Dr. John Rutledge, Sr.
(1713-1750)
John Rutledge, Sr. was born in Ireland in the year 1713. He was the first of the Rutledge's to immigrate to America settling on the coast of South Carolina near Charleston.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 1738, John married fourteen year old Sarah Boone Hext. Sarah was the stepdaughter of his older brother, Andrew Rutledge and his wife Sarah Boone Hext (widow of Hugh Hext, Jr.).
ironically Dr. John Rutledge died on Christmas Day 12 years later on December 25, 1750 at the age of 36. He was buried at Saint Philips Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Dr. John Rutledge, Sr. and Sarah Boon Hext had seven children:
Andrew Rutledge (1740-1772)
Thomas Rutledge (1741-1783)
Sarah Rutledge (1742-1819)
Hugh Rutledge (1745-1811)
Mary Rutledge (1747-1832)
Edward Rutledge (1749-1800)
From the South Carolina Historical Magazine vol. 20;
Dr. John Rutledge, who with his brother Andrew came to South Carolina from Ireland early in the 18th Century. He was a member of the Assembly from Christ Church Parish in 1748 and 1750; (S.C. Gaz.) had a plantation in Christ Church parish, one on Stono River, and real estate in Charles Town (Inventory). He and his wife Sarah Hext (1724-1792) married 1733, had seven children" Gov. John Rutledge, the "Dictator", 1739-1800; Andrew Rutledge, 174-to 1772, a merchant and man of position; Thomas Rutledge, 1741-1783, merchant, Justice of the Peace and member of the General Assembly for St. Helena's parish in 1776; Sarah Rutledge, born 1742, married Gov. John Mathews; Hugh Rutledge, 174- to 1811; a lawyer, judge of the Admirality, 1776, and held other important offices; Mary Rutledge, 1747-1832, married Roger Smith; Gov. Edward Rutledge, 1749-1800.
He married fourteen year old Sarah Hext, his brother's stepdaughter on December 25, 1738.