St. Matthews in Calhoun County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Honoring a Pioneer Woman
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010
1. Mary Sterling Heatly Russell , Pioneer Woman
After Richard Heatlys death in the early 1720s, Captain Charles Russell married the widow Mary Sterling Heatly and by 1725 they were living on a part of the original land grant, then owned by son, William. This land was sold to Russell in 1731.
Mary Sterling Heatly
Russell Chapter
Honoring a pioneer woman
Mother of first white child
Born in
Calhoun - Orangeburgh Area
Erected by Russell Chapter, Colonial Dames of the XVII Century.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the The Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1699.
Location. 33° 38.178′ N, 80° 42.341′ W. Marker is in St. Matthews, South Carolina, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of Old Number 6 Highway (State Highway 6) and Bluebird Trail, on the right when traveling south on Old Number 6 Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Matthews SC 29135, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, in Congaree Country, and specifically in Santee Cooper Country. 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 10 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Land Granted in Calhoun County Area (here, next to this marker); St. Matthew's Lutheran Church (approx. 2.3 miles away); John Adam Treutlen (approx. 3.2 miles away); Tabernacle Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away); Shady Grove Church (approx. 3.7 miles away); Calhoun County
this page online
Regarding Honoring a Pioneer Woman. Mary Sterling married Richard Heatly in 1714 and moved here about 1717. Their son, William, born 1718, was thought to be the first European child born in the area.(Calhoun County Museum)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 15
2. Mary Sterling Heatly Russell a Pioneer Woman Marker at right
Shares location with Historical Marker "First Land Granted in Calhoun County Area"
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,538 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 6, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
