Near Moncks Corner in Berkeley County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fort Fair Lawn: An Archeaological Treasure
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 24, 2012
1. Fort Fair Lawn: An Archeaological Treasure Marker
Inscription.
Fort Fair Lawn: An Archeaological Treasure. . Fair Lawn Plantation was an enormous property granted to Sir Peter Colleton, oldest son of Sir John Colleton, one of the original eight Lords Proprietors of the Carolina colony. During the Revolutionary War, the British army first occupied the plantation in July 1781, turning the mansion, known as Colleton House, into a hospital and armory. Over the course of the summer, British troops (and probably black slaves from the area) fortified Colleton House with an abatis ~ a row of sharp stakes pointed outward to defend against an attack ~ and constructed Fort Fairlawn about half a mile away. Of primarily earthen construction and garrisoned by about fifty soldiers, Fort Fairlawn was designed to guard the plantation’s Cooper River landing., In September 1781, the plantation was an important staging ground for the Battle of Eutaw Springs, and afterwards it was one of the few posts outside of Charleston where the British maintained a strong presence. On November 17, when Whig militiamen under the command of Col. Hezekiah Maham and Col. Isaac Shelby attacked Colleton House, the outnumbered troops inside Fort Fairlawn made no move to defend their comrades. On November 24, the British abandoned the fort., Among the few Revolutionary War structures in South Carolina that are still visible, the well-preserved remains of Fort Fairlawn are currently under private ownership.
Fair Lawn Plantation was an enormous property granted to Sir Peter Colleton, oldest son of Sir John Colleton, one of the original eight Lords Proprietors of the Carolina colony. During the Revolutionary War, the British army first occupied the plantation in July 1781, turning the mansion, known as Colleton House, into a hospital and armory. Over the course of the summer, British troops (and probably black slaves from the area) fortified Colleton House with an abatis ~ a row of sharp stakes pointed outward to defend against an attack ~ and constructed Fort Fairlawn about half a mile away. Of primarily earthen construction and garrisoned by about fifty soldiers, Fort Fairlawn was designed to guard the plantation’s Cooper River landing.
In September 1781, the plantation was an important staging ground for the Battle of Eutaw Springs, and afterwards it was one of the few posts outside of Charleston where the British maintained a strong presence. On November 17, when Whig militiamen under the command of Col. Hezekiah Maham and Col. Isaac Shelby attacked Colleton House, the outnumbered troops inside Fort Fairlawn made no move to defend their comrades. On November 24, the British abandoned the fort.
Among the few Revolutionary War structures in South Carolina that are still visible, the well-preserved remains of Fort Fairlawn
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are currently under private ownership.
Erected 2012 by Francis Marion Trail Commission of Francis Marion University.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Francis Marion Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1781.
Location. 33° 11.6′ N, 79° 58.317′ W. Marker is near Moncks Corner, South Carolina, in Berkeley County. Marker can be reached from Stony Landing Road. Marker is inside Old Santee Canal Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moncks Corner SC 29461, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Drawing of a Scottish soldier. The 84th Regiment of the British Army, a Scottish unit, garrisoned Fort Fairlawn. Courtesy Charles M. Lefferts.
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 24, 2012
4. Drawing on the Marker
Layout drawing of Fort Fairlawn from a 1990 archaeological investigation. The four-sided earthen structure included an entrance port on the Cooper River, a cistern for water storage, and a protective moat.Courtesy Brockington and Associates
Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 24, 2012
5. Photograph on marker
Contemporary photograph of the remains of Fort Fairlawn. Even overgrown with vegetation, one corner of the earthen walls and part of the moat are clearly visible.Courtesy Cathi Lee
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 4,447 times since then and 242 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.