Richard Yeadon

Background

Yeadon was born on October 23, 1802 in Charleston, South Carolina, the only son of Richard and Mary (You) Adams Yeadon and grandson of the English immigrant Richard Yeadon and his wife Mary Lining.

Education

Graduating from South Carolina College in 1820, Yeadon was admitted to the bar in 1824.

Career

In 1831, during the nullification controversy, Yeadon became a constant contributor to the City Gazette in support of its Unionist policy. On July 1, 1832, without giving up his law practice, he became editor of the Charleston Daily Courier, the leading Unionist journal of the state, and six months later he became a part owner. Ill health forced him to retire from the editorship November 4, 1844, though he long continued to contribute editorials. An ardent Whig, he opposed John C. Calhoun but praised his wisdom in crushing the Bluffton movement of R. B. Rhett in 1844 for re-asserting nullification. When Rhett in 1856 offered for governor and sought to rouse secession sentiment, Yeadon declared him unfit for leadership and denounced his effort to undo the Union-preserving influence of Buchanan's election. Taunted as a "traitor" for his Unionism, he protested that none would sacrifice himself for his state more willingly than he. Secession once ordained, he bought Confederate bonds generously and gave largely for equipping Confederate soldiers and building a navy. He offered a reward of $10, 000 for the capture dead or alive of Benjamin F. Butler after President Davis declared that Federal officer an outlaw. Throughout the war, with men like R. W. Barnwell and James Chesnut, Yeadon supported President Davis against radicals led by Rhett. Yeadon's election to the legislature in 1862 by a vote overtopping that given to extremists expressed the conservatism always strong in Charleston. Insistent on the supremacy of law, he was determined in defense of legal rights. He supported the Citadel authorities in the student rebellion of 1858, and when Dr. R. W. Gibbes was ejected from the council chamber which he had entered to report proceedings for the South Carolinian, Yeadon prosecuted Gibbes's suit for damages and won a small award. He served at least three terms (1856-1860; 1862-1864) in the state House of Representatives, where he contributed to strengthening financial and simplifying testamentary and land-title law and opposed the reopening of the African slave trade. He originated the ordinance establishing the Charleston High School, secured the Council's donation of $1, 000 a year for a century to the College of Charleston, and gave liberally for establishing a chair of political economy in the latter institution. Yeadon died on April 25, 1870.

Achievements

• Yeadon was an American lawyer, chiefly known for his active role in state's affairs.

Religion

Though a believer in Christianity, Yeadon joined no church.

Personality

Yeadon was industrious, hospitable, witty. Ill health intensified his sudden changes from exultation to depression.

Interests

• Yeadon had many non-professional interests. He operated a peach farm at his country place near Aiken and fancied fine horses.

Connections

On December 23, 1829, Yeadon married Mary Videau Marion, great-grandniece of Gen. Francis Marion, and subsequently compiled a genealogy of his wife's family. Childless, he adopted a nephew - killed in the war - and two of his wife's nieces.

Father:

Richard Yeadon

Mother:

Mary Adams Yeadon

Spouse:

Mary Videau Marion

References

• The Amenability of Northern incendiaries as well to Southern as to Northern laws: without prejudice to the right of free discussion; to which is added ... a series of essays recently published in the
• South Carolina a Short History, 1520-1948
• Speech of Richard Yeadon, esq., of Charleston, S.C.: at the Pilgrim celebration, at Plymouth, Mass., August 1, 1853
• Reminiscences of Public Men: With Speeches and Addresses