William Wragg was an American attorney, legislator and plantation owner.
Background
William Wragg was born in 1714, in Charleston, South Carolina, to the merchant Samuel Wragg and his Huguenot wife, Marie DuBose. His father, a wealthy merchant, who served in the provincial Assembly after 1712 and in the Council from 1717 until his death, was given a barony, variously known as the "Signiory of St. Giles, " the Ashley Barony, and the Wragg Barony, for his services in bringing emigrants to the colony. When William was four years old his father sailed with him for England. Just outside Charleston harbor they were captured by Blackbeard, the pirate, who held them until he was furnished with a store of drugs from Charleston. Released, they continued the voyage, and Wragg remained in England until he was grown.
Education
According to tradition, he was educated at one of the older public schools and at one of the universities, and finally at the Middle Temple, to which he was admitted in 1725.
Career
He was called to the bar on November 23, 1733. Returning to South Carolina he lived the life of a country gentleman. He inherited the barony from his father and also acquired a great property by the will of John Skene, who died in 1768. He owned more than two hundred negroes and at the opening of the Revolution was one of the richest men in the province. His wealth, his education, his social position, his strong character, and his unfailing courage, all contributed to make him a notable figure. He was made a member of the council in 1753 and a justice of the peace in 1756, and was a member of the Assembly from 1763 to 1768 when, although he was reelected, he refused to qualify. On August 10, 1769, he was again placed on the council. In his public career he was consistently a supporter of the governor and the Crown. Alone in the Assembly in 1766 he voted against approving the action of the Stamp Act Congress, and when in 1769 he was published as a non-subscriber to the non-importation agreement, he defended his action in a powerful protest entitled, "Reasons for not Concurring in the Non-Importation Resolution" (South Carolina Gazette, September 4, 1769, quoted by McCrady, post, 655-656). When a resolution to erect a statue to William Pitt was under discussion, he suggested that one of George III be substituted. As a result of his loyalty, soon after this episode he was appointed chief justice, though he had never practised law. He returned the commission, however, in order that no man might say that "the hope of preferment had influenced his preceding conduct, " a "proof of his disinterestedness and delicacy" that his people admired (Ramsay, post). With the approach of the Revolution, Wragg never wavered in his loyalty to Great Britain. When he refused to sign the non-importation agreement and frankly expressed his belief that the work of the Continental Congress constituted rebellion, he was ordered not to leave his barony. Continuing his refusal to conform, and claiming his right to liberty of speech and belief, he was banished in 1777, and sailed in the Commerce for Amsterdam. On September 2, his vessel was wrecked off the coast of Holland and he lost his life — according to one account, in saving the life of his infant son; according to another, in giving aid to the crew.
Achievements
Membership
From 1753, William Wragg was a member of the Governor's council and of the Assembly from 1763 to 1768.
Connections
William Wragg was married to Mary Wood, who died on December 22, 1767. The couple had two daughters.
On February 5, 1769, he married his cousin, Henrietta Wragg, by whom he had four children.