The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1901-12-24
THE FIENDISH MESSACRE OF THE
HAMPTON FAMILY
Thrilling STORY OF tho War OF tho RCy
olution-Gen. Wado Hampton's Aged
Grantlsiro Was Slain by tho Hand lie
Graspod In Friondship.-A boys
Experience.
The State. |

| o1olloS VI IHo IIalnplOn lalnlly arc
always read with pleasure, for this
family Of unswerving PATRIOTISM has
been closely identified with tho most
stirring events i'll State history since
the beginning Of tho struggle for lib
erty. AS he is in receipt Of numerous
requests for information rs to his
family, Con. Hampton has consented
to let the appended sketch be ro,
published. 1t is tho original man
uscript of tho late Gov. Perry and
was first published in Juno, 1913,
in "Magnolia.' Following is the
story under the caption:
"REvoLUTIoNARY INCIDENTS THE HAMr-
TON FAMILY"
Anthony Hampton, the father of
Gen. Wado Hampton, was among tho
first emigrants from Virginia to the
upper part Of South Carolina. Ho sot
tied with his family Oh Tigor river
IN the district Of span tanburg In l775
a war with the mother country, rs
England was then called, because in
evitable, and it was mattor of tho
highest Importance to the inhabitants
OF tho frontiers Of Carolina to secure
a peace with tho Cherokee Indians.
10 effect this tho chiefs Of that
war like and powerful tribe wore in
vited to "Big Talk" at some con
venient town in their nation.
Edward and Preston Hampton, the
sons of Anthony Hampton, were
delegated by thoir friends and neih-
bors to meet the Indians at this con-
ference, and endoavorcd to persuade
them, if possible, to remain neutral
in the approaching struggle. But
the British omissarics had already
engaged the Cherokee warriors to
make an incursion into the settle
ments in tho upper part of tho State,
at the same time that the English
fleet under Horny Clinton and Potor
Parker WAS to attact Charleston. 1t
ls well-known in history that these
movements were simultaneous.
The young Hamptons had Just re-
turned from this talk with the In-
dlans when a large number of thoir
warriors commenced their work of
death and destruction upon tho in
habltants of Greenville and Spartan
burg. After killing the Hlte family
in Europe, they proceeded to MIR.
Hampton's where they found tho old
gentleman, his lady, their son Preston
Hampton, a lad by the name of John
Bynum, and an infant child of Mr..
James Harrison. They approached
tho house from every direction in
order to prevent any of it's inmates
from escaping their inhuman'carnage
Some of these Indians were known
to both Preston Hampton and his
father, and having received no infor
nation Of their visit Was at first sup
posed to be n friendly one. They
met cordilly and old Mr.. Hampton
was in the act of shaking hands with
one Of the chiefs when he saw u GUN
fire and his son Preston fall to the
ground.
This was signal for an indiscrim-
mate murder. The very hand which
MIR. Hampton had, but moment be-
foro grasped in friendship, now sent
q tomihawk into his skull. His wife
was soon dispatched i'll the same
manner. The infant son of Mr..
Hampton was dashed against the
wall of the house which it besprinklod
with its blood and brains. John
Bynum, tho lad already mentioned
stood perfectly astounded amidst
this murder and carnage, having lost
oil presence of mind and making no
effort to escape. At length an Indian
warrior raised his hand to dispatch
the youth also, when the blow was
arrested by the hand of tho chief,
no took the lad under his protection.
| Mrs. Harrison, who WAS tho daugh-
tor OF MIR. Hampton, had gone to Il
uelghbor's house, and on her return
saw her fathers house in flames, the
Indians standing around it exulting
with fiendish malignity. tho manglod
bodies OF her father, mother, bro ther
ana son lying scattered to and fro in
the yard. She was going to rush for