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Anderson in Anderson County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Anderson, S.C.

The Electric City

— Founded in 1827 —

 
 
Anderson, S.C. Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, August 23, 2008
1. Anderson, S.C. Marker
Inscription.
Named in Honor of
Gen. Robert Anderson
A Revolutionary Hero

 
Erected 1938 by Hudson Berry Chapter, D.A.R.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & PatriotismSettlements & SettlersWar, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
 
Location. 34° 31.498′ N, 82° 38.511′ W. Marker is in Anderson, South Carolina, in Anderson County. Marker is at the intersection of East Greenville Street (State Highway 81) and Haley Road, on the right when traveling south on East Greenville Street. Marker is located in front of the American Legion, W.A. Hudgens Post No. 14. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Anderson SC 29621, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War I and II Veterans (here, next to this marker); Korean War / Viet Nam Veterans (here, next to this marker); World War I Memorial (here, next to this marker); The J.E. Rouse Dormitory (approx. 0.7 miles away); The H.H. Watkins Teaching Center (approx. 0.7 miles away); Anderson College Infirmary (approx. ¾ mile away);
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Ralph John Ramer House (approx. ¾ mile away); Denmark Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Temple B'Nai Isreal (approx. 0.8 miles away); Pratt Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anderson.
 
Also see . . .
1. Robert Anderson. Robert Anderson (1741 – 1813) was a brigadier general in the colonial militia and a surveyor. (Submitted on August 23, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.) 

2. City of Anderson, South Carolina. Official website of the city of Anderson, South Carolina. (Submitted on January 13, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.) 

3. Anderson, South Carolina. Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. (Submitted on September 16, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.) 

4. Anderson, South Carolina (youtube). Anderson was named for General Robert Anderson, a Revolutionary War hero who was born in 1741 in August County, Va. (Submitted on September 16, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.) 
 
Additional commentary.
1. Sketch
Gen. Robert Anderson Memorial Fountain<br>Anderson County Museum<br>202 East Greenville Street image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, January 9, 2009
2. Gen. Robert Anderson Memorial Fountain
Anderson County Museum
202 East Greenville Street
of General Robert Anderson

Anderson Intelligencer
Morning Edition
Feb 25, 1914

John Anderson and his wife Jean came from Ireland to Philadelphia, Penn. and thence removed to Stanton, Va., about 1735. There is mention of John Anderson and wife Jean together with William Pickens and wife and Isaac Pickens in Bolton's Scotch-Irish Pioneers, page 279. To John Anderson and his wife Jean were born among other children two sons, Robert Anderson and James Anderson who was Presbyterian Minister and was the first pastor in New York City.

Robert Anderson married Ann Thompson November 6, 1765, and shortly thereafter removed to South Carolina and settled to what was known afterwards as Pendleton District. He was an officer in the Revolutionary War and rose from Colonel to Brigadier General and is now known as General Robert Anderson. He especially distinguished himself for his brave and valiant service at the Battle of Eaton Springs and the Battle of Cowpens, fighting in the front line. Gen. McGrady, in his History of South Carolina, says: "The distinguishing feature of the Battle of Cowpens upon the American side, was undoubtedly the work of Pickens and his marksmen, who was mentioned here as Captain Anderson but later, after the revolutionary war was over, was made Brigadier General for his valiant service.

Now we see General
Robert Anderson Fountain Detail image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, January 9, 2009
3. Robert Anderson Fountain Detail
Anderson with General Pickens march against the Cherokee Indians on the northern frontier of what is now known as Oconee County. They were commissioned to make a treaty of Peace with them, which was signed under and oak tree on the East side of the Seneca River. After the war was over he settled on his Cherokee lands, on the Seneca River which were given him for his part in the war and peaceful settlement with the Cherokee Indians. A County was named after him, also the County Seat. It is said this treaty was never broken. He built an imposing home, having a frontage of sixty feet. Here he brought up his family. His wife had a love of the beautiful, for in is said there was a profusion of lovely roses and other flowers surrounding the house, which fronted on an eighty acre tract of beautiful maples, which led down to the Seneca River. There were thoroughbred horses in the stables, in care of old Cato, the loved coachman, and the home always abounded in gracious hospitality.

General Anderson's Estate consisted of 2100 acres of which 460 acres were his bounty lands. General Anderson and his wife had five children: Elizabeth Anderson married Samuel Moverick. Mary Anderson married Captain Robert Maxwell. Jane Anderson married Mr. Shaw. Annie Anderson married Dr. Wm. Hunter. Robert Anderson II married Maria Thomas, daughter of General Thomas of England who fought against General
Robert Anderson Memorial Fountain image. Click for full size.
South Carolina Postcards, Vol. IX: Anderson County, by Howard Woody, circa 1908
4. Robert Anderson Memorial Fountain
The fountain was initially installed in a small landscaped area behind the courthouse. Then it was moved to Johnson Park in 1977. It was taken down and stored in 1993. In 2002 it was installed at the Anderson County Museum.
Anderson in the Revolutionary War. After his wife died, he married twice again. He died in 1813 and his will was probated January 9 of the same year. This was an unusual document. In minute detail he provided for the welfare of his slaves, reciting his desire they should never be sold from the place. Then he closed with the words: "And now My Blessed Redeemer do I, with a lively faith, lay hold of they meritorious death and suffering, hoping to be washed clean by the precious blood from all my sins. In this hope I rest and wait my call." It was the intention to bury his body in the Cemetery at the Old Stone Church, but on account of the flood of the Seneca River at the time he was buried on his plantation. He left the bulk of his estate to his son, Robert Anderson II. I should mention here, General Anderson served in the House and Senate of South Carolina and later his son, Robert Anderson II was his successor, having died at Columbia while fulfilling his duties.

This sketch would not be complete without giving the romance of General Anderson and Ann Thompson, copied from The Anderson S.C. Daily Mail. The Daily Mail send the following interesting reminiscence concerning Robert Anderson, the Revolutionary War Hero:

Col W.S. Pickens says that General Anderson came from Old Cambridge, where General Andrew Pickens made the first treaty with the Cherokee
Nearby British 60-pounder Field Gun Mark II image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, August 23, 2008
5. Nearby British 60-pounder Field Gun Mark II
Officially called M1918, this British made field gun was used by the United States Army during World War I. Brought home with the soldiers at the end of the war, many of these guns were given back to the British at the start of World War II as part of Lend-Lease.
Indians, to survey the lands, leaving his sweetheart Ann Thompson behind. He stayed two years, during this time locating his home on the West bank of the Seneca River. The deliveries of mail there was few and far between, and not a word passed between them. She supposed the Indians had slain him and engaged herself to be married to another man. When General Anderson completed his survey, he started home to claim his bride. When about twenty miles from home, he stayed all night with a man who told him of the coming marriage on the morrow. Early the next morning he saddled his horse and went to see about it. There was an avenue from the road up to the house. Ann, with her bridesmaids was upstairs. Looking out of the window she saw him riding up and exclaimed "by my soul there comes Robert Anderson and I love his little finger more than the other man's whole body."

Grabbing a shawl, she ran down the stairs as swiftly as her feet could carry her, met her long absent lover half way down the avenue. A little talk followed and the General Anderson turned his horse, she mounted up behind him and the wedding was performed nearer the foot of the hills than it might have been has he stayed away a day longer.

Mention has already been made of the large colonial home he built two hundred yards west of the Seneca River. Here, he and Ann Thompson reared their family and after
American Legion, Ralph J. Ramer Hut<br>W.A. Hudgens Post #14<br>Greenville Street image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, August 23, 2008
6. American Legion, Ralph J. Ramer Hut
W.A. Hudgens Post #14
Greenville Street
One of the oldest American Legion huts in Anderson, the Anderson S.C. stone marker is one of several that stand on the hut's grounds.
her passing, Robert Anderson II married Maria Thomas and they too lived in the old home rearing their family and taking care of the large estate left by his father.
    — Submitted January 13, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

2. General Robert Anderson Memorial Fountain
From the Anderson Downtown Historic District National Register nomination form: "This fountain was erected in 1906 as part of an overall beautification of the courthouse grounds, a project begun in 1905 by a women's group known as the Anderson Civil Association. Constructed of iron, the fountain was made by the Anderson Machine and Foundary Company. Sixteen feet in height, the topmost figure holds an urn from which water cascades into two basins and finally into a reflection pool."
    — Submitted September 16, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
 
Gen. Robert Anderson Tombstone<br>Old Stone Church Cemetery, Pendleton, SC image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, November 28, 2008
7. Gen. Robert Anderson Tombstone
Old Stone Church Cemetery, Pendleton, SC
South Carolina
Lt Col
3 Regt SC Rangers
Revolutionary
War
November 15 1741
January 9 1813
Anderson Town Clock<br>Located Downtown Near the<br>Farmers Market/Depot image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 2, 2011
8. Anderson Town Clock
Located Downtown Near the
Farmers Market/Depot
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven
a time to plant and a time to uproot."
Ecclesiastes
A gift of Sullivan-King Mortuary
Bolt McClain, David, Sheila, & Taylor King
2002
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 5,647 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on August 23, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   2, 3. submitted on January 14, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   4. submitted on September 16, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   5, 6. submitted on August 23, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   7. submitted on January 13, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   8. submitted on November 29, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024