John Rutledge, Jr.

For other people named John Rutledge, see John Rutledge (disambiguation).

John Rutledge, Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1803
Preceded by	Wade Hampton I
Succeeded by	William Butler
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from St. Peter's Parish
In office November 24, 1794 – March 4, 1797
Personal details
Born	1766 Charleston, South Carolina
Died	September 1, 1819 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party	Federalist
Spouse(s)	Sarah Motte Smith
Profession	planter, soldier
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	South Carolina Militia
Years of service	1799-1819
Rank	major
Commands	Seventh Brigade, South Carolina Militia
Battles/wars	War of 1812

John Rutledge, Jr. (1766 – September 1, 1819) was a United States Representative from South Carolina. Born in Charleston, he was a son of John Rutledge and a nephew of Edward Rutledge, both of whom were Continental Congressmen from South Carolina. The younger John received private instruction and also attended school in Charleston and Philadelphia. He studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar about 1787 and practiced in Charleston; he also engaged as a planter. From 1794 to 1797, he was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1794 to the Fourth Congress, and was elected as a Federalist to the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Congresses, serving from March 4, 1797 to March 3, 1803. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Thirteenth Congress, and commanded a company of the Twenty-eighth Regiment, South Carolina Militia, in 1799. He was promoted to major and in 1804 succeeded to the command of the regiment and served as its commander in the War of 1812. He commanded the Seventh Brigade from 1816 until his death in Philadelphia.

On December 26, 1792 he married Sarah Motte Smith, daughter of the Right Reverend Robert Smith (1732–1801). Together they had seven children. In 1804 he caught his wife in an illicit affair with Dr. Horace Senter. He mortally wounded Dr. Senter in a duel. He and Sarah Motte signed articles of separation in 1809 and lived apart for the remainder of their lives.

References

• John Rutledge, Jr. at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

External links

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United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Wade Hampton I	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 2nd congressional district 1797-1803	Succeeded by William Butler