"V" is for Vanderhorst, Arnoldus (1748-1815)

"V" is for Vanderhorst, Arnoldus (1748-1815). Governor. A native of Christ Church Parish, Vanderhorst was a successful planter before the Revolution. He was a member of the Provincial Congresses and the Committee of Ninety-Nine. He served with Francis Marion during the war. After the war he moved to Charleston where he established a highly successful mercantile firm. He twice served as the city’s intendant mayor. He also served in the General Assembly from 1776-1794. Vanderhorst was one of the most vocal opponents of moving the state capital to Columbia and in resisting upcountry demands for reapportionment of the legislature. He was closely aligned with the powerful lowcountry Federalists, a connection that resulted in his being elected governor. As governor he advocated revision of the state’s criminal code and public education. In 1796 Arnoldus Vanderhorst was selected to act as a presidential elector for John Adams.