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|Founding Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]]

|Founding Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]]

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'''Thomas Heyward, Jr.''' was an early American statesman, a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]], a soldier, and Judge for the state of [[South Carolina]].

'''Thomas Heyward, Jr.''' (1746 - 1809) was an early American statesman, a lawyer, a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]] and the [[Articles of Confederation]], a soldier, and Judge for the state of [[South Carolina]].

==Early life==

==Early life==

==Entry into Politics==

==Entry into Politics==

He was a member of the first assembly of South Carolina that set British power at defiance, and was also a member of the council of safety. He discharged his duties with firmness, prudence, and zeal. No fugitive fear disturbed his mind, no threatened vengeance moved his purposes. His eyes were fixed on the temple of freedom, his soul was insulated by the fluid of patriotism, his heart was resolved on liberty or death. His life, his property, and his sacred honour, were pledged in the noble cause.

He was a member of the first assembly of South Carolina that set British power at defiance, and was also a member of the council of safety. He discharged his duties with firmness, prudence, and zeal. No fugitive fear disturbed his mind, no threatened vengeance moved his purposes. His eyes were fixed on the temple of freedom, his soul was insulated by the fluid of patriotism, his heart was resolved on liberty or death. His life, his property, and his sacred honor, were pledged in the noble cause.

===Continental Congress===

===Continental Congress===

He was elected to the [[Continental Congress]] in 1775, but at first declined serving, in consequence of his young age. A large delegation of citizens subsequently waited upon him, and, at their urgent request, he took his seat in that august assembly of sages in 1776, and became a warm advocate for that memorable instrument, that proclaimed the birth of our nation to an astonished world, and shed fresh lustre on the intellect of man. His voice and his signature sanctioned its adoption—his conscience, his country, and his God, approved the act.

He was elected to the [[Continental Congress]] in 1775, but at first declined serving, in consequence of his young age. A large delegation of citizens subsequently waited upon him, and, at their urgent request, he took his seat in that august assembly of sages in 1776, and became a warm advocate for that memorable instrument, that proclaimed the birth of our nation to an astonished world, and shed fresh luster on the intellect of man. His voice and his signature sanctioned its adoption—his conscience, his country, and his God, approved the act.

==Judge==

==Judge==

[[File:Heyward House 18 Charleston.jpg|Right|200px|thumb|Thomas Heyward House at 18 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina]]

[[File:Heyward House 18 Charleston.jpg|Right|200px|thumb|Thomas Heyward House at 18 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina]]

==Revolutionary War==

==Revolutionary War==

Judge Heyward also participated in the military perils of "the times that tried men's souls." He commanded a company of [[artillery]] at the battle of [[Beaufort]], and was severely wounded. At the attack upon [[Savannah]] he was also actively engaged. At the siege of [[Charleston]] he commanded a [[battalion]], and was one of the unfortunate prisoners who were transferred to [[St. Augustine]]. During his absence, his property was pillaged and his amiable and accomplished wife, the daughter of Mr. Matthews whom he had married in 1773, was laid in the grave. The tidings of these in afflictions did not reach him until he was exchanged and returned to Philadelphia. With the calm and dignified fortitude of a Christian, a philosopher, and a hero, he met the shafts of afflictive fate. He mourned deeply, but submissively, the premature exit of the companion of his bosom. His physical sufferings and loss of property he freely offered at the altar of liberty, without a murmur or a sigh.

Judge Heyward also participated in the military perils of "the times that tried men's souls." He commanded a company of [[artillery]] at the battle of [[Beaufort]], and was severely wounded. At the attack upon [[Savannah]] he was also actively engaged. At the siege of [[Charleston]] he commanded a [[battalion]], but was taken prisoner by the British and was transferred to [[St. Augustine]].<ref>http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000555</ref> During his absence, his property was pillaged and his amiable and accomplished wife, the daughter of Mr. Matthews whom he had married in 1773, was laid in the grave. The tidings of these in afflictions did not reach him until he was exchanged and returned to Philadelphia. With the calm and dignified fortitude of a Christian, a philosopher, and a hero, he met the shafts of afflictive fate. He mourned deeply, but submissively, the premature exit of the companion of his bosom. His physical sufferings and loss of property he freely offered at the altar of liberty, without a murmur or a sigh.

==Return to the Judiciary==

==Return to the Judiciary==

==Death==

==Death==

Old age and infirmity finally admonished him that his mission on earth was fast drawing to a close, and he retired from the public arena, covered with epic and civic honours, lasting as the pages of history. In the full fruition of a nation's gratitude and of a nation's freedom he spent his last years, and in March, 1809, went to his final rest, leaving his second wife, Miss E. Savage, and his children, to mourn the loss of a kind husband and tender father; and his country to regret the loss of a devoted patriot, an able judge, and an honest man.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=8IhIAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA88 A Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence: And of Washington and Patrick Henry. With an Appendix, Containing the Constitution of the United States and Other Documents]</ref>

Old age and infirmity finally admonished him that his mission on earth was fast drawing to a close, and he retired from the public arena, covered with epic and civic honors, lasting as the pages of history. In the full fruition of a nation's gratitude and of a nation's freedom he spent his last years, and in March, 1809, went to his final rest, leaving his second wife, Miss E. Savage, and his children, to mourn the loss of a kind husband and tender father; and his country to regret the loss of a devoted patriot, an able judge, and an honest man.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=8IhIAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA88 A Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence: And of Washington and Patrick Henry. With an Appendix, Containing the Constitution of the United States and Other Documents]</ref>

==References==

==References==