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[[File:Arthurmiddleton.jpg|right|thumb|200px| Arthur Middleton]]

[[File:Arthurmiddleton.jpg|right|thumb|200px| Arthur Middleton]]

'''Arthur Middleton''' (b. June 26, 1742; d. January 1, 1787) was one of the [[United States]]'  [[Founding Fathers]]. Middleton was a member of [[South Carolina]]'st Council of Safety (against its enemies), a body that virtually ruled the province until a provisional government was established. His father was Henry Middleton, President of the [[First Continental Congress]]; Arthur Middleton was elected to take his father's seat as South Carolina's delegate to the [[Second Continental Congress]]. Middleton was also a prisoner-of-war during the [[American Revolution]].

'''Arthur Middleton''' (b. June 26, 1742; d. January 1, 1787) is a founding father of America. Middleton was a member of [[South Carolina]]'s Council of Safety (against enemies of the colony), a body that virtually ruled the province until a provisional government was established. His father was Henry Middleton, President of the [[First Continental Congress]]; Arthur Middleton was elected to take his father's seat as South Carolina's delegate to the [[Second Continental Congress]]. Middleton was also a prisoner-of-war during the [[American Revolution]].

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

In 1774, the colonies where positioning themselves for independence from Britain. Arthur and his father Henry chose liberty and sided with their fellow colonists.  He took a firm and decided stand in opposition to British encroachment and oppression. <ref>[http://virtualology.com/arthurmiddleton.org/ Arthur Middleton, Virtuology.org]</ref> Arthur headed the Charleston Council of Safety in 1775 and in 1776, he filled the seat his father occupied in the Second Continental Congress. He continued as a member of Congress, residing with his family, who had accompanied him at the close of 1777.  

In 1774, the colonies where positioning themselves for independence from Britain. Arthur and his father Henry chose liberty and sided with their fellow colonists.  He took a firm and decided stand in opposition to British encroachment and oppression. <ref>[http://virtualology.com/arthurmiddleton.org/ Arthur Middleton, Virtuology.org]</ref> Arthur headed the Charleston Council of Safety in 1775 and in 1776, he filled the seat his father occupied in the Second Continental Congress. He continued as a member of Congress, residing with his family, who had accompanied him at the close of 1777.  

In 1779, the British invaded the southern colonies. Middleton fought to defend Charleston. The British took Charleston and Middleton was captured. He was taken prisoner by Sir Henry Clinton and sent to St. Augustine as a prisoner. Arthur languished over a year before being traded in a prisoner swap. He returned to find all his prperty looted; the buildings were standing, but all his wealth was destroyed.  

In 1779, the British invaded the southern colonies. Middleton fought to defend Charleston. The British took Charleston and Middleton was captured. He was taken prisoner by Sir Henry Clinton and sent to St. Augustine as a prisoner. Arthur languished over a year before being traded in a prisoner swap. He returned to find all his property looted; the buildings were left standing, but all his wealth was destroyed.  

Middleton reunited with his family after completing his term in Congress 1782. He declined his seat in Congress after the war, preferring to spend retirement with his family.

Middleton reunited with his family after completing his term in Congress 1782. He declined his seat in Congress after the war, preferring to spend retirement with his family.

==Death==

==Death==

In the winter of 1786 Arthur contracted a fever and died on January 1st.

In the winter of 1786, Arthur contracted a fever and died on January 1st.

==References==

==References==