home

​

Thomas Heyward Jr.

Representing South Carolina at the Continental Congress

Born: July 28, 1746 Birthplace: St. Lukes Parish, South Carolina Died: March 6, 1809 __​Early life:__ Thomas Heward Jr. was born July 28, 1746 in the small parish of St. Lucas, South Carolina. Born to wealthy plantation owners and rice farmers: Daniel Heyward and Maria Miles, Heyward lived a extravigent childhood among 2 younger brothers, Daniel and William Heyward. Their father Daniel Heyward, lotted a partial of land on the Combahee River, in the St. Helena parish of South Carolina, this land he settled and named White Hall Plantation. __Education:__ Mr. Heyward recived a classical education at home with continued legal studies, in Englad. Sent by his father, Heyward attended the best school in the providence, where he was a member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. There he studied law and became very well studied in teh language of latin.

__Post Education:__ After Reciving education in England, Heyward went on a tour of Europe. Occupieng his time for several years, Heyward enjoyed a rare oppurtunity to learn first hand about the differnt countries of europe, thier people, and their differences. He complared his findings between thoses of the european countries, England, and his youthful home colonies.

__Part In government__: In 1775, Mr. Heyard was asked to fill a vaciency in congress left by senator John Rutledge. due to Heyward's modesty he at first declined although with his later acceptiance he may of not knowengly started his political career. In the year 1778, Mr. Heyward was appointed as a judge of the newly found criminal courts. As judge he charged several persons with treasonable correspondence with the British army, near charleston.  __Prisoner of War:__ In the spring of 1780,the city of Charleston was besieged by General Clinton. Now judge Heyward, and several other leaders of the revolutionwere taken prisoner of by the british army, and sent to St.Augustine. Heywards time in imrisonment severly damaged his property and belongings. His plantation was said to have been severly injured by a party of marauders, and 130 of his working slaves were seiged and sent to jamacia to work on developing sugar farms. Heyward actually escaped imprisonment by accidently faling off the ship, and holding on to the rudder of the ship, untill he was rescued.

__Declartation and beyond:__ Heyward was elected to the continental congress in 1775. His signature can be seen on both the the articles of confederation and the declaration of independence as a representitive of south carolina. he was married twice, firstly to Elizebeth Mathews, although she fell ill while he was inprisoned and died before he returned home. His second marrige was to Miss savage, Heyward had children wih both of his wives, although there is no record of them.

 Thomas Heyward died on March 6, 1809 on his south carolina plantation. 