Dorothy Sinkler Richardson—the Woman Who Saved Francis Marion’s Life

Dorothy Sinkler Richardson (1737-1793), a woman who was “distinguished in mind and manners,” was the second wife of Gen. Richard Richardson (1704-1780) and a staunch Patriot. On November 7, 1780, less than two months after the death of her husband, Dorothy was at Big Home, the Richardson plantation near Jack’s Creek, with her four young sons when British troops led by Col. Banastre Tarleton arrived. Tarleton, whose mission was to capture Gen. Francis Marion and put an end to his activities, set-up a decoy campsite at Big Home hoping to lure Marion into a trap. His plans were thwarted when Dorothy, heedless of the danger to herself, sent a messenger to warn Marion. In retaliation, Tarleton had Dorothy beaten. He then had her cattle herded into the barn where all the grain from the harvest was stored, set fire to it and the house leaving Dorothy and her children nothing but the clothes on their backs. Dorothy and her sons survived and James, her oldest son, went on to become governor of South Carolina in 1802. He attributed his success in life to his mother’s “vigilant and enlightened instruction.”