How Did Edward Rutledge Influence The Declaration Of Independence

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Edward Rutledge, was one of the four signers of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina, at the age of 26, he was the youngest of the signers. Edward was born in the city of Charleston, November 23, 1749. Edward was the youngest, son of Dr. John Rutledge, who emigrated from Ireland to South Carolina, around 1735. His mother was Sarah Hext. At the age of 27, Sarah became a widow with seven children. Edward had four brothers and two sisters.
Following in the footsteps of his two older brothers’ John and Hugh Rutledge Edward studied law in London at the Inns of Court. In 1772 he was admitted to the English bar, he returned back to Charleston in 1773, to practice law. Rutledge established a successful law career with his partner, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Edward made his name as a patriot, when he defended Thomas Powell a newspaper publisher who had defied British laws. In 1774, Edward married Henrietta Middleton, a member of a wealthy South Carolina family, they would have three children. He became a …show more content…
South Carolina was against independence and wanted to vote against it. Edward then convinced other South Carolina delegates to support and vote for independance. South Carolina voted for independence. After the signing, Rutledge returned home to South Carolina to help defend South Carolina. In 1780 the British captured him during the siege of charlestown and he had to serve a year in jail. His family was also captured by the British for supporting independence.
After the Revolutionary War, he served in the state legislature, from 1798 to 1800, he was Governor of South Carolina. Rutledge suffered a stroke soon after hearing president Washington’s death, and died at the age of fifty on January 23,1800. Edward Rutledge accomplished many great things in his life and for the state of South Carolina. Edward Rutledge did more than just sign the Declaration of
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