Colonial Period (1670-1764)

Much of the evolution of the South Carolina General Assembly revolves around attempts by conflicting factions to preserve or gain an advantage in representation. For example, increasingly powerful Carolina-based leaders struggled with proprietary and royal authorities during the colonial era to establish the dominance of the Commons House of Assembly as a basis for political independence (1670–1776).

Georgetown’s designation as a port of entry by royal authorities in 1732 greatly improved its prospects. Port activity in Georgetown thrived and the town briefly supported its own shipbuilding industry to meet demands of area planters.

As one of only three proprietors’ deputies in the colony when Governor Edward Tynte died in June 1710, Gibbes proceeded to bribe his way into the governor’s office and brought government to a virtual standstill for nearly two years.

Gillon’s fluency in several languages, handsome appearance, and social graces helped him rise quickly in the commercial trade.

Indian affairs were one of the most critical issues of Glen’s administration. He not only visited distant white settlements of the colony more than any other governor, but he was also willing to face frontier hazards to confer directly with Indian leaders.

Granby was among the first important trading posts in the South Carolina interior. The town originated as a large Indian village on Congaree Creek.

During the siege of Boston, Greene began working with General George Washington, an association that would continue throughout the war. Greene’s service with the main (“northern”) army included being the first general to command troops not from his own state. His most important contribution was as quartermaster general, successfully reorganizing the main army’s supply system.

During his thirty-six years on the bench, Grimké helped establish fundamental principles of South Carolina jurisprudence by advocating professionalization of legal study, uniformity of law, and judicial independence.

As governor, Gerard sought to suppress outlaws plaguing the backcountry and to provide “some small relief” for Charleston’s poor. He also led the move to incorporate Charleston in 1783. But while taking a conciliatory stand on most issues, other actions made Guerard some powerful enemies.

He rose to power in 1750 or early 1751 after the previous chief, Young Warrior, and the other headmen of the tribe were ambushed by a group of northern Indians, probably of the Iroquois Confederation.

In 1809 President James Madison selected Hamilton to be his secretary of the navy as part of an effort to achieve regional balance in his cabinet appointments.

During and after his military service, Hammond represented Ninety Six District as a representative in the First (1775) and Second (1776) Provincial Congresses, and then in the new General Assembly.

Hampton’s most lasting fame came from his success as a planter. Noted by Niles’ Weekly Register in 1823 as “probably the richest planter in the South,” he became a national symbol of the wealthy southern slaveowner.

Although his leadership was not of the same caliber as Marion or Sumter, Harden nonetheless played an important role in reclaiming South Carolina from British control.

He was one of the most influential religious, social, and political leaders of the pre–Revolutionary War South.

For taking up arms after acknowledging himself a subject of the crown, Hayne was charged with treason and hanged by the British on August 4, 1781.

The Heyward brothers’ success can be attributed to the perfection of rice cultivation in the coastal savannas and swamps of South Carolina.

Early in 1776 he was chosen to replace the resigning Christopher Gadsden in the Second Continental Congress. That summer Thomas Heyward, Jr., was one of four South Carolinians who signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.

Eventually Horry owned plantations on Winyah Bay and the Santee River as well as land in Ninety Six District and a house in Columbia (later called the Horry-Guignard House). At his death he owned as many as 116 slaves.

A Philadelphia lawyer, Huck was known for his intense hatred of all patriots, especially Scots-Irish Presbyterians, whom he considered the most sympathetic to the rebels.