125th Anniversary - Rededications at the State House - Bicentennial State Project

In honor of our Nation's Bicentennial, counties, cities, towns, groups, and individuals were asked to give a gift to the Nation.  State Regent Louise Burgdorf and the SCDAR replicated South Carolina's Bicentennial Medallion as the SCDAR's gift to the nation which proudly hangs in the State House in the twin stairwell on the wall adjacent to the tablet to the South Carolina Signers of the Constitution.

Script for the Re-dedication Ceremony Monuments, Tablets, and Medallions Placed by the SCDAR at the SC State House

South Carolina State House Grounds

June 13, 2018

Written by Penny Renwick

DIANNE:

As part of the Bicentennial project of State Regent Louise Burgdorf, the SCDAR placed mammoth replicas in the State House of the South Carolina Bicentennial medallion both the obverse and arm of the medallion.

PENNY:

The Bicentennial Commission recognized that commemorative objects could serve a worthwhile purpose in stimulating interest in the American Revolution and in the part which South Carolina played.  On June 28, 1974, the 198^th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, the Commission released South Carolina’s official Bicentennial medallion.  James L. Haynsworth of Columbia, South Carolina, designed the medallion’s obverse, which commemorates  Sergeant William Jasper’s heroic rescue of the state flag at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.  The arms (or reverse) side of the State Bicentennial medallion is the same as the reverse of the original Great Seal of South Carolina, chosen in 1776.

The Seal of the State of South Carolina was designed by William Drayton after the British were defeated and driven away by the fort on Sullivan’s Island, in Charleston Harbor, on the 28^th of June, 1776, which event suggested some of the devices.  On this, the palmetto tree on one of the shields represents the fort, which was constructed of palmetto logs.  On the other may be seen a woman walking on the seashore holding in her had a branch of laurel.  She looks with hope to the sun rising in splendor over the sea.  This individual represents the State of South Carolina anticipating a glorious future when she has gained her independence from Great Britain. 

The supporters of these shields are a soldier in Continental uniform, on one side; while on the other stands the Goddess of Liberty, who hold aloft in her left had a pole, surmounted by a liberty cap.  In her right she extends a wreath of laurel to the soldier, whom she apparently intends to crown with this garland of victory.

Bicentennial Medallion showing each side of the Seal of South Carolina were placed during State Conference March 4, 1975.

DIANNE:

The SCDAR rededicates the replicas of the obverse and arm of the Bicentennial medallion commemorating the 200th birthday of the United States of America.  As the nation’s birthday approaches in less than a month, may we always be mindful of how our nation was born, the sacrifices made to form a new nation, and may we be filled with patriotic fervor each day and not just on our nation’s birthday.

PLACE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT.  Pause.

If you have never seen the musical or the movie (which is also a musical) 1776,  I encourage you to make this a part of your Fourth of July tradition.  It is a fun way to learn about how the Declaration of Independence came about with poetic license.  With humor, songs that get stuck in your head, and some powerful scenes, one begins to get a sense of how our colonies united to form a new nation.

image from the movie "1776" from the song "Sit down, John!"

Why do I even talk about this?   Let's think about it.  Memorial Day is really celebrated as a holiday that is the first day of summer with all of the sales to go along with it instead of a day that pays tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.  The Fourth of July is a holiday from work with cookouts, with fireworks, and with lots of red/white/and blue.

If asked about why we celebrate this day, we will say it is the birthday of our nation.  But do we really understand what that means. Probably not.  Most people could not tell you that this day is a result of the passing of the Declaration of Independence.  They couldn't tell you about the struggle involved in uniting the colonies as one nation in fighting and separating from a formidable foe.  Have they even read the Declaration of Independence?  Have you ?

As our nation's birthday approaches, may we truly and honestly reflect on the meaning of this day.  I am pasting the text of the Declaration of Independence below for you to read.  After reading it, I want you to focus on the last sentence "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.''  Then, I want you to search yourself, to truly examine yourself, and ask yourself these questions, "Would I have signed the Declaration of Independence if I had been one of the delegates?  Would I have been ready to give up everything?  If that had happened today, would I be ready to do what my ancestors did?"  Be totally honest when answering these questions.  Now read the Declaration of Independence and when the Fourth of July comes, may you celebrate the day with a new sense of understanding and appreciation for our Founding Fathers and the patriots who fought and contributed in other ways to bring about a new nation.

In Congress, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

125th Anniversary - Rededications at the State House - Emily Geiger Tablet

On the main lobby of the State House close to the doors that lead out to the beautiful staircase facing Gervais Street is the tablet erected to Emily Geiger.  Emily is one of South Carolina's female patriots.  I thought you would enjoy a more complete description of her story.  Following the picture of the rededication, I have included her fascinating story which will be the first of many to come.

As part of the Chapter Clips feature, I will be sharing the story behind the names of our chapters as well as the stories of many other patriots whose names were not chosen by chapters but are a part of our Revolutionary history.  You will be fascinated by not only Emily's story, but all of their stories!

Of course, you will find the script below in the event you could not hear any part of the rededication.  I hope you enjoy learning about one of our many patriots!

Script for the Re-dedication Ceremony Monuments, Tablets, and Medallions Placed by the SCDAR at the SC State House

South Carolina State House Grounds

June 13, 2018

Written by Penny Renwick

DIANNE:

In 1900, the SCDAR provided a plaque commemorating the heroic ride of Emily Geiger. This tablet hangs on the wall of the main lobby near the main entrance opposite the carved marble representation of the Ordinance of Secession. 

Emily Geiger from the NSDAR Great Women of the American Revolution pewter medallion collection

PENNY:

When eighteen-year-old Emily heard that General Nathaniel Greene needed someone to carry a message to Thomas Sumter and Francis Marion, she volunteered. To deliver the message, it was necessary that she cross British lines and, as a result, she was captured by the enemy.

When the soldiers left her alone to find a female to search her, Emily memorized the message, then tore it into small pieces and swallowed it. When the British were unable to find anything after searching her, they released her. She was able to complete her mission and deliver the crucial messages to Sumter and Marion, saving many patriot lives. 

In an article published in Volume 8 1896 of the American Monthly Magazine the Historian of the Rebecca Motte Chapter wrote the following concerning Emily Geiger.

This old seal having become worn in the course of its long service of one hundred and twenty years, the Legislature of our State, in 1895, ordered a new seal to be made similar to the original, except that the supporters should be individualized and that hereafter William Moultrie and Emily Geiger should be placed upon it as the representatives of a noble past.  Thus do they now stand upon the Seal of State of South Carolina which must be affixed to every public document signed by the Governor ere it can be an official state paper.

No other woman in the United State has, in all likelihood, received so public and honor as to be chosen by the highest legislative body of her State to be the representative woman of that Commonwealth.  Emily stands now as the heroine to be ever remembered here, and taken as the highest example of what a woman can do, and dare, in the service of her country; and, should similar circumstances arise again, our State looks to her daughters to be ready to imitate, as well as to admire, her deed of high courage and energy.

DIANNE:

In the series finale of TURN, the character of George Washington says, “Our country owes its life to heroes whose names they will never know.”  One author stated that “such was the aid rendered by women whose deeds of disinterested generosity were never known beyond their own neighborhood.”

The SCDAR rededicates this tablet to Emily Geiger whose name and contribution we do know as well as the women whose names and contributions we will never know but without whose contributions the war and our freedom for our nation would have never been won.

PLACE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT.  Pause.

DIANNE: 

Thank you.

From History of American Women – Women in the American Revolution, I share with you the story of Emily Geiger.

During the Revolutionary War, the Carolina colonies were invaded by the British in 1781.  Patriot Generals Nathanael Greene, Thomas Sumter, Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, and Francis Marion were waging an all-out campaign to rid South Carolina of the British.

General Greene had spent 28 days trying to capture the fort at Ninety-Six, South Carolina but had been forced to retreat when he discovered that British General Lord Francis Rawdon was coming with reinforcements.  General Greene felt that Rawdon’s men were vulnerable to attack but knew he lacked the manpower to win the skirmish.

If General Greene could get a message to General Sumter, the two units could join forces and attack General Rawdon en masse.  Two things made getting such a message to General Sumter very difficult.  Seventy miles of difficult  terrain – some of it dense marsh – separated the two armies, and the area was a hotbed of British sympathizers.

General Greene hesitated to order any of his men – who were exhausted and weak from lack of proper food – to undertake such a ride.  So he called for a civilian volunteer to carry the message.  But no one could be found willing to run the risk of traversing a section of country that was infested with vengeful Tories.

About two miles from where General Greene had camped with his weary and disheartened troops, stood the residence of a well-to-do farmer named John Geiger, a loyal and outspoken patriot but an invalid and unable to bear arms for his country.  His eighteen-year-old daughter was an ardent patriot as well.

Emily Geiger overheard her father and one of his friends discussing Greene’s dilemma and his call for a courier.  Without saying anything to her father, she left the house and went to General Greene’s camp asking to speak to the general personally.  She bravely offered to carry his message to General Sumter.

Greene was understandably leery about sending a young woman on such a long and dangerous trip.  Emily also stated that she was well acquainted with the route to be travelled as she had been over it more than once.  Desperate, Greene finally consented to let Emily go, wrote his message, [also communicated it to her verbally] and sent her on her way.  [She traveled under the guise of going to her Uncle Jacob’s house.]

Unknown to Emily, a Tory spy had seen her leave General Greene’s camp.  He reported her activities to a man named Lowry who in turn sent a man to apprehend Emily.  Unsuspecting, Emily continued her journey until she was forced to stop for the night and stay with strangers who were secretly Tories.

In the middle of the night, the man tracking Emily arrived at the house where she was sleeping.  He decided to rest a few hours before taking custody of Emily.  She figured out what was happening, and while the others slept, she sneaked out the window, saddled her horse, and silently rode away.  She pushed her horse as hard as she dared, knowing that the rider would be tailing her as soon as he woke.

Emily made it about two-thirds of the way to General Sumter’s camp when she saw three British soldiers coming toward her.  The sight of a young woman traveling alone from the direction of General Greene’s camp and on a well-lathered horse made them suspicious.  When they questioned her, the soldiers became even more wary of Emily. [Emily was not a spy and could not lie very well.]

They took Emily captive and carried her before Lord Rawdon whose camp was about a mile distant [Fort Granby].  He questioned Emily closely as to where she was from and where she was going.  He considered her answers evasive, and ordered her to be locked up in one of the upper rooms of the guard house until a woman could be found to search her.

Emily agonized over what to do next.  Being found with a message would mean she would be tried and probably hanged as a spy.  The answer came to her suddenly.  She memorized the words on the paper, and then bit by bit, she ate the message.

She choked the last bit down just as a woman appeared prepared to search her and her clothing.  Obviously, nothing of a suspicious nature was found upon her, and Lord Rawdon was honor-bound to permit Emily to continue on her journey unmolested.  He gave her an escort to a house [her Uncle Jacob’s] a few miles distant where she ate and rested a few hours.

With a fresh horse and a guide who could show her a shorter and safer way, Emily set out, and by riding all night, they were far from Lord Rawdon’s camp.  At sunrise, the guide left her to continue her journey alone.

She rode on steadily, hot as it was, until 3 o’clock on the afternoon of the third day, she suddenly came upon a file of soldiers, whom from their dress she knew to be friends.  They conducted Emily to General Sumter; hungry, weary, and almost fainting, she clearly and succinctly delivered her message.  In an hour, General Sumter was ready to march to meet General Greene.

After a few days of rest, Emily returned home to her father.

Emily Geiger later married a wealthy planter named John Threwits who lived on the Congaree River in South Carolina. 

125th Anniversary - Rededications at the State House - Tablet to the Signers of the Consitution

On the opposite twin stairwell hangs the beautiful tablet to the Signers of the Constitution from South Carolina.  It is the companion piece to the tablet to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina. 

As we moved from one stairwell to the other, we were able to view up close another beautiful feature of the twin stairwells, the yellow jessamine border that trims the staircase.  The yellow jessamine is the state flower of South Carolina.  Each spring, South Carolinians are treated to the return of the yellow flowers emerging on the climbing vine.  The trumpet shaped flowers produce an unmistakable spicy scent.  It was chosen as the state flower by our legislature in 1924 because, as it was noted, it is "indigenous to every part of our state.  BUT, don't eat it because it is poisonous!

Here is the video from the rededication of the tablet to the Signers of the Constitution from South Carolina.  Below the video is the script in the event you are unable to hear any portion.  After the script, you will find a brief history of the South Carolina signers.

Don't forget to turn up the volume on your computer.  The video isn't perfect, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

Script for the Re-dedication Ceremony Monuments, Tablets, and Medallions Placed by the SCDAR at the SC State House

South Carolina State House Grounds

June 13, 2018

Written by Penny Renwick

DIANNE:  

On the twin stairwell opposite the tablet to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence is the tablet to the Signers of The Constitution of the United States. This tablet was placed during the Sesquicentennial of the founding of the capital city of South Carolina.  The project was started during the administration of Della Coulter and was completed in the final year of the administration of Frances Mauldin.

PENNY:

As stated by Frances Mauldin, State Regent 1933-1936, she considered the placing of this tablet the outstanding achievement of her administration.  Grand dedicatory exercises were held on March 25, 1936 in the Hall of the House of Representatives which were marked by great ceremony and dignity. The date of this occasion was part of the Sesquicentennial of the founding of the Capital City of South Carolina.  Judge Bonham of the Supreme Court made the chief address that day.  The Chief Justice, the Associate Justices, the Judiciary both Federal and State, the Governor, and scores of others were in attendance.  The Washington Light Infantry of Charleston carried the historic Eutaw Battle Flag.

It is worth noting that the delegates from South Carolina to the Constitutional Convention arrived early and remained to the end.  All of them signed the draft which is an honor shared with only three other states.  These men stood out in the Convention as leaders and would be considered among the state’s most distinguished sons in their later years.

DIANNE:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.  These are the words of the Preamble of the Constitution.  This living document was written as a complement to the Declaration of Independence.  While the Declaration provided for the philosophical basis for a new government that exercised its power from the consent of the governed of a free people, the Constitution provided the framework by which that government would operate that would act in accord with the principles of liberty delineated in the Declaration. 

We celebrate the efforts of the SCDAR Daughters to provide a constant and beautiful reminder to those who visit the State House as well as those who serve our state in the legislature of the complete dedication to the creation of our country by our signers.

The companion tablets located in the twin stairwells are a profound demonstration by our former daughters of how our state representatives must ever be mindful that the operation of our government must always be attentive to the philosophical basis for our government, that our Constitution must be a reflection of our Declaration.

PLACE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT.  Pause.

DIANNE: Thank you.

The Signers of the Constitution from South Carolina

Pierce Butler (1744-1822)

Butler was elected to the assembly in 1778 and the next year served as adjutant general in the South Carolina militia.  The War for Independence cost him much of his property, and his finances were so precarious for a time that he was forced to travel to Amsterdam to seek a personal loan. In 1786 the assembly appointed him to a commission charged with settling a state boundary dispute.

He was appointed one of the state’s first two senators (1789) and served until he resigned in 1796. He was appointed a seat in the United States Senate in 1803 but resigned (again) before the end of his appointment in 1804.

During the Constitutional Convention, he was an outspoken nationalist who attended practically every session and was a key spokesman for the Madison-Wilson caucus. On his return to South Carolina Butler defended the Constitution but did not participate in the ratifying convention. Service in the U.S. Senate  followed.  But, for the most part, his later career was spent as a wealthy planter. In his last years, he moved to Philadelphia, apparently to be near a daughter who had married a local physician. Butler died there in 1822 at the age of 77 and was buried in the yard of Christ Church.

Charles Pinckney (1757-1824)

As a young man, Pinckney enlisted in the militia.  He became a lieutenant, and served at the siege of Savannah.  When Charleston fell to the British the next year, he was captured and remained a prisoner until June 1781.

Pinckney had also begun a political career, serving in the Continental Congress and in the state legislature.

His role in the Constitutional Convention is controversial. Although one of the youngest delegates, he later claimed to have been the most influential one and contended he had submitted a draft that was the basis of the final Constitution. Most historians have rejected this assertion. They do, however, recognize that he ranked among the leaders. He attended full time, spoke often and effectively, and contributed immensely to the final draft and to the resolution of problems that arose during the debates. He also worked for ratification in South Carolina. 

Subsequently, Pinckney's career blossomed. He was elected governor of South Carolina for three different terms, and also served as a United States Senator. He resigned his senate seat to become minister to Spain from 1801-1809, served in the South Carolina state legislature (1810-1814), and then became a member of the House of Representatives from 1819-1821 where he adamantly opposed the Missouri Compromise.

In 1821, Pinckney's health beginning to fail, he retired for the last time from politics. He died in 1824, just 3 days after his 67th birthday. He was laid to rest in Charleston at St. Philip's Episcopal Churchyard.

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1746-1825)

When South Carolina organized its forces in 1775, he joined the First South Carolina Regiment as a captain. He soon rose to the rank of colonel and fought in the South in defense of Charleston and in the North at the Battles of Brandywine, PA, and Germantown, PA. He commanded a regiment in the campaign against the British in the Floridas in 1778 and at the siege of Savannah. When Charleston fell in 1780, he was taken prisoner and held until 1782. The following year, he was discharged as a brevet brigadier general.

Pinckney was one of the leaders at the Constitutional Convention. After the convention, he defended the Constitution in South Carolina.served as the United States Minister to France during the administration of George Washington and was part of the mission to France during the so-called “XYZ Affair.” It was Pinckney who said at the time, “Millions for defense, sir, but not one cent for tribute!,” which is inscribed on the rear side of the plateau of the battleship silver and upon his return to the United States he began to prepare for a war with France with former President Washington and Alexander Hamilton. However, the situation was resolved before it could come to that. He ran unsuccessfully for the vice presidency as the Federalist candidate along with John Adams in 1800 and also lost his bid for the presidency against Thomas Jefferson in 1804 and James Madison in 1808.

John Rutledge (1739-1800)

In 1778 the conservative Rutledge, disapproving of democratic revisions in the state constitution, resigned his position.  In 1779, Rutledge was elected as governor.   When Charleston fell, the American army was captured, and the British confiscated Rutledge's property. He ultimately escaped to North Carolina and set about attempting to rally forces to recover South Carolina. In 1781, aided by Gen. Nathanael Greene and a new Continental Army force, he reestablished the government. In January 1782 he resigned the governorship and took a seat in the lower house of the legislature. He never recouped the financial losses he suffered during the war.

Rutledge was a delegate to the Continental Congress with his younger brother. He was one of the most influential delegates at the Constitutional Convention, where he attended all the sessions, spoke often and effectively, and served on five committees.

Rutledge was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (1789-1791). He was then appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1795, but was not confirmed because of his negative feelings toward the Jay Treaty.

He suffered intermittent mental illness following and since the death of his wife in 1792 and died in 1800 at the age of 60.  He was interred at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Charleston.

125th Anniversary - Rededications at the State House - Tablet to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

The beauty of our State House is something for which each South Carolinian should treasure. On each side of the lower lobby, you will find a set of original twin cast iron staircases.  These staircases lead to the main lobby of the State House and to the entrances to the South Carolina House and Senate Chambers.

If you have the opportunity to tour the State House pay close attention to the fabric of the wall covering.  This fabric is embossed with the letters "S" and "C" for South Carolina.  It is interesting to note that the design was taken from the design used on the old dispensary, or liquor, bottles from the South Carolina State Dispensary in the early 1900s.  More on the twin staircase in my next blog post.

After rededicating the Partisan Monument, the group made its way from the hot summer sun to a cool building filled with rich history.  If you have not been, please make time to go and arrange a tour.

Our next rededication took place at the tablet to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina.  Thank you to Sara Stork for videoing this ceremony.  The landing is a tight fit and her height made it so much easier with the staircase behind us!  We tried something different in this video.  As a result, the first 30 seconds are going to be in landscape mode and on its side.  So, turn your head to the side!  After that, you can turn your head upright.  The remainder of the video will be correct.  It was our attempt to get a better view of the tablet.  Needless to say, I am still learning about the camcorder and will know better next time!

Also, I have included the script in the event you are unable to hear any portion of the video.  After the script is some information on the Signers of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina as well as a information about their homes.  Three of the homes can be toured if you are visiting the Charleston area.  Enjoy!

Script for the Re-dedication Ceremony Monuments, Tablets, and Medallions Placed by the SCDAR at the SC State House

South Carolina State House Grounds

June 13, 2018

Written by Penny Renwick

DIANNE:

During the our 125 year history, the SCDAR provided the State of South Carolina two complimentary tablets that are placed on the first landings of the twin stairwells leading to the second floor of the State House.  The first tablet commemorated the signers of the Declaration of Independence from the state of South Carolina and was placed in honor of the Sesquicentennial of our Nation.

PENNY:

Madam State Regent.  During the administration of Grace Mauldin, a tablet to the South Carolina Signers of the Declaration of Independence was planned, paid for at a cost of $1500, and placed in the State House in less than one year thanks to the fine work of committee chair, Mrs. George McCutcheon and the enthusiastic cooperation of the chapters.  The unveiling exercises for the tablet took place on February 22, 1927.  The birthday of George Washington was a revered date in the history of our organization.  For many years you would find mention of various celebrations in honor of the birthday of the Father of Our Country.  The unveiling exercises for the tablet were set to commemorate Washington’s birthday in 1927.  This was considered as an unusual celebration of that birthday, but a celebration of it none the less.  Because the unveiling of the tablet was an occasion to be observed not only by the DAR but by all patriotic Americans, the hour was set at 12:30 P.M. so as not to conflict with Lenten services enabling the public to attend this auspicious occasion.

Two of South Carolina’s delegates would be the youngest to sign the document as delegates in their twenties.  All would go on to defend their country through service.  Three of them would become prisoners of war, and three of them would lose their wealth during the Revolution. 

The inscription of the bronze tablet reads as follows:

DIANNE:

In the final sentence of the Declaration of Independence, the delegates pledged the following by signing their names to the document: “We pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”  That document formed the foundation of our nation.    Many of the signers did in fact make sacrifices in service to their country.  Nothing could ever diminish the honor of these heroes.  It is that honor that we celebrate today through the re-dedication of this plaque and that honor which our nation celebrates every July 4th. 

We celebrate the efforts of the SCDAR Daughters to provide a constant and beautiful reminder to those who visit the State House as well as those who serve our state in the legislature of the complete dedication to the creation of our country by the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

PLACE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT.   Pause.

DIANNE:  We will now move to the twin stairwell.

The Signers of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina

Thomas Lynch, Jr.

Thomas Lynch, Jr. was an aristocratic planter who was one of the youngest signers of the Declaration of Independence.  He was trained as a lawyer and graduated from Cambridge University in England.  He was commissioned a company commander in the First South Carolina regiment in 1775 and was elected to the Second Continental Congress to carry on the duties of his ill father in 1776.  Thomas Lynch Sr. and Thomas Lynch Jr. were the only father and son team to serve concurrently in the Continental Congress.  He fell ill shortly after signing the Declaration and retired form Congress.  He and his wife were enroute to France in 1779 when their ship was lost at sea.  He was 30 years old.  

His birthplace is Hopsewee Plantation which was featured in DAR's "American Spirit" magazine.  According to the website this private residence, "this National Historic Landmark - near Myrtle Beach and Charleston in the heard of South Carolina's Lowcountry - is open from January 30, 2018 through December 15, 2018, Tuesday - Saturday, with tours on the hour 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and beginning at 11:00 on Saturdays.  Dining is available Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 A.M.- 3:30 P.M."  I hope you will make plans to visit when you are nearby.  

Thomas Heyward, Jr.

Thomas Heyward was a planter and lawyer and was one of three signers from South Carolina captured and imprisoned by the British.  He signed the Articles of Confederation while a member of the Continental Congress.  He returned to South Carolina and became a judge and a member of the state legislature.  The British destroyed Heyward’s home at White Hall during the war.  He was taken prisoner while in command of a militia force during the Siege of Charleston he was held prisoner in St. Augustine, FL until 1781.  After the war, he served two terms in the state legislature from 1782-1784.  Thomas Heyward became the first President of the Agricultural Society of South Carolina.He died on March 6, 1809 at the age of sixty four. 

In 1976, State Regent Louise Burgdorf presented the Historian General of the NSDAR with a document containing his original signature for the Americana Collection and the NSDAR Archives.

While in Charleston, visit the Heyward-Washington House which was the townhouse of Thomas Heyward, Jr. 

Edward Rutledge

Edward Rutledge and his brother John were both engaged in the law, and both attended the Continental Congress. They supported each other unabashedly, both on the floor and in committee.  Edward was the youngest to sign the Declaration.

He took leave of Congress to join the defense of his stateas a member of the Charles Town Battalion of Artillery becoming a Captain over the 2^nd Independent Company  whichengaged in several important battles.  After returning to Congress to fill a vacancy, he took his leave again in 1780, when the British conducted a third invasion of South Carolina. He resumed his post as Captain in the defense of Charlestown, was captured, and held prisoner until he was exchanged in July of 1781.

In 1782, he returned to the legislature where he served until 1796. He was then elected to the state Senate, twice, and then was elected Governor.  His health declining, he was barely able to complete his term. He died on January 23, 1800 at the age of fifty-one.  

His home is now the Governor's House Inn.  Maybe on your next trip, you might choose to sleep under the same roof as the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence.  

Arthur Middleton

Arthur Middleton was chosen to replace his more conservative father in the Continental Congress in 1776, but failed to attend most of the sessions.  He was captured by the British and was held captive for over a year in St. Augustine, Florida.  During the time of his incarceration, the British destroyed most of his property.  After his release in 1781, Middleton returned to politics and served in the Virginia state legislature and was a trustee of the College of Charleston until his death on January 1, 1787.  

Arthur Middleton was born at one of the oldest and most prosperous plantations along the Cooper River, Middleton Place Plantation, just outside the city of Charleston.  It had passed from the original owner to the Middletons through marriage.  The house's famed garden was begun the year before Arthur Middleton was born in 1742.  It is open of the public and should be experienced if you are in Charleston.