This south carolinian was an oxford university graduate, signer of the declaration of independence, prisoner of war, and the governor of south carolina from 1798 until his death two years later.

The person that this paragraph is referring to is Edward Rutledge.

As his brothers, he studied law in England and then returned to Charleston to practise it.

He  fought at the Battle of Beaufort in 1779. He was captured during the siege of Charleston and he was released together with some compatriotes during a prisoner exchange in July 1781.

Rutledge served in the state senate for two years, then was elected governor in 1798.  While attending an important meeting in Columbia, had to be sent home because of his gout. He died in Charleston before the end of his term.

the respondent is the party against whom a petition is filed

it increase by 12% a year from 1812-1820