Changes

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

Edward was born in Charleston, South Carolina the youngest of the Dr. John Rutledge's seven children. He had a classical education and his older brother John would mentor him in law studies. He was a student of [[Oxford]] university in [[England]] and Temple for his bar. Also, spent four years in the houses of parliament. With his English bar he returned to Charleston. All this was accomplished by his early twenties.

Edward was born in Charleston, South Carolina the youngest of Dr. John Rutledge's seven children. He had a classical education and his older brother John would mentor him in law studies. He was a student of [[Oxford]] university in [[England]] and Temple for his bar. Also, spent four years in the houses of parliament. With his English bar he returned to Charleston. All this was accomplished by his early twenties.

Rutledge married the wealthy Henrietta Middleton, and they had three children. He remarried to Mary Shubrick and they had no children.

Rutledge married the wealthy Henrietta Middleton, and they had three children. He remarried to Mary Shubrick and they had no children.

== Independence ==

== Independence ==

Edward became the youngest member of the Continental Congress, at age 27. He was selected to sit on the important War and Ordinance Committee. Rutledge opposed independence and was singled out as the person responsible for delaying the vote. <ref>[http://www.edwardrutledge.com Edward Rutledge EdwardRutledge.com]</ref> He would vote for independence, becoming the youngest of the Signers. Six-months later he had joined the South Carolina militia. Subsequently, he was re-elected but did not return to [[Philadelphia]]. Edward and his brother-and-law were imprisoned when Charleston was captured by the British. Edwards was imprisoned at [[St. Augustine]].

Edward became the youngest member of the Continental Congress, at age 27. He was selected to sit on the important War and Ordinance Committee. Rutledge opposed independence and was singled out as the person responsible for delaying the vote. <ref>[http://www.edwardrutledge.com Edward Rutledge EdwardRutledge.com]</ref> He would vote for independence, becoming the youngest of the Signers. Six-months later he had joined the South Carolina militia. Subsequently, he was re-elected to Congress but did not return to [[Philadelphia]]. Edward and his brother-and-law were imprisoned when Charleston was captured by the British. Edward was imprisoned at [[St. Augustine]].

After the war Rutledge became the governor of South Carolina in 1798. He would only live two more years, dying before his term was complete.

After the war Rutledge became the governor of South Carolina in 1798. He would only live two more years, dying before his term was complete.