Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-10-12
Misturp pt 8. Garuliua.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
EarIy Settlement of South Carolina.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.

little effort was made, at the proper Time, 10
hand down to posterity, a completer biogra.
ply of those Revolutionary heroes whose deeds
will live and brighten whilst men continue to
love freedom. The names of Sumter and
Marion are interwoven with the nursery tales
of South Carolina, and intimately blended
with the history of the thirteen colonies in
their struggle for freedom; but the most in
teresting portion of the lives of these heroes
has been swept by the waves of time into the
gulf of oblivion. Of their boyhood we know
comparatively nothing. There was a time
when the history of both these men could
have been traced from the cradle to the grave.
That period has passed, and we must be con-
tent with their history, commencing with their
military exploits. a-,
:, General Francis Marion was of French ex-
traction. His grand father-Gabriel Mar
ion-Aed to South Carolina, when, after the
revocation of the edict of Nantes, spirit of
malice and hate kindled the fires Of persecu-
ion which desolated the homes of the Hugue-
nots. Like most of the Huguenots who fled
to South Carolina during that bloody period,
the grandfather of Marion was q gentleman
by birth and education. He, with his young
wife, whose maiden name was Louisa D'Au-
brey, settled on the Cooper River. Here they
bought plantation, and by industry and
economy, accumulated enough of material
wealth to make them comfortable and respect
ed, The oldest son of this worthy couple was
honored with his fathers name. He settled
at Winyaw, and became the father of one
daughter and five SONS, of whom Francis was
the youngest. . ..... ...:.
The year l7S2-the same that gave birth
to General George Washington-gave birth
to General Francis Marion. The facilities
for obtaining thorough education we're then
poor, compared with what they are now !;
hence, the education of Marion was limited.
We are not to conclude that it was entirely
neglected. At that time books were not 30
abundant as they are now; but what few books
were owned by the first settlers of this coun-
try, were generally standard works and were
better used than books are at the present cay.
They were studied rather than read.
In early youth, Marion was desirious to
lead the life of sailor. His mother, howev.
er, either from a maternal affection which
would not suffer her to be separated from her
son by broad oceans, or because she saw that
her son was not fitted for such life, set her.
self in opposition to his inclinations. In spite
of the remembrance of his mother, young
Marion, at the age of sixteen, embarked on
schooner bound for the West Indies. The
vessel foundered at sea and Marion narrow
ly escaped watery grave. The crew, con-
sisting of six persons, left the sinking ship
and entrusted themselves to a small boat.
On board this boat there was neither food nor
water. On the flesh of single dog, which
had accompanied them, they subsisted for a
whole week. On the sixth day, the Captain
and mate became delirious, leaped overheard,
and were drowned. On the seventh day,
Marion and the three others, nearly dead and
suffering excruciating tortures, reached land.
Marion, on returning home, was content to
follow his mothers advice, rather than his
own inclination, He now engaged, with en-
ergy, in the useful and honorable occupation
of tilling the soil.
In 1853, when he was twenty-six years old,
his father died. After this event he quilted
the old homestead and settled on the Santee,
about four miles from Eutaw. The next year
marks the date of his military career. The
Cherokee Indians, as we have already seen,
were at this period giving the people of South
Carolina great deal of trouble. The broth
er of Francis Marion raised, ia 1859, a compa-
ny of cavalry. Francis was a member of this
company. In 1851, Francis Marion served
as a lieutenant in Captain William Moultrie's
company, in the war with the Cherokees and
other tribes of Indians. The Indians being
subdued and peace being restored to the coun-
try, Marion was, in 1775, chosen member of
the Colonial Congress of South Carolina.
From Boston to Charleston, the country
was greatly agitated. The people talked
about nothing but British oppression and lib
erty. In May, 1775, the news of the battle
of fLexington reached South Carolina. Fran
cis Marion was among the first to espouse his
country's cause and to offer bis services in de-
fence of her rights. 1t was determined TO