PRESS RELEASE
Graham's Farm will be commemorated on February 19, 2022 for supporting the Williamsburg Militia, and the Continental Army during the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. The proprietor of the farm in 1780 was Patriot & Miliaman, Hugh Graham, who will also be commemorated for his military service and support of Marion's men. Hugh's brother's lived on Black River at Tearcoat Swamp, and after a victory over British Loyalist by Francis Marion, the British POW's were transferred to Graham's Farm in November 1780. The Battle of Tearcoat Swamp on October 25, 1780, was one of the first victories by the Patriot's after agonizing defeats at Savannah, Charles Town, and Camden. The victory served as a catalyst for George Washington, who sent his second in command, Nathaniel Greene to support Marion and his men. Meanwhile, General Cornwallis, enraged that British prisoners had been taken ordered Major Tarleton and 250 of his Green Dragoons to capture Francis Marion in November 1780. Tarleton burned 23 Plantations, killed live stock, destroyed crops and hung sympathizers of the rebel cause. Marion wrote to his superior, General Gates of his men's distress that Tarleton was targeting their plantations and families.
The Battle of Tearcoat gave access to arms and ammunition for Marion and his men, but in a larger degree transformed the hearts and minds of all Patriots that their still was a chance of winning. Cornwallis, chased General Greene to Guilford Courthouse, and on to York Town, where he surrendered his army less than a year later. Marion, known as the Swamp Fox and father of American guerrilla warfare became a legend for his unorthodox attacks on the British.
​
Speakers for the South Carolina Department of Archives and History historical sign ceremony will be: United States Congressman, James Clyburn; General George Patton's grandson, Pat Waters; and South Carolina Revolutionary War 250th Anniversary President, Charles Baxley.
Historical speakers, demonstrations, British and Continental encampments, and a colonial village will be on display. The festival is being held on Graham's historic farm 843 McCutcheon Rd. Lake City, SC. The farm and the surrounding farmers of this Pee Dee area were used by Francis Marion as a place of refuge from the incessant search for him and his men by "The Butcher" British Colonel, Banastre Tareton. This historic area also provided Marion supplies, militia, horses and refuge. After the Battle of Tearcoat, Marion's Regiment came to the farm with British prisoners on their way to General Harrington in Cheraw. It was also used as a staging area for attacks on Georgetown, which was under British control.
​
Check out some of the links below for news articles on The American Heritage Festival!
-
Family farm to become festival site in September, by Dianne Owens SC Now
-
American Heritage Festival making plans to return in December, by Dianne Owens SC Now
-
American Heritage Festival at Lake City entertains, educates, by Dianne Owens The Weekly Observer
-
First Annual American Heritage Festival held in Lake City, by Jamarlo Phillips News 13
-
The American Heritage Festival, by South Carolina Humanities
-
American Heritage Festival, by Florence County Convention and Visitors Bureau