Thomas Heyward
Thomas Heyward was the eldest son of Colonel Daniel Heyward. a wealthy and respectable planter, was born in the parish of St. Luke, South Carolina in 1746. Heyward studied law under Mr. Parsons.After completing his course with Mr. Parsons he went to England and entered the Middle Temple where he became an attorney and polished gentleman. He toured Europe before returning home to his family.
Mr. Heyward was a member of the first Assembly of South Carolina that set British power at defiance. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 but declined serving because of his youth. A large delegation of his constituents subsequently waited upon him and persuaded him to take his seat in the Congress of 1776. He was a warm advocate for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which he signed.
Judge of the Civil and Criminal Courts
"Under the new form of government he was appointed a Judge of the civil and criminal courts. In that capacity he was called to perform a painful but imperious duty. Several persons were arraigned before the court charged with treasonable correspondence with the enemy. They were tried, found guilty and condemned to be hung in sight of the British lines at Charleston. With feelings of deep sympathy and humanity but with the firmness of a Roman he performed his duty with great dignity and delicacy. He knew they had immortal souls and soared above the cold indifference-the keen invective that sometimes have but never should be resorted to."February 3, 1779. The Battle of Beaufort, South Carolina
Judge Heyward commanded a company of artillery at the battle of Beaufort where he was severely wounded. He was also at the attack upon Savannah.March 29 - May 12, 1780. Judge Heyward was Taken Prisoner at the Siege of Charleston
At the siege of Charleston he commanded a battalion and was one of the unfortunate prisoners who was taken to the Spanish Castle in St. Augustine, Florida for incarceration. During his absence his property was destroyed by the enemy. And to make things worse, his wife died.He was later exchanged and returned to Philadelphia. After the war ended, he resumed his duties as a judge, and married Miss E. Savage.
Judge Heyward died in March of 1809.