Lynch, Thomas, Jr., 1749-1779

Thomas Lynch Jr. (August 5, 1749 – 1779) was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of South Carolina and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; his father was unable to sign the Declaration of Independence because of illness.

Born in Hopsewee Plantation in Prince George Parish, Winyah, in what is now Georgetown, South Carolina, Lynch was schooled at the Indigo Society School in Georgetown before his parents sent him to England, where he received honors at Eton College and at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. He studied law and political philosophy at the Middle Temple in London. After eight years away from America, he returned to South Carolina in 1772. Although it was his father's dream, Thomas Lynch Jr. decided to end his pursuit of a profession in law, taking up planting and becoming active in political dialogue in his community.

Lynch was elected a member of the Provincial Congress on February 11, 1775. This committee was formed to prepare a plan of government and represent the people of South Carolina. Lynch became a company commander in the First South Carolina regiment on June 12, 1775. He was commissioned by the Provincial Congress. After being appointed, he gathered men and led a march into Charlestown, South Carolina. On March 23, 1776, the General Assembly of South Carolina named Lynch to the Continental Congress as a sixth delegate. Although he was ill, Lynch Jr. traveled to Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Lynch Sr. and Thomas Lynch Jr. were the only father and son to serve in the Continental Congress. Less than a month after signing the Declaration of Independence Lynch threatened that South Carolina would secede from the United States in a threat representing the interests his constituents.

After signing the Declaration of Independence, an ill Thomas Lynch, Jr. set out for home with his ailing father. On the way to South Carolina, his father suffered a second stroke and died in Annapolis, Maryland, in December 1776. Lynch, Jr. retired in early 1777. After two more years of illness in South Carolina, where he resided with his wife at Peachtree Plantation on the South Santee River, many suggested that Thomas Lynch, Jr. travel to Europe in search for a different atmosphere. Despite the dangers, he and his wife sailed for respite on a vessel to St. Eustatius in the West Indies in late 1779. The ship is known to have disappeared shortly after, standing as the last record of his life. At the age of 30, he was the youngest signer of the Declaration to die.