William Henry Drayton (1742-1779)
Chief Justice W.H. Drayton J.P., President of the South Carolina Provincial Congress
He was born at Charleston and educated at Westminster School and Balliol College, Oxford. He returned to South Carolina in 1764 and despite being a grandson of Royal Governor William Bull (1683-1755) and having enjoyed his time in England immensely, he became an outspoken Patriot in support of the Revolution. He was elected President of the South Carolina Provincial Congress. He issued the State's first order to fire on the British and oversaw the first constitution of South Carolina. He was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and designed half of the State Seal. He was a Member of the 2nd Continental Congress and died in that position aged only 37.
