Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-05-07
8e6olntionarg Sk&ttB,
From Godey's Lady's Book.
A WOMAN OF THE REVOLUTION.
NJ RY OR Y.

InsDecember, 1773, family, emigrating
from Antrim County, ireland, landed in
Charleston; and, remaining till the follow
ing March, travelled thence in wagon to
the back country, stopping, after a journey
of three weeks, at Jackson's Greek in Fair
field District. Itwas the household ofJohn
Dunlap who had married Mrs. Grey, a wild
ow with four children, in the old country
Mary, the youngest Of those children, was
born in 1853.
The proceeds of farm in ireland, with
industry and management, comfortably set
tied the family-their home being spacious
log-cabiu-and the marriage of the eldest
daughter with James McCreight, of Winns-
boro', shortly followed. When the mothers
health failed, Mary Grey became housekeep-
er.
The name of Grey is cherished in popular
remembrance throughout Fairfield District
by the inhabitants who now enjoy the bless
Jugs purchased by their tolls and suferings
in the cause of religious and political liberty.
But history makes no mention of the servi-
ces of that family. tits worthy task, there
fore, to make some record-though an hum
bic one-of the merit of patriots who de-
serve praise not only on account of their he
roism and self.sacri6ce, but their association
with names illustrious in the annals of the
State of South Carolina.
In 1776, when the country was called on
to defend the city of Charleston, Dunlap and
McCreight, with the brothers William and
Robert Grey, entered the army of the patri-
OTIS. They were engaged later in the same
year in the Snow Campaign against the Cher
okee Indians. While the men were absent
on service, the whole burden of the outdoor
farm labor fell on the women, for there were
then no negroes in that region. Often the
families in the defenceless settlements were
startled by the news that the stealthy and
fearful Cherokees were coming upon them.
One evening, on the occasion of an alarm,
Mrs. Grey and her daughters fed from the
house, and lay concealed in a dense wood
the whole night.
1t was happy time when the father and
brothers came home from the camp for a
brief period. On their return from the de-
fence Of Charleston, they were accompanied
by young lieutenant of engaging manners
and spirit kindled by the love of freedom.
This officer, Alexander Castor, and Mary
Grey were interested in each other at first
sight, and their preference speedily ripened
into deep attachment. The times permit
ted no lovers dalliance but their love was
mutually acknowledged, and they entered
into solemn engagement to be united as
soon as the wars were over. "In those days" !"
says Mr.. Stinson-who furnishes this men,
oir-"lucre seems to have had little domin-
ion over the minds Of men or women en-
gagements of this kind were of the heart" !"
The plighted maiien's hopes of happiness
with her betrothed were linked with her
prayers for the great cause in which he was
fighting. She worked day and night spin
ming and weaving, and attending to the farm,
having but little assistance from her STEP
father, whose health had failed entirely af-
ter three months service in the Snow Cam
paign. The labor of her hands supplied
bread for the family, and clothing for her
brothers when they would return home in
rags. Her unwearied toll was sweetened by
trust in her lovers faith, and authorizations