Thursday, July 4, 2013

Fighting With "The Swamp Fox"

Picture Credit: University of South Carolina Library
 While celebrating Independence Day I started thinking about my ancestors that were Revolutionary War Soldiers. I remembered that I had at least one that fought alongside his famous cousin Francis Marion "The Swamp Fox".
 My 6th Great Grandfather, John Marion, Jr. (1738-1780), and many others of the Marion family fought side by side with the man who is called the father of Guerrilla  Warfare.
   In looking at my database, I saw several others who were of age to serve. Could they have served with General Marion?
 I found this great resource online and started looking.

The Swamp Fox: Francis Marion and the Men who Served with him

I found four more:

Lt. John Frierson (1727-1797) 5th Great Grandfather
Capt. Samuel Ervin (1748-1803) 5th Great Grandfather
Henry Richbourg (1737-1810) 6th Great Grandfather
Philip Roberts (1763-1854) 5th Great Grandfather



Mural of Francis Marion and his troops prepared to fight the British
Picture Credit: Swamp Fox Murals Trails Society, Clarendon County, SC

 There were others that had the same names as my ancestors, but I do not know if they are the same person. Some are last names that could be connected to my lines, but I don't have the proof needed.The names of cousins, brothers, and uncles of my people and the names of friends and neighbors appeared on the list as well. It seems that many of my ancestors, along with those they knew and loved joined up to fight for our country's freedom with "The Swamp Fox".

  In 1969, The Wonderful World of Disney produced a T.V. series called The Swamp Fox. I remember watching it as a child. I didn't know I was looking at the story of my ancestors!
I need to go to youtube and watch it again.






Are we kin? Please contact me. T0gether we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!



6 comments:

  1. Cheri, What a great discovery! This is so exciting, and if you're not in the DAR now, I think you could get in soon with only a little paperwork. I've heard about Francis Marion all my life, and one of my uncles was named "Marion" for him.

    I've got some Friersons somewhere in my tree, and I'll have to look into your resource. Maybe this is the link that makes us 8th cousins or something . . .

    Hm, I didn't know he was called the father of Guerilla Warfare, but that certainly sounds right.

    Great post!

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    1. It was a lot of fun looking up the names. I think I have more, just not enough proof yet.
      Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post!
      Maybe the Frierson's will be the link!

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  2. Now that's pretty cool. My 4G grandfather was 19 when he joined the Militia and marched to Jamestown to meet up with Lafayette. I always wonder if he actually talked to Lafayette or if he was just another kid in the crowd.

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    1. Wouldn't that be great to know? Wish like you that I could find out more about their actual interactions!

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  3. Hello -
    We are cousins. I share John Marion as my 6th great grandfather and Capt. Samuel Ervin is also an ancestor. Would be happy to correspond with you anytime. Nice to "meet" a new cousin.

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