Lexington in Lexington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Tarrar Springs
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
1. Tarrar Springs Marker
At this location on Nov. 16, 1781 Patriot militia under Capt. Sterling Turner met Tories under Col. Hezekia Williams as part of Maj. William Cunningham’s “Bloody Scout” raid. The Tories had stolen a herd of cattle in the Mt. Willing area of Ninety Six District (now Saluda Co.) and were taking them toward Charleston. After exchanging gunfire, both sides negotiated a settlement allowing for a return of the cattle and for Williams’ command to leave the field.
The next day much of Turner’s force was killed by Cunningham and Williams during an engagement called the Clouds Creek Massacre near current-day Batesburg-Leesville. These battles were among roughly a dozen Revolutionary War engagements that occurred in what is now Lexington Co. In the early 20th Century the area served as a granite quarry operated first by Dr. Crawford Long and then by Caspari’s Stone Company. A pond remains at the quarry site.
Erected 2016 by Sponsored by the Godfrey Dreher Chapter SAR and Granby Chapter DAR. (Marker Number 32 41.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is November 16, 1781.
Location. 33° 58.643′ N, 81° 12.637′ W. Marker is in Lexington, South
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Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands and in the Greater Columbia Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lexington Baptist Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lexington County Confederate Monument (approx. 1½ miles away); Lexington County World War I Monument (approx. 1½ miles away); Lexington Courthouses (approx. 1½ miles away); Lexington County Veterans Monument (approx. 1½ miles away); Old Time Religion (approx. 1½ miles away); St. Stephen's Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Tomb of Dr. E.L. Hazelius (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
2. Tarrar Springs Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
3. Tarrar Springs Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
4. Granite Quarry Pond
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
5. Granite Quarry Pond
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,546 times since then and 172 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 12, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
