David Deas (South Carolina)

David Deas
12th Mayor of Charleston
In office 1802–1803
Preceded by	John Ward
Succeeded by	John Drayton
Personal details
Born	1771
Died	1822
Spouse(s)	Mary Sommers

The Humphry Sommers House at 128 Tradd St., Charleston, South Carolina was built by the father-in-law of David Deas in about 1772 and acquired by David Deas upon his marriage to Mary Sommers.

David Deas was the twelfth intendant (mayor) of Charleston, South Carolina, serving one term from 1802 to 1803.

He was elected on September 1, 1800, to a first term as a warden (city council member) for Charleston, South Carolina.^[1] He married Mary Sommers on October 16, 1800.^[2] He was elected intendant in September 1802.^[3] Deas implemented a quarantine of ships having been to New York City to prevent the spread of a contagious fever to Charleston in September and October 1803.^[4] In 1803 he began serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives where he, among other things, sought to repeal part of the Negro Act providing that slaves could be imported for free.^[5][6]

References

1. "The following gentlemen were elected Wardens . . .". The Carolina Gazette. Charleston, South Carolina. September 4, 1800. p. 1. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
2. "Married, on Thursday evening . . .". The Carolina Gazette. Charleston, South Carolina. October 23, 1800. p. 3. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
3. "David Deas, esq., is elected . . .". Federal Gazette. Baltimore, Maryland. September 29, 1802. p. 3. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
4. "Whereas the health of the inhabitants . . .". City Gazette & Daily Advertiser. Charleston, South Carolina. October 5, 1803. p. 4. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
5. "Mr. David Deas, . . .". Republican Star, or, Eastern Shore General Advertiser. Easton, Maryland. December 27, 1803. p. 3. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
6. "Columbia, (SC) December 6.". Washington Federalist. Columbia, South Carolina. December 30, 1803. p. 3. Retrieved January 24, 2014.