Near Ridge Spring in Saluda County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ridge Spring Cemetery / W.H. Scarborough
[Front]
This cemetery, dating to the early 19th century, was originally the Watson and Boatwright family cemetery before it was enlarged to become the town cemetery. Many descendants of Capt. Michael Watson (1726-1782) are buried in the walled section, built ca. 1850 by Chloe Wimberly Watson. They include Sarah Pressley Watson (1885-1959), who directed the Foyer International des Etudiantes in Paris 1920-1959.
[Reverse]
William H. Scarborough (1812-1871), the leading portrait painter in 19th-century S.C., is buried here. A Tennessee native, he came to S.C. in 1836 and settled in Columbia in 1846. His portraits of prominent politicians and others are in collections such as the State House, State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, and Gibbes Museum of Art. At first buried in Columbia, his remains were moved here by his widow Miranda when she lived in Ridge Spring.
Erected 2009 by Ridge Heritage Association. (Marker Number 41-12.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 33° 50.791′ N, 81° 38.744′ W. Marker is near Ridge Spring, South Carolina, in Saluda County. Marker is at the intersection of Batesburg Road (State Highway 23) and State Highway 41, on the left when traveling west on Batesburg Road. Just east of the town limits. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ridge Spring SC 29129, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Alexander Hamilton Stevens (a few steps from this marker); Ridge Hill School / Faith Cabin Library (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ridge Spring (approx. one mile away); Michael Watson (approx. one mile away); Jacob Odom House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Jones Cemetery / General James Jones (approx. 1.9 miles away); Spann Methodist Church / Captain Clinton Ward (approx. 4.8 miles away); Batesburg Institute (approx. 6.7 miles away); Blinding of Isaac Woodard (approx. 6.9 miles away); Site of the "Swamp Rabbit" Bridge / The Swamp Rabbit (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ridge Spring.
Also see . . . Find-a-Grave: Ridge Spring Cemetery. Ridge Spring, SC. (Submitted on May 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Capt. Michael Watson (1726-1782)
Michael Watson was born on April 10, 1726 in Virginia. At an early age he left Virginia with his uncles William Watson and John Watson and settled near present Ridge Spring, South Carolina.
Michael Watson married his first cousin Mary Watson, daughter of his uncle John Watson. John Watson's wife was Ann Murphy.
Michael Watson's home place was a masonry structure located in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. The following quotation refers to Thomas Fox, Sr. and a stone block house: "Thomas, Sr. served with Francis Marion as a partisan soldier during the Revolution and is said to have sent his family for safety during his absence to Michael Watson's block house at Ridge Spring."
Prior to the Revolution Michael Watson served in the Cherokee Expedition under Col. Grant during 1767 and 1768; he was against the bandetti of the Up-Country as a Regular. He went against the Cherokee Indians during 1776 as a Captain.
Just prior to the Revolution, Michael Watson signed his name to a petition expressing displeasure towards the upcountry's treatment by the British in Charles Town.
During the Revolution, between 1780 and 1782, Michael served as a commander of the Clouds Creek Company in Edgefield District under Col. LeRoy Hammond and Gen. Pickens.
In the early part of the war Captain Watson was taken prisoner by the British, near Ninety-Six and was carried in chains to the main Army. On their way they stopped by his house on the ridge. Upon seeing him in irons with his wrists chafed by the handcuffs, his wife Martha gave vent to her feelings in a flood of tears, and besought the commanding officer to take off the irons. Upon his refusing Captain Watson's daughter Mary said, "Don't cry mother, we shall yet have our day." She then got some ointment and dressed her father's wrists. The British Officer as struck with her spirit, and said to his companions in arms, "She is a gallant little rebel." Mary was born in 1869, thus she was around eleven or twelve years old.
In May of 1772 Captain Michael Watson was wounded in the skirmish at Dean's Swamp near Sharon, Georgia. Captain Watson's wife Martha and daughter Mary, both riding on the same horse, arrived at the small house where the wounded Captain was located. Captain Watson had turned over command to Lieutenant Butler and had dispatched a messenger to Captain Kumpt in Orangeburg. When Captain Kumpt's responder arrived Captain Watson and those with him had been without food for two days and Captain Watson appeared to be dying. He was carried to Orangeburg where he died and was buried. (Source: Descendants of Michael Watson - http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/p/a/u/Edward-R-Paulling/BOOK-0001/0014-0001.html)
— Submitted December 26, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,784 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. 2. submitted on May 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 6, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on May 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on March 6, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. 14, 15. submitted on May 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. submitted on May 10, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. submitted on May 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.