Gov John Rutledge
(1739-1800) Brother of Edward Rutledge; father
of John Rutledge, Jr..
Born in Charleston, S.C. Delegate to Continental
Congress from South Carolina, 1774;
President of South Carolina, 1776-78; Governor
of South Carolina, 1779; member, U.S.
Constitutional Convention, 1787 Signer US Constitution; Justice of
U.S. Supreme Court, 1789-91; justice of South
Carolina state supreme court, 1790; Chief Justice
of U.S. Supreme Court, 1795. Died July
23, 1800. Interment at St. Michael's Churchyard,
Charleston, S.C.
Gov Edward Rutledge
(1749-1800) Brother of John Rutledge; son-in-law
of Henry
Middleton. Born in Christ Church Parish, S.C.,
November 23, 1749. Delegate to
Continental Congress from South Carolina, 1774-76;
Signer, Declaration of Independance
,
1776; member of South Carolina state house of
representatives, 1782; Governor of South
Carolina, 1798-1800. Died January 23, 1800.
Interment at St. Philip's Churchyard,
Charleston, S.C.
The two gentlemen you see above are undoubtedly the most distinguished
Rutledges recorded in modern history , The fact that their signatures
appear on the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution
bears testament to that .
The story of their European ancestry is somewhat vague , Several
theories abound , I have seen many references to them as English lawyers
( somewhat misleading as it probably refers to their education at the Inns
of court "middle temple" in London ) . Consensus amongst their direct ancestors
suggests their Father, Dr. John Rutledge came from Ulster or specifically
County Tyrone in the North of Ireland . The Ruttledge families of County
Mayo article by Thomas Ormsby Ruttledge names a William Ruttledge who was
obliged to flee to America and whose sons later became members of congress
, However it is a known fact that Dr. John Rutledge was indeed the signers
father .
In James Haw's book "John & Edward Rutledge of South Carolina"
(The University of Georgia press ) He states " The direct forbears of South Carolina's distinguished Rutledges went to Ireland in the 1650's
as part of the English settlement that followed Oliver Cromwell's conquest.
They are said to have owned land in County Cavan , in Ballymagied near
Baronlog , for at least the next several generations." The interesting
point to note here is that although County Cavan is presently in the Republic
of ( i.e. Southern ) Ireland , officially it is still known as South Ulster
which ties in with the Tyrone theories. THIS HOWEVER HAS PROVED TO BE A RED HERRING
Visit the link below to learn the truth about the signers Irish forebears
The truth about the signers Genealogy
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