William Henry Drayton | S.C. Hall of Fame

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, William Henry Drayton (1742-1779) was a planter, lawyer, and politician during the Revolutionary War. He is credited with co-designing with Arthur Middleton the South Carolina State Seal and helped pass a motion in the Continental Congress that allowed for the first official use of fireworks in order to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Standards

• 4.2.CE Examine the economic and political motivations for colonists to declare independence from Great Britain.
• 4.2.CX Contextualize South Carolina’s role in the development of the new nation.
• 4.2.E Analyze multiple perspectives on the economic, political, and social developments of the new nation.
• 8.2.CO Compare the motives and demographics of loyalists and patriots within South Carolina and the colonies.
• This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into the economic, political, and social motivations of the patriots and the loyalists in the era of the American Revolution.
• 8.2.CE Explain the economic, political, and social factors surrounding the American Revolution.
• This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how the colonies began to unify to create a distinctive American identity over the course of events of the American Revolution.
• 8.2.CX Contextualize the roles of various groups of South Carolinians as the colonies moved toward becoming an independent nation.
• This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into the motivations of colonists during the American Revolution and the progression of conflict and failed compromise that ultimately led to revolution.
• 8.2.P Analyze significant founding principles that led to the development of federalism in South Carolina and the United States.
• This indicator was designed to encourage inquiry into the development of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and representative democracy.
• 8.2.E Utilize a variety of primary and secondary sources to analyze multiple perspectives on the development of democracy in South Carolina and the United States.

Resources