Edward Rutledge

Story submitted by listener E. Rutledge.

This listener is related to Edward Rutledge who was the youngest signer of the declaration of independence at the age of 27.

Starting at a young age Rutledge and his family were engaged in politics. Both he and his brother served in the same floor and worked to expand their respective political positions and support each other. When it came time to prepare for the declaration of independence, the delegates from South Carolina that should have gone had already retired that year and his older brother was away. This resulted in the young 27 year old man, being the only available option to be sent to the congressional congress. After, he continued to work in legislature serving for many years to finish as the governor of South Carolina before dying at the age of 50 in the year 1800.