Everything about Edward Rutledge totally explained
Edward Rutledge (
November 23,
1749 –
January 23,
1800),
South Carolina statesman, was a signer 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.
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 didn't 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.
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.
Later life and legacy
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 his 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.
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.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Edward Rutledge'.
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