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

Francis Wilkinson Pickens

April 7, 1805 - January 25, 1896

— Governor 1860-1862 —

Francis Wilkinson Pickens Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

1. Francis Wilkinson Pickens Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

From 1858 to 1860 he was U.S. Minister to Russia. As Governor, his order to fire on a Union Ship in Charleston Harbor led to the start of the War Between the States. He lived at Edgewood, one of Edgefield's greatest homes. He is buried in Willowbrook Cemetery in Edgefield.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 33° 47′ N, 81° 55.417′ W. Marker is in Edgefield, South Carolina, in Edgefield County. Marker is on Peachtree Street. Marker is about 1 mile south of the intersection of Peachtree Street and the Ten Governors Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edgefield SC 29824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Henry Hammond (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Milledge Luke Bonham (about 500 feet away); Pierce Mason Butler (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Calhoun Sheppard (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Strom Thurmond (approx. ¼ mile away); M60A3 Main Battle Tank

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(approx. ¼ mile away); George McDuffie (approx. 0.3 miles away); Benjamin Ryan Tillman (approx. 0.3 miles away); Oakley Park Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Gary Evans (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edgefield.

More about this marker. This marker is the fifth along the Ten Governor's Trail, a converted railroad bed that has been paved. There are markers to each of the 10 governors placed every 0.9 of a mile.

Also see . . . Francis Wilkinson Pickens. Francis Wilkinson Pickens (April 7, 1805 – January 25, 1869) was an American lawyer and politician who served as Governor of South Carolina when the state seceded from the United States during the American Civil War. (Submitted on October 23, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. Francis Wilkinson Pickens (1805-1869)
Francis Wilkinson Pickens, (grandson of Andrew Pickens), a Representative from South Carolina; born on a plantation on the Toogoodoo River, St. Paul’s Parish, Colleton District,

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

2. Francis Wilkinson Pickens Marker

S.C., April 7, 1805; completed preparatory studies; attended Franklin College, Athens, Ga., and was graduated from South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) at Columbia; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Edgefield District in 1829; engaged in planting; member of the state house of representatives 1832-1833; elected as a Nullifier to the Twenty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of George McDuffie; reelected as a Nullifier to the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Congresses and elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congresses and served from December 8, 1834, to March 3, 1843; chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs (Twenty-sixth Congress); member of the state senate 1844-1846; member of the Nashville southern convention in 1850; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1856; unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate in 1857 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Andrew P. Butler; Minister to Russia 1858-1860; governor of South Carolina 1860-1862; died in Edgefield, Edgefield County, S.C., January 25, 1869; interment in Edgefield Cemetery. (Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress.)

— Submitted January 3, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

Francis W. Pickens<br>(1805–1869) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Harper's Weekly

3. Francis W. Pickens
(1805–1869)

S.C. House of Representatives 1832–1834
U.S. House of Representatives from S.C. 1834–1843
S.C. Senate 1844-1846
U.S. Minister to Russia 1858–1860
Governor of S.C. 1860-1862

Hercules of the Union Slaying the<br>Hydra of Secession image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott

4. Hercules of the Union Slaying the
Hydra of Secession

The "Hercules" is General Winfield Scott. The seven heads of the hydra are represented by seven secessionist leaders. Governor Pickens is the one on the far right.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,852 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on October 19, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 23, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.