Near Clemson in Pickens County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Battle of Seneca Town / Fort Rutledge
The Battle of Seneca Town
Seneca Town, on the Seneca River E of present-day Seneca, was one of several Cherokee “Lower Towns.” On August 1, 1776, Maj. Andrew Williamson’s S.C. militia, on a raid against these towns, was ambushed by Loyalists and Cherokees nearby. The eventual Patriot victory was also notable for the death of Francis Salvador, the first Jewish Patriot killed during the Revolution.
Fort Rutledge
In September 1776, soon after the Battle of Temassee in present-day Oconee County, Williamson returned to build a log fort nearby which he named Fort Rutledge in honor of John Rutledge, President of S.C. The fort and its 300-man garrison surrendered to Loyalists in 1780. The concrete block monument was built in 1908 by Clemson College for the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Erected 2007 by City of Clemson and Clemson University. (Marker Number 39-13.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 1, 1776.
Location. 34° 40.013′ N, 82° 50.708′ W. Marker is near Clemson, South Carolina, in Pickens County. Marker can be reached from Lake Drive west of Seasons Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clemson SC 29631, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Fort Rutledge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cherokee Town of Esseneca (approx. half a mile away); Asbury F. Lever (approx. 0.6 miles away); Calhoun Plantation Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Woodland Cemetery Clemson University / Fort Hill Slave and Convict Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fort Hill Slave Quarters / Clemson College Convict Stockade (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hopewell Treaty Site (approx. ¾ mile away); Hopewell, Keowee (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clemson.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Site of Fort Rutledge
Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2011, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,323 times since then and 106 times this year. Last updated on May 4, 2023, by Carolyn Sanders of Plano, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2011, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 13, 2011, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.