HISTORIC OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Subject: ANDREW PICKENS Version 1.0, 15-Dec-2002, H-15.txt **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.usgwtombstones.org/southcarolina/oconee.html **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Dec-2002 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Dec-2002 HISTORY WRITE-UP : Mary Cherry Doyle, Clemson, SC in Jan-1935 Dedicated To: Dr Edgar Clay Doyle FOREWORD In presenting these fragmentary facts that have come to my knowledge, it is my hope that they may prove helpful in preserv- ing the history of Oconee county for the youth of the land and all who are interested in the history of Oconee county for South Carolina. With knowledge there will follow a fuller appreciation of the great heritage that is ours. I wish to acknowledge a great debt of gratitude to Dr. J. Walter Daniel, an author- ity on Indians of the South. We are indebted to members of the Wizard of Tamassee Chapter S. C. D. A. R. and many other friends. MARY CHERRY DOYLE. January, 1935. ANDREW PICKENS HERO OF UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA The Pickens family were of Huguenot ancestry, crossing as best they could the guarded borders of France in the time of Louis XIV, exiles for Liberty and religion, they set- tled for a while in Scotland, later going to Ireland, where the parents of Andrew Pickens were born. "The yearning for a state without a king, a church without a bishop" they crossed the broad Atlantic and settled in Paxon township in Pennsylvania, where the subject of this brief sketch was born, September 19, 1739. A few years later the family removed to Augusta county, Virginia, but learning of a milder climate and the rich lands of upper South Carolina, they joined the long wagon trains across the mountains and arrived at Long Cane, in what is now Abbeville county, when Andrew was thirteen years of age. The stalwart people who came overland and settled the Piedmont section of South Carolina, were for the most part what is known as Scotch-Irish in race and Protestant in religion, of a pronounced type. They were true to their convictions, honest, frugal and courageous. At seventeen, Pickens was a sturdy pioneer, an expert woodsman and an Indian fighter. At twenty-one he was a Colonel in General Grant's expedition against the Chero- kees. When the massacre occurred at Long Cane in 1761, many of the fugitives took refuge at Waxhaw settlement on the Catawba. Here went young Pickens and the interesting family of Ezekiel Calhoun. It was here that Andrew and the fair Rebecca Calhoun became acquainted. These families again took up their residence at Long Cane and the romance of these two flowered into marriage on March 19, 1765. Tradition tells us that it was the largest wedding party ever assembled in upper South Carolina up to that time. The feasting lasted three days and the beauty of the bride was the theme on every tongue. Mrs. Pickens, an aunt of South Carolina's distinguished statesman, John C. Calhoun, was a gifted, cultured lady and a patriotic wife of the Revolution. A recent writer says: "A beautiful and devoted wife, a cheerful fireside, peace and plenty about him-what more could a man crave?" Pickens was opposed to Taxation without Representa- tion and only six months after the beginning of the War for Independence we find him at Ninety Six on the patriot's side. He had no personal grievance, nor had the region in which he lived happily, but the voice of duty called him. Such was his influence because of his courage and in- tegrity that when he declared against George III and cast his lot with the patriots, that all of upper South Carolina went with him. Years of hardship followed, his family ex- posed to hostile Indians and Tories and his only aspiration the freedom of colonies. What Marion was to the low coun- try, Sumter to the middle country, Pickens was to the up country. When the British were in possession of the colony from the mountains to the sea, these three irrepressible champions of Independence kept alive the spirit of liberty. Their names should forever shine as the stars in the history of South Carolina. Historical writers have done scant justice to Gen. Pick- ens and have failed to give him credit for his great services. The year 1779 was a busy year in this hero's life. He, with 400 men, defeated Col. Boyd at Kettle Creek, in Geor- gia. Col. Boyd was mortally wounded. Pickens offered to pray for him but Boyd curtly refused by saying: "No, I'll have none of your d-- rebel prayers, but you can send my silver spurs to my wife." He played an important part at the seige of Augusta. In the same year he fought a most des- perate battle with the Cherokees at Tamassee and was over- whelmingly victorious. At Stone Bridge his horse was shot from under him. At Eutaw Springs he was in command of the militia and barely escaped death when a bullet glanced off his belt buckle. Few know that he was second in command to Gen. Mor- gan at the battle of Cowpens. Col. Howard, of the Maryland line said: "Morgan did not decide on action until he was joined the night before by Pickens and his followers." When Green detached Morgan for special duty which terminated in the battle of Cowpens, he had a small force and reinforce- ments were necessary. To no one more than Col. Pickens is the credit due for bringing help. Early in the fight the Brit- ish were pressing on when suddenly, Tarleton said, his men began to quail before the deadly fire of Pickens and Howard. Col. William Washington's cavalry charged. Pickens and Howard in person, advanced with their troops and in twenty minutes a large part of the enemy forces were captured. Col. Pickens received the sword of McArthur, the commander of the 71st regiment. Congress presented a sword to Col. Pickens and Gov. Rutledge made him a Brigadier General. In 1782 he was again sent against the Cherokee Indians and gained for Georgia a large portion of territory from the Chattahochee to the Savannah river. In 1785 he made a treaty with the Cherokees at Hope- well on Keowee, his newly acquired home. The treaty se- cured the present counties of Oconee, Anderson, Pickens and Greenville and parts of North Carolina, Georgia and Ten- nessee from the Indians. Gen. Pickens made the treaty of Natchez, Milledgeville and many others. He ran the state line between North Caro- lina and Tennessee. In war he was noted for his strategy and military tactics, but he was equally great in times of peace. He held the first court ever held in Abbeville, was a delegate to the first Constitutional Convention and was a useful member of the state legislature for eleven years. In 1794 he was elected a member of Congress, then sit- ting in Philadelphia. There were no railroads or stage coaches and one must travel by horseback. The late Capt. W. A. Courtenay draws for us this interesting picture: "Picture for yourselves a man approaching his three score years, of martial figure and dignified mein' mounted on a milk- white Andalusian steed, the silver mountings of which gleamed in the sunlight; a three-cornered hat, from beneath, the silvery grey hair, put smoothly back and tied in a queue; an undress military coat, ruffled shirt and fair top boots with handsome silver spurs. Following at a little distance is his African attendant, Pompey, in livery of blue, carrying a portmanteau with a consequential air, showing in every movement the pride of a body servant in his revered master. Paint this in your mind's eye and you have before you a gentleman with his servant on his way to Congress. Such was Gen. Andrew Pickens as he passed through Philadelphia in 1794." He declined reelection to Congress and was again returned as a member of the Legislature. He deeded his home Hopewell, known at this time as the Cherry place, to his son Andrew and planned to spend his remaining years in peace and quietude at his mountain home, Tamassee. Here he was largely instrumental in build- ing Bethel church and was one of its first elders. President Washington asked him to go on an expedition against the Western Indians, but this he declined to do. He refused the Governorship of his state and many other honors. He was greatly beloved by the Indians and passed peacefully away while sitting under a cedar tree at Tamas- see on August 11, 1817. He is buried beside his wife at the Old Stone Church. A simple headstone, enclosed by a brick wall, bears this inscription: "General Andrew Pickens was born September 13, 1739, and died August 11, 1817. He was a Christian, a patriot and a soldier. His characteristics and actions are in- corporated with the history of his country. Filial affection raises this stone to his memory." He left three sons and five daughters.