HISTORIC OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Subject: ROBERT ANDERSON Version 1.0, 15-Dec-2002, H-16.txt **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/southcarolina/oconee.html **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Dec-2002 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Dec-2002 HISTORY WRITE-UP : Mary Cherry Doyle, Clemson, SC in Jan-1935 Dedicated To: Dr Edgar Clay Doyle FOREWORD In presenting these fragmentary facts that have come to my knowledge, it is my hope that they may prove helpful in preserv- ing the history of Oconee county for the youth of the land and all who are interested in the history of Oconee county for South Carolina. With knowledge there will follow a fuller appreciation of the great heritage that is ours. I wish to acknowledge a great debt of gratitude to Dr. J. Walter Daniel, an author- ity on Indians of the South. We are indebted to members of the Wizard of Tamassee Chapter S. C. D. A. R. and many other friends. MARY CHERRY DOYLE. January, 1935. ROBERT ANDERSON HERO OF THE REVOLUTION John Anderson and his wife, Jane, came over from Ireland and went to Philadelphia. In 1740 they moved with their small daughters to Augusta county, Virginia, where they were granted one of the first patents of land in that section. Robert, the subject of this sketch, was born there and we find that he was baptized at the Old Stone Church at Staunton on November 15, 1741, by the Rev. John Craig. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and fell in love with Ann Thompson, a neighbor's daughter, who reciprocated his affections. Robert was a surveyor and duty called him to the dangerous Cherokee country where he remained for almost two years. The exchange of letters was well nigh impossible and his sweetheart, thinking him killed by the Indians, received the attentions of another suitor and con- sented to marry him; but Robert was not dead and as soon as his task was done he starter home. On the way he met an acquaintance who told him of Ann's approaching marriage, but undaunted he put spurs to his horse and galloped on. The wedding day dawned and the house was full of guests. Ann was in an upper room dressing, surrounded by her maids, when, looking out of the window where she had often hoped to see her lover coming, she saw him, and throwing a shawl about her shoulders she rushed down the stairs to meet him, saying to her maids: "Yonder comes Robert Anderson and I love his little finger more than I love the other man's whole body." Mounting the horse behind him she rode away with her young lover like the knights of old with their beloved ladies. He married Ann on November 4, 1765, and re- moved to the western part of South Carolina. He lived for a while on Long Cane Creek, in Abbeville county, where a strong friendship grew up between him and Andrew Pickens, which was only strengthened by their close association and continued to the day of his death. On November 19, 1775, we find forty men in charge of Capt. Robert Anderson at the fortified camp of Ninety Six, under the command of Major Williamson. From this time on we find the fortunes of Anderson and Pickens closely identified. He was a Captain under Pickens when he de- feated Col. Boyd's command of North Carolina Tories on their way to Georgia. He was with him at Stono Bridge and shared his mor- tification when the immediate purpose of the militia was accomplished, they clamored to return home to protect their families. McGrady tells us that General Picken's men went off in a body. He was on the raid about Savannah and was present at Ninety Six when Williamson held his famous conference with the up country leaders. Williamson, Pickens, Ander- son, Charles Pinckney and Daniel Huger gave their paroles to the Governor; but the shameful violation of their pledges by the British Government, exhibited by the ruined planta- tions, families insulted and even life itself in danger, aroused the unconquered spirit of the prostrate state. After six months Pickens and Anderson again took up arms and did much to rally the militia at Cowpens. For his services in this battle Capt. Anderson was made a Colonel and received his title of Brigadier General after the Revo- lution. It was his regiment with which Gen Pickens held the line between Ninety Six and Augusta in the spring of 1781, and so prevented Col. Crueger, of the former post, from going to the assistance of Col. Brown at Augusta. Later this command, in unison with that of Light Horse Harry Lee, captured Augusta, and then hanging on the outskirts of the British operations against Gen. Greene, materially contributed to their failure to make a decisive victory against the American forces. He fought valiantly at Eutaw Springs and accompained Gen. Pickens in his successful operations against the Chero- kees in upper South Carolina and on the Chattahoochee in Georgia. Governor Rutledge issued a call for an election to be held at Jacksonboro on January 18, 1782, which returned Gen. Pickens and Gen. Anderson from Ninety Six District. The war being over, Gen. Anderson settled on newly ac- quired lands on Seneca river. His plantation consisted of 2100 acres, 460 of which was bounty lands. His home was called Westville and was noted for its lavish hospitality. The residence was said to have been large, with white col- umns and windows that opened like port holes. It was sit- uated on an elevation about 200 yards from the river, but unfortunately it was destroyed by fire many years ago. From here he was sent to the Legislature and in 1800 was a Presidential Elector on the ticket of Thomas Jefferson. Gen. Anderson was a strong, capable man, a natural leader of men, full of Irish wit and common sense, and was deeply religious. He was one of the founders of the Old Stone Church and one of its first elders. It was his request to be buried there, but on account of high water, he was buried on his plantation. Gen. Anderson was thrice married, his second wife be- ing Mrs. Samuel Maverick, widow of a prominent merchant of Charleston. His daughter, Lydia, married his son, and it was their son, Samuel, who went to Texas and became one of the largest land and cattle owners in the world. There are many distinguished members of this family who have gained distinction in New York and other states. The General's third wife was Mrs. Jane Reese, widow of the admired Dr. Thomas Reese, first pastor of the Old Stone Church. It is said that when he asked her to marry him that she said: "I never thought of such a thing". There- upon the doughty General replied: "Oh yes you have. When Dr. Reese was alive you always stopped at my pew and in- quired about my family, but since his death you have not stopped once." The eldest daughter of Gen. Anderson married Dr. Hunter and his youngest, Col. Robert Maxwell. Gen. Anderson was considerate of his slaves and pro- vided for them in his remarkable will, which closes with these words: "And now my Blessed Redeemer, I lay hold of thy meritorious death and suffering. In this hope I rest and await thy call." He died January, 1813. His grave on the old plantation has long been a neg- lected spot. The Andrew Pickens Chapter D. A. R. erected a monument to his grave some years ago. It was fitting that an Anderson woman, Mrs. Emmie Cathcart, Historian of the Cateechee Chapter D. A. R., a citizen of the town and county that bears his honored name, should lead in the erection of a handsome wall about his family plot. This wall was dedi- cated in 1934 with all the Chapters of his old District taking part in the exercises. The address was made by Judge M. L. Bonhom.