The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-08-21


the British ministry, was held in
Charles Town in July, 1774. This
meeting, although sometimes styled
/. provincial congress, was in no sense
such. 1t was practically the congre-
eating together of whoever chose to
come to the meeting. 1t originated
in call issued by the inhabitants Of
Charles Town to the rest Of the pro-
vince for a general provincial meet
ing. The people were at liberty to
elect as many deputies as they chose,
or, if they saw fit. to attend in per-
son without sending deputies.
The meeting was held in Charles
Town on the 9Th July, 1774. One
hundred and four deputies attended
from all parts of of the province. 1t
was, however, determined that votes
should be given by each person pres
ent and not by representation Of the
section, and that whoever chose to
attend might do so and give his vote.
This general meeting sat for three
days, adopted certain resolutions,
elected deputies to represent the pro-
vince in the general congress to be
held in Philadelphia and appointed
general committee of SO persons to
continue in authority until the next
general meeting.
1T is not known if Sumter attend
| ed this meeting. There is no known
list of the persons who did attend,
and the informal character Of the
meeting itself would seem to have
precluded any such list being made.
'In November, 1774, this general
committee of SO persons arranged for
general meeting Of the inhabitants
of the province by representation
the number Of representatives from
| the different sections Of the province
being appointed to an aggregate Of
1s4 members. To the district lying
eastward Of the Wateree river were
allotted ten representatives and the
congress was to meet in Charles Town
on the 18th January, 1775.
Members of First Provincial Congress.
1.-The convention met on the day set
and is generally known as the first
provincial congress. Thomas Sumter
was elected as one Of the ten dele
gates from the district east Of the
Wateree river Among the other
nine delegates were:. Col Richard
Richardson, Joseph Kershaw, Ell
Kershaw, Matthew Singleton, William
Richardson, William Wilson.
'sFhe journals Of this congress are
not in existence in any extended form,
and it is not possible, therefore, to
sav what pacr Sunster took II its de-
liberat.oI,s. That he was present &nd
did take part would appear fro1'2 his
hai..s selected as one OF the commit
sAs sor IA. liistrict eassward OF the
wateree river to carry into execution
the Continental association, which
had been approved and resolved upon
by the congress.
This congress adjourned on the
18th January. ITS. but on receipt OF
the news OF the battle of Lexington
in May. 1775, the general committee
summoned the provincial congress to
meet again on the 1st June, 1775.
"On the fourth day after its meet
ing the provincial congress deterHlin-
ed to provide effective means for the
military protection of the colony, and
TO that end resolved to raise three
reeiments-two regiments OF foot
and one regiment of rangers. or cav
airy:
The military system of the pro-
vince at the time was based upon
militia system. The whole province
vas divided into separate military dis
-ricts in which each regiment ana
company was composed of the arms
bearing population residing in oe-
fined area. The officers had their
commissions colonel, major, cap
tain. etc, as the case might be, IN TINS
militia. The system was COMPULSORY
i. e. upon the exigencies provloeo
a3
for bv law this militia was san1aoheo
ont and was bound to appear and 90
military duty. but only for limited
time. Like all militia serving with
out pay and in pursuance OF lesa'
duty it represented more or less un-
certain quantity, and the deiernllha-
ton Of the congress to raise theseTesl-
merits was to provide for certain
fixed military establishment under
military discipline to meet tae emer-
gency of the impending conflict. Inc
officers OF these regiments were then
elected by the provincial congress.
of