Nov 11, 1971
National Register of Historic Places - Edward Rutledge House
Statement of Significant: The residence in 1787 of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence for South Carolina, lawyer, politician, soldier, and governor of South Carolina. This is the only existing structure that can be associated with Edward Rutledge. Except for a wing, the exterior of the house is little-altered; the interior, however, has undergone considerable change. Brief Sketch of the Life of Edward Rutledge, 1749-1800 Edward Rutledge was born November 23, 1749 either in Charlestown (Now Charleston), or in Christ Church Parish, across the bay. South Carolina. The son of physician, he began the study of law at the Middle Temple in 1767 and was admitted to the English bar in 1772. He returned to South Carolina in 1773 and began the practice of law in Charleston. In 1774 he married Henrietta Middleton, the daughter of the wealthy planter Henry Middletown. Rutledge had three children by this marriage. Rutledge's public career began in July 1774, when he was elected a delegate to the First Continental Congress; he served in this body in 1775 and 1776. He was also a member of the first and second provincial congresses, of South Carolina in 1775 and 1776. In 1776, as the leader of the South Carolina delegation, he staved off action on the resolution for independence for nearly a month, but on July 2, under his influence, the South Carolina members voted for the Declaration. Rutledge favored a weak confederation of the colonies because he feared that the "low Cunning and those levelling Principles of the New England States might prevail if a strong Federal government was established. In November 1776 Rutledge left the Continental Congress and returned to Charleston to resume the practice of law. He also served as a captain of artillery in the South Carolina militia, in 1778 he was elected to the State House of Representative from Charleston and chosen by that body in 1779 to be a delegate to the Continental Congress. Rutledge, however, did not reach Philadelphia.
National Register of Historic Places - Edward Rutledge House
Statement of Significant: The residence in 1787 of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence for South Carolina, lawyer, politician, soldier, and governor of South Carolina. This is the only existing structure that can be associated with Edward Rutledge. Except for a wing, the exterior of the house is little-altered; the interior, however, has undergone considerable change. Brief Sketch of the Life of Edward Rutledge, 1749-1800 Edward Rutledge was born November 23, 1749 either in Charlestown (Now Charleston), or in Christ Church Parish, across the bay. South Carolina. The son of physician, he began the study of law at the Middle Temple in 1767 and was admitted to the English bar in 1772. He returned to South Carolina in 1773 and began the practice of law in Charleston. In 1774 he married Henrietta Middleton, the daughter of the wealthy planter Henry Middletown. Rutledge had three children by this marriage. Rutledge's public career began in July 1774, when he was elected a delegate to the First Continental Congress; he served in this body in 1775 and 1776. He was also a member of the first and second provincial congresses, of South Carolina in 1775 and 1776. In 1776, as the leader of the South Carolina delegation, he staved off action on the resolution for independence for nearly a month, but on July 2, under his influence, the South Carolina members voted for the Declaration. Rutledge favored a weak confederation of the colonies because he feared that the "low Cunning and those levelling Principles of the New England States might prevail if a strong Federal government was established. In November 1776 Rutledge left the Continental Congress and returned to Charleston to resume the practice of law. He also served as a captain of artillery in the South Carolina militia, in 1778 he was elected to the State House of Representative from Charleston and chosen by that body in 1779 to be a delegate to the Continental Congress. Rutledge, however, did not reach Philadelphia.
Nov 11, 1971
Posted Date
Jun 12, 2023
Historical Record Date
Nov 11, 1971
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
Source Website
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
