+ISVKME©W+ISVKME©W     Heroes of the Hornet’s Nest:     6IZSPYXMSREV];EV6IZSPYXMSREV];EV       Elijah Clarke &   wo of Georgia’s most noteworthy heroes of the 1 TAmerican Revolution -- Colonels Elijah Clarke 2 3 and John Dooly -- rest today on the land where over 4 “Discovering Our Heritage 230 years ago they “stung like hornets,” routing Brit- ish, Loyalists and Indians alike with their fiery swarms and History” while keeping Georgia true to the Patriot cause. 5 On the shore of Clarks Hill Lake in Lincoln Coun- ty’s Elijah Clark State Park are the graves of Patriot Gen. Elijah Clarke and his wife Hannah Harrington 6 “Heroes of the Clarke. A short distance away at Dooly Springs is the site where Loyalists, afraid of his power and op- 7 Map OF posed to his cause, murdered in his home Patriot Georgia, Hornet’s Nest” Col. John Dooly, the first Commander of the Wilkes 8 1778 County Georgia . Elijah Clark State Park maintains a renovated log cabin, furnished and equipped much like a Georgia backcountry home of circa American Revolution in Georgia 1780. Living history displays, 1 Elbert County – Fight at Van(n)’s Creek The Georgia backcountry was tours, and demonstrations offer GPS: N34.162 W82.744 the opportunity to revisit lives called “the Hornet’s Nest” of two of Georgia’s Revolution- 2 Wilkes County – Battle of Kettle Creek GPS: N33.691 W82.886 because of the stinging attacks ary Heroes. made by the Patriots against the The Park’s Nature Trail is 3 Lincoln County – Elijah Clarke & John Dooly: named for Hannah Harrington Heroes of the Hornet’s Nest British, Loyalists and Indians. Clarke. She served the Revolu- GPS: N33.856 W82.410 tionary cause as a courageous and steady Patriot, refusing to 4 Augusta – Sieges of Augusta and Revolutionary run from the dangers of war. Pillaging British and Capital of Georgia GPS: N33.476 W81.964 Loyalists burned her home, destroying all her be- 5 Screven County -- longings and leaving her to care for eight children GPS: N32.811 W81.466 as best she could. Once Loyalists stole her horse as she attempted to reach her wounded husband, and 6 Savannah -- Battles of Savannah, another time her mount was shot from under her as Royal & Revolutionary Capital of Georgia she rode with two of her children to escape. Han- GPS: N32.076 W81.100 nah Clarke lived to the age of ninety and now rests 7 Liberty County – Sunbury, Fort Morris & Midway in a grave beside her husband. GPS: N31.764 W81.279 Annual Celebration of 8 St. Simons Island –Frederica Naval Action “Heroes of the Hornets Nest” GPS: N31.224 W81.393 Second Sunday in February www.grwt.gassar.org Elijah Clark State Park Georgia Society Sons Lincoln County, GA of the American Revolution GPS: N33.856 W81.466 Design – Ed Fluker, GASSAR ington’s death, Elijah Clarke was still revered as a Georgia hero. Heroes of the Hornet’s Nest John Dooly, born in Virginia, but by 1771, moved to the backcountry where he was a surveyor and merchant. When the Ceded Lands in Georgia became available, Dooly built a home, lijah Clarke was a true frontiersman, hardy and attempt to reclaim Augusta. Less than a year later in ferry, and mill in Georgia. After disaffected Indians Ebrave, and seemingly unafraid of anything June 1781, Clarke’s Militia, as part of a larger force, began a campaign of terror, Dooly became the first the British and their allies could offer. Undeniably were able to claim victory at Augusta and return Commander of the Wilkes County Militia. A “real Georgia’s most capable and committed Revolu- Georgia’s backcountry to the Patriots. Liberty man” according to a veteran some years af- tionary War Commander, Elijah Clarke was born Elijah Clarke was a contributing factor in the Pa- ter the war, Col. Dooly was a very competent leader in , lived in South Carolina as a triot success at Kings Mountain as well. Clarke was of the Wilkes County Militia in numerous skirmishes young man, and moved to the Ceded Lands of leading 700 militia and their families to safety in the with Indians and Loyalists. Georgia in 1774. He was elected Captain of the Carolina mountains in October1780, when his pur- On February 14, 1779, along with Clarke and Wilkes County Militia to protect the settlements suer, British Major Patrick Ferguson, was surrounded Pickens, Dooly routed Loyalist Col. (James or John) on Georgia’s northwestern frontier from attacks by at Kings Mountain and killed and his Loyalist force Boyd’s forces at Kettle Creek, a few miles from the Cherokee and Creek Indians. defeated by the Patriot Militia. Dooly’s home. Later in 1779, Dooly led his militia In charge of the Wilkes Coun- Besides being seriously injured several times, when the Patriots and French tried to re-take Savan- ty Militia on Patriot Col. Andrew Clarke suffered bouts with smallpox and mumps nah. After Charleston fell in May, 1780, Dooly took Pickens’ left flank, Lt. Col. during the Revolution. After Kings Mountain, Clarke parole along with Pickens and many others. Clarke was a dynamic fighter in joined Patriot Militia Gen. Thomas Sumter and in No- Elijah Clark State Park encompasses the home- the Battle of Kettle Creek, one vember, fought in that command at Fishdam Ford stead where Dooly lived with his wife and children of Georgia’s most memorable and at Blackstock’s where the Patriots defeated the and where in 1780, he was killed by vengeful Loyal- victories during the American notorious British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton. At Long ists. He was targeted because he had been an out- Revolution. On February 14, Cane in December 1780, Clarke was wounded and standing Patriot leader and was reported to be pre- 1779, Georgia and South Car- carried from the battlefield. Less than three months paring to rejoin the fight when he was killed. Dooly olina Patriot Militia routed the later he was again leading his determined men, this County is named for the Revolutionary patriot. Clarke much larger Loyalist (those with time in a fierce engagement at Beattie’s Mill. According to leg- allegiance to the King of England) In October 1782, Clarke fought and won his last end, when Dooly was force. The Patriot victory at Kettle Creek halted the battle, this time in Indian territory against long time murdered in 1780, rallying of Loyalists following the capture of Savan- adversary Loyalist Lt. Col. Thomas Waters. This vic- Elijah and Hannah nah, thwarted British strategic plans, and forced, for tory brought an end to the Cherokee War, and along Clarke rushed to his a time, the British withdrawal from Augusta. with the British evacuation of Savannah, the Ameri- home to assist his When the Whig government in Augusta col- can Revolution was finally over in Georgia. family and to help lapsed in May 1780, and with all of Georgia under Clarke continued to serve in the militia after the with his burial on British control, Clarke and some Georgians contin- Revolutionary War, fighting the Indians as he had his land near Dooly ued their fight for independence in the Carolinas. done in his earlier days and rising to the rank of Springs. Another Using guerilla tactics, Clarke inflicted heavy tolls on Brigadier General. He retired with his wife, Hannah legend says that the British and Loyalists at Wofford’s Iron Works, Ce- Harrington Clarke to “Woodburn” at Grayball which Georgia Patriot Nancy Hart, called dar Springs, and Musgrove’s Mill. Col. Isaac Shelby was in current Lincoln County. The plantation, once “War Woman” by local Indians, was responsible for reported, “ceasing in the midst of battle to look with owned by Thomas Waters, was awarded to Clarke by the hanging a few days later of members of the Loy- astonishment and admiration at Clarke fighting” at the grateful State of Georgia. Nearby Clarke County alists who had martyred her kinsman, John Dooly. Musgrove’s Mill. is named for the Revolutionary patriot. At his death Prepared by Charlie A. Newcomer III, Athens Chapter, In September 1780, Clarke led an unsuccessful on December 15, 1799, one day after George Wash- and edited by Bill Ramsaur, Marshes of Glynn Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution. Portrait of Elijah Clarke, courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries