More Revolutionary War battles were fought in South Carolina then any other state.

For most women the war was a matter of survival. Troops on both sides destroyed and looted their homes. Many fled as refugees other stayed behind struggling to get by. They’ve suffered food shortages, epidemics, harassment, rape and even death. Some rose to the occasion contributing their homes, wits and sheer determination and helped the Patriots win many battles.

This post is a humble homage to their sacrifice. The illustrations are courtesy of the Musgrove Mill State park Visitors Center and the Walden Font Company.

Mary Musgrove, daughter of prominent backcountry citizen Edward Musgrove, whose house ruins can still be seen at the Musgrove Mill state park. Mary became legendary with the 1835 publishing of the romantic novel “Horse-shoe Robinson: A Tale of the Tory Ascendancy”. Mary’s character served as a spy for the Patriots and took great risks to help rescue an officer captured by Loyalists. She was “brave, pious, resolute…an ardent Patriot…the quintessential Revolutionary War heroine for 19th century America”.

Grace and Rachel Martin got word the British were carrying intelligence papers from Fort Augusta to Fort Ninety Six and decided to take action. They’ve dressed in men clothes, jumped out the courier and the guards, got the papers and then delivered them to General Nathaniel Greene. The men went back on the road and ironically stopped at Mrs. Martin’s house requesting accommodations for wary travelers just ambushed by two rebel lads. Imagine Grace and Rachel’s surprise finding their mother-in-law feeding the same British soldiers they had recently attacked!

Rebecca Motte was born and married into Charleston aristocracy. After the fall of the city her plantation home was turned into a British outpost. When Francis Marion’s troops failed to take the Fort they’ve decided to burn it down. Rebecca Motte agreed and even supplied the fire arrows. The British surrendered as soon as the fire broke out. Legend has it both sides worked together to put out the fire and save Mrs. Motte home!

Dicey Langston – 15-16 years old heroine who once jumped in front of the Loyalists’ gun to defend her elderly father; another time she walked for miles alone in the dark forest and struggled through a swollen river to warn her brother and friends the “Bloody Scouts” were coming.

Mary Dillard, a 25 years old lived in Enoree not too far from Musgrove Mil and was married to Captain James Dillard. “…a woman on horseback had viewed the line march from a wood, and, by a nearer road, had given intelligence that the British were approaching without infantry or cannon”. She was instrumental to the Patriots’ victory at the Battle of Blackstocks.

Visit Musgrove Mill State Park near Greenville to see an entire exhibition dedicated to these brave women. The historic show is part of the “Cradle of Democracy” project that aims to highlight South Carolina’s critical role in the creation of our nation.

Admission to Musgrove Mill is FREE and the park is open daily 9 AM to 6 PM. Visitor Center is open 10 AM to 4 PM M-F, 10 AM to 5 PM Sa-Su. Here is a customized Google Map with the park location and other fun and mostly free family attractions around Greenville, Oconee and Lake Jocassee.

Always honor our state and nation heroes!

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