Quick Facts
Biography
Francis Huger Rutledge (April 11, 1799 – November 6, 1866) was the first Episcopal bishop of Florida.
Early life
Rutledge was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of Hugh Rutledge and Mary (Golightly) Rutledge. He graduated from Yale University in 1820, and from the General Theological Seminary in 1823. Rutledge was ordained deacon in 1823, and began officiating at Christ Church the same year. He was ordained priest in 1825, and moved to become rector of Grace Church, Sullivan's Island, in 1827. In 1845, he moved to Tallahassee, Florida and became rector of St. John's Church.
Bishop of Florida
Rutledge was elected Bishop of the new diocese of Florida in 1851. He was the 53rd bishop in the ECUSA, and was consecrated by Bishops Christopher E. Gadsden, Stephen Elliott, and Nicholas Hamner Cobbs. When the American Civil War started, Rutledge was an advocate for secession, even agreeing to pay $500 to the state treasury as soon as the secession ordinance had passed. He died in 1866 and is buried in his native South Carolina.
Family
He was a nephew of South Carolina statesmen John and Edward Rutledge.