Colonel Andrew Pickens - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

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.

Description: Colonel Pickens was instrumental in the British defeat at Cowpens, a crucial battle of the Revolutionary War. He was the greatest Indian fighter, and negotiator of Indian treaties from this region of the USA. Pickens made the treaty of Natchez, Milledgeville and many others. He ran the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee. In war he was noted for his strategy and military tactics, but he was equally great in times of peace. Date of birth: 09/19/1739 Date of death: 08/18/1817 Area of notoriety: Historical Figure Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daytime Fee required?: No Web site: Not listed

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