William Manigault Heyward

William Manigault Heyward

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89397841/william-manigault-heyward

Birth: February 17, 1789 in Charleston, South Carolina
Marriage: to Susan Hayne Simmons, May 13, 1813
Death: October 5, 1820 in Charleston, South Carolina

He is buried in the family vault of Manigault in St. Philip's Churchyard.

"William Manigault Heyward entered Princeton College in May 1805 but did not graduate. As a young man he fell in love with Susan Hayne Simmons, a very beautiful young lady who eventually became his wife. However, the marriage was strongly opposed by his parents and hoping to break up the romance, Nathaniel sent his son to Europe with orders not to return until he was ordered to do so. William went, but, to spite his father, he proceeded to spend $25,000 dollars of his father's money the first year. Nathaniel instructed his son that he was allowed $500 dollars a month and all above that would be deducted from his inheritance.

Then Nathaniel found that William was sashaying around Europe with a woman who was posing as his wife. Remembering the problems encountered by his brother James, Nathaniel ordered William home. When William got to Charleston he found that the young lady had followed him and was then in New York and on her way to Charleston.

In a panic William went to his father for advice and was told to take the next steamer to Europe, by way of Savannah, and that he, Nathaniel, would handle the situation when the young lady got to Charleston. This was done and William finally married Susan.

Whether or not she knew about William's escapade in Europe is unknown, but she and her mother were aware of Nathaniel's opposition to the marriage which no doubt led to a strained relationship between the two families.

Unfortunately William was too proud to curry favor and reconciliation with his father, and unable to establish an adequate income on his own, was forced to live on a small allotment from his father."

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 12 2023, 20:51:42 UTC