Henry Laurens

Henry Laurens (1724–1792) was an American merchant and rice planter from South Carolina who became a political leader during the Revolutionary War. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress, the third President of the Second Continental Congress (November 1, 1777 - December 9, 1778), the Vice-President of South Carolina, and a diplomat. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (610x741, 124 KB)Henry Laurens by Lemuel Francis Abbott (1760 ca. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (610x741, 124 KB)Henry Laurens by Lemuel Francis Abbott (1760 ca. ... Events January 14 - King Philip V of Spain abdicates the throne February 20 - The premiere of Giulio Cesare, an Italian opera by George Frideric Handel, takes place in London June 23 - Treaty of Constantinople signed. ... 1792 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... annually. ... Combatants American Revolutionaries France The Netherlands Spain Native Americans Great Britain Iroquois Confederacy German mercenaries American Loyalists Native Americans Commanders George Washington Horatio Gates Marquis de Lafayette Friedrich Steuben Comte de Rochambeau Nathanael Greene Bernardo de Gálvez Sir William Howe Thayendanegea Sir Henry Clinton Lord Cornwallis (more commanders) The... The Continental Congress is the label given to two successive bodies of representatives of the inhabitants of the Thirteen Colonies in 18th century British North America: The First Continental Congress met from September 5, 1774, to October 26, 1774. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1778 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Personal life

Henry was born to John and Esther Grasset Laurens on February 24, 1724 in Charleston, South Carolina. His father was a saddler and his parents had come to Charles Town as part of the Huguenot immigration, drawn by the promise of religious liberty. His family prospered, and in 1744 Henry went to England where he learned the ways of commerce from a merchant who had formerly lived in Charleston. February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Nickname: The Holy City, The Palmetto City, Chucktown, The Port City, Charlie O The C-Port City Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat (She cares for her temples, customs, and rights) Location of Charleston in South Carolina. ... In the 16th and 17th centuries, the name of Huguenots came to apply to members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France, or historically as the French Calvinists. ... // Events The third French and Indian War, known as King Georges War, breaks out at Port Royal, Nova Scotia The First Saudi State founded by Mohammed Ibn Saud Prague occupied by Prussian armies Ongoing events War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) Births January 10 - Thomas Mifflin, fifth President... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2005 est. ...

Henry returned to Charleston in 1747. He entered the import and export business and became a prosperous merchant, slave trader, and planter. Laurens was the Charleston business agent for the London-based owners of Bunce Island, a British slave castle in the Sierra Leone River in West Africa. Laurens received slave ships arriving in Charleston, advertised the sale of slaves in the newspaper, organized the auctions, and took a 10% commission on each sale. He sold African slaves to local rice planters, but also purchased some for his own plantations. On June 25, 1750 he married Eleanor Ball, the daughter of another wealthy rice planter and slave owner. The couple would have twelve children. Eight died in infancy or childhood, but others achieved prominence. Plan of Bunce Island, 1726 Bunce Island (spelled at different periods Bence, Bense, or Bance Island) lies in the Sierra Leone River, the estuary of the Rokel River and Port Loko Creek, about 20 miles upriver from Sierra Leones capital city of Freetown. ... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... Events March 2 - Small earthquake in London, England April 4 - Small earthquake in Warrington, England August 23 - Small earthquake in Spalding, England September 30 - Small earthquake in Northampton, England November 16 – Westminster Bridge officially opened Jonas Hanway is the first Englishman to use an umbrella James Gray reveals her sex...

• John Laurens served as a military aide to General Washington and was killed in the Revolutionary War. During the war, John proposed a plan under which a small number of slaves would be enlisted in the American forces and eventually granted their freedom. In a private letter, Henry gently sought to persuade John that this plan was impractical.^[1]
• Martha married David Ramsay, a physician, historian, and South Carolina Congressman.
• Henry Jr. married Eliza, the daughter of John Rutledge, and inherited his father's estate.
• Mary married Charles Pinckney and died in childbirth soon afterwards.

In 1772, Henry, like many successful American merchants began to buy farmland. He purchased 3,000 acres (12 km²) at Mepkin. Although he later bought another 20,000 acres (81 km²) including new rice-growing lands opening up in coastal Georgia, Mepkin became the family seat. By 1776 he had given up his mercantile ventures, although he always ran his plantations in a very business-like way. John Laurens (October 28, 1754 - August 27, 1782) was an American soldier and statesman from South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. ... David Ramsay (April 2, 1749 – May 8, 1815) was an American physician and historian from Charleston, South Carolina. ... John Rutledge (September 17, 1739 – July 18, 1800) was Governor of South Carolina, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, signer of the United States Constitution, and served on the U.S. Supreme Court (Chief Justice from August to December 1795). ... Charles Pinckney (October 26, 1757–October 29, 1824) was an American politician who was a signer of the United States Constitution, Governor of South Carolina, a Senator and a member of the House of Representatives. ... Mepkin Abbey is a Trappist Monastery in Berkeley County, South Carolina. ...

Political career

1. General George Washington 2. General Horatio Gates 3. Dr. Benjamin Franklin 4. Präsid Laurens 5. John Paul Jones / D. Berger sculp. 1784.

Laurens served in the militia, as did most able bodied men in his time. He rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel in campaigns against the Cherokee Indians in 1757-1761. 1757 also marked the first year he was elected to the colonial assembly. He was elected again every year but one until the revolution replaced the assembly with a state Convention as an interim government. The year he missed was 1773 when he visited England to arrange for his children's education. He was named to the colony's Council in 1764 and 1768, but declined both times. In 1772 he joined the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, and carried on some extensive correspondence with other members. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (897x1536, 249 KB) 1. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (897x1536, 249 KB) 1. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732–December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and was later elected the first President of the United States. ... Horatio Gates Horatio Gates (Full name: Horatio Lloyd Gates) (1726 – 1806) was an American general during the Revolutionary War. ... Benjamin Franklin (January 17 [O.S. January 6] 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the most well known Founding Fathers of the United States. ... John Paul Jones John Paul Jones (July 6, 1747–July 18, 1792) was Americas first well-known naval hero in the American Revolutionary War. ... For other uses, see Cherokee (disambiguation). ... 1757 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1773 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Catherine IIs soldiers in the Russo-Turkish War, by Alexandre Benois. ... The American Philosophical Society is a discussion group founded as the Junto in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ...

As the American Revolution neared, Laurens first inclination was to support reconciliation with the British Crown. But as conditions deteriorated he came to fully support the American position. When Carolina began the creation of a revolutionary government, he was elected to the Provincial Congress which first met on January 9, 1775. He was president of the Committee of Safety, and presiding officer of that congress from June until March of 1776. When South Carolina installed a full independent government, he served as the Vice President of South Carolina from March of 1776 to June 27, 1777. John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence, showing the five-men committee in charge of drafting the Declaration in 1776 as it presents its work to the Second Continental Congress The Llama (lemons) Revolution was a political movement during the last half of the 18th century that resulted in the creation... Motto:   (the Royal motto3) (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the Queen 4 Capital London Most populous conurbation Greater London Urban Area English (de facto5) Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair Formation    - Union of the Crowns 24 March 1603   - Acts of Union... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1775 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the year 1776. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Henry Laurens was first named a delegate to the Continental Congress on January 10, 1777. He served in the Congress from then until 1780. He was the President of the Continental Congress from November 1, 1777 to December 9, 1778. The Continental Congress is the label given to two successive bodies of representatives of the inhabitants of the Thirteen Colonies in 18th century British North America: The First Continental Congress met from September 5, 1774, to October 26, 1774. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1780 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1778 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

In the fall of 1779 the Congress named Laurens their minister to Holland. In early 1780 he took up that post and successfully negotiated Dutch support for the war. But on his return voyage that fall the British Navy intercepted his ship and discovered the draft of a possible U.S.-Dutch treaty prepared by William Lee. This treaty was used as a reason for war between Great Britain and the Netherlands. Laurens was charged with treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London. This became another issue between the British and Americans. In the field, most captives were regarded as prisoners of war, and while conditions were frequently appalling, prisoner exchanges and mail privileges were accepted practice. During his imprisonment Laurens was assisted by Richard Oswald, his former business partner and the principal owner of Bunce Island. Oswald argued on Laurens' behalf to the British government. Finally, on December 31, 1781 he was released in exchange for General Lord Cornwallis and completed his voyage. 1779 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I shall persist) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe National animal: Lion Capital (largest city) Amsterdam Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain)  Accession... 1780 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... William Lee may refer to: Sir William Lee (judge) (1688-1754), British judge William Lee (diplomat) (1756-1795), American diplomat William Henry Lee (1799–1878), Canadian civil servant William Henry Fitzhugh Rooney Lee (1837-1891), American general and congressman William Harold Lee (1884-1971), American theater designer and architect William... The Tower of London, seen from the River Thames, with a view of the water gate called Traitors Gate. ... Plan of Bunce Island, 1726 Bunce Island (spelled at different periods Bence, Bense, or Bance Island) lies in the Sierra Leone River, the estuary of the Rokel River and Port Loko Creek, about 20 miles upriver from Sierra Leones capital city of Freetown. ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marques Cornwallis (31 December 1738 - 5 October 1805 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh) was an English(England) military commander and colonial governor. ...

In 1783 Laurens was in Paris as one of the Peace Commissioners for the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Paris. While he didn't sign the primary treaty, he was instrumental in reaching the secondary accords that resolved issues involving the Netherlands and Spain. Ironically, Richard Oswald, Laurens' old business partner in the slave trade, was the principal negotiator for the British during the Paris peace talks. Laurens generally retired from public life in 1784. He was sought for a return to the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the state assembly, but he declined all of these jobs. He did serve in the state convention of 1788 where he voted to ratify the United States Constitution. 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... -1... Painting by Benjamin West depicting (from left to right) John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. ... This article discusses the history of the United States Constitution. ... 1787 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1788 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. ...

Later events

The British forces from Charleston had burned the main home at Mepkin during the war. When Henry returned in 1784, the family lived in an outbuilding while the manor was rebuilt. He lived there the rest of his life, working to recover the estimated £40,000 that the revolution had cost him. (This would be equivalent to about $3,500,000 in 2000 values.) He died at Mepkin on December 8, 1792, and afterward was cremated and his ashes were interred there. The estate at Mepkin passed through several hands, but large portions of the estate still exist, and are now a Trappist abbey. 1784 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Trappist can refer to: a religious order - see Trappists some of the products, made by the order - see Trappist beer This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

The city of Laurens is named for him. General Lachlan McIntosh, who worked for Laurens as a clerk and became close friends with him, named Fort Laurens after him. Laurens is a city located in Laurens County, South Carolina. ... Lachlan McIntosh (1725-1806) An American military and political leader during the American Revolution and the early republic. ... Fort Laurens was an American Revolutionary War fort in what is now the U.S. state of Ohio. ...

External links

• Laurens' Congressional Biography
• Mepkin Abbey web site
• Henry Laurens NNDB

References

1. ^ Henry Laurens to John Laurens, 6 February 1778, The Papers of Henry Laurens, XII: 412-413.

Additional reading

• Henry Laurens (Philip Hamer, editor); Papers of Henry Laurens, (10 volumes); 1915, New York, G. P. Putnam's Sons.
• David D. Wallace; "The Life of Henry Laurens: With a Sketch of the Life of Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens"; 1967, Russell & Russell Publishers, ISBN 0-8462-1015-0.