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William Drayton Sr.

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William Drayton Sr.
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
In office
November 18, 1789 – May 18, 1790
Appointed byGeorge Washington
Preceded bySeat established by 1 Stat. 73
Succeeded byThomas Bee
Chief Justice for the Province of East Florida
In office
1765–1778
Appointed byJames Grant
Preceded byJames Moultrie
Succeeded byJames Hume
Personal details
Born
William Drayton

(1732-03-21)March 21, 1732
Ashley River,
Province of South Carolina,
British America
DiedMay 18, 1790(1790-05-18) (aged 58)
South Carolina
ChildrenWilliam Drayton
EducationMiddle Temple
read law
Coat of Arms of William Drayton, Sr.

William Drayton Sr. (March 21, 1732 – May 18, 1790) was chief justice of the British American Province of East Florida and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Education and career

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Born March 21, 1732, near the Ashley River in the Province of South Carolina, British America,[1] Drayton graduated from the Middle Temple in London, England in 1754 and read law in 1756.[1] He was a Justice of the Peace in Berkeley County, Province of South Carolina from 1756 to 1763.[1] He was chief justice of the British American Province of East Florida from 1765 to 1778.[1] He resigned that post due to conflicts with Governor Patrick Tonyn of the Province of East Florida.[2] He was a Judge of the South Carolina Admiralty Court in 1789.[1] He was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina in 1789.[1]

Landholdings in Florida

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Drayton bought properties in Florida, including what is called Drayton Island, but was an indifferent planter.[2]

Federal judicial service

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Drayton received a recess appointment from President George Washington on November 18, 1789, to the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, to a new seat authorized by 1 Stat. 73.[1] He was nominated to the same position by President Washington on February 8, 1790.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 10, 1790, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated on May 18, 1790, due to his death in South Carolina.[1] Drayton was the first United States federal judge to die in office.

Family

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Drayton was the father of William Drayton, a United States representative from South Carolina.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j William Drayton at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  2. ^ a b "Drayton Island". University of Florida. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
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Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 1 Stat. 73
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
1789–1790
Succeeded by