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| Thomas Heyward Jr from Wikipedia |
Born on this day in 1746 in what is now knowns as Jasper County (then, St. Luke’s Parish) to Mary Miles Heyward and Daniel Heyward, Thomas Jr. grew up to be an American Founding Father, lawyer, judge, and politician. Of interest, he was called “Junior”, yet there is no indication he was named after his father. This author conjectures that perhaps his father’s name was Daniel Thomas or Thomas Daniel, as was his son, but both went by different Christian names.
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| Middle Temple students called to The Bar -- Wikipedia |
Educated at home, Thomas studied law in England, where he joined the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, the British equivalent of the American Bar Society. On his return to the United States, he was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775, and in 1776, was the final delegate to sign the Declaration of independence, forever enshrining him as a Founding Father.
Although the exact dates aren’t known, Thomas married twice, both times to women named Elizabeth. His first wife, Elizabeth Mathews, daughter of Colonel John and Sarah Gibbs Mathews, was also the sister of South Carolina governor John Mathews.
Although the exact dates aren’t known, Thomas married twice, both times to women named Elizabeth. His first wife, Elizabeth Mathews, daughter of Colonel John and Sarah Gibbs Mathews, was also the sister of South Carolina governor John Mathews.
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| Thomas Heyward House, current day -- Wikipedia |
Following his term, he returned to South Carolina to serve as a judge in 1778. Of note, he presided over a trial of several persons on the charge of treason against the United States. The jury found them guilty and they were executed in sight of the British army encamped nearby. His participation in this trial earned him no points with the enemy, and two years later, while serving in command of a militia unit, he was captured by the British during an attack on Charleston.
To prove their mastery over him, the British captured his many slaves, transporting 130 to a sugar plantation in Jamaica. However, this huge financial loss (more than $50,000 value), resulted in his being named as a martyr to the revolution by the press.
After being relocated to a prison ship in the harbor, they were removed to St. Augustine, Florida, where he remained for about 11 months until freed in a prisoner exchange. As though to mock his captors, he transposed a popular song, “God Save the King”, into “God Save the States”, earning him even more popularity. He was finally released in 1782, and it was during this year that Elizabeth died during childbirth, having delivered six children to him. Only one, Daniel, survived childhood.
His second wife, Elizabeth Savage, was the daughter of Colonel Thomas and Mary Elliott Savage of Charleston. Together they had three children, all of whom lived to adulthood: Thomas, William, and Elizabeth.
As was common in that time, he also had children of the female slaves he owned. Most notably, his grandson, Thomas E. Miller, became one of only five African Americans elected to Congress from the south in the 1890s.
In 1784, he became a member of the American Philosophical Society, and he continued serving as a judge, retiring in 1798.
Thomas Heyward, Jr. is buried at Old House Plantation near Ridgeland, South Carolina, passing away at the age of 62.
To prove their mastery over him, the British captured his many slaves, transporting 130 to a sugar plantation in Jamaica. However, this huge financial loss (more than $50,000 value), resulted in his being named as a martyr to the revolution by the press.
After being relocated to a prison ship in the harbor, they were removed to St. Augustine, Florida, where he remained for about 11 months until freed in a prisoner exchange. As though to mock his captors, he transposed a popular song, “God Save the King”, into “God Save the States”, earning him even more popularity. He was finally released in 1782, and it was during this year that Elizabeth died during childbirth, having delivered six children to him. Only one, Daniel, survived childhood.
His second wife, Elizabeth Savage, was the daughter of Colonel Thomas and Mary Elliott Savage of Charleston. Together they had three children, all of whom lived to adulthood: Thomas, William, and Elizabeth.
As was common in that time, he also had children of the female slaves he owned. Most notably, his grandson, Thomas E. Miller, became one of only five African Americans elected to Congress from the south in the 1890s.
In 1784, he became a member of the American Philosophical Society, and he continued serving as a judge, retiring in 1798.
Thomas Heyward, Jr. is buried at Old House Plantation near Ridgeland, South Carolina, passing away at the age of 62.
Giveaway: Leave a comment to enter a random drawing for another story about a former slave, Theresa, in “Theresa’s Talent”. Don’t forget to cleverly disguise your email address so the bots don’t get you but we can if you win. For example: donna AT livebytheword DOT com
About “Theresa’s Talent”: Theresa, a former slave, wants two things: to own a business, and to vote. She excels at cooking and baking, so the first should be easy. The second? Already suffragettes had been working for twenty years—while it was the law in Colorado, would she see it the law of the land for every woman in the union in her lifetime?
Toby, a freeman now working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, loves the sense of adventure and justice that being a private investigator brings. But when he sees justice failing for a white man, he can’t stand idly by and do nothing. Even if it means putting himself in danger.
But, is he willing to put another in the same position?
About “Theresa’s Talent”: Theresa, a former slave, wants two things: to own a business, and to vote. She excels at cooking and baking, so the first should be easy. The second? Already suffragettes had been working for twenty years—while it was the law in Colorado, would she see it the law of the land for every woman in the union in her lifetime?
Toby, a freeman now working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, loves the sense of adventure and justice that being a private investigator brings. But when he sees justice failing for a white man, he can’t stand idly by and do nothing. Even if it means putting himself in danger.
But, is he willing to put another in the same position?
About Donna:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story. Learn more at https://www.donnaschlachter.com/the-purpose-full-writer-coaching-programs Check out her coaching group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651
www.DonnaSchlachter.com
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Resources:
https://www.middletemple.org.uk/about-us
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Heyward_Jr.
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story. Learn more at https://www.donnaschlachter.com/the-purpose-full-writer-coaching-programs Check out her coaching group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651
www.DonnaSchlachter.com
Newsletter: https://www.thepurposefullwriter.com/newslettersignup Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive 2 free ebooks simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donna-Schlachter/author/B01180A2EE
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=donna+schlachter
The Purpose-Full Writer: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651
Need a writing coach? www.ThePurposeFullWriter.com
Resources:
https://www.middletemple.org.uk/about-us
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Heyward_Jr.
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