Appointed by George Washington Preceded by James Moultrie Preceded by Position established Succeeded by James Hume | Succeeded by Thomas Bee Name William Sr. Appointed by James Grant | |
William Drayton (March 21, 1732 – May 18, 1790) was an American lawyer and jurist from South Carolina. During colonial years, he served as Chief Justice of the Province of East Florida (1765-1780). He later was appointed as the first United States judge in South Carolina District Court.
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Early life and education
Born on property on the Ashley River in South Carolina, Drayton grew up in an increasingly wealthy planter family that cultivated rice and indigo. Tutored in South Carolina, he completed his education in the Middle Temple, in London, England in 1754.
Career
Drayton read law to enter the South Carolina Bar in 1756. He was appointed as a justice of the peace for Berkeley County, South Carolina, serving until 1763.
He was appointed by the colonial governor of Florida in 1765 as Chief Justice for the Province of East Florida, where he served until 1780. He was forced to resign because of suggestions of sympathy with the rebels during the American Revolutionary War.
When going to Florida, he had sold his South Carolina property to his uncle John Drayton, and it became consolidated with Magnolia Plantation in this branch of the Drayton family. William Drayton Sr. bought properties in Florida, including what is called Drayton Island, but was an indifferent planter.
Drayton returned with his family to Charleston, South Carolina. His service with the colonial government appeared not to count against him in the new republic. In 1789, he was appointed as a judge of the South Carolina Admiralty Court, and an associate judge of the South Carolina Supreme Court.
On November 18, 1789, Drayton received a recess appointment from President George Washington to become the first judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, a new seat created by 1 Stat. 73. He was formally nominated on February 8, 1790, and was confirmed by the United States Senate. He received his commission, on February 10, 1790. He served until his death in South Carolina.
His sons Jacob and William became attorneys. William became a Congressman for South Carolina.