strong, had been materially
shattered by hereditary gout. How
ever. he continued to fulfill his duties
as governor with activity and cheer
fulness. He died at Charleston, jan
uary 3, 1900.
Shortly after his return from Eng
land, in 1913, Mr.. Rutledege married
Harriet, daughter Of Henry Middleton
one Of his colleagues in congress, and
who succeeded Peyton Randolph as
president of that body. His son by his
marriage was Major Henry M. Rut-
ledge, of Tennessee, and his daughter
was a resident Of Charleston. On the
death of his first wife he married
Mary, daughter of Thomas Shubrick
and widow of Nicholas Eveleigh, comp
troller Of the United States, by the
appointment of General Washington.
Mr.. Thomas Hayward, the eldest son
of Colonel Daniel Hayward, Of St
Luke's parish, in the province Of South
Carolina, was born in 1746. He receiv-
ed a good education at the best school
in the province. From school he was
removed to the office Of Mr.. Parsons
a celebrated lawyer. Completing his
studies under Mr.. Parsons, Mr.. Hey
ward was sent to England to be- enter
ed in one Of the Inns Of Court. After
the completion Of his studies he set out
upon his travels, and several years
were spent in visiting the different Eu-
ropean countries.
| Returning to America Mr.. Hayward
devoted himself to the practice Of his
profession. In 1773 he married Miss
Matthews, a beautiful young woman
During his early domestic life and hap
piness, troubles with Great Britain
commenced. Possessing a fearless, yet
amiable temperament, he soon became
a great favorite with the people. He
was elected to the first Revolutionary
assembly in the province, and shortly
afterwards he was chosen a member
Of the Council Of Safety.
In IT'S Mr.. Hayward was elected to
congress, and soon took an active part
in the debate on liberty, and in 1776 he
signed the Declaration. Three years
later he was elected a judge of the
criminal and civil courts Of the new
government. At Beaufort he COM
manded a company Of the Charleston
Ancient Battalion Of Artillery. When
Charleston was surrendered Mr.. Hey
ward became a prisoner of war; and
the British resolved to transport him
to st. Augustine for imprisonment.
But his spirit was not broken, he sang
God Save the States" to the music of
God Save the King" for instance.
During his IMPRISONMENT the British