Thomas Bee

Thomas Bee
Thomas Bee's House, Charleston, ca. 1730.
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
In office June 14, 1790 – February 18, 1812
Appointed by	George Washington
Preceded by	William Drayton
Succeeded by	John Drayton
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
In office January 9, 1779 – January 24, 1780
Governor	John Rutledge
Preceded by	James Parsons
Succeeded by	Christopher Gadsden
Personal details
Born	1739 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	February 18, 1812 (aged 72–73) Pendleton, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Federalist
Education	University of Oxford

Thomas Bee (1739, Charleston, South Carolina – February 18, 1812, Pendleton, South Carolina) was an American planter, lawyer, politician and jurist from Charleston, South Carolina. He served as the sixth Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina (1779–1780) under Governor John Rutledge and was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1780 to 1782. He later served as a judge in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina from 1790 until his death.

Thomas Bee was born to a wealthy Charleston planter family in the colony of South Carolina. He was taught by a tutor at home, before being sent to England to attend Oxford University. He read law in 1761 for admission to the bar.

He married Susannah (Bulline) Bee (1754 - 1805) in Charleston. She was the daughter of a planter, and they lived on a plantation in Ladson, South Carolina, which she inherited from her father. The Bees had several children.

Thomas Bee, his wife, and their daughter Jane Templar Bee Huger (1790 - 1820), who died at age 16, were buried on their plantation, Woodstock, in Ladson, South Carolina. Today the Palmetto Commerce Parkway passes near the family burial site.

Thomas and Susannah's son Barnard E. Bee, Sr., and great-grandson Carlos Bee followed Thomas Bee into politics. Carlos Bee was elected as a U.S. Representative from Texas. Two of Barnard's sons became known as Confederate generals during the American Civil War: Barnard E. Bee Jr. and Hamilton Prioleau Bee.