Charles Pinckney

Charles Pinckney Charles Pinckney was born on October 26, 1757 in Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up Charles schooling was done in his hometown. He studied law with his father, Col. Charles Pinckney, just before the Revolution and he later started to practice in 1779. Charles father was a rich lawyer and a planter who was loyal to the British crown. Charles was a lawyer, planter, slave holder, militia officer, a diplomat, and a statesman. He took business in lending, investments, and public security interests. After the War for Independence had begun, young Charles enlisted in the militia, having his father showing uncertainty about the Revolution. Later he became a lieutenant and served at the siege of Savannah, Georgia from September to October 1779. When Charleston surrendered to the British on May 12, 1780, Charles was captured and remained a prisoner until June 1781. He refused to follow his father’s example of pledging allegiance to the British crown. In his political career, Charles served in the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1778, and later elected to South Carolina’s House of Representatives. Soon enough he served in the Confederation Congress from November 1, 1784 until February 21, 1787. Pinckney attended the Constitutional Convention of 1788 although his role in the convention is controversial. He was one of the youngest delegates but he claimed himself to be one of the most influential. Pinckney made numerous proposals that were eventually part of the Constitution and he successfully insisted that the Constitution defend slavery .Even though Pinckney did not sign the Declaration of Independence or the Articles of Confederation, he did have the chance to sign the Constitution. He attended the entire time, spoke often and effectively, and helped to resolve the major problems that happened during the debates. That same year Charles had also worked for the ratification in South Carolina and married Mary Eleanor Laurens. She was the daughter