John Rutledge Jr. was an American Founding Father and very involved in the American Revolution in South Carolina between 1770 and 1783. He was a politician, and served as the first president of South Carolina in the provisional government during the war and after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
He joined others early on to protest against various taxes which he felt were a great injustice. He said it was …the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent, given personally, or by their representatives.
The character of John Rutledge is the narrator, in All For Liberty and as a survivor of the seven years war, he expresses deep feelings about the revolution, and reminds viewers…the blood and tears of men and women shape history. He shares great sadness that there were so many people who fought and died for freedom that few ever hear of, but many names that should be known.
By early 1776, Rutledge realized the rich Charleston merchants and people of the coast district needed to recruit the Backcountry people to help fight the tyranny of King George. He was able to convince Felder to write the Address and Declaration of Separation from the English King and asked him also to raise a militia to help defend the colony. Felder responds and says, “they do not shine like the King’s men, but they are fierce.”
When Rutledge heard of a possible British attack on Charleston, he ordered Fort Sullivan to be built in preparation. But when the attack began on June 28, 1776, the fort was not even half finished. However, the patriots and militias from the backcountry surprised everyone and repulsed the British victoriously. It kept them from returning to South Carolina until 1780. But when they returned, they completely overwhelmed the Continental army, laying siege to Charleston. Rutledge warned Felder to retreat with his militia saying he would fight soon enough in the midlands. Governor Rutledge escaped and spend the next years of the war running from the British, often in a carriage or hiding with associates, yet trying to govern in exile. He survived the war and returned to serve again as governor.
MICHAEL EASLER portrays Governor John Rutledge in All for Liberty, and is the narrator of the story. A veteran actor of over 140 theatrical productions, Michael has appeared in numerous roles for the Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina. He portrays Thomas Jefferson in John Laurens War and Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox in Echoes of Glory: Heroes from the American Revolution. He also portrayed General Beauregard in the National Geographic Special: Secret Weapon of the Confederacy, co-starred as 
Dr. Walsh in Cold Soldiers and has been featured other films, including Chattahoochie with Dennis Hopper and Gary Oldman, as well as on television series and documentaries. He spent several years in residence at Greenville Café And Then Some Comedy Theatre as an actor, writer and musician. He has starred in notable plays such as Breaker Morant, the Little Foxes, and Cabaret.