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British Forces Occupy Georgetown
As months passed by, he found it even more difficult to maintain his position of neutrality. Almost without realizing what was happening, he found himself aiding one side and then the other. This fence-straddling, however, was brought to an abrupt end when the British forces occupied Georgetown making it one of the strongholds and supply bases. It was then that the merchant announced that he was a Tory. This brought down the wrath of his family and neighbors upon him, and they openly labeled him a traitor.
He had a daughter living with him. She did not share his views, but dared not voice her opinions lest she offended him. She remained strictly loyal to the Colonies and in time became one of General Francis Marion's most valuable secret agents. It was due to her alertness and the information that she gathered and furnished him with, that many of his exploits met with such great success. Her house on Georgetown adjoined the cemetery of Prince George Church. Dispatches from the rebel general were left in one of the vaults in the churchyard where they were picked up by her and she in turn would leave her information at the same place where one of his spies would find it.
Revolutionary Georgetown was a small place, but in it were many large and comfortable homes. As the war wore on, the place became more crowded and congested. Every house in the town, regardless of the political alignments of the owners, was required to furnish quarters for the British and Tory troops. As reinforcements poured in from England, even the small outbuildings were taken over for this purpose; and in many cases the owners were crowded into smaller quarters or moved into the country.
Whenever the wounded and sick began to be sent in, many of the larger homes were made into hospitals and convalescent homes. The American prisoners taken were herded into the barns and stables. Every available square foot of housing space in the town was filled beyond capacity.
Wedgefield Plantation
129 Clubhouse Lane
Georgetown, SC 29440
email: info@wedgefield.com
843.448.2124 or 843.546.8587
fax: 843.527.4884
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