Lynch, Thomas (Jr.), 1749-1779

<p>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.</p>

<p>He was born in Hopsewee Plantation in Prince George Parish, Winyah, in what is now Georgetown, South Carolina, the son of Thomas Lynch and his wife, Beverly Allston Lynch. Before Thomas Lynch Jr. was born, his parents had two daughters named Sabina and Esther who were born in 1747 and 1748. After Thomas Lynch Sr's first wife's death in 1755, Jr's father remarried Annabella Josephiné Dé'Illiard. Thomas Lynch Jr's mother was the daughter of Gilliém Marshall Dé'Illiard of Iberville Parish, Louisiana, whose brother George William Dilliard of Virginia is credited with changing the Dilliard name to its current spelling, made introductions during a ball held at the childhood home of John Drayton Sr., Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Also in attendance were prominent families such as the Middleton's, Randolph's, and Rutledge. In this marriage, they gave birth to a daughter named Aimeé Constance in 1755, who later married John Drayton. Lynch Jr. grandfather was Jonas Lynch from County Galway ancestral line, the Lynch family were expelled from Ireland following their defeat in the Irish wars of the William of Orange. Lynch Jr.'s father had originally emigrated from Kent, England and from there continued to South Carolina. His father was a prominent figure in South Carolina politics which contributed to access of opportunity in high education and wealth.</p>

<p>He 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. His father admired his English education and encouraged him to remain in Great Britain to study law and the principles of the British constitution.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1775 SC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

Thomas Lynch, Jr., was born in South Carolina on August 5, 1749. He received an education in England and graduated with honors at Cambridge. He studied law in London and then returned home in 1772. He was politically engaged as soon as he returned home, and was commissioned a company commander in the South Carolina regiment in 1775. Soon afterward he was elected to a seat in the Continental Congress. He fell ill shortly after signing the Declaration and retired from the Congress. At the close of 1776 he and his wife sailed for the West Indies. The ship disappeared and there is no record of his life after.