Francis Marion Trail                                                                                                                                                                   Home
General Francis  Marion  Fort Watson Battle of Wyboo Swamp, Swamp Fox  American Revolutionary War  Francis Marion Trail   Swamp Fox Murals,  Clarendon County SC
Revolutionary War Living History Encampment in Clarendon County, SC  www.francismarioncountry.com
Revolutionary War History in Clarendon County, SC  www.francismariontrail.com  Symposium: www.francismarionsymposium.com
  Celebrate General Francis Marion Rev. War Living History Encampment for
General Francis Marion Memorial Day in 27 February 2011.
Plan for next year: February 24-25, 2012

Look what you missed: February 25-26, 2011: 10th Annual Victory along the Santee River with Francis Marion

Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox,  Marion in miniature Saturday Visitors from Bloomville, Bluffton, Charlotte, Cameron, Columbia, Elloree, Florence, Ft Mill, Hartsville, Lexington, Manning, Maysville, Myrtle Beach, St George and more. We're extrememly pleased with around 1000 participants. 2011 pictures below.
Best one yet !  General Francis Marion Memorial Day, February 25-26, 2011:  Celebrate,
     10th Revolutionary War Living History:
   Annual Rev. Victory along the Santee River with Francis Marion

 Honor General Francis Marion Memorial Day, which the South Carolina Legislature designated as February 27,
  the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society sponsors General Francis Marion Days Living History.

The General Francis Marion Days Living History Lantern Walk: Spy on History, is Friday,  25 Feb., 2011, 6:30 - 8 PM: History vignettes

   Saturday, February 26, 2011 9 AM - 3 PM period craftsmen and women expertly demonstrate their primitive skills and many hands on activities for enthusiasts.
Ben Franklin; Barber/Surgeon; New Blacksmithing; Candle Maker; Crime & Punishment; New Felt Making; New Indian Lore; ‘Hawk thrower; Historian & Story Teller; History Clothing; Indigo and Natural Dyes; Marching and Cannon Drills; Primitive Camp Life; Quill Writing; Quilts; Textiles & Weaving; Black Powder Gun Making; Hesse Jaeger Korp; Ft Watson & Maham Tower; McCottry's Rifleman, Old Pottery and Points; Rev. Era Games; Cannon and muskets may be fired.
 Our Society brings Backcountry days to life, to learn and to remember our great local heroes, white, black and red, men and women, who rode with Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.
Lantern & water bucket for your lantern walk Camp open to the public for Friday night Lantern Walk: 6:15 PM & Saturday 9 AM-3 PM at Camp Bob Cooper,
8001 MW Rickenbaker Rd, Summerton, SC
    Free parking & free admission
Questions: 803-478-2645,   cell: 919-730-3533  or gcsummers@ftc-i.net

  Feb. 24 & 25, 2011, 3rd graders in Clarendon County participate in this living history encampment.

                         Grateful appreciation to our sponsors for 2011:    

Manning Rotary Club
 Matching Grant from Rotary Foundation

Summerton Rotary Club
  P Floyd
  L Griffith
  G & C Summers

  W & D Turbeville
             Turbeville Ruritan Club
   
            These sponsorships provide our 3rd graders with this American Revolution
experience without charge.                      

 
Dr. Franklin shows his experiments Bea and Dorothy tell storied with dried apples. Crime and Punishment with Hessian help
Nancy teaches quill writing Construct Maham's tower at Ft Watson Ghost shares Indian Lore
Margaret and Bev show weaving and spinning History clothing store is ready Quilt lady awaits the student sewers
Jaeger Hessian Bryan teaches The gossip lady teaches crime and punishment Hessian firestarter and his exact camp
Making felt as done 1000s years ago So many re-enactors to present Rev history Ted facinates with old Indian pots and points
2011 Photos by S. Butterfield.and B Brown
2011 Design of the field for students to progress around for
20 minutes at history stations on Feb. 24 & 25. Open Saturday, Feb 26 for the Public Best event ever:
 
18) Cannon Drill
Goalpost

19) Blacksmith
6) Blacksmith


7) Cannon Drill &
     Black Powder


17) Games & Stilts


20) 'Hawk Throwing
5) Musket Drill


8) Quilts & Looms


16) Crafts: Felting


21) Crime & Punishment
4) Indigo/Natural Dyes


9) History Clothes


15) Ben Franklin


22)  Ft Watson, Maham Tower
3) Marion Storyteller


10) Quillwriting

 
14) Hessian / Indian Lore


23) Spinning & Looms
2) Marion's Militia


11) Points/Old Pots

1-2) Hessian Crime & Punish
13) Hessian Militia      


24) Barber-Surgeon
1) Hessian Camp - Firstarter


12) Candle Making

1st Column start line
2nd Column start line
Goalpost 
3rd Column start line
 4th Column start line   Corral >
< Cafeteria, lunch, Wyboo

Entry Port

Gym & toilets -\/
Bus Parking  -  \/
    Directions to Camp Bob Cooper: Between Manning & Summerton on I-95 Exit 115:
  From I-95 Exit 115:
   Turn South on US 301 / Alex Harvin Highway pass Georgio’s
      (JW Carter Rd is about 1 mile South towards Summerton)
   Turn South / Left  on  Rev. JW Carter / S-14-14 Road, go over I-95
   At Davis Station
   Turn West / Right  on  Moses Dingle / S-14-25 Road
      (Only one block to left turn, past a store on left)
   Turn South / Left  on  MW Rickenbaker / S-14-64 Road
   Camp Bob Cooper is at the end of the road.
 Motels are at Exits 108, 115 & 119 on I-95
Grateful appreciation to our sponsors for 2010:  
Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, Garland shows drums calls at Wyboo Swamp
James Clyburn Research & Scholarship Foundation,
Manning Rotary Club,
Representative Cathy Harvin,
G & C Summers,
Summerton Rotary Club,
Turbeville Ruritan Club,
Wyboo Women's Club
.  
This program is sponsored in part by   SC Humanities Council helped with a grant

The Humanities Council SC, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities; inspiring, engaging and enriching South Carolinians with programs on literature, history, culture and heritage.   
These sponsorships provide our 3rd graders with this American Revolution
experience without charge.
Thanks to all the volunteers for a great success.
General Francis Marion Memorial Day, February 26-27, 2010: 
     9th Revolutionary War Living History:
Public is invited: Rev. History Lantern Walk:
Spy on History, Friday,  26 Feb., 2010,
6:30-8 PM

Students re-enact defending Fort Watson in their red vests.  Saturday, February 27, 2010 9 AM - 3 PM  at Camp Bob Cooper 8001 MW Rickenbaker Rd, Summerton, SC.
 Expect re-enactors & historic interpreters to demonstrate these skills:
 Ben Franklin; New Barber/Surgeon; Candle Maker;
Cartridge Rolling; Crime & punishment;
‘Hawk thrower; Historian & Story Teller; History Clothing;
New
Indigo dyes; Marching and Cannon Drills;
Primitive Camp Life; Primitive Fire Starting; Quill Writing;
New
Quilts; Pottery Making; Soap making;
   Textiles & Weaving; Black Powder Gun Making; Hesse Jaeger Korp;
New Ft Watson & Maham Tower; McCottry's rifleman,
   Old Pottery and Points; Rev. era games; Wooden churns & buckets.
Our Society brings Backcountry days to life, to learn and  remember our great local heroes, white, black and red men and women, who rode with our Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.
2010 Photo by M. Dukes
Encampment students with Ben Franklin Encampment Cannon Drill with students and George
George, the Militiaman, leading the Cannon drill
and Wright as Dr. Franklin showing Ben's experiments.

2010 Photos by K. Vengerowsky
Great Experience  26-Feb.28, 2009 for over 650 potential historians,
 far exceeded our expectations thanks to all the volunteers for the great job
.
3rd graders Comments about the Living History Encampment:
“I really learned a lot about the Revolutionary War. I learned about how you can make fire with a piece of rock… Next I learned how to make a candle… and to make soap…, but it was fun.”
“And it was cool when you shot the gun. But the cannon was the best.”
“We saw Benjiman Franklin.”
“I’ve learned how to start a fire, and the type of stuff people use during the Revolutionary War. I learned that people back them had to make their clothes out of deer skin. I’ve learned a lot more...”
“Thank you for helping us learn about the Revolutionary War and Francis Marion. My favorite two parts were the candle making and the stilt walking...”
Soap makers and Turbeville marching drillers encampment points and ladies
Francis Marion living History Encampment
Re-enactors helped participants enjoy crafts from Rev. Era.
Stocks or pillory were used for punishment 230 years ago.
                Participation from:  School Districts 1, 2 and 3, Clarendon Hall and LMA.

 Participation from re-enactors:
 the Hesse Jaeger Korps, Ben Franklin, Primitive Camp sites, Candle Maker, the Cannon, Firestarter, Bucket & Churn Maker, Gunsmiths, Hand-Made History Clothing, 'Hawk thrower, Hide tanner/Indian trader, Horseshoer, McCottry's rifleman, Old Pottery and Points, Quill writer, Rev. Era Games, Soap Maker, Weavers, Woodjoiner, Marching drill, Crime & punishment (see stocks or pillory) & famous history storyteller Christine Swager. Our Society brings Backcountry days to life to learn and remember our great local heroes, white, black and red men and women, who rode with our Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.
** Best View of Event ** See what the students (and teachers) enjoyed, thanks to 3rd grade slides of stations demonstrating skills.
 (Need Windows Media Player to see show.)   **
 All weekend, Feb. 28-29, Mar 1, 2008, far exceeded our wildest, expectations thanks to all the volunteers for the great job.
        7th Annual Victory along the Santee River with Francis Marion

 To honor General Francis Marion Memorial Day, which the South Carolina Legislature designated as February 27,
the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society sponsors General Francis Marion Days Living History.

 Rev. History Lantern Walk: Spy on History, Friday, 29 Feb. 2008, 6-7:30 PM and historical interpreters, primitive skills, crafts and demonstrations
Saturday, March 1, 2008
9 AM - 3 PM are open to the public at Camp Bob Cooper 8001 MW Rickenbaker Rd, Summerton, SC.
The historical interpreter stations, manned by demonstrators in colonial clothing, include: Basket Weaving; Cartridge Making; Clothing; Carolina Indian Trader; Corn Husk Dolls; Iron Pot Cooking Soap; Marching and Cannon Drills; Music; Primitive Camp Life: Primitive Fire Starting; Pottery Making; Quill Writing; Story Telling; Tanning Skins and Hides; Textiles, Looms, Weaving; Woodcarving; Gun Making; and others.

Jack's Creek Militia at Camp  3rd graders in Clarendon County participated in this encampment on February 28 and 29, 2008.
 
Our Society brings Backcountry days to life to learn and remember our great local heroes, white, black and red men and women, who rode with our Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. The students visit stations throughout the day which demonstrate skills used here in Clarendon County during the Revolutionary War Period. Students and their families can participate at all stations on Saturday.

Students have an opportunity to drill and march as Revolutionary soldiers did; throw 'hawks (tomahawks); and play games of the period.  Re-enactors demonstrate the use of colonials weapons, including the cannon.
 Backcountry woman carding at encampment
Students arrive by school buses to Camp Bob Cooper for the "day", at 9:00 AM and depart at 1:30 PM in order to maintain their bus schedules.
The students have lunch in the Camp Bob Cooper cafeteria.
 Camp Bob Cooper will need $10 per student for the lunch and day’s experience.

Feb 28-29, 2008 Revolutionary War Living History Days for Clarendon 3rd graders
at Camp Bob Cooper: 9 AM to 1:30 PM
Feb 29, 2008  Come to the Revolutonary War History Lantern Walk:
Spy on History: Camp Bob Cooper: 6 PM - 7:30 PM 
March 1 Living History Encampment at Camp Bob Cooper:
Primitive Skills, Crafts & Demonstratons: 9 AM to 3 PM 
 Story tellers at Encampment
Brian describes the Germanic Hessians at Nelson's Ferry    
  backcountry ladies on the lantern walk
gunworkers in an older style
The Hessians are at Nelson's Ferry
Jack's Creek Camp cannon crew at the encampment
Merchant explains money from 1780
Students try out history clothes
ladies show soap making
Carolina Indian Trader  
Francis Marion statue shows honor for Marion Were you here?  Santee National Wildlife Refuge invites you to
 Sweeten your natural experience with a history lesson
Join us for a Celebration of Wildlife and Living History
Saturday, March 24, 2007
,  8:30 AM to 8 PM
and Sunday, March 25, 2007,  9 AM to 3 PM

Wildlife Expo:  Ongoing Both Days:  Wildlife, Refuge & Fisheries Exhibits, 
Fire Management & Prescribed Burning: Savannah Fire Mgt District 
Archery   Casting    River Treasures   Skins and Hides 

Mar 24, Saturday:
  8:30 - 10 AM
   Birding/Nature Tour: Josh Arrants
Kids made and took home animal tracks.
 12:00 - 1:00 PM   Casting Techniques & Contest: Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery
  1:30 - 2:30 PM    Wildlife Signs & Animal Track Making (for kids): Lauren Billodeaux
 Mar 25, Sunday:
   9 - 10:30 AM
   Birding/Nature Tour: Josh Arrants
  11:00 - Noon   Birds of Prey/Animal Rescue: Sara & Sam Seashole
  12:30 - 1:30 PM  Practical & Medicinal Uses of Native Plants during the Colonial Period: Dr. John Logue
   2:00 - 3:00 PM   Wetlands Explorations:  Kay McCutcheon

6th Annual Victory at Fort Watson:
At Santee Indian Mound: 
Revolutionary War period demonstrations: Ongoing Both Days: Camp life, Primitive skills demos, Colonial games, Firestarting, Weaving, Music, Militia displays, 'Hawk throwing, Local Clay, Coil & Pinch Pottery, Cooking, Blackpowder Guns, Blacksmithing, Broom Making, Soap Making, Woodworking
Blacksmith Mo gave lessons in blacksmithing Saturday: Rev. War author Christine Swager
                 10 AM: The Fort Watson Story
                   1 PM: Marion & Lee, The Odd Couple
Saturday NoonDAR/SAR Memorials/Ceremony
Saturday Starting at 6 PM: Lantern History Walks for Time Travelers
Sunday 11 AM: Rev. War author Christine Swager: The Fort Watson Story
Sunday 1 PM: Special Performance by the USAF Heritage Aire Celtic Music Ensemble
 
      Fort Watson was the only British fort built on an Indian Mound,
      the first British fort taken by General Francis Marion's Patriots,
     and Colonel "Light Horse" Harry Lee's Legion and the first to use Maham's tower for victory, April 23, 1781. USAF Heritage Celtic Ensemble by the Mound and lake March 25, 2007


   Bring your lawn chair and enjoy.
Sunday afternoon: Special Performance by the USAF Heritage Aire Celtic Music Ensemble
Help us celebrate the gifts of nature protected by Santee National Wildlife Refuge so that we can re-discover our connections to the natural world much as our ancestors did during the American Revolutionary War era.

Hosted by Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge,
Santee National Wildlife Refuge and
Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society

   Location: Santee National Wildlife Refuge:
 South of Summerton, SC, I-95, Exit 102, US 15/301, Fort Watson Road
For questions, contact: Santee NW Refuge: 803-478-2217
or G Summers: 803-478-2645 or email gcsummers@ftc-i.net
       Bring your lawn chair and enjoy, March 24 and 25, 2007.
         Visit Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge directly.

Were you here:  
Fort Watson and Santee Indian Mound.
General Francis Marion and Lt. Col. Harry Lee were here in 1781.
 Santee National Wildlife Refuge,   I-95, Exit 102, US 15/301, North Santee, SC
May 6, 2006, 9 AM to 4 PM
Celebration of International Migratory Bird Day & Victory at Fort Watson
225th Commemoration & Recognition of Victories of Fort Watson
A great time for you to discover living history
Wildlife Expo & Revolutionary War , Battle Re-enactments & Encampment
Participate with Re-enactments, Nature Walks, Period Crafters, History Rides.
 Santee National Wildlife Refuge

Did you enjoy this fun?   May 6, 2006  9 AM to  4 PM
All day: Guided History wagon trip to Indian Mound/Battlefield: Depart Visitor Center
All day: Guided Bird & Nature trips: First Guided Bird Ride/Walk with Josh Arrants
All day: Exhibits: "SC Refuges"
  Orangeburg Fish Hatchery Exhibit / Casting contest  
 All day:  Reptiles:  Kevin Messinger introduces snakes, assisted by Q.
All day: Living History:  Craftsmen, Domestic Lifeways, Cooking
Nature Experience: Scavenger hunt & track making with Kay
 Living History: Christine Swager Talks:  The Swamp Fox Story
  All Day: Colonial Children’s games: archery, bayonet spearing skills, 'hawk throwing, stilt walking, musket drill
Cannon demonstration
Tactical Demonstration: Reenactment of the 1st Battle of Fort Watson with defeat of Thomas Sumter
Small arms/black powder
  Living History: Christine Swager Talk: Where & Why the British Lost the War
Memorial march before Marion stone

Memorial presentations of honor by SAR & DAR representatives at
Francis Marion Monument
Memorial Ceremony:
Scott’s Branch HS JrROTC Color Guard
and II SC Re-enactors
(Photo by EW 2006)

Re-enactors fire from Fort Watson in 2006


Tactical Demonstration:
Reenactment of the
Victory at Fort Watson
(Photo by Jarvis,
Manning Times)
  Gunsmiths, Lace-making, Open-fire Cooking, Weaving, Horn Baskets by Carolyn, Blacksmithing, Woodworking, Musket firing, Cannon firing, Music and many other activities. People are invited to play 18th century games and share Camp life. Wildlife and Nature Expo includes Guided nature walks/talks, wildlife exhibits & more. 
Scheduled Events times approximate.
Margaret showing weaving  Dr. Christine Swager autographing her Rev. books / Patrick O'Kelley autographing his Rev. Books / Rev. CookBooks / Hand-Made Shawls & Horn Baskets & Crafts / Tricorne Hats / Bonnets / Mob Caps / Flags / Pins / Refuge & Town Murals Bookmarks
Food Concessions by Santee Refuge Friends 
& Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society  
* Free Admission *   * Free Parking *

    * Food concession available *
  Santee National Wildlife Refuge    Historic Santee Indian Mound   
     Site of Historic Fort Watson 

 South of Summerton. SC 29148  803-478-2217 * I-95 / Exit 102, US 301
 (Photo by EW 2006)
   Thank you to all the volunteers:
  Friends of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge
  Santee National Wildlife Refuge Staff
  Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society
  Clarendon Hall  and their trailers

   2nd SC Continental Line Re-enactors
  Jack's Creek Militia & Gun Makers
  Wildlife Exhibitors,  Musicians and Crafters
  Scott's Branch High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard
   Backcountry Volunteers  for making this event possible
 Special Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors:
 IGA - Manning,  Hickory Springs Water LLC, Santee Cooper

To commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Battles of 1781, especially:
    First Battle of Fort Watson   -   March 1, 1781
    Battle of Wyboo Swamp   -  March 6, 1781
    Bridges Campaign with Mount Hope Harassment  -  March 10-28, 1781
    Siege and Victory at Fort Watson   -  April 16-23, 1781

   Victory at  Fort Motte  -  May 6, 1781
     Both Victories of Fort Watson & Fort Motte were commanded by Marion and Lee.
Victory at Fort Watson provides a glimpse & shares the view of life on the backcountry
frontier of the Santee River and a natural setting for the Wildlife Expo. 
 An opportunity for you to walk where Francis Marion did in 1781.  Re-enactors and volunteers demonstrate Battles and Living History:
I-95, Exit 102, US 15/301, Summerton, SC.
      Sponsored by Friends of Santee NW Refuge & Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society

 

Visit Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge directly.
Did you miss this?  A fun time was had by over 650 history buffs:
October 15, 2005 American Revolutionary Living History Encampment & Wildlife Expo

To commemorate the 225th anniversary of the SC Battles of 1780.
       "4th Victory at Fort Watson"
    Victory at Fort Watson provides a glimpse & shares the view of life on the backcountry frontier of the Santee River. 
     Victory at Fort Watson coincides with the Sesquicentennial year long events for Clarendon County and commemorates the 225th anniversary for the 1780 autumn campaigns in St. Marks Parish (Clarendon County), which were: 
  Aug 20-24, 1780:  Battle of Great Savannah or Nelson's Ferry
  Oct 25, 1780:  Battle of Tearcoat
  Nov 7, 1780:  Confrontation at Richbourg's Mill
  Nov 8, 1780:  Chase to Ox Swamp
  Nov, 1780:  Richardson Cemetery & Tarleton
  Dec 12-17, 1780: Battle of Half Way Swamp

   Santee National Wildlife Refuge, I-95, Exit 102, US 15/301, Summerton, SC.

  Sponsored by Friends of Santee NW Refuge & Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society

A great time to discover living history - Hope you didn't miss it last year.
Revolutionary Encampment & Wildlife Expo 
4th Celebration for the Victory at Fort Watson
To commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Battles of 1780.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, October 15, 2005

Francis Marion, 2nd Regt, South Carolina Continental Line re-enactor Ragu

Celebrate a day in history from 1781.
The British built & held Fort Watson, on top of the Santee Indian Mound, near the Santee River. 
Most supplies came by the fort on the King’s Highway from Charleston to Camden.
General Francis Marion was ordered to stop the flow of supplies & burn the boats on the Santee River.  Marion, his militia, Colonel “Light Horse” Harry Lee & Lee's Legion of cavalry & infantry (from Virginia) elected to capture Fort Watson & they needed to wait for a cannon to arrive. The British could hold the fort for a long time with their supplies & access to water from Scott’s Lake. 
Major Maham suggested building a tower to shoot over the fort walls. After gathering saplings for 3 days, they built the tower overnight. 
At dawn the sharpshooters could fire inside the fort. Thus, the British surrendered on April 23, 1781.
Thank you to all the volunteers: 
Friends of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Staff
Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society
Clarendon Hall  & their trailers
Clarendon Archives
Swamp Fox Archers
Backcountry Volunteers 
IGA-Manning,  Coca Cola for making this event possible

Check out:  SCIway - The South Carolina Information Highway


Rev. battle COs make a plan, by their horses.

Look what you missed.
2nd 'Victory at Fort Watson' Encampment was October 18-19, 2003
2nd SC Re-enactors & Wildlife Exhibits
Santee Indian Mound
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
I-95, Exit 102, Summerton, SC

Gunsmiths show their handiwork. Rev. ladies fashions explained
Victory at Fort Watson provides a glimpse (an opportunity for you to walk where Francis Marion did in 1781) & share the view  of life on the backcountry frontier of the Santee River. Costumed volunteers and Re-enactors demonstrate Living History such as: gunsmithing, open-fire cooking and textile production on looms, blacksmithing, woodworking, pewter working, musket firing and many other activities.
People are invited to play 18th century games and 
share Camp life. Wildlife and Nature Expo includes Guided nature walks/talks, wildlife exhibits & more.
 Sponsored by
Friends of Santee NW Refuge &
Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society
For more info or questions, contact:
G Summers: 803-478-2645 or email gcsummers@ftc-i.net
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