✅The South Carolina Delegates Who Signed

In 1787, South Carolina sent a distinguished group of five statesmen to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, four of which signed the Constitution. These four delegates—John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, and Pierce Butler—played influential roles in shaping the U.S. Constitution. Representing the interests of a powerful Southern state, they contributed to key debates on federal structure, executive power, and the protection of slavery. Each left a lasting legacy, both in the founding document and in the early political life of the new republic. This page explores the lives, contributions, and lasting impact of South Carolina’s signers of the Constitution.

🧑‍⚖️John Rutledge

John Rutledge Portrait Painting

Source: South Carolina Encyclopedia - Rutledge, John

John Rutledge (1739–1800) was a prominent South Carolina lawyer and statesman. He served as the state’s first governor under the new state constitution and was a delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congresses.

At the Constitutional Convention, Rutledge chaired the Committee of Detail, which produced the first full draft of the Constitution. He was a strong advocate for a powerful central government and played a key role in shaping the final document.

After the Convention, Rutledge served briefly as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and later as Chief Justice under a recess appointment. However, his nomination was rejected by the Senate, partly due to his outspoken opposition to the Jay Treaty.

He died in Charleston in 1800 and is remembered as one of the most influential legal minds of the founding era.

🧑‍✈️Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Portrait Painting

Source: South Carolina Encyclopedia - Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1746–1825) was a Revolutionary War veteran and a leading South Carolina Federalist. Educated in England, he returned to South Carolina to practice law and later served as a colonel in the Continental Army.

At the Constitutional Convention, Pinckney was a vocal supporter of a strong national government and helped shape the structure of the executive branch. He also defended Southern interests, particularly regarding slavery and property rights.

After the Convention, he ran unsuccessfully for president and vice president as a Federalist candidate. He also served as a diplomat to France during the XYZ Affair, famously refusing a bribe with the words, “No! No! Not a sixpence!”

Pinckney remained active in politics and law until his death in Charleston in 1825.

🧑‍🎓Charles Pinckney

Charles Pinckney Portrait Painting

Source: South Carolina Encyclopedia - Pinckney, Charles

Charles Pinckney (1757–1824), a cousin of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, was one of the youngest delegates at the Constitutional Convention. A skilled orator and lawyer, he was deeply involved in the debates and is credited with submitting a draft plan that influenced the final Constitution.

Though many of his contributions were not formally recorded, Pinckney claimed to have proposed numerous clauses that were adopted. He was a strong advocate for religious freedom and a balanced federal system.

After the Convention, he served four terms as Governor of South Carolina, was a U.S. Senator, and later a U.S. Minister to Spain. He supported Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party.

Pinckney died in Charleston in 1824 and is remembered as a key, though sometimes overlooked, architect of the Constitution.

🧑‍🌾Pierce Butler

Source: South Carolina Encyclopedia - Butler, Pierce

Pierce Butler (1744–1822) was born in Ireland and served in the British Army before settling in South Carolina. He became a wealthy planter and embraced the American cause during the Revolution.

At the Constitutional Convention, Butler was a strong defender of Southern interests, particularly the protection of slavery and property rights. He advocated for a strong executive and was instrumental in shaping the presidency.

After the Convention, Butler served in the U.S. Senate and remained active in politics, though he later distanced himself from the Federalist Party. He retired to his plantation and focused on agricultural pursuits.

He died in Philadelphia in 1822 and is buried in Christ Church Burial Ground.

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