Thomas Lynch was an American planter and statesman. He was a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress of 1765 and First and Second Continental congresses from 1774 to 1776.
Background
Thomas Lynch was a member of the third generation of the family in America. Jonack Lynch, his grandfather, emigrated from Ireland to South Carolina shortly after the first settlement of that colony. His youngest son, Thomas, discovered a method of cultivating rice on the alluvial lands periodically flooded by the tides. He took out grants for large tracts of tidal areas on the North and South Santee rivers and laid the basis of a fortune which he bequeathed to his son. Thomas Lynch, son of Thomas Lynch by his second wife, Sabina Vanderhorst, was born in 1749 in St. James Parish, Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States.
Career
Lynch gave early promise of interest in public affairs, and for several terms was the representative of the Parish of St. James, Santee, in the House of Commons of the provincial Assembly (1751-1757, 1761-1763, 1765, 1768, 1772). With Christopher Gadsden and John Rutledge he represented South Carolina in the Stamp Act Congress (1765) which convened in New York City. Denying the jurisdiction of Parliament, Lynch opposed sending any remonstrance to that body. Subsequently, however, he was chairman of the committee which drafted a petition to the House of Commons. He was a member of the General Committee (1769 - 1774) and of the First and Second Continental congresses (1774 - 1776). Since he favored non-importation as the measure best calculated to bring the British government to terms, the merchant group opposed his candidacy for Congress, but he was one of the delegates selected by a popular convention in Charleston, and the selection was subsequently ratified by the provincial congress.
In the early part of 1776, a stroke of paralysis incapacitated him from further participation in public affairs. He recovered sufficiently to attempt to make his way homeward in company with his son, but at Annapolis, Maryland, a second stroke ended his life.
Achievements
Lynch became a prominent public servant and one of the most important Santee River planters. He also distinguished himself during his service in the Colonial Legislature of South Carolina.
Politics
Thomas Lynch was an ardent advocate of resistance to the encroachments of Crown and Parliament on colonial autonomy.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
"He wears the manufacture of this country, is plain, sensible, above ceremony, and carries with him more force in his very appearance than most powdered folks in their conversation. He wears his hair strait, his clothes in the plainest order, and is highly esteemed. "- Silas Deane
Connections
Thomas Lynch was married, probably on September 5, 1745, to Elizabeth Allston, and in March 1755 he was married a second time, to Hannah Motte, daughter of the treasurer of South Carolina. He had one son, Thomas, and three daughters, one of whom, Elizabeth, became the mother of James Hamilton of Nullification fame. Lynch's widow subsequently married Brigadier-General William Moultrie.
