William Henry Drayton facts for kids
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William Henry Drayton (born September 1742 – died September 3, 1779) was an important figure in early American history. He was a Founding Father, a plantation owner, and a lawyer from Charleston, South Carolina. He represented South Carolina in the Continental Congress in 1778 and 1779. He also signed the Articles of Confederation, which was like the first constitution of the United States.
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William Henry Drayton: Early Life
William Henry was born at his family's large plantation called Drayton Hall. This plantation was located on the Ashley River near Charleston. His father, John Drayton, had just finished building the big main house on their rice plantation. His mother was Charlotta Bull Drayton. Her father, William Bull, was the governor of the colony. Drayton Hall remained William's home for his entire life.
Education in England
In 1750, when William was about eight years old, he was sent to England for his education. He first studied at Westminster School, where he met Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. After that, he went to Balliol College, Oxford, a famous university. He returned home to South Carolina in 1764. There, he studied law by "reading law," which meant learning from an experienced lawyer. Soon after, he became a lawyer in South Carolina.
Path to the American Revolution
At first, William Henry Drayton did not support the growing desire for American colonies to unite and resist British rule. This feeling started to grow after the Stamp Act Congress. He even wrote letters that were published, arguing against the American actions. Because of these letters, he was made a member of the Colonial Council in 1772. The governor, William Bull, also appointed him to the Colony's Court in 1774.
Changing His Mind
However, later in 1774, Drayton changed his mind. He wrote a pamphlet called The American Claim of Rights. In this writing, he supported the idea of holding a Continental Congress. This Congress would bring together representatives from all the colonies. Because of his new views, he was removed from all his government jobs. This event completed his change of heart, and he fully joined the Patriot cause. The Patriots were those who supported American independence.
Role in the American Revolution
In 1775, William Henry Drayton became a member of South Carolina's Committee of Safety. This group helped organize the colony's defense. He also joined the provisional Congress, which acted as the rebel government for the colony.
Designing the State Seal
In 1776, Drayton worked with Arthur Middleton to design the Seal of South Carolina. This seal is an important symbol for the state. When South Carolina began operating under a temporary constitution in 1776, Drayton returned to his seat on the council. He served as the chief justice of the state's Supreme Court.
Supporting Union with Georgia
In 1776, the South Carolina General Assembly voted to unite with Georgia. Drayton became the main supporter of this idea. However, a meeting in Georgia rejected the union on January 23, 1777. Even so, Drayton continued to campaign in Georgia for the union. Eventually, Governor John A. Treutlen of Georgia offered a reward for his arrest.
Delegate to Continental Congress
In 1778, South Carolina sent Drayton as a delegate to the Continental Congress. While there, he strongly supported the military efforts during the war. He also had strong opinions about how to deal with Native American groups during the conflict.
Later Life and Legacy
William Henry Drayton died on September 3, 1779. He was in office as a delegate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he passed away from typhus. He was only 37 years old.
Drayton Hall Today
His childhood home, Drayton Hall, is now part of the expanded city of Charleston. Today, it is operated as a museum. People can visit it to learn about its history for an admission fee.
Family Life
William Henry Drayton married Dorothy Golightly in 1764. They had a son named John Drayton, who later became the Governor of South Carolina. William Henry Drayton was also the cousin of U.S. Representative William Drayton. This William Drayton was the son of Judge William Drayton Sr..
