Hemington in Williamsburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Indiantown Presbyterian Church
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 20, 2010
1. Indiantown Presbyterian Church Marker
Organized in 1757 with John James and Robert Wilson as founding elders. Burned by the British in 1780 as “a sedition shop.” Rebuilt after the Revolution. Present building begun in 1830, remodelled in 1919. Major John James, Revolutionary hero, is buried in the churchyard.
Erected 1957 by Williamsburg County and sponsored by Margaret Gregg Gordon Chapter, D.A.R. (Marker Number 45-1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1757.
Location. 33° 43.5′ N, 79° 33.683′ W. Marker is in Hemington, South Carolina, in Williamsburg County. Marker is at the intersection of Hemingway Highway (State Highway 261) and Old Georgetown Road (County Road 45-39), on the left when traveling east on Hemingway Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4865 Hemingway Highway, Hemingway SC 29554, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Indiantown Presbyterian Church: “Disarm in the Most Rigid Manner” (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Britton Chandler (1854–1925) (approx. 5.6 miles away); Cooper's Academy / Bethesda Methodist Church
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Find a Grave: Indiana Presbyterian Church. 4865 Hemingway Hwy. Hemingway, Williamsburg County, South Carolina. (Submitted on February 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Indiantown, South Carolina. “It was a site of early European settlement based around the Indiantown Presbyterian Church which was burned by the British Lieutenant-Colonel Banastre Tarleton during the American Revolution, an act which increased the loyalty of the area people to his primary opponent, American General Francis Marion.” (Submitted on February 23, 2010.)
3. Major John James. Biographical Sketches of Major John James, an Undaunted Patriot and Soldier of the Revoluton (Submitted on February 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 20, 2010
2. Indiantown Presbyterian Church Marker
From the 1920 book History of South Carolina edited by Yates Snowden. This excerpt can be found in Chapter XXV and starts on page 389.
Gates Sends Marion Ahead. Gen. Horatio Gates was now advancing toward Deep River, North Carolina, with the continentals which Congress had sent to the relief of South Carolina. As far back as June 13th, Congress, without consulting Washington, had appointed him to succeed Lincoln as commander of the southern department. The Baron DeKalb had come southward in command of the continental troops and had halted at Hillsborough [NC] on June 2Oth for rest and to obtain supplies. There General Gates joined him on July 25th. As has been stated, Marion had joined the baron at Deep River, North Carolina, and was instinctively accepted by his noble comrade in arms as an able, dashing leader of men, notwithstanding his insignificant stature and uncouth exterior. But Gates could not look beyond the outside garments, and, at the request of the partisan leader, sent Marion to the interior of South Carolina—to watch the enemy, furnish intelligence for “the Grand Army.” After gathering what was afterward known as Marion’s Brigade, its leader arrived at Lynch’s Creek, near the line between the present counties of Williamsburg and Marion. This was the center of the Irish district, which the British had not been able to subdue. The bloody Major Wemyss had attempted
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 20, 2010
3. Indiantown Presbyterian Church
How Unpaid Militiamen Fought. When Marion arrived on the 10th of August, with his men, he assumed general command also of a small party which had come from Georgetown under Lieut. Col. Hugh Horry, as well as jurisdiction over the entire country east of the Santee River. He was accompanied by Maj. Peter Horry, Maj. John Vanderhorst, Capt. John Milton of Georgia and Capts. Lewis Ogier and James Theus. Marion wasted no time in forming elaborate plans, but when he discovered a Tory force which he could rout he started after it. So on the second day after his arrival at Lynch's Creek, with the assistance of Major James's horsemen, he drove one party of Tories
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 20, 2010
4. Major John James Gravestone
“In Memory of Major John James, who departed this Life January 29th, 1791 aged 59 years. In Faith he dy'd. In dust he lyes. / But Faith forsees, that dust shall rise. / When Jesus calls, while hope assumes. / And boasts her Joy among the tombs.” Small metal marker reads “Revolutionary Soldier, 1775—1783. Placed by Margaret Gregg Gordon Chapter, D.A.R.”
The reader will note that while Gates was slowly approaching with the Continental army, the British had been pluckily met and generally defeated in twelve engagements and that, according to McCrady, “three hundred British and Tories had been killed and wounded, and about two hundred taken prisoner at a loss of not half that number to the Americans.” Their opponents had been the volunteers of the Carolinas and Georgia under the leadership of Marion, Sumter, Davie, Pickens, McDowell, Shelby, Clarke and the lesser partisans. Ferguson and Tarleton were to have an accounting, but not before Gates had been humiliated.
— Submitted February 23, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 20, 2010
5. Jane James and Major John James Grave Site
Major John James' wife is buried beside him. Her gravestone reads “Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Jane James, who died 18th of August 1811, in the 77th year of her age. Revered in life, rich in the fine qualities of the head and heart; she descended to her grave the humble and devout Christian.”
6. “An Historic Georgetown Home”
House in Georgetown SC where Major John James is reputed to have attacked British Captain John Plumer Ardesoife with a chair in response to an insult. From the 1920 book History of South Carolina edited by Yates Snowden.
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, February 18, 2010
7. Robert Wilson Grave Marker
Sacred
to the Memory
of
Robert Wilson
who departed this life 4th
March 1814 and in the 76th year
of his age.
He went down to his grave full of days haveing lead a most exemplary life. His piety was that of a primative Christian and he was long usefull to society as Ruleing Eldar in the Church.
Cold is the heart in which were met, More virtues than could ever die.
He went down to his grave full of days haveing lead a most exemplary life. His piety was that of a primative Christian and he was long usefull to society as Ruleing Eldar in the Church.
Cold is the heart in which were met, More virtues than could ever die.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,860 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 23, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7. submitted on February 24, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina.
