SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME

Transcription

1 SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME Teacher Guide

2 South Carolina Social Studies Standards The American Revolution-The Road to Revolution, The War for Independence Topics include Virginia Militia, French/Indian War, Cherokee, SC Second Regiment, SC Militia, Partisan Warfare, The Gamecock, Lord Cornwallis, US House of Representatives, US Senate Standard 3-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the American Revolution and South Carolina's role in the development of the new American nation Summarize the course of the American Revolution in South Carolina, including the role of William Jasper and Fort Moultrie, the occupation of Charles Town by the British, the partisan warfare of, Andrew Pickens, and Francis Marion, and the battles of Cowpens, Kings Mountain, and Eutaw Springs. Standard 8-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the causes of the American Revolution and the beginnings of the new nation, with an emphasis on South Carolina's role in the development of that nation Summarize the role of South Carolinians in the course of the American Revolution, including the use of partisan warfare and the battles of Charleston, Camden, Cowpens, Kings Mountain, and Eutaw Springs. 2

3 S.C Hall of Fame Biography was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 14, He was the son of a Welsh immigrant miller and received a basic education during his modest upbringing. He joined the Virginia Militia before his 20 th birthday to fight in the French and Indian wars and served on various expeditions into the backcountry. Much of the focus of these missions was to assure that peace would prevail between the regions indigenous people and its new European inhabitants but they often evolved into arduous and deadly experiences. Sumter became well acquainted with the native people of the region, specifically the Cherokee and its leaders. The expedition led to a peace agreement with the Cherokee and Sumter accompanied several chiefs on a voyage to London to meet the King of England. After their return to North America in 1762, due to financial difficulties Sumter became stranded in South Carolina. Although he petitioned the colony for reimbursement of expenses incurred during his travels, he was arrested as a debtor and imprisoned in Virginia. A fellow soldier and friend loaned him the money to pay for his freedom, which he managed to repay when the two met again 30 years later. In 1767, Sumter settled in Stateburg in what would later be known as Sumter County, South Carolina. He married a local widow named Mary Jameson and the two became prominent business and plantation owners. His position in the region afforded him the respect and ability to form a local militia and in 1776, at the onset of the American Revolutionary War, he was elected Lt. Colonel of the SC 2 nd regiment, and eventually was promoted to Brigadier General of the SC Militia. 3

4 His participation in numerous battles early in the war did not compare to the effect of his leadership during the partisan campaigns later on that would eventually lead to the defeat of the British Army at Yorktown, Virginia. His role in those efforts would place him along side the esteemed ranks of other South Carolina Revolutionary War leaders Francis Marion and Andrew Pickens. Like Marion and Pickens, Sumter received a historical moniker that reflected the nature of his contribution to the formation of the country. One British General commented that regardless of the size of General Sumter s army his military tactics were fierce, that he fought like a Gamecock. Lord Cornwallis noted that during his campaigns in the south the gamecock was his greatest plague. After the war was elected twice to the U. S. House of Representatives, And served from March 4, 1789 to March 4, 1793 and again from March 4, 1797 to December 15, Subsequently, He was elected by the legislature as a U. S. Senator to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Charles Pinckney where he served until his retirement on December 16, Sumter died on June 1, 1832 at his plantation near Stateburg, at the age of 97 years and is buried at Memorial Park in Sumter, South Carolina. Both the town and famous Fort in Charleston Harbor are named for him and the University of South Carolina s official nickname is the Fighting Gamecocks 4

5 Credits South Carolina Social Studies Standard Correlations were provided by Lisa Ray The purpose of the South Carolina Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor both contemporary and past citizens who have made outstanding contributions to South Carolina's heritage and progress. Funding for Knowitall.org was provided by the S. C. General Assembly through the K-12 Technology Initiative. Visit scetv.org/education for more educational resources. 5