South Carolina Governors – Thomas Bennett, Jr., 1820-1822

Biographical Overview

• Born: August 14, 1781 in Charleston, SC
  
• Died: January 30, 1865 in Charleston, SC
  
• Buried: Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, SC
• Religion: Congregationalist and Presbyterian
  
• Political Party: Democratic-Republican
  

Education

Occupation

• Architect
• Banker

Major Events and Accomplishments, 1820–1822

• 1820 – A new law prohibited citizens from granting emancipation to their slaves without the General Assembly's permission
  
• 1822 – A freedman named a Denmark Vesey incited a slave rebellion, causing increased fears of slave uprisings and distrust of the abolition movement
  

Other Government Positions

• South Carolina House of Representatives, 1804-1806, 1808-1810, 1812-1818
  
• South Carolina Senate, 1819-1820, 1837-1840
  

Other Accomplishments, Honors, Distinctions

• Bennettsville, SC was named for Governor Bennett.
  

Election Results

• On December 7, 1820, the South Carolina General Assembly elected Bennett for governor by secret ballot.
  

Web Resources

• Daguerreotype - South Caroliniana Library