Middleton, Henry, 1717-1784

<p>Henry Middleton (1717 – June 13, 1784) was a planter, public official, and a Founding Father of the United States from South Carolina. A member of the colonial legislature, during the American Revolution he attended the Continental Congress and served as that body's presiding officer for a few days in 1774. He signed the Continental Association but left Congress before it declared independence. Back in South Carolina, he served as president of the provincial congress and senator in the newly created state government. After his capture by the British in 1780, he accepted defeat and returned to the status of a British subject until the end of the war.</p>

<p>Henry Middleton was born in 1717 on the family plantation, "The Oaks", near Charleston, Province of South Carolina. He was the second son of Susan (née Amory) Middleton (1690-1722) and Arthur Middleton (1681–1737), a wealthy planter who had served as an acting governor of South Carolina. His grandfather, Edward Middleton, emigrated from England via Barbados. He was educated in England before returning to South Carolina to inherit his father's plantation. He became one of the largest landowners in the colony, owning 50,000 acres (200 km2) and about 800 slaves.</p>

<p>Middleton served in a variety of public offices in South Carolina. He was a justice of the peace and a member of the Commons House of Assembly, where he was elected speaker in 1747, 1754, and 1755. He was a member of provincial council but resigned in 1770 in opposition to British policy.</p>

MIDDLETON, Henry, (Father of Arthur Middleton and grandfather of Henry Middleton [1770-1846]), a Delegate from South Carolina; born at ``The Oaks,'' near Charleston, S.C., in 1717; educated at home and in England; justice of the peace and quorum 1742-1780; member of the provincial house of commons 1742-1755 and served as speaker 1745-1747, 1754, and 1755; commissioned officer of horse of the provincial forces in 1743; commissioner of Indian affairs in 1755; member of the King's Provincial Council from 1755 until his resignation in September 1770; member of the provincial convention in 1774; Member of the Continental Congress 1774-1775; served as president of that body from October 22, 1774, to May 10, 1775; member of the council of safety in 1775 and 1776; member of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina in 1775 and 1776; member of the committee to prepare a form of government in 1776; member of the legislative council under the transition government 1776-1778; member of the state senate 1778-1780; large landowner and planter in Berkeley, Colleton, and Granville Counties, residing at his estates, ``The Oaks'' and ``Middleton Place''; died in Charleston, S.C., June 13, 1784; interment in Goosecreek Churchyard, St. James Parish, Berkeley County, S.C.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1775 SC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1774 SC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>09/01/1774 SC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>