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.