Arthur MIDDLETON, Congress, SC (1742-1787)

MIDDLETON, Arthur, (son of Henry Middleton [1717-1784] and father of Henry Middleton [1770-1846]), a Delegate from South Carolina; born at “Middleton Place,“ his father's estate, on the Ashley River, near Charleston, Berkeley County, S.C., June 26, 1742; received his early education from private tutors and schools in Charleston; attended school at Hackney, Westminster School, and St. John's College, Cambridge University, in England; studied law at the Temple in London, but did not practice; returned to South Carolina in 1763 and engaged in planting; justice of the peace of Berkeley County in 1765; member of the provincial house of commons 1765-1768; again a member of the provincial house of commons 1772-1775; delegate to the provincial convention in 1774 and 1775; again justice of the peace 1776-1786; member of the council of safety in 1775 and 1776; delegate to the provincial congress which formed a state constitution in 1776; served in the Revolutionary War; held a prisoner by the British from May 1780 to July 1781 when he was exchanged and returned to South Carolina; Member of the Continental Congress 1776-1777 and 1781-1782; a signer of the Declaration of Independence; elected governor of South Carolina in 1778, but declined; member of the state house of representatives 1778-1780, 1785, and 1786; served in the state senate in 1781 and 1782; member of the privy council in 1782; member of the board of trustees of Charleston College; died at “The Oaks,“ near Charleston, S.C., January 1, 1787; interment in the family mausoleum at “Middleton Place,“ near Charleston, S.C.

Bibliography

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present