South Carolina Genealogy

The Waxhaw Massacre was one of the most important, and is one of the most neglected, events in the American Revolution. The earliest references are to “Buford’s Defeat” or the “Waxhaw Massacre”, but some have since called it “Buford’s Massacre” or “The Battle of the Waxhaws” – both of which seem unsatisfactory, as Buford was not responsible, and a Battle implies both sides were fighting.
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Spartanburg County Library, Barrett Room
May 24@7PM

Received the following invitation and wanted to pass it along:

Plan to bring your friends and join us this coming Monday evening, May 24, for an early performance of this year’s Chautauqua Spartanburg, as Caroline McIntyre portrays Mary Ingles at the Spartanburg County Library. Leading off our second year of Chautauqua in Spartanburg, this event will give you a glimpse of what Chautauqua is all about as we eagerly anticipate the 2010 schedule, which will take place June 18, 19, 21 and 22 (see attached schedule). All performances are FREE.

At the Monday performance, you will meet Mary Draper Ingles, a Southwest Virginia Frontierswoman (portrayed in James Thom’s book, Follow the River) captured by Shawnee Indians during the French and Indian War. Through the magic of Chautauqua we are transported back in time to 1755 to meet the real Mary Draper Ingles and learn from her the courage it takes to survive in the wilderness. Mary will start by telling us her story of the Massacre at Drapers Meadows, her escape from the Shawnee and eventual return home. Please take a few moments and look over the attachments with this email.

CHAUTAUQUA (pronounced Shuh – TALK – wa) is interactive theater presenting: History that just won’t stay in a book. The June Chautauqua programs will follow the theme – American Imagination and offer four nights other historic figures like Thomas Edison on June 18, Benjamin Franklin on June 19, Dr. Seuss on June 21 and Langston Hughes on June 22 as each comes to Spartanburg to talk with us.

We hope you will join us next Monday and for the summer programs.

Questions: Call Charlie Gray at 864-641-8378 or 864-597-4186.

There are few personalities of the American Revolution that have endured in story quite like that of Francis Marion – the swamps of South Carolina are what lead to his nickname the Swamp Fox and many places in South Carolina bear his name even today. A recent news article reminded me yet again of this figure. An interpreter of Francis Marion was to speak at a North Carolina Museum.

In any case… I’ve profiled him once before, but this is decidedly more in depth…

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Pre-Colonial and Colonial History

Hernando de Soto passed through the area in the 1540s in his search for gold, and several decades later Juan Pardo entered what is now York County and recorded his observation of a predominant Native American tribe, later confirmed to be the Catawba, in the vicinity of present-day Fort Mill, on the eastern bank of the Catawba River. Read the rest of this entry »

The Battle of Kings Mountain was a fight in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War, fought on October 7, 1780. American Patriot militia forces overwhelmed the loyalist militia, led by Major Patrick Ferguson. In his history The Winning of the West, Theodore Roosevelt wrote of Kings Mountain: “This brilliant victory marked the turning point of the American Revolution.”
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Orangeburg District was formed in 1769, however the name was used as far back as the 1730s for a settlement along the Edisto River. The district originally encompassed the counties of Lexington, Winton, Orange and Lewisburg. The county and it’s county seat were named for the Prince of Orange (William IV) who was son-in-law of King George the second. Barnwell, Lexington, Aiken and Calhoun counties were all formed out of this district. (1800, 1804, 1871, and 1908 respectively.) Orangeburg county was the location of the Battle of Eutaw Springs in the Revolutionary War on September 8, 1781. The Battle of Eutaw Springs was the last major battle of that war in South Carolina. Cotton was a major product of the county in the years leading up to the Civil War. During the war Union troops under the command of General Sherman passed through Orangeburg County.

During the Civil Rights era, Orangeburg became known for what was called the “Orangeburg Massacre”, during which several students were killed during a civil rights protest at South Carolina State University. Famous people from Orangeburg County include Eartha Kitt.

Orangeburg County SCGenweb site

Cemeteries

USGS listing of cemeteries in Orangeburg County

Query Forums

Orangeburg County, SC Forum for Queries

Latest South Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Orangeburg County from the Forum:

Orangeburg County, SC at genforum

Cities and towns of Orangeburg County:

Bowman
Branchville
Brookdale
Cope
Cordova
Edisto
Elloree
Eutawville
Holly Hill
Livingston
Neeses
North
Norway
Orangeburg
Rowesville
Santee
Springfield
Vance
Wilkinson Heights
Woodford

News related to Orangeburg County, SC

McCormick County was formed in 1916 from Greenwood County and Abbeville County. The county was named for Cyrus Hall McCormick, an inventor. The Cherokee Indians massacred early settlers in 1760 at Long Cane. As a response, Fort Charlotte was built to help protect the area. This was one of the first forts captured by the Colonists in the Revolutionary War. Gold was found on the site where the current town of McCormick sits around 1850. Cyrus McCormick had purchased the gold mine and then later gave some land for the town. The town bearing his name was established in 1882 and is the county seat.

McCormick County SCGenweb site

McCormick County Courthouse
Route 2, Box 84-AAA
County Courthouse
Mc Cormick, SC 29835

Cemeteries

USGS listing of cemeteries in McCormick County

Query Forums

McCormick County, SC Forum for Queries

Latest South Carolina Genealogy Query posts for McCormick County from the Forum:

McCormick County, SC at genforum

Cities and towns of McCormick County:

Bordeaux
Britts
Clarks Hill
Colliers
McCormick (County Seat)
Modoc
Mount Carmel
Parksville
Plum Branch
Willington

News related to McCormick County, SC