The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-08-22
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'' - From Godcy's Ludy's Book.
Heroic Women of the Revolution
$50 SKETCH OF MRS. PlCkENS.
BY E. F. ELLETT.


REpEccAe CALHOUN, the wife Of General
Andrew Pickens, was born in The year l745.
She was The daughter of Ezekie Calhoun,
who resided near 'IInpewcll Meeting House.
Calhoun Settlement, Abbevie District,
South Carolina, and grew UP under the edu'
cation common at that period in u frontier
settlement. Her father was an amiable and
and intelligent gentleman. and possessed
what was in those days considered an indie.
pendent estate. in l76l, the settlement
made on Long Cane. Abbc7i!le District,
was nearly broken up by massacre Of the
Indians, ard many nfihe best citizens were
murdered at the Long Cane Bridge, near
Calhoun's S. ttlement. Ezekie! Calhoun,
with his Young and interesting family, es-
capped 10 The Waxhaws ON Broad River
II was there that General Pickens became
acquainted with Miss Calhoun. lie aller-
wards went to CalI,oun's Settlement and
married her, in 1863. She was considered
very beautiful and attractive and tradition
SAYS, it was the largest wedding ever
known in that section OF country. As was
the custom in those days Of simplicity and
cordial hospitality, al we're invited far and
near. to join in the festivities, which, il is
SAID, lasted three tlavs without intermisslon.
The beauty of the bride was the theme oi all
tongues. She had extensive connections of
the highest responsibility, and the hosPall-
~ of her parental home was Pr'verblal.
The bridegroom was III the full flush OF
joyous manhood. and was no, Of the KIND
that "said never a word" and "stnod dang
ling his honnct and plume" but was
~So faithful II, love, and SO daunlless in war;
lha, no
Z" BrMrmaidens whispered -'Twcre better by far,
To hu 70 &cddcd our fair cousin with !oung Lochin.
vary
On this great festive occasion, all were
contented and happy.
" Soft eyes looked love to eyrs which spoke again,
And went merry as n,atriagc bell"
"Rebeeea Culhoan's Wedding" was long
talked Of as great event in the neighbor.
hood, and old people used it as point OF
time to reckon from, While many lads and
Iasses" dated their first emotions of lender
ness, and love IRON that Joyous occason.-
She was remarkable for the e )asticItv of her
form, with deIicaln and far complexion. and
a plrlisl, playlnluess that never deserted her
even in her old age. Pure was her heart as
the dew drop hanging from the BOSOM OF
the mountain flGwer and light was her, step
as tho lawn playing upon The monulain
brow. Bright r,se her morning star, and
not cloud hung around it. Ah how little
did her young heart know of the trials and
dangers tha, lay beihrc ,cr in the future =
During The perilous scenes ofthe Revoln,
ti,n, her devotion and fidelity cleercd
and sustained her gallant husband amidst
all their difficulties, and made his home cVel
bright and dear, even through the blood and
carnage OF terrible days.
The frontier settlements OF South Carroll
na had not only to encounter the British II
their invasions from the seacoast, but the
savages from the mountains, and the Tories
in the neighborhood of their homcsieans. -
1t was with them literally, "war to the knife
and from the knife to the hilt." Nelhel
night nor day were they safe. Their house:
were plundered and burnt by the Tories
and their children often massacreed by the
Indians. Mrs. pickens Was on many otca
sions compelled to abandon her husband''
residence, near where Abbevle C"ur
House now stands, and to sccrele herscl
and children for davs; while, at these times
she and her infant family was supported anc
sustained by their faithful and devoted ne
groes.*
X General Pickens had faithful African, Dick
who followed him throughout the war, and Offer
fought by his side. This servant swan the Broa'
River twice in cold winters night, to get ID th
camp of his master-mistaking the enenys CAM
once. At" the Cowpen," wounded British ON
Ger. living against a tree, asked Dick to bring hin
some water, He brought it in his hat aud thel
Immediately put out his knee and asked to draw hi
boots. The officer said-"Surey, boy, you vii
not take them before dic'" Dick replied