US Congressman. The son of one of Camden's founders, he attended England's Oxford College, studied law, and became an attorney in Camden, also operating a plantation, a grain mill, a store and other businesses. He served in local offices including Tobacco Inspector and County Judge, and in 1790 he was a Delegate to the state convention held to consider ratification of the new US Constitution. Kershaw served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1792 to 1794 and 1800 to 1801, and was Camden's Mayor in 1798, 1801 and again in 1811. From 1806 to 1810 he was county Justice of Quorum, an administrative and notarial position. During the War of 1812 Kershaw served in the First South Carolina Light Dragoons with the rank of Captain. In 1812 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican and served one term, 1813 to 1815. During his term Kershaw served as Chairman of the Committee on Accounts. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1814, afterwards returning to his business interests and plantation, also serving as Mayor of Camden again in 1822. He was the father of Confederate General Joseph Brevard Kershaw.

US Congressman. The son of one of Camden's founders, he attended England's Oxford College, studied law, and became an attorney in Camden, also operating a plantation, a grain mill, a store and other businesses. He served in local offices including Tobacco Inspector and County Judge, and in 1790 he was a Delegate to the state convention held to consider ratification of the new US Constitution. Kershaw served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1792 to 1794 and 1800 to 1801, and was Camden's Mayor in 1798, 1801 and again in 1811. From 1806 to 1810 he was county Justice of Quorum, an administrative and notarial position. During the War of 1812 Kershaw served in the First South Carolina Light Dragoons with the rank of Captain. In 1812 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican and served one term, 1813 to 1815. During his term Kershaw served as Chairman of the Committee on Accounts. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1814, afterwards returning to his business interests and plantation, also serving as Mayor of Camden again in 1822. He was the father of Confederate General Joseph Brevard Kershaw.

Bio by: Bill McKern