US Congressman. A member of one of South Carolina's most prominent families, he became an attorney and was also a successful businessman and plantation owner, with interests including rice farming and one of South Carolina's first textile factories. Mayrant also held the rank of Colonel in the militia. After his 1787 marriage he owned a Stateburg home he called called "Ararat", which subsequent owners renamed "Argyle House", and he later owned and operated a plantation called "High Hills". In 1814 he was elected to represent South Carolina's 9th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican, and served a partial term, March, 1815 until October, 1816. He voted in favor of the Tariff of 1816, which most southerners opposed because they believed it cost them money by unfairly raising prices on northern and European made finished goods, while keeping low the price of southern raw materials, especially cotton. As a result of this vote, Mayrant lost his 1816 bid for reelection, resigned before the completion of his term, and was succeeded by Nullifier Stephen Decatur Miller, who advocated tariff repeal. After leaving Congress, he returned to his business and plantation interests, also serving in the South Carolina State Legislature from 1818 to 1821.
US Congressman. A member of one of South Carolina's most prominent families, he became an attorney and was also a successful businessman and plantation owner, with interests including rice farming and one of South Carolina's first textile factories. Mayrant also held the rank of Colonel in the militia. After his 1787 marriage he owned a Stateburg home he called called "Ararat", which subsequent owners renamed "Argyle House", and he later owned and operated a plantation called "High Hills". In 1814 he was elected to represent South Carolina's 9th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican, and served a partial term, March, 1815 until October, 1816. He voted in favor of the Tariff of 1816, which most southerners opposed because they believed it cost them money by unfairly raising prices on northern and European made finished goods, while keeping low the price of southern raw materials, especially cotton. As a result of this vote, Mayrant lost his 1816 bid for reelection, resigned before the completion of his term, and was succeeded by Nullifier Stephen Decatur Miller, who advocated tariff repeal. After leaving Congress, he returned to his business and plantation interests, also serving in the South Carolina State Legislature from 1818 to 1821.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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