Arthur Middleton was born on June 26, 1742. His parents, the Honorable Henry Middleton and Mary Williams, lived near Charleston, South Carolina. They were both people of means. Henry Middleton was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the colony. As an example, he owned approximately 20 plantations totaling over 50,000 acres. Mary Williams’ father was a wealthy landowner, a justice of the peace, and a member of the provincial House of Commons. Her dowry was 2,248 acres and a three-story house overlooking the Ashley River that became Middleton Place.

Tutors and private schools comprised Arthur Middleton’s early education. As it was with many children of plantation owners and merchants, young Arthur attended prestigious institutions in England for the latter stages of his childhood schooling. He studied at Cambridge and the esteemed law school at Middle Temple. Upon completing his schooling, he traveled Europe for the next two years. He became quite interested in music, painting, architecture, and sculpture. 

Not long after returned from Europe, he met Mary Izard and was most impressed and became enamored of her. She was the daughter of Ralph Izard, a Continental Congressional delegate, and praised by many for her graciousness and engaging conversation. They were married on August 19, 1764. The next year, Arthur Middleton was appointed a justice of the peace in Berkeley County. He was also a member of the provincial House of Commons from 1765 to 1768. He returned to the House of Commons in 1772 for three more years. During this second term of service, he was appointed to a secret committee, which was charged with preparing the colony to defend itself against British encroachment. 

In regards to the British sentiment amongst colonists, Arthur Middleton was fiercely opposed to any loyalties to the crown. His opposition extended to the point of supporting tar and feathering and confiscation of estates abandoned by loyalists who fled the colony. He was provided the opportunity to effect dramatic change to the colonies when his father became ill. Mr. Middleton represented his colony in place of his father. He was a vocal force for freedom and joined Edward Rutledge and Thomas Lynch (the other South Carolina delegates) in voting for the resolution for independence on July 2nd and signed the Declaration on August 2nd.

Mr. Middleton returned home to Middleton Place and began serving as an officer in the local militia. In 1780, the British invaded the countryside surrounding Charleston stealing what they could and burning what they could not take away. Arthur Middleton and his family escaped to Charleston. The British laid siege to the city and Mr. Middleton, along with fellow signers Thomas Heyward and Edward Rutledge, were captured and transported to St. Augustine, Florida and held there for 11 months. 

Upon being freed in a prisoner exchange, Arthur Middleton was appointed to the state Senate by Governor John Rutledge. He was re-elected in 1782. In November, he returned to the Palmetto State and reunited with his family. He also surveyed the damage of Middleton Place. He declined another term in Congress and opted for retirement and the restoration of his plantation. He did serve in the state legislature and was one of the first trustees of Charleston College.

Arthur Middleton, a man of decisiveness, a “cynical temper”, and great muscular strength, contracted an intermittent fever in November 1786. The illness overtook him a few months later. He died on January 1st, 1787. 

Arthur Middleton lived to be 44 years of age.