The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1911-06-01
ALEAF FROM THE PAST.
Half Century Old Obituary Gives
Sideliqhts on Local History.

ing clipping from the kingstree Star,
published sometime during the year
1859, THE day and the month do not
appear in the clipping) being the
obituary Of a very old lady-a con-
temporary of Washington, Jefferson,
Rutledge and all the colonial fathers
of the eighteenth century. The
weight of obligation already resting
upon us toward the good people of
Salters Depot is considerably in
creased by this interesting contribu-
ton from an esteemed lady friend of
that community, who asks us to re-
frain from disclosing her name.
The clipping, which from an his
torical standpoint is we'll worth read
ing and preserving, follows:
Died,in Williamsburg Dist,S c, on
the 18th inst, Miss Nancy Mouzon.
The deceased from her advanced age
and the thrilling experience of her
early life, deserves more than pass
ing memorial. She was born where
she died, in the year 1869, and was
consequently about 80 years of age.
She was often heard to say that she
first saw the light the same year, ,and
if the writer remembers correctly,
the same day with Napoleon l. Her
natural vivacity and sprightliness of
disposition, her communicativeness
and her teeming recollection OF past
events always rendered her an ob.
ject of attraction to her friends. She
was the daughter of Capt Henry
Mouzon, commandant of one of the
four companies that formed the
original brigade of Gen Marion. AT
ter the fall of Charleston in 1850.
and the memorable mission of Maj
John James to the British command
ant at Georgetown. the patriots OF
Williamsburg mustered into service
four companies, under Capts Henry
Mouzon, James McC cCaulay, John James
fof the Lake, and VIM McCottry.
The chief command devolved on Maj
James, and a special message was
sent to Gen Gates, just before the
disastrous battle of Camden, to grant
them a general officer who had seen
service. AS is we'll known, Gen Mar
ion was sent in answer to the re-
quest. Before his arrival, however.
and before the battle of Camden, the
rising in Williamsburg was reported
at the British headquarters IN
Charleston, and the fiery Tarleton
was despatched to quell it. Crossing
the Santee at Lenud's ferry, he ar
rived at Kingstree on the 9th OF
August, 1880, and encamped for the
night, all the way expressing his de-
sire for a pass at arms with the
Wings of Williamsburg. His zeal
abated, however, when he heard of
the approach of McCottry, and dur
ing the night he broke up his encamp-
ment and retreated precipitately up
the Black river road toward Camden.
Early next morning he reached the
residence. The subject of this men,
oir, then IL years old, was on the
roof of the smoke-house, aiding in
spreading the bacon to the sun, and
was the first to descry the approach
of the enemy and give the alarm.
Capt Mouzon was then at home, and
had lust time to escape to the swamp
and conceal himself. His daughter
we'll remembered the personal ap-
pearance of Col Tarleton and also of
Col Ball, his Tory ally, and the dress
of the British troopers, Leather
caps with plumes, red coats, white
pantaloons and half boots. The two
officers approached Mrs Mouzon
courteously and told her with appar-
ent regret that Harry" meaning
her husband, had turned against the
King and must consequently be
broken up. Orders were then given
to set fire to the premises, and in a
little time the family mansion and
the out-houses, IA buildings in all,
were wrapt in flames. This was the
first act of atrocity of the kind in
Williamsburg and was followed by
the devastating march of Wemyss a
few weeks afterwards, which laid
waste tract of country 70 miles IN
length and in places Is miles IN
breadth. .
D The following spring the march OF
Col Watson was intercepted at the
bridge on Black river, six miles be-
low Kingstree, by Marion; and Miss
Mouzon heard and counted the guns
of the British as they tore the
branches of the trees above the
heads of the Wings, who were fight