TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 - 7:00 P.M.
LAURENS COUNTY MUSEUM
MAGNOLIA ROOM
116 SOUTH PUBLIC SQUARE
LAURENS, SOUTH CAROLINA
Fort Williams, located in Laurens County along a small creek between Mountville, Cross Hill and Newberry County was considered the most contested site in the thirteen colonies during the American Revolution. Fort Williams, built in 1775, was a simple square blockade structure made from fence rails, baled hay and beef hides and enclosed a barn and several outbuildings.
Historian and Battlefield Preservationist Durant Ashmore will talk about this important site that was the first southern land battle of the Revolutionary War with all of those fighting being Americans. Not much is known about the specific location of Fort Williams but the history books tell us that Fort Williams actually changed hands six times during the war and that two forts stood at the same location - in 1775 known as Williams Fort and then in 1781 was called the Stockade Fort.
Documentation by General James Williams was reviewed in a biography written by Will Graves and tells us of the battles that took place there and that General Williams was an important figure in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. From being a pioneer in the Ninety Six District, a miller, and a member of the Provisional Assembly in the state before the war, Williams fought and led with esteem, and eventually lost his life at the Battle of Kings Mountain.
The lecture is open to the public.
Museum members and those 18 years old and under are free to attend.
There is a suggested donation of $5 for others to help support the Museum.
For more information, call (864) 681-3678.
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