Henry Middleton

Educated at home and in England; large landowner and planter; held a number of high offices in colonial South Carolina; for almost 40 years served as justice of the peace and quorum (1742-1780); member, Provincial house of commons (1742-1755); served as its speaker in 1745-1747, 1754, and 1755; after serving as a member of the King's Provincial Council from 1755, he resigned in September 1770 to become a leader of the opposition to British policy; member of the provincial convention 1774; member of the Continental Congress (1774-1775); succeeded Peyton Randolph as President of the Congress (22 Oct 1774 - 26 Oct 1774); before dissolving itself on 26 Oct 1774, the Congress passed intercolonial resolutions calling for extensive boycott by the colonies against British trade and issued a petition to the British King George III; participated in organization of a new government of South Carolina; member of the council of safety in 1775 and 1776; member, provincial congress of South Carolina (1775, 1776); member of the legislative council under the transition government 1776-1778; member of the State senate 1778-1780; in the last years of his life retired from politics residing at his estates, "The Oaks" and "Middleton Place." [1; 2]