Robert Witherspoon | |
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Member of the South Carolina Senate from Claremont District | |
In office November 27, 1821 – December 20, 1821 |
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Preceded by | Charles Miller |
Succeeded by | Stephen Decatur Miller |
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Williamsburg District | |
In office November 24, 1806 – June 29, 1808 |
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In office November 22, 1802 – May 16, 1804 |
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In office November 26, 1792 – May 12, 1794 |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 3rd district |
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In office March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1811 |
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Preceded by | David R. Williams |
Succeeded by | David R. Williams |
Treasurer of South Carolina | |
In office 1800–1802 |
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Governor | John Drayton |
Personal details | |
Born |
Kingstree, South Carolina |
January 29, 1767
Died | October 11, 1837 Mayesville, South Carolina |
(aged 70)
Political party | Democratic-Republican |
Profession | planter, politician |
Robert Witherspoon (January 29, 1767 – October 11, 1837) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, great-great-grandfather of Robert Witherspoon Hemphill.
Witherspoon was born near Kingstree, South Carolina as the son of a Scots-Irish father, Robert Witherspoon (1728–1778) who was born in County Down, Northern Ireland and settled in the Province of South Carolina. His mother was Elizabeth Heathly Witherspoon (1740–1820), who was born in South Carolina. Robert Witherspoon attended local schools.
Witherspoon was elected State treasurer in 1800 and served one term. He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1792 to 1794 from 1802 to 1804 and from 1806 to 1808.
Witherspoon was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Eleventh Congress (March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1811). He declined to be a candidate for reelection. He had large planting interests in Sumter County, South Carolina. He opposed the nullification act in 1832. He died near Mayesville, South Carolina, October 11, 1837. He was interred in the Salem Brick Church Cemetery.