Born into the
planter class, Ward was taught the skills and knowledge to take on such responsibilities as an adult. He was likely tutored at home as part of his education. During his life, Ward inherited Brookgreen Plantation and acquired several others, using the land for
rice production, the major commodity crop in antebellum South Carolina. Ward became politically active in the
Democratic Party, which plantation owners dominated in the antebellum years. Ward was elected as the 44th
lieutenant governor of South Carolina, serving from 1850 to 1852 under Governor
John Hugh Means. == Legacy ==