188. John Edwards
(18) was born in 1731 in England. He died on Aug 18 1781 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. John Edwards was a merchant who emigrated from Bristol, England,
about 1750. His origins are unknown beyond that, but he mentioned a widowed sister
in his will living in Holywell, Flintshire, North Wales. That might provide a
clue to the family origins.
His firm in Charleston, Edwards, Fisher and Company, was very successful and
he was among the wealthier merchants of the city, dealing in slaves, indentured
servants and numerous other commodities. In 1770 he built the house at 15 Meeting
Street that still stands, known as the John Edwards House.
He early joined the patriot cause in the Revolution and he advanced large sums
of money to the nascent government of South Carolina, including a draft of 1000
pounds to provide powder for the attack on the British ship Betsey at St. Augustine.
His signature appears on the paper money issued by South Carolina during the
Revolution.
In 1768 he was appointed to the Commission of Fortifications and served in the
Commons House of Assembly in October and December, 1772. He was a member of both
the First and Second Provincial Congresses in 1775. On August 28th, 1777, John
Edwards was appointed one of the Naval Commissioners of South Carolina, involved
in getting produce to Europe to pay for military supplies.
He was elected to the Privy Council in 1779. When the city of Charleston surrendered
to the British in 1780, Admiral Arbuthnot, the commander of Royal Navy forces
in Charleston, was quartered in John Edwards's house, the family being allowed
to retain a portion of it. Arbuthnot, without success, tried to convert Edwards
to the British cause.
Edwards was among the leaders of Charleston deported to St. Augustine on August
1780 where they stayed until June of 1781 when they were exchanged and allowed
to go to Philadelphia.
Edwards died suddenly on August 18, 1781. His friend Josiah Smith recorded in
his diary that "This day was buried, in Arch Street Church burying Ground,
the remains of my Friend, Neighbor and Companion in Exile, John Edwards, Esqr.
who suddenly exchanged this (I hope) for a happier existence, the preceding evening
by a Fit of apoplexy. This melancholy event took place, previous to the arrival
here of his much afflicted Widow, and numerous Children, and his family thereby
lost a most valuable head, Religion a True friend, and the Public a most hearty
Supporter of American freedom."
He was married to Margaret Perroneau on Apr 11 1758 in Charleston, South Carolina.
189. Margaret Perroneau
was born in Apr 1738. She died on Aug 27 1772 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Children were:
i.
John Edwards was born about 1760. He died on Dec 31 1798.
ii.
Elizabeth Edwards(18) was born about
1765.
94 iii.
Alexander Edwards.
iv.
Edward Edwards(18) died after 1813.
v.
Mary Edwards(18) died before Jun 1814.
vi.
Ann Edwards(18) died on Apr 26 1783.
vii.
Margaret Edwards(18).
viii.
Catherine Edwards(18).
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