Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
The Allendale County SC250 Committee has a month of informative and fun events planned.
Revolutionary Days features free events throughout the month of January for the entire family to enjoy. The Allendale County events are part of a statewide initiative where all 46 counties are recognizing South Carolina’s role in helping win American independence during the Revolutionary War.
“We want to bring history to life. We live in an awesome county with so much history. We want to honor the fact that the Revolutionary War was won in South Carolina. More battles and skirmishes took place here than any other colony,” said Rachael Sharp, an Allendale County native who serves as treasurer and co-chair of the committee.
“That’s where the supply lines where during the war,” said Sharp.
The historical marker explains how the ferry was opened in 1765
on a 440-acre tract on the west (Georgia) side of the Savannah River. Patriot soldiers were posted on the east (South Carolina) side of Burton’s Ferry during the Revolutionary War.
They skirmished with British soldiers stationed on the Georgia side of the river. The ferry landing was an American supply point during the Battle of Brier Creek in 1779, which was a major victory for the British.
“With Georgia firmly under British control and the Patriots initially controlling South Carolina, the Savannah River served as the dividing line between opposing sides,” states the interpretive marker.
Dr. Edwin Breeden, S.C. Historical Marker Program coordinator and historian for the National Register of Historic Places for the S.C. Department of Archives and History, said the story of Burton’s Ferry is a “fascinating” one that is a good fit for the marker program, which has approved over 2,000 markers since launching in 1936.
“We want to teach people about South Carolina’s past through its historic places. Burton’s Ferry is a great example of the important
and fascinating stories people have to discover. It was a place that straddled the line of American power here in South Carolina and British power in Georgia,” said Breeden.
“A lot of people come to the landings. We want to honor the river because it’s such a vital part of the Revolutionary War in our area. Whoever controlled the river kind of controlled the area,” said Sharp.
The Brier Creek Skunk Brigade will be at Cohen’s Bluff to shoot a canon during the 11 a.m. ceremony.
The brigade, which made caps out of roadkill, will also be at USC Salkehatchie later in the day with a display of their caps. They will also fire muskets.
The Allendale County SC250 Committee hopes the markers, which were funded by a grant from the SC250 Commission, will spur tourism in the county.
“We need to get people off the interstates and onto the backroads. History is out there in the small battles and engagements that really charted the course of the war,” said General William Grimsley, a U.S. Army veteran who chairs the SC250 Commission, of sustaining heritage tourism.
While the state initiated the idea for the 250th celebration, Grimsley said the counties and their local leadership are the ones making it a success. He commended the Allendale County SC250 Committee for “being a perfect example of how a small, rural county can be at the forefront.”
Grimsley said he hopes SC250 will “reinvigorate” the study of the American Revolution” and South Carolina’s crucial role in winning the war.
“History marks your pathway to the future,” said Allendale County Councilman Bill Robinson. “The S.C. 2nd Regiment did a good job helping our nation come to be. We should never forget that.”
A Revolutionary War exhibit is on display at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie’s atrium from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for the month of January.
The Allendale County SC250 Committee invites everyone to check out their remaining events.
A calendar can be found at www.allendalesc250.com/revolutionary-days.
