Founders Keepers
Thomas Lynch
Thomas Lynch Sr. had made a fortune growing rice in South Carolina. So Thomas Jr. was never in need, or in want. Sent at a young age to a boarding school in Georgetown, SC. Later, at the age of 13, he was sent off to England for further education. He flourished. He attended Eaton and Cambridge. Always earning high marks. Upon graduation, his father sent a letter suggesting he stay in England a bit longer in order to pursue a profession in law. Which he did with great zeal.
Thomas returned to South Carolina in 1772, having been gone for nine years.
Somehow, Thomas convinced his father that there was no real need for him to actually practice law. The continuing success of the rice plantation insured ample money. His grades at school would validate his work ethic. There was simply no reason to pursue a profession.
In 1775 South Carolina began forming a militia, called the providential regulars. Thomas found himself recruiting soldiers for the cause, and was named company commander. He was marching his troops to Charleston when he was struck with a violent bilious fever (typhoid? Cholera?). Although he lived, by the time he could rejoin his regiment, his state of health was so poor, he could not take effective command.
Besides battling his own health problems, he was notified that his father was seriously ill and at the brink of death. To make matters worse, the elder Lynch was in far off Philadelphia attending the Continental Congress. Even worse, Thomas' request for furlough was denied by the commanding officer, Colonel Gadsden.
As I said before, Thomas was wealthy enough to pretty much get his own way. He petitioned the state legislature to have himself appointed to Congress in his father's place.
Thomas raced northward to Philadelphia sure he would arrive too late. To his great surprise, his father had fully recovered. Still, Thomas took his place in congress. And it was the younger Thomas Lynch who voted for and signed the Declaration of independence.
As the father seemed to get better and regain his health, the son grew more sickly. So both men started for home. But the pair only made it as far as Annapolis, Maryland. The father had a stroke and died.
Thomas barely made it home.
Doctors suggested a change in climate. So Thomas and his wife set sail for the Caribbean island of St. Eustatia.
The ship was lost at sea.
Thomas Lynch
Thomas Lynch Sr. had made a fortune growing rice in South Carolina. So Thomas Jr. was never in need, or in want. Sent at a young age to a boarding school in Georgetown, SC. Later, at the age of 13, he was sent off to England for further education. He flourished. He attended Eaton and Cambridge. Always earning high marks. Upon graduation, his father sent a letter suggesting he stay in England a bit longer in order to pursue a profession in law. Which he did with great zeal.
Thomas returned to South Carolina in 1772, having been gone for nine years.
Somehow, Thomas convinced his father that there was no real need for him to actually practice law. The continuing success of the rice plantation insured ample money. His grades at school would validate his work ethic. There was simply no reason to pursue a profession.
In 1775 South Carolina began forming a militia, called the providential regulars. Thomas found himself recruiting soldiers for the cause, and was named company commander. He was marching his troops to Charleston when he was struck with a violent bilious fever (typhoid? Cholera?). Although he lived, by the time he could rejoin his regiment, his state of health was so poor, he could not take effective command.
Besides battling his own health problems, he was notified that his father was seriously ill and at the brink of death. To make matters worse, the elder Lynch was in far off Philadelphia attending the Continental Congress. Even worse, Thomas' request for furlough was denied by the commanding officer, Colonel Gadsden.
As I said before, Thomas was wealthy enough to pretty much get his own way. He petitioned the state legislature to have himself appointed to Congress in his father's place.
Thomas raced northward to Philadelphia sure he would arrive too late. To his great surprise, his father had fully recovered. Still, Thomas took his place in congress. And it was the younger Thomas Lynch who voted for and signed the Declaration of independence.
As the father seemed to get better and regain his health, the son grew more sickly. So both men started for home. But the pair only made it as far as Annapolis, Maryland. The father had a stroke and died.
Thomas barely made it home.
Doctors suggested a change in climate. So Thomas and his wife set sail for the Caribbean island of St. Eustatia.
The ship was lost at sea.