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County Committee Contact Info
Contact Organization: Abbeville County Historical Society
Contact Phone Number: 864-378-4254
Contact Email: thowie@poweredbyrtc.com
Abbeville County
Abbeville County was settled in 1756 by Scots-Irish and French Huguenots. After the British took Charleston in 1780, the South became the main theatre of the Revolutionary War, and South Carolina played a key role in securing the Patriot victory. Abbeville County was the site of many skirmishes during the War, including the fight at Fort Independence in 1779 (Loyalist success), Cherokee Ford in 1779 (Patriot success), Dunlap’s Defeat in 1781 (Patriot success), McCord’s Creek in 1781 (Loyalist success), and Pratt’s Mill in 1781 (Loyalist success).
In the backcountry during the time of the Revolutionary War, neighbor fought against neighbor in a conflict that was more akin to a civil war. Figures like Andrew Pickens rose to prominence, leading the fight for independence. Brigadier General Andrew Pickens was an influential Patriot leader from Abbeville County. Of Scots-Irish and French Huguenot descent, he was married to Rebecca Calhoun, a survivor of the Long Cane Massacre. Pickens was a noted military leader during the Cherokee War, where the Native Americans nicknamed him “the Wizard Owl” for his cunning. When the Revolutionary War began, Pickens joined the Patriots and distinguished himself at the Battle of Kettle Creek. When Charleston fell in 1780, Pickens accepted a parole and agreed to stop fighting, but when Loyalists attacked his family and burned his home in Abbeville, Pickens rejoined the Patriot army and fought in the Siege of Ninety-Six and the Battle of Eutaw Springs. His militia was an important part of the victory at Cowpens, a major success for the Patriots. After the war, he joined the House of Representatives and worked to stabilize relations between the settlers and Cherokees.
There are many sites associated with the Revolution that may be visited. In the township of Donalds, visitors can see the Templeton-Drake Cabin, which was moved to its present location in 1999 but originally, the Battle of Dunlap’s Defeat was fought on the land surrounding this cabin. While in Donalds, visitors can also visit Greenville Presbyterian Church, whose cemetery is the resting place of more than 30 Revolutionary War soldiers. Although Fort Pickens itself no longer exists, the site of this Revolutionary War fort is marked with a historical marker and Picken’s cannon. Other areas of interest include the historical markers for the Treaty of DeWitt’s Corner, for Pratt’s Mill, for Lochaber Plantation, and many others.
Information about historical markers relating to the Revolutionary War can be found on the Abbeville County Historical Society’s website.
