Barnwell, Robert, 1761-1814

Robert Gibbes Barnwell (December 21, 1761 – October 24, 1814) was a South Carolina slave owner, revolutionary and statesman who was a delegate to the Confederation Congress and a United States Congressman.

Born in Beaufort in the Province of South Carolina, his education was by a private tutor after he had exhausted the resources of the Beaufort common school. He interrupted his education to enter the South Carolina Militia as a private. After nearly losing his life at the Battle of Mathews' Plantation and recuperating, Barnwell eturned to duty, rejoining the militia the next spring as a lieutenant. He was just in time to be included with the prisoners when General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered Charleston on May 12, 1780. He was imprisoned on the transport ship Pack Horse until his exchange in June 1781. He returned to militia service, and by the end of the war had risen to lieutenant colonel.

Returning to Beaufort, Barnwell was elected to the South Carolina house of representatives for 1787-1788. He was a delegate representing South Carolina in the Confederation Congress in 1788 and 1789. He was returned to the state house for terms in 1790-1791, and 1794–1801, and in 1795 he served as speaker of that house. In the spring of 1788 Robert was a delegate to South Carolina convention that ratified the United States Constitution. He was elected to one term in the U.S. House (1791–1793) for an at-large seat, but declined to run again. Beginning in 1795 he was the chair of the board of trustees for the new Beaufort College, and held that position for many years. He was elected to the state senate for 1805–1806, and was president of that body in 1805.

Barnwell died in Beaufort and is buried there in the churchyard of the St. Helena Episcopal Church.