Benjamin Guerard

Benjamin Guerard (* 1740 in Charleston, South Carolina, † December 21, 1788 ) was an American politician and from 1783 to 1785 Governor of South Carolina.

Early years and political rise

The exact date of birth of Benjamin Guerard is unknown. The sources go but out of 1740 as his year of birth. He studied law and then worked as a lawyer. From 1765 to 1769 he was a deputy in the Parliament of colonial South Carolina. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he joined the American troops. In 1780, he became for a short time in British captivity. After his release, he continued his political career. Already 1779/80 he was a deputy in the House of Representatives from South Carolina. There followed a year in the Senate of South Carolina, before he returned to the House of Representatives in 1783. This year he was a member of the American Commission, which negotiated with the British over their withdrawal from Charleston.

Governor of South Carolina and retirement

After he was elected by the House of Representatives to the governor, he entered on February 4, 1783 from his position as successor to John Mathews. This office he held for two years until 11 February 1785th He became the first Governor of South Carolina following the end of the war. It was a time of rebuilding. During his tenure began with the systematic cultivation of cotton for export. At that time the city of Charleston officially received its name; until then it was called Charlestown. After the expiration of his term he lived in Charleston, where he died in December 1788.

Guerard 1766 married Sarah Middleton, who died in 1775 on a sea voyage to New York City with her son. His second marriage to Marianne Kennan in 1786 remained childless.

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