Latest news with #SC250
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Founding Mothers' Day recognizes SC women's contributions to Revolutionary War
Retired Gen. Will Grimsley, chairman of the SC250 commission, speaks in front of a stone showing where Rebecca Motte's home once stood on Monday, May 12, 2025. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) FORT MOTTE — When Patriots told Rebecca Brewton Motte on May 12, 1781, they needed to set fire to her house, which British soldiers had turned into a supply depot, she gave them the arrows to do so, historian Peggy Pickett told about two dozen history buffs, neighbors and scholars gathered this week at the site of the house. Motte's story was the focus of the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission's inaugural Founding Mothers event. Members of the commission, which goes by SC250 for short, hope to create an annual tradition of recognizing the women who contributed to America's founding as the country enters its 250th year. Luther and Doraine Wannamaker, who own the property about 40 miles south of Columbia that once included the Motte home, offered to host the first Founding Mothers event on the anniversary of the day the British surrendered the fort. That just so happened to be the day after Mother's Day. Gov. Henry McMaster proclaimed Monday to be Founding Mothers' Day. Commissioners are aiming higher: They want state law changed to designate Founding Mothers' Day as the Monday after Mother's Day every year. They have the backing of at least one legislator, Sen. Jeff Zell, a Sumter Republican who said Monday he'd be interested in sponsoring a resolution when legislators return to Columbia next year. Putting the day in state law would be a permanent recognition of the role women played in the Revolution, a role that often gets overlooked, said retired Gen. Will Grimsley, chairman of the SC250 commission. 'We need to constantly go back and tell everybody's story,' Grimsley said. 'But a really undertold part of the story, quite frankly, are women.' The Wannamakers have done reenactments of the siege, with men on horses riding from what would have been Fort Motte to the farmhouse where Motte herself had been exiled to tell her their plan of laying siege to her home, said Doraine Wannamaker. The family hosts private tours of the spot, showing off the stone marker surrounded by dirt where the house once stood. An archaeologist from the University of South Carolina has visited repeatedly to dig up artifacts, including a cannonball and shot used by the British and Patriots. But Monday was the first official event the Wannamakers have hosted alongside the commission responsible for highlighting South Carolina's role in the Revolutionary War. By the time British troops reached Motte's home in what is now Calhoun County, on a bluff that overlooks what is now Congaree National Park, she had already been forced out of one home because of the war. Motte's original home in Charleston was selected as a headquarters for Loyalist lieutenant colonels and their company of 30 soldiers when British troops captured the coastal city. Motte, widowed not long before, fled inland to the property once owned by her brother, who had died several years earlier, according to the American Battlefield Trust. Only a couple of months after Motte moved into the house, the British again came for her home. The house, located near the Congaree and Wateree rivers, was an ideal location for supplies coming from Charleston and headed to Camden and Ninety-Six, said Pickett, who has researched women's contributions to the war effort. In January 1781, British troops, led by Lt. Donald McPherson, took over the house, called it Fort Motte and surrounded it with fortifications. Motte and her three children fled to a nearby farmhouse on the property, according to the American Battlefield Trust. Patriots took interest in Fort Motte in May of that year, after taking out several other British posts. Forcing the British to surrender Motte's house would take out a crucial supply line for the British. As the Patriots, led by Brig. Gen. Francis Marion — known as the 'Swamp Fox' — began the siege on Fort Motte, McPherson refused to surrender, correctly guessing reinforcements were approaching, Pickett said. It was then that Motte, approached by either Marion or Lt. Colonel Henry Lee, agreed to let the Patriots burn down her house and destroy the supply depot altogether. According to some historical accounts, Motte gave the Americans combustible arrows to help them. 'Instead of being upset when told, she replied, according to Lee's memoirs, that she was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the good of her country, and she would watch the approaching scene with delight,' Pickett said. After setting fire to the house's roof, the Patriots fired grapeshot at any British soldiers who tried to put it out. McPherson surrendered, and the Patriots took back the burned Fort Motte. Patriots and British soldiers then dined together in the farmhouse where Motte and her family had been staying, Pickett said. 'Now, the capture of Fort Motte was not a grand, epic battle,' Pickett said. 'It was a small, relatively bloodless engagement, but it was a significant victory for the Americans because it changed the momentum of the war in their favor.' Not much remains of the site of the siege. A large stone that shows where the house once stood reads, 'Site of Rebecca Motte's home, sacrificed for her country, May 12, 1781.' As historians told the story of the battle, flags waved in blustery wind behind them, one British and several representing the Patriots, including the Gadsden flag. Most women's contributions to the war were small but meaningful. They managed farms and plantations while their husbands and sons were fighting in the war, sent food and provisions to the army and gathered information to pass along. They took sick and wounded soldiers into their homes and either nursed them back to health or buried them when they died, Pickett said. 'None of these things were very easy for them to do,' Pickett said. Others had more active roles in thwarting British troops and helping the Patriots claim victory. Take, for instance, Dorothy Sinkler Richardson, who historians credit with saving Marion's life in 1780. When British Col. Banastre Tarleton set up a decoy campsite near Richardson's plantation meant to lure Marion for an attack, Richardson sent a messenger to warn Marion, according to SC250. 'Thanks to Dorothy Sinkler Richardson, Francis Marion remained at liberty to continue to make life difficult for the British,' Pickett said. Jane Thomas, who lived in what is now Spartanburg, similarly foiled a plot to surprise American troops after overhearing two women talking about a plot to surprise Patriot soldiers near Thomas' house. Thomas, who was 60 miles from home, rode back straight away to warn the men, allowing them to instead surprise the British troops, Pickett said. Emily Geiger, at 18 years old, volunteered to deliver a message to Gen. Thomas Sumter ('The Gamecock') to meet Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, believing a young woman would be able to get through enemy lines where a man would not. She was successful and helped join the two battalions, Pickett said. In coming years, the commission plans to host similar events in other parts of the state, highlighting the stories of different women, said Molly Fortune, executive director of SC250. Telling these stories is a major step forward, but there's more work to be done, Pickett said. Designating a day to remember the ways in which women contributed to the country's foundation is a way of ensuring their stories remain in the public eye instead of being lost to history, she said. 'We are just beginning to explore the activities performed by Native American women and women of African descent,' Pickett said. 'We need to do the research to bring their stories to light, because the more stories we bring to light, the more attention we bring to the important role that South Carolina played in winning our independence.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride by shining two lights on Friday
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Friday marks 250 years since Paul Revere's infamous midnight ride to warn colonial leaders of the impending arrival of British troops. The April 18, 1775 ride, which came on the eve of the first battles of the Revolutionary War, was immortalized in a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem with the line '1 if by land, 2 if by sea.' 'The famous signal from [Boston's Old] North Church's steeple that night in '75…meant to shine across the water to others on the opposite shore so that they could carry the message forward not just as a back-up for Paul Revere, but to make sure that the message got spread as far and as wide as possible,' according to the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250). Revere's ride is set to be commemorated Friday with a nationwide initiative that encourages communities to shine two lights into the night as a reminder of the historic turning point in U.S. history. Filmmaker Ken Burns' new documentary 'The American Revolution' comes out this year. Here's when you catch a preview in Charleston Buildings across the Palmetto State, from government offices to historic landmarks to private homes, are invited to participate in the celebration. 'This is an opportunity for all South Carolinians to come together in reflection and observance of the events that led to America's independence from Britain,' said Molly Fortune, CEO of SC250. 'By shining two lights, we honor the bravery and enduring spirit of those who fought for liberty 250 years ago.' SC250 was established by the General Assembly to commemorate the Palmetto State's role in the American Revolution. Hundreds of battles between American and British forces occured on South Carolina soil throughout the war. The nationwide initiative was coordinated by America250 in preparation for the country's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Visit American Revolution sites on bus-tour through Berkeley County
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Residents are invited to visit American Revolution sites on a bus tour through Berkeley County and meet SC250 representatives. The South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission and the Berkeley County 250 committee invite the public to visit American Revolution sites and meet with SC250 representatives to learn state and county-level efforts to 'rediscover the Revolution.' The series of events will kick off Thursday, March 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the Berkeley County Museum. The tour will include stops at several sites of Revolutionary War significance across the county. The cost to attend is $15 cash and will cover lunch. After the bus tour, attendees can meet and greet with local officials, state commissioners, local county 250 members, and performers portraying Eliza Lucas Pinckney and other people in the American Revolution. Officials say the SC250 Commission meeting will take place on Friday, March 7, at Wampee Plantation/Somerset Conference Center with light refreshments and lunch provided. All events are open to the public. For more information and to register, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Francis Marion Papers Now Available to the Public
Collection will tell the Swamp Fox's untold stories Portrait of Francis Marion The earliest known paper to have Marion's signature COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After two decades of research and investigation, the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust (SCBPT), in collaboration with the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250), is set to unveil the first volume of the Francis Marion Papers, a project that holds the potential to reshape our understanding of one of the American Revolution's most heroic figures. The papers, consisting of more than 600 historical documents, includes letters written both to and from General Francis Marion, famously known as the Swamp Fox for his elusive guerrilla warfare tactics against British forces. These materials, discovered in archives across the country including Harvard University and the University of Michigan, have been carefully compiled and annotated by leading historians. The first volume, complete with illustrations and battle maps, was released on February 27 – the anniversary of Marion's death. 'This project is rewriting history,' said Rick Wise, director of SCBPT. 'A lot of historians and biographers have gotten Marion wrong in some respects. These papers offer a more nuanced and personal look at his character, leadership and strategies.' For years, Marion's legacy has been shaped by secondhand accounts and folklore, but these original documents provide firsthand insights into his thoughts and correspondences. This release will likely prompt new discussions on his contributions to the American Revolution and challenge some long-held assumptions about his life and military tactics. Originally conceived in 2005, the Francis Marion Papers project has been an extensive, nationwide effort, involving historians, archivists and researchers from multiple institutions. The project's completion is a testament to the dedication of those committed to preserving and illuminating America's Revolutionary-era history. One of the most exciting aspects of this release is its accessibility. Unlike many historical archives that remain behind paywalls or physical barriers, the Francis Marion Papers will be available digitally to everyone, free of charge. 'This is not just for scholars; it's for teachers, students, history enthusiasts – anyone with an interest in the American Revolution,' said Molly Fortune, CEO of SC250. 'By making these documents widely available, we're ensuring that Marion's legacy, and his role in our independence, is explored and understood in its fullest context.' Together, SCBPT and SC250 encourage the public to access the Francis Marion Papers to learn previously untold facts and stories directly from Marion's point of view. To view Volume 1 of the Francis Marion Papers, visit To learn more about SCBPT's role in the project, visit About the South Carolina Battleground Preservation TrustThe South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust seeks to protect and preserve these battlefields and historic military sites across South Carolina to not only honor the soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country, but also provide current and future generations a space at which to remember, contemplate, discuss, and learn how our history not only shapes the past, but is also relevant to the present and future of our great state. Over the last 30 years, the organization has protected 72 sites. For more information visit, About the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial CommissionThe South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) was chartered by the state General Assembly to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary Era and highlight the state's significant role in securing America's independence. SC250's mission is to celebrate and promote South Carolina's role in the American Revolution by engaging and inspiring South Carolinians and visitors through heritage tourism, rural economic growth initiatives and educational programs. Learn more at For more information, contact:Brooks Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: in to access your portfolio
