Rebecca motte american revolution. South Carolina Women of the American Revolution 2022-10-21

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Rebecca Motte was an American patriot and hero of the Revolutionary War. She was born in South Carolina in 1740, the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner. Motte was a strong-willed woman who was deeply committed to the cause of American independence.

During the Revolutionary War, Motte was living on her family's plantation, which was used as a base for British troops. In 1781, General Nathanael Greene and his Continental Army were fighting to recapture the South from the British, and they needed a place to rest and regroup. Motte offered the use of her plantation as a temporary camp, and Greene accepted.

While the Continental Army was camped at the plantation, Motte and her family became close with the soldiers and she began to actively support the cause of independence. When the British learned that the Continental Army was using the plantation as a base, they launched a surprise attack. Motte and her family were able to evacuate the plantation, but not before setting fire to the main house. The fire spread to other buildings, including the ammunition storehouse, and the explosion that followed forced the British to retreat.

Motte's bravery and determination were a major factor in the Continental Army's success at the Battle of Moncks Corner, which was a turning point in the war. After the war, Motte was honored for her contributions to the cause of independence and became known as a hero of the Revolutionary War.

In addition to her heroism during the war, Motte is also remembered for her charitable work. She donated money and resources to help rebuild the city of Charleston, which had been heavily damaged during the war. Motte's legacy as a patriot and philanthropist has inspired generations of Americans to work for a better, more just society.

South Carolina Women of the American Revolution

rebecca motte american revolution

Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Numerous grandchildren played in the rooms where the British officers had lived during the occupation. She was accustomed to amuse and instruct her domestic circle with various interesting anecdotes of persons and events; the recollection of which, however, at this distant period, is too vague to be relied on for a record. I couldn't paste the picture in here for some reason, so I attached it again but as an rtf this time which should open in any format. Our women showed unsurpassed courage and patriotism during the revolutionary War. Two were already beyond rescue or recovery.

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Rebecca Brewton Motte (1737

rebecca motte american revolution

The scorching rays of the noon-day sun had prepared the shingle roof for the conflagration. Lee and his Legion. Motte had removed when dismissed from her mansion. While at the table, "it was whispered in Marion's ear that Colonel Lee's men were even then engaged in hanging certain of the tory prisoners. M'Pherson immediately ordered men to repair to the loft of the house, and check the flames by knocking off the shingles; but they were soon driven down by the fire of the six pounder; and no other effort to stop the burning being practicable, the commandant hung out the white flag, and surrendered the garrison at discretion. To this she immediately and cheerfully consented, assuring him that the loss of her property was nothing compared with the advancement of their cause; and to facilitate their operations, presented them with some combustible arrows, which to set fire to the house. Her ready wit procured her still further ill will.

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Chapter Programs

rebecca motte american revolution

The society of this sprightly and fascinating widow appears to have been much sought by the more cultivated among the British, who enjoyed her brilliant conversation, while they winced under her sarcasm. Pinckney was the wife of a gallant officer, then a prisoner in the hands of the British. Motte's dwelling his quarters, at her pressing invitation, and with his officers had shared her liberal hospitality. Of the seven children born to them, only three daughters lived to adulthood. The scorching rays of the noon day sun had prepared the shingle roof for the conflagration. Charleston: The History Press.

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Rebecca Motte Archives

rebecca motte american revolution

Her friends and connections, whose acquaintance with her affairs gave weight to their judgment, warned her of the apparent hopelessness of such an effort. Her daughters she kept carefully away from the British. On June 28, 1758, Rebecca Brewton married Jacob Motte, grandson of the Huguenot. She had often discussed the issue of American freedom to McPherson as he dined in her home in Charleston, and she didn't hesitate upon his defeat at Ft Motte to thank him for doing his part for the American cause! Motte's arrows, which have become so famous in history, had been given as a curiosity - being poisoned - by an East India captain to her brother, Miles Brewton. In the retirement of Mrs. To the effect of this grace and gentle kindness, is doubtless due much of the generosity exercised by the victors towards those who, according to strict rule, had no right to expect mercy. As a result of the war, her estate became heavily encumbered with debt, but she showed her strong character, and her wonderful administrative ability, by retrieving the family fortune.

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Rebecca Motte Chapter NSDAR Charleston South Carolina

rebecca motte american revolution

Documentary History of the American Revolution in 1781 and 1782. Motte died in possession of a considerable fortune. The duties forced upon her were discharged with dignity and grace, while she always replied with becoming spirit to the discourteous taunts frequently uttered in her presence, against her "rebel countrymen. It was but a few hours after this act of daring that the patriotic lady was arrested and sent to Philadelphia. Following Jacob Motte's death, and the occupation of Charlestown by the British, this home was chosen as headquarters by the English officers.

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SC Revolutionary War site tells story of woman who spurred defeat for the British

rebecca motte american revolution

Joseph plantation on the In June 1780 the British had occupied Belleville Plantation along the Congaree. Motte of the unavoidable necessity of the destruction of her property. . Digs at the site have unearthed everything from the configuration of the house and its British-built walls to the location of Patriot trenches, dug to safely get troops close enough to attack the defenses, said Steven Smith, a University of South Carolina archaeology professor. He is forced to remember the immortal lines of Gray: "Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear; Full many flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. When the British commander in South Carolina, Lord Rawdon, arrived with reinforcements, Lee and Marion resolved that burning "Fort Motte" would be the only effective method to drive the British out. Many thanks to Helen Skinner for obtaining and mailing this material! During the struggle, her husband had become deeply involved by securities undertaken for his friends.

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Rebecca Motte (June 15, 1737 — 1815), American farmer, Revolutionary

rebecca motte american revolution

Rebecca Brewton Motte, the daughter of merchante Robert Brewton, lived in Charleston, South Carolina when the Revolutionary War broke out in America. She brought her entire plantation force down to work on the defenses that were being constructed around Charles Town. General Thomas Pinckney married in succession the two elder daughters. Anthony Allaire in King's Mountain and its Heroes. It was found necessary to set fire to the home in order to re-capture it. Though the commanders hesitated to destroy Motte's property, she insisted that they proceed to burn her mansion. Thank you for getting the story of this great lady out! She showed herself prepared, not only to give up her splendid mansion to ensure victory to the American arms, but to do her part towards soothing the agitation of the conflict just.

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Rebecca Motte

rebecca motte american revolution

Motte's family at the time of the destruction of her house, are interesting in this connection. Together, British and American soldiers put out the flames. Sara Texas Geiger-Geiger, all rights reserved. It was found necessary to set fire to the home in order to re-capture it. Our work has been featured by the New York Times, TIME magazine, History Channel, Discovery Channel, Smithsonian, Mental Floss, NPR, and more. This fort, which commanded the river, was the principal depôt of the convoys from Charleston to Camden and the upper districts.

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History's Women

rebecca motte american revolution

Cecil Hartley, The Life of Francis Marion 1866. After the surrender, Mrs. She grew rice on the Santee River and managed to pay off her husband's debts. Motte's position as the owner of a large and strategically located plantation involved her directly in the Revolutionary War. Brewton incurred the enmity of the British officers by her lively sallies, which were sometimes pointed with severity.

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Rebecca Brewton Motte

rebecca motte american revolution

Brewton, who was an inmate of Mrs. After the abandonment: of Camden to the Americans, Lord Rawdon, anxious to maintain his posts, directed his first effort to relieve Fort Motte, at the time invested by Marion and Lee. Motte, which had been selected for the establishment of the post, was surrounded by a deep trench, along the interior margin of which was raised a strong and lofty parapet. It was to avoid such annoyances that she removed to "Buckhead," afterwards called Fort Motte, the neighborhood of which in time became the scene of active operations. Motte contemplating the spectacle of her home in flames, and rejoicing in the triumph secured to her countrymen-the benefit to her native land, by her surrender of her own interest to the public service. The Americans were able to put out the fire before it destroyed the entire house, and that evening Mrs.

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