Statue of Francis Marion
Biographical Information
Francis Marion was born near Georgetown in Berkley County, South Carolina. Marion had five brothers and sisters. Esther, Isaac, Gabriel, Benjamin, and Job. Francis was the last born. When Marion was 15 years of age he went to sea and served in the French and Indian War with his brother Job. Francis was also a Senate for South Carolina. Francis Marion died on February 27, 1795, in his 63rd year. He was buried at Belle Isle Plantation, which is the home of his brother Gabriel. Marion's own plantation, Pond Bluff, was about 15 miles up river and is now under Lake Marion. The exact date and place of his death is unknown. Marion returned to his plantation to find it had been burnt during the fighting. His slaves had run away to fight for the British and had later been evacuated from Charleston. He had to borrow money to restock his plantation with slaves.
After the war, Marion married his cousin, Mary Esther Videau. His nephew Theodore had hinted to his uncle that it was time to get married. His relatives and friends informed him that Mary always listened with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes when anyone began reciting the exploits of the Swamp Fox. Marion was in love earlier with Mary Esther Simons but she refused his proposal and married Jack Holmes. Marion served several terms in the South Carolina State Senate. In 1784, in recognition of his services, he was made commander of Fort Johnson, South Carolina, practically a courtesy title with a salary of $500 per annum. He was originally supposed to receive 500 English pounds a year, but economy-frightened politicians reduced his payment to 500 Continental dollars. He died on his estate in 1795, at the age of 63.
Francis Marion was born near Georgetown in Berkley County, South Carolina. Marion had five brothers and sisters. Esther, Isaac, Gabriel, Benjamin, and Job. Francis was the last born. When Marion was 15 years of age he went to sea and served in the French and Indian War with his brother Job. Francis was also a Senate for South Carolina. Francis Marion died on February 27, 1795, in his 63rd year. He was buried at Belle Isle Plantation, which is the home of his brother Gabriel. Marion's own plantation, Pond Bluff, was about 15 miles up river and is now under Lake Marion. The exact date and place of his death is unknown. Marion returned to his plantation to find it had been burnt during the fighting. His slaves had run away to fight for the British and had later been evacuated from Charleston. He had to borrow money to restock his plantation with slaves.
After the war, Marion married his cousin, Mary Esther Videau. His nephew Theodore had hinted to his uncle that it was time to get married. His relatives and friends informed him that Mary always listened with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes when anyone began reciting the exploits of the Swamp Fox. Marion was in love earlier with Mary Esther Simons but she refused his proposal and married Jack Holmes. Marion served several terms in the South Carolina State Senate. In 1784, in recognition of his services, he was made commander of Fort Johnson, South Carolina, practically a courtesy title with a salary of $500 per annum. He was originally supposed to receive 500 English pounds a year, but economy-frightened politicians reduced his payment to 500 Continental dollars. He died on his estate in 1795, at the age of 63.
Career Path
Francis went to the military before his 25th birthday. He served in the French and Indian War with Job. Was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel by Continental Congress in 1776. Marion joined Major General Horatio Gates just before the Battle of Camden, but Gates had no confidence in him and sent him (mostly to get rid of him) to take command of the Williamsburg Militia in the Pee Dee area. Gates asked him to undertake scouting missions and to impede the expected flight of the British after the battle. Marion thus missed the battle, which proved to be a decisive British victory, but was able to recapture 150 Maryland prisoners, plus about 20 of their British guards, who had been en route from the battle to Charleston. The freed prisoners, thinking the war was already lost, refused to join Marion.Colonel Banastre Tarleton was sent to capture or kill Marion in November 1780; he despaired of finding the "old swamp fox", who eluded him by traveling along swamp paths. It was Tarleton who gave Marion his "Nom de Guerre" (name of war). Once Marion had shown his ability at guerrilla warfare, making himself a serious nuisance to the British, Gov. John Rutledge commissioned him a brigadier general of state troops.
Places named after Francis Marion
The Francis Marion National Forest near Charleston, South Carolina, is named after Marion, as is the historic Francis Marion Hotel in downtown Charleston. Across the street from the hotel, the Marion Square contains a statue of Francis Marion upon a pedestal. Numerous other locations across the country are named after Marion. The city of Marion, Iowa, is named after Francis, where an annual Swamp Fox Festival and parade are held each summer. Marion County, South Carolina and its county seat, the City of Marion, are named for Marion. The city features a statue of General Marion in the town square, and has a museum which includes many artifacts related to Francis Marion; the Marion High School mascot is the Swamp Fox. Francis Marion University is located nearby in Florence County, South Carolina.
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