Nicholas Prince Revolutionary War Actions & Travels
The Revolutionary War Pension Statement of Nicholas Prince, W8289 of Horry County, South Carolina, aligned with known actions, persons and locations.
Patricia Marker Hinton DPA Rev. December 2015 1 Pension statement of Nicholas Prince, 75, made 8 November 1833
2 Source: National Archives and Records Administration. War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, (Record Group 93), 1709-1915, File W8289. http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/093.html#93.4. Prince dictated his statement before William D. Martin, Circuit Judge. Nicholas served three tours during the American Revolution
• 1776 - in a local militia unit • 17771-80 – in the Continental Army • 1780-812 - in partisan service with Marion’s Brigade.
• Evidence: In addition to his sworn Revolutionary War pension statement, there are pay records, company muster rolls, witness testimony, documented people, places and events.
Bureau of Pensions’ file, National Archives3
1 Prince cited 1777 in his Revolutionary War Pension Statement; however, company muster rolls indicate 1778. The date discrepancy is unresolved. 2 Exact partisan service dates are undocumented. Prince may have served any time between May 1780 through 1782. The dates shown are based on information from Prince’s statement. 3 National Archives and Records Administration, Revolutionary War Service Compiled Records, Washington, D.C. The information on this record is self-reported information from Nicholas Prince and 3 recorded by the Bureau of Pensions. Nicholas travelled
1,400 miles Home
He crisscrossed South Carolina several times - from the North Carolina line to Savannah GA - Georgetown mostly on foot and Wadboo
horseback, perhaps by Cat Island boat or wagon.
1776 – 1781 North Santee
Hadrell’s Pt/Sullivan Island
Charleston – munitions lab and POW
Miles estimated are distances derived from places and events referenced in Prince’s statement. Fort Johnson
Savannah GA 4 “That he was born the 16th March 1758”
• “That he was born in Robinson County [sic, Robeson County] 1758 Birth State of North Carolina near on Robeson Co NC the South Carolina line, • that when an infant his parents moved to Catfish in Marion 1759 District (then called George Infant in Catfish Town District) • and when he was about 3 years old his parents removed to 1761 Age 3 Kingstown Parish Horry District (then called (Horry County) Kingstown Parish) where he has resided ever since.”
George Town District encompassed modern day Horry, Marion, Dillon, Florence, and Georgetown counties. The counties were first Former Kingston called districts, later counties.
George Town District and Georgetown District; Kings Town and 5 Kingston are used in this presentation. “Home” was Kingstown Parish (now Horry County SC)
. Nicholas lived in/around Loris SC.
Princeville . The area was undeveloped during the American Revolution.
. Farms or plantations were isolated and located along the Waccamaw River or creeks.
. The nearest town was Kingston, ~20 miles; Georgetown was ~60 miles south.
. Population of old Georgetown District in 1790:1 22,122 total; 2,356 white males >16; 13,131 slaves. . Nicholas did not own slaves. Joseph Prince, his grandfather, did. Former Kingston . Loris began as a railroad town, serving the timber and turpentine industries. Incorporated 1902.
. Princeville is located 3 miles west of Loris on SR 9. . Descendants of Nicholas settled in the community and are buried in Princeville Cemetery.
6 “That he volunteered and entered the service the first of June 1776”
The Craven County Regiment of Militia 1 June 1776
Nicholas volunteered for the militia on a Saturday.
Expecting a British attack on Charleston, the SC Assembly sent out a call for volunteers in all the counties to help defend the city. Nicholas responded.
Craven Regiment took its name from an old, original South Carolina county, which included Georgetown District. (The various county and district name changes are more than a little confusing.) 7 “in the company of Captain Dennis Hawkins and immediately after joining the company he marched to Hadrele’s point [Haddrell’s Point], near Charleston, there the company joined the main army that was stationed there; that shortly after he and several others were placed under the command of Capt. William Snow.”
The Craven County Regiment of Militia Nicholas is reputed to have served under Capt. Dennis Hawkins and Capt. Wm. Snow Month & Year Established: Commander: Misc. Players: in the Craven County Militia February 1775 Col. Job Rothmahler NONE KNOWN
Known Lt. Colonels: Known Majors: Capt. Dennis Hawkins (Hankins) Capt. William Snow Daniel Horry NONE KNOWN Known Regiment(s) Known Year(s) as a Known Regiment(s) Known Year(s) as a Associated With: Captain: Associated With: Captain: Known Captains: Craven County Craven County Jacob Feneret Dennis Hawkins Daniel Lundy 1776 1776 Regiment Regiment Edward Plowden William Snow Robert Sutton
Known Privates, etc.: Known Privates, etc.: Known Lieutenants - Captain Unknown:
James Erwin - Samuel Hargrave John Nicholas James Nicholas - - - - Hargrave Prince Owen Prince
Known Privates / Fifers / Drummers / Etc. - Captain Unknown: Hawkins (Hankins) and Snow are found in Horry County SC records after the James Bone - Edward Conner Revolutionary War. Edward Conner (Connor) was a neighbor in the Kingstown Parish. In fact, Nicholas lived in Conner’s household for a time. Brief History of Regiment: On November 21, 1775, this regiment was split into two - the Upper Craven County Nicholas is associated with the Lower Craven County Regiment. Regiment and theLower Craven County Regiment. 8 Sources : Bobby Gilmer Moss, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution. Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc. 1983. www.ancestry.com; Regimental charts from J.D. Lewis, www.Carolana.com, http://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/, 2009 – 2014. Lewis’ charts are largely constructed from pension statements and collateral evidence. “and was sent a while to Sullivan’s Island to lie in ambush to guard against the encroachments of the enemy’s gallies [galleys]”
Battle of Sullivan’s Island Fort Sullivan & Breach Inlet 28 - 29 June 1776
In less than a month, Nicholas was on the battle front. He was a raw recruit, with almost no training, 18 years of age.
The date of the engagement is well-documented.
9 “that whilst there, Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island near where he was, was attacked by the enemy fleet,”
British ships ~5,000 Patriots defended Sullivan’s Island and the Charleston area. About 2,900 British troops The British fleet of 50 ships and ~2,900 land troops attacked.
Breach Inlet Evidence suggests that Hadrelle’s Point Nicholas guarded Breach Inlet.
Charleston British infantry tried to cross the inlet while the fleet Fort Sullivan/ Fort Moultrie bombarded Ft. Sullivan.
British fleet Ft. Sullivan was renamed Ft. Moultrie to honor Gen. Wm. Moultrie who successfully led the fort’s defenses June 1776.
Map: British engineer’s drawing – Lt. Col. Thos. James of the Rl. Rt. of Artillery; engraving by William Faden. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sullivan%27s_Island#/media/File:Fort-Sullivan.jpg 10 “and one vessel was blown up and the enemy’s fleet was defeated and driven off”
Nicholas likely was in
Lt. Col. Daniel Horry’s company of Nicholas’ militia Lower Craven County Militia company supported Thomson’s Battery ~ 200 men.
Nicholas describes the explosion of the British Actaeon. It had grounded on a sand bar, was abandoned, set fire, and later exploded.
SC Patriots bested the world’s greatest military force – to everyone’s surprise and relief. South Carolina had a reprieve until 1780.
Illustration: Benson J. Lossing, “Sullivan’s Island and the British Fleet at Time of Attack“ in Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution. Vol II: Ch. XX. (Transcription by Bill Carr, 2001). New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1850. 11 1776 “that shortly after he was relieved and sent home; that during this tour he was out in the service five weeks.”
1 June 1776 to 6 July 1776 est.
“He remained at home four weeks,
6 July 1776 to 3 August 1776 est.
Travel time was typically included in “service” dates.
Depending on travel method, weather and terrain it would have taken 4 to 7 days.1 From Charleston to Horry District ~110 - 125 miles.
The dates are, of course, rough estimates.
1 Estimated travel time is from Thomas W. Knowles and Joe R. Lansdale, Editors, The West That Was: A Lively and Authoritative Story and Picture Album, Wings Books,1994, 126. 12 “… and was then ordered to return to Hadrele’s point [Haddrell’s Point] and started back under the command of Lieutenant Joseph Sessions [sic John Sessions]. That he marched as far as North Santee and then received orders to return home again and there remained for a short time.”
Lt. John Sessions,1 from NC, was an officer in the Craven County Militia
under Capt. Dennis Hawkins. Home
. There’s no record of a Lt. Joseph Sessions in SC Revolutionary War records; there is strong evidence of a Lt. John Sessions.
. Militia units often drew members from across state and district lines. North Santee . John Sessions shows up later as a landowner in Horry County, SC. Haddrell’s . Prince’s reference is likely to the North Santee River area. Point
Loris SC to North Santee SC ~64.8 miles
1 John Sessions is listed in Moss, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1983. www.ancestry.com. Joseph Sessions (also known as John Sessions) is found in J.D. Lewis, “The Lieutenants: Sessions, Joseph,” in The American Revolution in North Carolina at Carolana.com, last modified 2012. Edward Conner also references Lt. John Sessions under Capt. Hawkins in his pension statement. John Sessions appears in “Petit Jurors for the Parish of Prince George, 1778,” Horry County SC Historical Society, http://www.hchsonline.org/court/juror1798.html. 13 Things were about to heat up in SC.
Defeated at Saratoga, the British began a southern strategy.
Once Savannah fell, the British would again set their sights on Charles Town.
Detail of a map by Thomas Kitchin of the Southern colonies shortly after the conclusion of the French & Indian War and on the eve of Revolution. Source: Todd Andrlik, http://allthingsliberty.com/2013/01/life-in-the- southern-colonies-part-1-of-3/. 14 In the meantime… The Continental Army was looking for recruits.
General George Washington's recruiting instructions appeared in The Virginia Gazette, 3 January 1777.
Soldiers were promised 100 acres of land. They were promised provisions, arms, uniforms and regular pay.
And if patriotism and land were not enough, Washington granted them "all the plunder they shall take from the enemy.”
15 “That he enlisted in the Army of the United States for three years, on the first third of August 1777 [sic 1778]*…
SC 4th Regiment (Artillery) 1778 - 1780
Nicholas entered Continental service as a private in the artillery, probably in Kingston or Georgetown. Artillery was considered an elite corps.
*Actually it was 2 August 1778. (But, that’s another story.)
16 Nicholas’ missing years
Nicholas’ militia service in 1776 is documented. His enlistment in the Continental Army in 1778 is documented.
So, where was Nicholas ~August 1776 through August 1778?
. He was most likely in Kingston Parrish (Horry County).
. After Sullivan’s Island, things were rather calm in South Carolina.
. His term in the militia had probably expired.
. There’s no record he joined another militia group in SC or NC.
. He appears on the Petit Jury List for George Town District (Horry Co.) 1778,1 indicating that he acquired land in 1776 or 1777.
Thomas Butler William Middleton Samuel Cox John Wood
Excerpt Perceval Pawley Senr Martyn Middleton Nicholas Prince John Walley from list
1 Prince was obviously on the tax roll and owned property prior to and during 1778. Excerpt from “1778-1779 Jury List, South Carolina- George Town District Petit Jurors for the Parish of Prince George,” Compiled by Gelee 17 Corley Hendrix and Morn McKoy Lindsay (Baltimore Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980), Transcribed by Dena Whitesell, http://genealogytrails.com/scar/1778-79_jurylist6.htm. “with Edward Connor [Conner] who was then corporal in Capt. John Weekly’s [Wickly] Company in the fourth regiment of artillery of the Continental Line under the command of Colonel Owen Roberts.”
Capt. John Wickly* Nicholas was a known Private, later Gunner, Known Regiment(s) Associated Known Year(s) as a Captain: in the company of Capt. John Wickly, With: one of six companies SC 4th Regiment 1779-1780 th Known Known Known of the SC 4 Regiment of Artillery. Known QMs: Lieutenants: Sergeants: Corporals: John Fites NONE KNOWN Jacob Harman NONE KNOWN - - Thomas Wood - John Wickly was a new captain in 1778. Interestingly, he was
brought up on charges for his behavior at Stono Ferry. He was Known Matrosses / Gunners: found guilty of “unsoldierly” conduct in the face of the enemy William Allen Charles Amonet Edward Arts John G. Chapell 1 and reprimanded. James Cross John Ellis Thomas McKee James Moore Matthew Nicholas Prince Elisha Watson James White Edward Conner, Nicholas’ neighbor, enlisted him in the SC 4th. Sullivan There’s an intriguing family connection between the Princes and George Wylant - - - Conners going back a couple of generations. Known Privates, etc.: Isham Carter Edward Conner David Edenfield John Ellis Owen Roberts, a respected and popular leader, was later killed in John Fleming - Nicholas Prince William Read, Sr. George Sayers the Battle of Stono Ferry. Fifer
A mattross was a gunner’s assistant. Date(s): Known Battles / Skirmishes: Jun. 20, 1779 Stono Ferry Mar. 18 - May 12, Siege of Charleston Conner, Wickly and Roberts are in Moss, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution. 1780 1 Wickly’s court martial is chronicled in John Faucheraud Grimké, “Order Book of John Faucheraud Grimké.” The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, VOL XIX, OCT 1918, entry for 30 March 1780, 186. *Also known as John Weekly, John Wickley. 18 Company information from J.D.Lewis, www.carolana.com, http://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution, 2009-2014. “That immediately on enlisting he was marched to Cat Island near Georgetown and there joined the regiment and after remaining there five months, he was ordered to march with the regiment to Charleston, and was stationed at Fort Johnson near Charleston and there remained until the regiment was ordered to march to Puerisburg [Purrysburg] in the month of March of the following year”
August 1778 - March 1779
Nicholas served in at least two different companies in the SC Artillery – Capt. Wickly’s and Capt. Richard B. Roberts’ – Home maybe more.
Cat Island was a fort just south of Georgetown on the SC coast.
Fort Johnson guarded Charleston Cat Island Fort Harbor.
The main army moved to Purrysburg to Fort monitor British forces in Georgia. The Johnson fear was that the British would enter
South Carolina. British in Savannah GA Loris SC to Cat Island ~61.2 miles Purrysburg The fears were justified. Cat Island to Fort Johnson ~54 miles 19 Nicholas was a Gunner
Nicholas could do geometric calculations necessary to place a cannonball on target.
Not bad for an illiterate planter.
Gunners maintained and manned cannons, mortars and howitzers. “The gunner, … must take care always to have a pouch full of powder, and two priming-irons; his office is to prime the piece, and load it with powder. … he minds that the match be very well lighted, and ready to set fire to the piece at the command of the officer.” 1
1 “Weapons of the American Revolution: Artillery – Tools of the Trade and their Usage,” American Revolution.org, http://www.americanrevolution.org/artillery.php Documents in the Nicholas Prince file of the National Archives. Some, like the cards to the right, are copied, c. 1783, from original SC 4th Artillery muster rolls. 20 “that when the army left he & two others were ordered to remain in Charleston to work in the laboratory”
Charleston Laboratory April – July 1779
Ammunition was always in short supply. Generals from Washington to Marion complained about the situation.
21 “preparing cartridges for cannon and small arms, rockets, port fires, tubes and canister shot”
Nicholas worked in a Munitions Laboratory
• Cartridges - paper or cloth packets , containing gunpowder, inserted in the barrel of a cannon or small arms, followed by a projectile. • Cannon – Smooth-bore, muzzle loading, bronze or lead. Main field pieces - 3-pound “gallopers” and 6-pounders. • Small arms – pistols, side arms. • Rockets - signal or sky-rockets. • Port fires - paper tubes with a quickmatch, used to ignite cannons. • Tubes - goose-quill tubes which held gunpowder. • Canister shot - cannon shells filled with iron balls.
22 Source: “Weapons of the American Revolution: Artillery – Tools of the Trade and their Usage,” American Revolution.org, http://www.americanrevolution.org/artillery.php, “he remained there till the regiment retreated from Peurisburg [Purrysburg] in the better part of the summer of 1779”
Nicholas is on the muster roll of Capt. Richard B. Roberts’ company taken in Purrysburg, 19 March 1779.
The original document shows he was “Absent on Duty” - Assumed in the Charleston munitions laboratory.
Source: Transcribed Muster roll of Cap. Richard B. Roberts’ Co. of SC Continental Corps of Artillery. Cmdr: Col. Owen Roberts. Horry Count Historical Society, 23 http://www.hchsonline.org/military/horryrev.html. “that the regiment was shortly after ordered to Savannah, in the state of Georgia, that he went with it and was at the Siege of Savannah.” Savannah GA 5 September - 9 October 1779
Combined French and Patriot armies commenced a four-week siege of Savannah, Georgia. ~7,200 Patriot forces versus ~2,500 British forces. Over five days, the Patriots fired more than 1,000 shells at Savannah with little effect. Impatient for an end to the siege, the French pushed for a frontal assault.
24 Charleston SC to Savannah GA ~106.3 miles. “he was in the battle”
Nicholas was 9 October 1779 in the artillery near French The artillery stood ready Reserve to follow soldiers taking Spring Hill Redoubt.1
. Lt. Col. John Faucheraud Heaviest fighting was Grimké, commanded 72 at Spring men of the SC 4th. 2 Hill Redoubt
. Nicholas was in Capt. Richard B. Roberts’ company.
1 A redoubt or redout is a temporary or supplementary fortification, typically square or polygonal and without flanking defenses. Spring Hill Redoubt is located at W. Harris Street, Savannah GA. Map: Benson J. Lossing, “Plan of the Siege of Savannah October 9th 1779“ in Pictorial Field 2 Patrick O’Kelley, Nothing but Blood and Slaughter: The Book of the Revolution. Vol II: Ch. XIX. Transcription prepared by Carr, Bill. 2001. New York: Revolutionary War in the Carolinas Volume One 1771-1779. Blue Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1850. House Tavern Press: SC, 2004, 317. 25 “and saw Count Pulasky [Pulaski] when he fell”
Nicholas’s artillery position supports his account of the battle, but that’s no guarantee he actually saw Pulaski. Pulaski led a cavalry charge directed at Spring Hill Redoubt. He was mortally wounded and died a few days later – 11 October. Gen. Washington had made Pulaski commander of Continental cavalry forces. A Polish nobleman, soldier and military commander, Kazimierz Michał Władysław Wiktor Pułaski, has been called one of "the fathers of the American cavalry.“
Painting of Casimir Pulaski by Polish painter, Jan Styka. Date unknown. 26 “after a very bloody and obstinate engagement with the enemy of two hours duration the American army was defeated with great loss.”
The Patriots lost 20% of their men in the battle. The French suffered even greater losses. 27 Attack on Savannah, Oct. 8,1779. Illustration by A.I. Keller. 148-GW-1120. (revolutionary_war_051.jpg) National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC “After this his regiment marched back to Charleston where he remained until the city was besieged”
Charleston October 1779 – March 1780
Charleston was in a state of panic. The British were coming.
“…it is no longer a doubt that the Enemy mean soon to invade this State,” Maj. Gen. Lincoln.
Patriot troops returned to South Carolina. The next several months were spent shoring up Charleston defenses.
28 Nicholas was in Charleston.
He was on the Pay Roll of Capt. John Wickly’s company November & December 1779.
He received gunner’s pay: $8 2/3 per month, plus a $10/mo. subsistence.
The payroll indicates he was present, on duty, when payment was made 1 January 1780.
Wickly signed the report.
Source: Original pay records of Nicholas Prince, John Wickly’s company, SC 29 4th Artillery Regiment. National Archives and Administration. The Siege of Charleston 28 March – 12 May 1780
The British approached with a land and sea force of ~12,000. The Patriots defended with ~6,000.
30 By land – The British crossed the Ashley River and occupied “Charleston Neck.”
By water – The British fleet occupied Charleston Harbor.
British land Charleston was movement. besieged.
Nicholas was on the north Patriot British Fleet. defense line.
Source: Lossing, Benson J. 1850. “Plan of the Siege of Charleston in S. Carolina“ in Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution. Vol II: Ch. XXI. Transcription prepared by Carr, Bill. 2001. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers.
31 The siege lasted six weeks.
The situation was desperate.
• Ammunition was scarce.
• Provisions were gone.
• Reinforcements not expected.
Patriot batteries were on the land and harbor approaches. Artillery battery - grouped guns/cannons, mortars, or howitzers.
Source: Charleston. Dean, USMA, http://www.westpoint.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/American%20Revolution/36CharlestonSiege.gif 32 Nicholas was in Battery 5 with six guns.1 “Cap. Wickly’s Compy. With the Laboratory & Convalescent Men to the next battery named no. 5.” 2
5
1 Of 11 batteries, Battery 5 was located at present day Vanderhorst Street, between St. Phillip and King. Guns refers to cannon. 2Grimké’s Order Book, The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine VOL XIX, Oct 1918, entry 25 March 1780, 187. 33 Map: Alfred O. Halsey Map Preservation Project. Preservation Society of Charleston, http://www.halseymap.com/Flash/map.asp. 9 p.m., Tuesday, 9 May
“About 180 or 200 pieces of heavy cannon were discharged at the same moment. The fire was incessant, almost the whole night, cannon balls whizzing and shells hissing continually amongst us… It was our last great effort, but availed us nothing,” 1
A depiction of the Siege of Charleston (1780) by Alonzo Chappel, 1860. Print of Chappel's painting by Johnson, Fry & Co. Publishers New York. 34 1 William Moultrie, Memoirs Vol 2, New York: David Longworth, 1802. “and when the city fell he was taken prisoner. This was in the month of May in 1780.”
Fall of Charleston 12 May 1780
“May 12.—Yesterday the British advanced within thirty yards of the American lines, and commenced preparations for a combined assault by sea and land. The reduced state of the garrison, the urgent solicitations of the inhabitants, and the clamors of the soldiery, compelled General Lincoln to renew negotiations with the British commanders; and to-day the articles of capitulation have been signed.”1
About 11 a.m. Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln led a ragged bunch of soldiers out of the city barracks.
35 1 William Moultrie, Memoirs Vol 2, New York: David Longworth, 1802. “He continued a prisoner thirteen days” Prisoner of War
About 5,000 Patriot soldiers and sailors were surrendered, the largest number during the American Revolution. Nicholas was among 80 SC artillery officers and soldiers taken prisoner.1 His prospects weren’t good. Continental soldiers were held in prison ships; some eventually exchanged; some coerced to join the British. Treatment was horrendous; only a fraction survived to fight another day.
1 Image from Wm. Moultrie, Memoirs, p. 114 36 “and then effected his escape from the enemy”
Nicholas escaped Thursday, 25 May 1780
Of 62 Artillery rank and file soldiers taken prisoner, Nicholas is the only one known to have successfully escaped from Charleston.1 How did he do it?
. Nicholas took advantage of the situation. . The British weren’t equipped to oversee 5,000 prisoners. . At first Continental soldiers were kept in barracks or nearby buildings with little supervision. . Confusion reigned in the early weeks. . Escape was not rare. Other soldiers reported their escapes, but none from the SC 4th Artillery.
1 From a review of 20,000+ transcribed pension applications, including those reporting being captured at and escaping Charleston from William Graves, Southern Campaigns Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters, http://revwarapps.org/, 2015. There may be other, unreported escapes. 37 “After his return home he remained some time1…” Nicholas returned to Tory-infested Horry County
Nicholas lived in an area where British Loyalists (Tories) were concentrated.
There was no law, no order.
Old feuds and conflicts dominated.
Horry Loyalists and Whigs were neighbors at war. Patriot soldiers, especially Continentals, were ready targets. It was not a good time to be a South Loyalist concentrations Carolina Patriot.
1 Interpreting “some time” presents timeline challenges. We’re assuming Nicholas laid low, then began participating in militia activities July – Dec 1780. 38 “& then was at different times called out in the militia service …”
Nicholas became a Partisan1
• Partisans gathered to protect home and property from marauding Loyalists and invading British. • They were loosely organized, totally independent, and voluntary.
• They were on call for emergencies in their home areas. • There was little leadership – at first. • Service was voluntary and required BYO arms, supplies, horses.
• Most partisans were on horseback. We assume Nicholas was, too. “The Crackers and militia in those parts of America are all mounted on horse-back...When they chuse to fight, they dismount, and fasten their horses to the fences and rails...“ British soldier. 2
1 Partisan is used, rather than militia, to distinguish Patriot warfare during British occupation of SC following the Fall of Charleston. There’s no record of Nicholas’ service 1780 – 1782. Militia records are notoriously scarce and inaccurate. 39 2 William Thomas Sherman, “Calendar and Record of the Revolutionary War in the South: 1780-1781.” 9th ed, Gun Jones Publishing; Seattle, WA, 2014, 25 Nicholas may have been in several actions the latter part of 1780
Since partisans generally operated in/near their home districts, he may have been involved in actions near Kingston Parish.
Such as Blue Savannah, 4 Sept about 20 miles north of Loris SC. . Whig partisans whomped up on a Loyalist party in a skirmish. . Horry Countians were involved.
Most Partisan activity in 1780 was in the northern part of the state.
40 Map Source: J. D. Lewis,. The American Revolution in South Carolina, Carolana.com, 2014. “he was placed under the command of Lieut. Fitch Harris and marched to join the army of General Francis Marion” Kingstree Regiment of SC Militia Marion’s Brigade 1781
Kingstree1 was one of the original regiments in Brig. Gen. Francis Marion’s Brigade of Partisans.
The regiment saw more action than any other Marion unit.
1 Kingstree was also known as McDonald’s Company or Williamsburg Regiment. 41 Nicholas seems to have joined the Kingstree Regiment in early 1781.
. Lt. Fitch Harris is associated with the Kingstree Regiment under the command of Col. Archibald McDonald.
. Harris also appears in the 1800 census1 and 1803 land transactions for Horry County.
. Nicholas may have also been involved in Kingstree actions before 1781.
These actions may have involved a handful or several hundred partisans.
42 Kingstree personnel source: J. D. Lewis, “The Kingstree Regiment of Militia,” www.carolana.com, 2009. 1 1800 Census of Georgetown District, South Carolina for All Saints Parish and Kingston County, from microfilm records of Kurth Memorial Library, Lufkin, TX, Trans. J. M. Farmer, April 1983, http://files.usgwarchives.net/sc/horry/census/1800horr.txt. Nicholas was one of “Marion’s Men.”
Francis Marion organized and led groups of partisans in guerilla-style warfare against the British in the area east of the Santee River – the Pee Dee region.
It was a successful strategy.
Known as the “Swamp Fox,” he was described as slight, short, intense, with a down-to-earth, yet demanding leadership style.
Illustration: Library of Congress, from University of South Carolina, http://library.sc.edu/spcoll/marion/fmarion.html. 43 Marion’s signature – from University of South Carolina, Francis Marion’s Regimental Muster Roll 1778, http://library.sc.edu/spcoll/marion/fmarion.html “at a place called Watboo [Wadboo] not far from Charleston”
Three recorded actions occurred at Wadboo. 29 Aug 1782 • 31 January 1781 – best guess • 17 July 1781 • 29 August 1782
A large contingent of Marion’s men were camped in the Wadboo area late January 1781.
Wadboo could be Wadboo Bridge, Wadboo Creek or the area known as Wadboo Barony, a 12,000 tract owned by absentee Loyalist, John Colleton.
Wadboo is ~38 miles NE of Charleston.
44 Source: J. D. Lewis, The American Revolution in South Carolina, Carolana.com., 2008. Nicholas likely participated in the following skirmishes. 31 January 1781
“You will cross Santee River with twenty-five men, and make a forced march to Watboo Bridge, there burn all British stores of every kind,” Gen. Francis Marion 1
At dawn - WADBOO BRIDGE That afternoon – KEITHFIELD PLANTATION
. Capt. John Postell2 led 25 - 35 mounted men . Returning from Wadboo Bridge, Postell’s from Kingstree, Lower Craven County and party raided the British garrison at Moncks Cheraws District regiments in a surprise Corner, destroyed the stores, took seven raid. wagons, killed two, wounded two, and . They took 33 prisoners, a large supply of captured 24 prisoners. provisions and destroyed “twenty odd . There were no Patriot losses in either hogsheads of old spirits.” skirmish.
“he was in service at this time seven weeks, was then relieved and returned home” Est. mid January to early March 1781 . From Horry District to Wadboo ~100 miles.
1 Marion’s letter to John Postell, 29 January 1781. 2 John Postell was a known officer in Marion’s Brigade and a resident of Prince George Parish. He is principally associated with the Kingstree Regiment. 45 Marion’s Men moved swiftly throughout the Pee Dee region – by horseback, by boat, usually at night.
Marion Crossing the Pee Dee (1850) by William Tylee Ranney. Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas 46 “afterwards he was ordered to rendezvous at Georgetown, and did so”
Evacuation of Georgetown 28 – 29 May 1781
Gen. Marion sent out a call for militia May 22nd. It would be Marion’s third attempt to take the town. Nicholas likely responded to the call.
47 Marion’s Obsession: Georgetown
Nicholas likely was in this action.
Monday, 28 May Marion, with 400 mounted men, briefly laid siege to Georgetown, which had a garrison of about 80 provincials and Loyalist militia. . Kingstree companies participated. . They started to dig trenches.
Tuesday, 29 May The British abandoned the town at 9 p.m. that night.
Marion’s men occupied the town and destroyed the garrison.
Afterwards, most men went home. Not, Nicholas.
48 Map: J. D. Lewis, The American Revolution in South Carolina, Carolana.com. “he remained there with a detachment of General Marion’s army to guard the town from the enemy, six weeks”
Wednesday, 6 June Marion left “a small militia guard”1 at Georgetown, and marched the rest of the brigade upstate to support the Siege of Ninety-Six.
Nicholas’ account aligns with known events.
Assuming Nicholas responded to Marion’s call for militia 22 May or so, he guarded Georgetown through the end of June /first of July 1781.
Horry County to Georgetown ~56 miles.
Painting: The Siege of Ninety-Six, R. Wilson, Sr. 1 Moultrie, Memoirs, 281. Moultrie is unclear on the date. 49 “he was then relieved and returned home, and after remaining five weeks…..” was ordered to repair again to Georgetown on the same service and remained this time four weeks.”
Nicholas’ orders could have been triggered by this British raid.
2 August 1781
The British shelled Georgetown, landed, then set fire to 42 buildings near the harbor.
It took Georgetown 50 years to recover.
Kingstree detachments, under Col. Archibald McDonald,1 manned the garrison off and on 1780 - 1782.
50 1 Moss, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution 1780-1783, 615. Map: J. D. Lewis, The American Revolution in South Carolina, Carolana.com. Nicholas served 1781 17 Weeks as a Marion’s Man.
Wadboo duty - seven weeks
1st Georgetown duty - six weeks
Home in Kingston Parish - five weeks
2nd Georgetown duty - four weeks
51 War’s end.
The Revolutionary War ended for Nicholas Prince ~September 1781.1
19 October 1781 . General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia. 14 December 1782 . The British evacuated Charleston. 3 September 1783 . The United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris.
1 The assumption, based on Prince’s statement and known events, is that his partisan service ended following the 2 August 1781 event at Georgetown and his four weeks of guard duty. 52 Nicholas, the Civilian
Nicholas was 24 years old when the British abandoned South Carolina. Within a few years he became a landowner, planter, family man. He maintained ties with Revolutionary comrades and lived near men with whom he served.
53 Nicholas made Horry County his home.
Nicholass Prince appears in the first U.S. Census taken 2 August 1790.
. Nicholas was 32. . Head of household: Saint Georges Parish, Georgetown District (Horry County). . 5 in the household. . 2 white males >16 . Nicholas Prince, age 32 . Unknown adult male . 1 white male <16 . Son, Nicholas Jr, about 6 . 2 white females . Wife, Jemima . Unknown female, perhaps daughter1 . No slaves
1 No daughters are known to have survived this marriage. There’s speculation that Jane, named in Nicholas’ will, may have been a daughter of Jemima and Nicholas. Source: U.S. Census. “1790 Overview,” Prince Georges, Georgetown, South Carolina, Series: M637; Roll: 11; Page: 507; Image: 314; Family History Library Film: 0568151 https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/overview/1790.html. 54 Nicholas appears in U.S. Census records.
Horry County, SC
1800 Census Nicholas, 42 1810 Census Nicholas, 52
1830 Census: Nicholas Prince at 1820 Census 72 does not appear as a head of Nicholas, 62 household. He may have been living with a relative.
Source: U.S. Census, Horry County, SC., www.ancestry.com 55 Husband and Father
Marriage 1: Jemima Lewis1 ca 1784 [also 1794] . Nicholas Prince, Jr. ca 1784 [also 1794] . Richard Prince ca 1785 or 1795. . Other unidentified children (possibly 2 daughters)
Marriage 2: Nancy Ann Wright Shelby ca Spring 1807 or 1808. Rev. Thomas Durant officiated. . Jane Prince . Mary Ann Prince b: 27 Jan 1819 in SC . John Bert Prince . Thomas Aiken Prince b: ca 1826 in SC . Isaah Prince . James Prince b: ca 1832 in SC
Statement of Frances Graham, daughter of Rev. Durant, attesting to marriage of Nicholas Prince and Nancy Ann Shelby
1 Marriage date is unconfirmed. However, in 1790 census, Nicholas is shown as HH, with two females residing in household and one 56 male <16. The assumption is that Nicholas and Jemima married prior to 1790, possibly 1784 (1794 is also shown). Landowner and Planter
Nicholas owned land in South Carolina and North Carolina . Nicholas, 47, purchased 200 acres in Cumberland County NC, January 1805. . Several conveyances for Nicholas Prince Sr. appear in Horry County SC records, 1790s and early 1800s. . Nicholas paid taxes on 500+ acres in Horry County in 1825. . Nicholas reported he engaged in agriculture in 1820 census. . In addition, there is speculation that Nicholas had inherited land from his father ~1778 or earlier.
Source: Horry County, South Carolina Deed Book C-1 Conveyances 1811-1837, 1849, http://www.hchsonline.org/land/deed3.html. Nicholas, age 67 Horry County Historical Society. n.d. “Horry District Commissioner of Location, Plat Books A, B, C, 1802-1831.” Abstracted by Catherine 57 Heniford Lewis. http://www.hchsonline.org/land/plat.html . Involved Citizen
State of South Carolina Nicholas joined fellow citizens A Kingston County Petition of Kingstown County in signing a petition to the SC General The Honourable the President and Members of the Senate of Sd. State the Petition of Sundry the Assembly requesting that a Inhabitants of Kingstown County Humbly County Court be established. Sheweth that the Situation of Our County is Suchthat the Deficulties of attending Court at In 1800 Kingston County was Georgetown is So Great the Crimes of anything of a light nature Go unpunishd rather than made Horry County. Undergo the Dificulties of attending Court to Prosecute the offenders Beside many Ohter His friend, Edward Conner, is Grievous Inconveniences Prays the wisdom of the Honourable House to take Our Case in also a signer on the petition Consideration and Grant us the Preveledge of and was subsequently named a Having a County Court House and Gaol in Our county commissioner. Said County and We Be under the Same Laws and Preveledges as the Other Counties in Said State where County Courts are already Establishd We have Nominated Capt. Samuel Floyd, Capt. Edward Conner, Capt. Ebenezer Rhame, Mr. Joseph Andrews, Mr. Abraham Belleme, Mr. William Watson and John
Source: Petition transcript from Horry County Historical Society, “A Kingston County Petition,” Graham Esqr. Gentlemen to Be by the Wisdom Your 58 http://www.hchsonline.org/places/petition.html Honourable House appointed Commissioners to fix the Most Centrel and Convenient place in said Comrade and Clergyman
Nicholas witnessed the Revolutionary pension applications of fellow veterans.
. Edward Conner S21123, childhood friend and fellow soldier in SC 4th Artillery. . Josias Sessions S18202, neighbor, fellow soldier in Kingstree Regiment of SC Militia.
Nicholas was a clergyman. . He likely was a Presbyterian, but this is unconfirmed.
Prince, Conner, and Sessions made their sworn statements 8 November 1833 in Horry County. 59 Source: Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C. on www.ancestry.com. Revolutionary War Pensioner
Nicholas Prince W8289 applied for a pension under the Act of Congress, 4 June 1832, in Horry County SC, 8 November 1833.
The application was approved and he was awarded $102 per year.
Edward Conner was witness to his statement.
Nancy Ann Prince, 31 January 1854, made application for a widow’s pension and received payments through her death, 1 May 1859. As Nicholas’ widow, she also received a land grant of 160 acres May 1854.
Nicholas first applied for a pension in Robeson County, NC, because he mistakenly believed he had to make application in his birth place. Source Final Payment: General Services Administration, 60 General Accounting Office, National Archives and Administration. Source Nancy Prince land grant, Fold3, https://www.fold3.com/image/25862708. Last Will & Testament
Nicholas Prince died 4 May 1839, at the age of 81.
He was buried in Conwayborough, SC.
. Will signed 23 April 1839. . Nicholas references the “sixty third year of American Independence,” – still a Patriot. . “I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ann Prince and my children that lives with me” . Homestead “plantation” to wife, Ann, for use. . New feather beds to daughters; household goods to all. . Children residing in his household . John Bert, <32 . Thomas Aiken, 13 c. 1826 . Isaah . James, 7 c. 1832 . Mary Ann, 20 c. 1819 . Jane . Nicholas Jr (45) and Richard (44), sons from Jemima Lewis marriage, are not mentioned. They apparently were not residing in the household.
Executors: James Beaty (friend) and John B. Prince (son) Robert Anderson constructed the coffin in which Nicholas was buried.
61 Nicholas Prince of Horry County, South Carolina was a soldier of the American Revolution. He entered service as an 18-year old, unschooled and without a home. He served honorably and well between 1776 and 1781. Over five decades, he founded two families; bought, sold and cultivated land; supported comrades in arms; paid taxes; contributed to his community; answered a higher calling as a clergyman; and provided for his wife and children. He valued and celebrated American independence. A life well lived.
62 End Notes
Where possible, I have confirmed statements made in Nicholas Prince’s application for a Revolutionary War pension with known events, documents and collateral evidence. Some conclusions are based upon assumptions which are noted. The interpretations in this presentation are mine and mine alone and not attributable to any others.
Patricia Marker Hinton DPA November 27, 2015
63 Mistakes and Misstatements
. Date errors . 1777 vs 1778: Nicholas stated he enlisted 1777 in the Continental Artillery; records indicate 1778. Edward Conner also cites 1777 in his pension statement. . August 2nd vs 3rd: Nicholas stated the 2nd; first was struck out in his statement. Records show both 2nd and 3rd. . Names, spellings . Nicholas Price in Nicholas Prince records. . There were Nicholas Princes in Virginia and North Carolina, as well. . Joseph, John and Josias Sessions confusion. . Transcription errors . Oat rather than Cat Island, for instance. . Illegible, misheard, stricken errors – not to mention unclear era-related or military terms and the language style of the 1700s.
64 Reliability of Pension Applications
“On the whole, however, I would guess that fewer than one percent of pension applications include deliberate fraud.… I have often been impressed, however, that applicants tended to downplay rather than exaggerate their services,” Leon Harris1
My first question was How reliable are the statements of Revolutionary War pensioners? Apparently, experts, including Dr. C. Leon Harris, believe they are fairly reliable in truthfulness and surprisingly accurate given the passage of time and circumstance. They also provide a flavor and depth no official records can convey. Like Harris, I discovered that cross- referencing pension statements lent credibility to the accounts.
The 2014 Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters (revwarapps.org) has transcribed 20,849 pension applications or bounty land claims.2 I have used the website’s database liberally searching for key words, phrases, people and places. Will Graves and C. Leon Harris have done most of the transcriptions on the site. From my experience, there are rarely errors and a surplus of helpful notations.
When in doubt, I’ve consulted the original handwritten statements in the soldier’s National Archives file – which is an adventure in itself.
Dr. Patricia Marker Hinton 26 Dec 2015
1 Dr. C. Leon Harris, “What can Applications Contribute to Understanding the Battle of Waxhaws and Other Events of the Revolutionary War?” Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution, Vol 10:2, Summer 2014, www.southerncampaigns.org, 2-3. 65 2 There are about 80,000 applications on file with the National Archives and Records Administration. Bibliography
In addition to sources previously cited.
James, William Dobein, A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion, and A History of his Brigade. Charleston, SC, 1821. Ed. Jack E. Fryar. (North Carolina: Dram Tree Books, 2008). http://www.fullbooks.com/A-Sketch-of-the-Life-of-Brig-Gen-Francis.html
Lewis, Catherine H. Horry County, South Carolina 1730-1993. West Conshohocken, PA: Infinity Press, 1998
Marker, John L. “The Princes of Horry County, South Carolina.” Unpublished manuscript. Waxhaw NC, 2010
McCrady, Edward. The History of South Carolina in the Revolution, 1775–1780. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1901. https://archive.org/details/historysouthcar10mccrgoog
McCrady, Edward. The History of South Carolina in the Revolution, 1780-1783. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1902. https://archive.org/details/southcarolina00mccrrich
National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. Compiled Service Records of Soldiers, Revolutionary war. Army, M881-785
Revolutionary War Pension Applications and Bounty Warrant Application Files, RG 15, Microcopy 804
O’Kelley, Patrick. Nothing but Blood and Slaughter: The Revolutionary War in the Carolinas Volume One 1771-1779. USA: Blue House Tavern Press, 2004
Nothing but Blood and Slaughter, The Revolutionary War in the Carolinas, Volume Two 1780. USA: Blue House Tavern Press, 2005
Nothing but Blood and Slaughter, The Revolutionary War in the Carolinas, Volume Three 1781. USA: Blue House Tavern Press, 2005
Nothing but Blood and Slaughter, The Revolutionary War in the Carolinas, Volume Four 1782. USA: Blue House Tavern Press, 2005
Unwaried Patience and Fortitude: Francis Marion’s Orderly Book. West Conshohocken PA: Infinity Publishing, 2006
Parker, John C., Jr. Parker’s Guide to the Revolutionary War in South Carolina; Battles, Skirmishes and Murders 2nd ed. West Conshohocken PA: Infinity Publishing, 2013
Rankin, Hugh F. Francis Marion: The Swamp Fox. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1973
Robertson, John. “Online Library of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.” http://lib.jrshelby.com/
Sherman, Wm. Thomas. Calendar and Record of the Revolutionary War in the South: 1780-1781, 9th ed. Seattle WA: Gun Jones Publishing; Seattle, 2014. http://battleofcamden.org/sherman9.pdf
Stedman, Charles. The History of the Origin, Progress, and Termination of the American War. Volume II. London: Oxford University, 1794. https://archive.org/details/historyoforiginp02stediala 66