Henry Middleton, 2nd Pres. of the Cont. Congress

Henry Middleton (1717-1784)

President, First Continental Congress - Served October 22, 1774 to October 26, 1774

• In 1741, Henry Middleton married Mary Williams, only daughter and heiress of John Williams, a wealthy landowner, Justice of the Peace and member of the Assembly. Mary's dowry included the house and plantation that he and Mary named Middleton Place. Here, rather than at The Oaks, they made their home.
• Henry Middleton was one of the most influential political leaders of his time.
• He held a number of high offices:
• Speaker of the Commons,
• Commissioner for Indian Affairs, and a
• member of the Governor's Council until he resigned his seat in 1770 to become
• a leader of the opposition to British policy.
• He was chosen to represent South Carolina in the First Continental Congress and on October 22, 1774,
• was elected its President in the absence of Peyton Randolph.
• By this time, Henry was among the wealthiest landholders in South Carolina with more than 50,000 acres and approximately 800 slaves.
• For the last twenty-three years of his life he lived at his earlier home, The Oaks, returning there after the death of his wife Mary in 1761. Henry twice remarried, but his five sons and seven daughters were all children of his first wife. He relinquished Middleton Place to Arthur, his eldest son and heir.

First tea planted: French botanist Francois Andre Michaux (1770-1855) planted tea at Middleton Barony (now known as Middleton Place) near Charleston.

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Henry Middleton (1717-1784)

painting by Benjamin West

Henry Middleton, an influential political leader, was Speaker of the Commons, Commissioner for Indian Affairs, and a member of the Governor's Council until he resigned his seat in 1770 to become a leader of the opposition to British policy. Henry was chosen to represent South Carolina in the First Continental Congress and on October 22, 1774, was elected its President.

By this time, Henry was among the wealthiest landholders in South Carolina with more than 50,000 acres and approximately 800 slaves. For the last twenty-three years of his life he lived at The Oaks, returning there after the death of his wife in 1761. Henry twice remarried, but his five sons and seven daughters were all children of his first wife. Middleton Place was relinquished to Arthur, his eldest son and heir.

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(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:)

Henry Middleton (1717– June 13, 1784) of South Carolina was the second President of the Continental Congress from October 22, 1774, until Peyton Randolph was able to resume his duties briefly beginning on May 10, 1775. His father was Acting South Carolina Governor (1725-1730) Arthur Middleton (1681-1737).

While a delegate to the Continental Congress, Middleton resigned in order to prepare for the coming war. He was succeeded by his son Arthur Middleton (1742-1787), who went on to sign the United States Declaration of Independence.

Arthur's son, also named Henry (1770-1846), had a long career in politics. He was Governor of South Carolina (1810-1812), U.S. Representative (1815-1819), and the Minister to Russia (1820-1830).

Several of Henry's other children married well:

Hester was married to S.C. Lt. Governor Charles Drayton {See below}-grandson of South Carolina Governor William Bull. {Federal Judge William Drayton, Sr. was father of Charles Drayton and Congressman William Drayton; the Drayton brothers were cousins of Congressman William Henry Drayton. W.H. Drayton father of US Navy Captain Percival Drayton and CS General Thomas Fenwick Drayton.

Mary Polly was married to Congressman Pierce Butler. Mary Butler was the daughter of Col. Thomas Middleton. She was Henry's cousin.

Henrietta was married to Governor Edward Rutledge.

Sarah was the first wife of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Charles Pinckney's brother Thomas Pinckney's son Thomas Pinckney Jr married Elizabeth Izard, a distant cousin of Congressman Ralph Izard. (Charles and Thomas Pinckney's sister Harriott was married to Daniel Horry, whose daughter married a son of South Carolina Governor John Rutledge. They were thus connected to the Grimké; Huger; Drayton; Laurens families of South Carolina and the Forten family of Philadelphia).

Thomas married Anne Manigault. Their daughter Esther married Ralph Stead Izard, a distant cousin of South Caroina Congressman Ralph Izard and Alice De Lancey. (Alice was a niece of James DeLancey; James DeLancey's sister Susannah was the wife of Sir Peter Warren (Admiral). James DeLancey's daughter Anne was a wife of loyalist Thomas Jones (historian)). Another daughter, Elizabeth Middleton, was married to Ralph DeLancey Izard, son of Congressman Ralph Izard.

(Note: Joseph, a brother of Anne Manigault, was first married to a daughter of Arthur Middleton and Mary Izard; by Joseph Manigault's second marriage to Charlotte Drayton he was the father of Confederate General Arthur Middleton Manigault (1824-1886), whose wife was a cousin 1st removed of Confederate General Benjamin Huger. Charlotte Drayton was the daughter of Charles Drayton and Hester Middleton {above}).

Further reading:

Klos, Stanley L. (2004). President Who? Forgotten Founders. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Evisum, Inc.. pp. 261. ISBN 0-9752627-5-0.

History of Middleton Place Plantation

BARBARA WALTERS (reporting): Middleton Plantation, South Carolina. Landscaped gardens, beautiful green lawns, reflecting ponds, a thousand year old oak trees and pines, camellias, azaleas, it’s hard to imagine any place in the world more beautiful. Let me tell you a little bit about this plantation. Middleton Plantation got the name from Henry Middleton, and he got the land through his marriage to Mary Williams in 1741. The land and an early house represented Mary’s dowry, not a bad dowry. Henry built a mansion on a rise above a bend in the Ashley River, later adding two wings, and he set about immediately constructing a formal, landscaped garden after the great gardens of Europe. When it was completed, it took ten years, it was called “the premier garden of the thirteen colonies.” Rice was grown in the surrounding waters, so a rice mill was necessary to process the crop.

The Middleton’s made their money in the 18th and 19th centuries from rice. Massive channels and dikes were dug out of inland swamps and water from the Ashley, and that water was diverted. Indigo was also grown here, as was cotton. In spite of their great wealth and stature under British rule, the Middleton’s became active revolutionaries. Henry Middleton’s son Arthur served in the defense of Charleston, and when the city fell to the British, Arthur was imprisoned. When he died, Arthur Middleton was buried in the gardens, and every year, his birthday is celebrated with musket firing and music by a fife and drum corps. Many generations later, descendents of the Middleton’s came back to this land and set about restoring it, that was in 1916, for what was left of the house was in decay and the gardens were overgrown. By the late 1920s, Middleton Place had been replenished, the job had been carefully authenticated, and what we see today is just about what Henry and Mary Middleton saw when they went for a stroll on a sunny day in the mid 18th century.

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http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=69996050

Continental Congressman. Second President of the First Continental Congress. He fought valiantly in the Cherokee Wars of 1760-1761

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Second President of the First Continental Congress Henry Middleton was born in 1717 near Charles Town, South Carolina, to Arthur Middleton and Susan Amory Middleton. Arthur Middleton, was a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.That area is currently know as Goose Creek, Berkley, South Carolina. Henry was the brother of William Middleton, Hester Middleton and Thomas Middleton. Henry's grandfather, also named Henry Middleton, emigrated from England to Barbados and from there to South Carolina in 1678. He was the second president of the Continental Congress from October 22, 1774 through October 26, 1774. Henry was born on the Middleton plantation,

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jan 15 2016, 3:39:49 UTC

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Henry Middleton was born in 1717 near Charleston, Province of South Carolina, to Arthur Middleton (1681–1737) and Susan Amory (1690-1722), on the family plantation, "The Oaks".[2] Henry's father Arthur Middleton was a wealthy planter who had served as an acting governor of South Carolina. Henry 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.[2]

Middleton married Mary Williams in 1741, with whom he would have five sons and seven daughters.[2] After Mary’s death in 1761, Middleton would go on to marry twice more, second to Maria Henrietta Bull (in 1762) and third to Lady Mary McKenzie (in 1776).[2]

Public offices Edit

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.[2] He was a member of provincial council, but resigned in 1770 in opposition to British policy.[2]

In 1774, at the outset of the American Revolution, Middleton was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress. He served as that body's president during the last few days of the First Continental Congress, following the departure of Peyton Randolph.[3] Middleton opposed declaring independence from Great Britain, and resigned from the Second Continental Congress in February 1776 when more radical delegates began pushing for independence.[2] He was succeeded in Congress by his son, Arthur Middleton (1742–1787), who was more radical than his father and became a signer of the Declaration of Independence.[2]

After Middleton's return to South Carolina, he was elected president of the provincial congress and, beginning on November 16, 1775, served on the council of safety.[2] In 1776, he and his son Arthur helped frame a temporary state constitution.[2] In 1779, he became a state senator in the new government.[2]

When Charleston was captured by the British in 1780, Middleton accepted defeat and status as a British subject. This reversal apparently did not damage his reputation in the long run, due to his previous support of the Revolution, and he did not suffer the fate of having his estates confiscated, as many Loyalists did after the war.[2]

Death and legacy Edit

Middleton died on June 13, 1784 in Charleston.

His grandson, also named Henry (1770–1846), had a long career in politics. He was Governor of South Carolina (1810–1812), U.S. Representative (1815–1819), and the minister to Russia (1820–1830). Some of Middleton's children married into prominent families. Daughter Henrietta married Governor Edward Rutledge, Sarah was the first wife of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and his daughter Susannah married John Parker.[2]

His descendants include the Nazi politician Baldur von Schirach, through the latter's mother Emma Middleton Lynah Tillou.

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In 1741, Henry Middleton married Mary Williams, only daughter and heiress of John Williams, a wealthy landowner, Justice of the Peace and member of the Assembly. Mary's dowry included the house and plantation that he and Mary named Middleton Place. Here, rather than at The Oaks, they made their home. Henry Middleton was one of the most influential political leaders of his time. He held a number of high offices: Speaker of the Commons, Commissioner for Indian Affairs, and a member of the Governor's Council until he resigned his seat in 1770 to become a leader of the opposition to British policy. He was chosen to represent South Carolina in the First Continental Congress and on October 22, 1774, was elected its President in the absence of Peyton Randolph. By this time, Henry was among the wealthiest landholders in South Carolina with more than 50,000 acres and approximately 800 slaves. For the last twenty-three years of his life he lived at his earlier home, The Oaks, returning there after the death of his wife Mary in 1761. Henry twice remarried, but his five sons and seven daughters were all children of his first wife. He relinquished Middleton Place to Arthur, his eldest son and heir. First tea planted: French botanist Francois Andre Michaux (1770-1855) planted tea at Middleton Barony (now known as Middleton Place) near Charleston.

Henry Middleton (1717-1784)

painting by Benjamin West

Henry Middleton, an influential political leader, was Speaker of the Commons, Commissioner for Indian Affairs, and a member of the Governor's Council until he resigned his seat in 1770 to become a leader of the opposition to British policy. Henry was chosen to represent South Carolina in the First Continental Congress and on October 22, 1774, was elected its President.

By this time, Henry was among the wealthiest landholders in South Carolina with more than 50,000 acres and approximately 800 slaves. For the last twenty-three years of his life he lived at The Oaks, returning there after the death of his wife in 1761. Henry twice remarried, but his five sons and seven daughters were all children of his first wife. Middleton Place was relinquished to Arthur, his eldest son and heir.

-------------------------------------------------------------------- (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:)

Henry Middleton (1717– June 13, 1784) of South Carolina was the second President of the Continental Congress from October 22, 1774, until Peyton Randolph was able to resume his duties briefly beginning on May 10, 1775. His father was Acting South Carolina Governor (1725-1730) Arthur Middleton (1681-1737).

While a delegate to the Continental Congress, Middleton resigned in order to prepare for the coming war. He was succeeded by his son Arthur Middleton (1742-1787), who went on to sign the United States Declaration of Independence.

Arthur's son, also named Henry (1770-1846), had a long career in politics. He was Governor of South Carolina (1810-1812), U.S. Representative (1815-1819), and the Minister to Russia (1820-1830).

Several of Henry's other children married well:

Hester was married to S.C. Lt. Governor Charles Drayton {See below}-grandson of South Carolina Governor William Bull. {Federal Judge William Drayton, Sr. was father of Charles Drayton and Congressman William Drayton; the Drayton brothers were cousins of Congressman William Henry Drayton. W.H. Drayton father of US Navy Captain Percival Drayton and CS General Thomas Fenwick Drayton.

Mary Polly was married to Congressman Pierce Butler. Mary Butler was the daughter of Col. Thomas Middleton. She was Henry's cousin.

Henrietta was married to Governor Edward Rutledge.

Sarah was the first wife of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Charles Pinckney's brother Thomas Pinckney's son Thomas Pinckney Jr married Elizabeth Izard, a distant cousin of Congressman Ralph Izard. (Charles and Thomas Pinckney's sister Harriott was married to Daniel Horry, whose daughter married a son of South Carolina Governor John Rutledge. They were thus connected to the Grimké; Huger; Drayton; Laurens families of South Carolina and the Forten family of Philadelphia).

Thomas married Anne Manigault. Their daughter Esther married Ralph Stead Izard, a distant cousin of South Caroina Congressman Ralph Izard and Alice De Lancey. (Alice was a niece of James DeLancey; James DeLancey's sister Susannah was the wife of Sir Peter Warren (Admiral). James DeLancey's daughter Anne was a wife of loyalist Thomas Jones (historian)). Another daughter, Elizabeth Middleton, was married to Ralph DeLancey Izard, son of Congressman Ralph Izard.

(Note: Joseph, a brother of Anne Manigault, was first married to a daughter of Arthur Middleton and Mary Izard; by Joseph Manigault's second marriage to Charlotte Drayton he was the father of Confederate General Arthur Middleton Manigault (1824-1886), whose wife was a cousin 1st removed of Confederate General Benjamin Huger. Charlotte Drayton was the daughter of Charles Drayton and Hester Middleton {above}).

Further reading:

Klos, Stanley L. (2004). President Who? Forgotten Founders. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Evisum, Inc.. pp. 261. ISBN 0-9752627-5-0.

History of Middleton Place Plantation

BARBARA WALTERS (reporting): Middleton Plantation, South Carolina. Landscaped gardens, beautiful green lawns, reflecting ponds, a thousand year old oak trees and pines, camellias, azaleas, it’s hard to imagine any place in the world more beautiful. Let me tell you a little bit about this plantation. Middleton Plantation got the name from Henry Middleton, and he got the land through his marriage to Mary Williams in 1741. The land and an early house represented Mary’s dowry, not a bad dowry. Henry built a mansion on a rise above a bend in the Ashley River, later adding two wings, and he set about immediately constructing a formal, landscaped garden after the great gardens of Europe. When it was completed, it took ten years, it was called “the premier garden of the thirteen colonies.” Rice was grown in the surrounding waters, so a rice mill was necessary to process the crop.

The Middleton’s made their money in the 18th and 19th centuries from rice. Massive channels and dikes were dug out of inland swamps and water from the Ashley, and that water was diverted. Indigo was also grown here, as was cotton. In spite of their great wealth and stature under British rule, the Middleton’s became active revolutionaries. Henry Middleton’s son Arthur served in the defense of Charleston, and when the city fell to the British, Arthur was imprisoned. When he died, Arthur Middleton was buried in the gardens, and every year, his birthday is celebrated with musket firing and music by a fife and drum corps. Many generations later, descendents of the Middleton’s came back to this land and set about restoring it, that was in 1916, for what was left of the house was in decay and the gardens were overgrown. By the late 1920s, Middleton Place had been replenished, the job had been carefully authenticated, and what we see today is just about what Henry and Mary Middleton saw when they went for a stroll on a sunny day in the mid 18th century.