The Name, Drayton, in the O’Sheal Family
John Drayton was a very popular, handsome, and well liked man in the state of South Carolina. He was born 1766 and died in 1822. Drayton served in the House of Representatives from 1792-1798; created the University of South Carolina, served as Lt. Governor for South Carolina, and then, served as Governor John DRAYTON, from 1800-1802 and from 1808-1810. When he was older, President Madison, appointed John Drayton as United States District Judge.
A researcher has insinuated the name DRAYTON originiated from the O’Sheal family and passed down to other O’Sheal descendants. This is not true. The name Wiley DRAYTON O’Sheal was taken from John DRAYTON, a beloved and respected man. Many families in and from the state of South Carolina named their sons DRAYTON.
NO DOUBT….Sanford DRAYTON Harrison was named after Governor John DRAYTON. Sanford Drayton Harrison was the son of Elizabeth O’Sheal Harrison and Tyree/Tyrie Harrison. Elizabeth O’Sheal was the daughter of Jethro O’Sheal, who served in the Revolutionary War.
Naming children after famous people was certainly very common in the 19th century. For example, my great-grandfather’s name was, Joseph Brown Chumley. He was named after the governor of Georgia. Joseph Brown was the governor of Georgia during the Civil War. My great-grandfather was not born until 1872.