Jul 2021
McBurney Column: New Visitor’s Center Opens at Lake George
Most
people who visit Lake George in upstate New York have no idea of that
major battles took place there during the French and Indian War and the
American Revolutionary War, on land now called Lake George Battlefield
Park. It is the site of the Battle of Lake George in 1755, one of the
initial clashes of the French and Indian War, and of the 1757 massacre
at Fort William Henry. It was also the location of Fort George, a
supply post and general hospital for the American army, where more than
1,000 American soldiers died during the American Revolutionary War.
In
early August, the Lake George Battlefield Park Visitors Interpretive
Center is scheduled to opens its doors. Admission will be free. Said
one organizer for the museum, the museum has “tons of artifacts:
military artifacts, clothing artifacts, food artifacts,” almost all from
the work of the late archaeologist David Starbuck for the Lake George
Battlefield Park Alliance. Starbuck made five major digs in the park;
he passed away in December 2020. Items to be shown include buttons,
musket balls, gun parts, shards of dinnerware, and cannonballs. The
museum will be on the ground floor of the new Lake George Park
Commission headquarters building on Fort George Road.
The new
headquarters building is a short walk to the many large statues,
historic structures and original fort within the park. Statues in the
park include those of Sir William Johnson and his Mohawk ally, King
Hendrick, and the so-called “Kneeling Indian” depicting a Mohawk
warrior. The park also includes several fortifications, burial grounds
and encampments.
It is a tradition that on Memorial Day, a
wreath is laid that the grave of four unknown soldiers from the French
and Indian War.
If you visit the park, perhaps you will see
Bruce Venter, the co-organizer of the Williamsburg American Revolution
conference, driving his power boat on Lake George. If you are lucky, he
will give you a tour of the lake by boat, including some locations of
Revolutionary War engagements.
- Christian McBurney
Jun 2021 McBurney Column: Butts Hill Fort in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Receives Honor
Congratulations
to the Portsmouth Historical Society of Rhode Island! In April, the
Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee was notified that the National
Parks Service has made Butts Hill Fort in Portsmouth a location on the
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. Built
by the British in 1777, it was used by the British to defend Aquidneck
Island against a possible invasion by New England troops on the
mainland. It also played a key role in the Battle of Rhode Island on
August 28, 1778, as Major General John Sullivan used it as his
headquarters to coordinate the American Army’ s successful defense
against British and Loyalist attacks. The plan is to raise money to
restore the Fort by the time of the 250th anniversary of the battle in
1778. For more information and donations, go to www.portsmouthhistorical.org.
(I will be giving a lecture on the Battle of Rhode Island for the
Portsmouth Historical Society on August 25). After the British
evacuated Newport and the rest of Aquidneck Island in October 1779, in
July 1780, the locations were occupied by a French naval and army force
under General Rochambeau. Not surprisingly, efforts were almost
immediately made to shore up the defenses, including at Butts Hill Fort.
Butts Hill Fort remains the largest Revolutionary War earthwork
in southern New England. Its dirt walls are high and still impressive.
But the whole site is overgrown with scrubby bushes and desperately
needs to be restored.
- Christian McBurney
May 2021 McBurney Column: James Monroe’s Birthplace, by Patrick Wamsley
While hiking on the Northern Neck last weekend, I decided to visit James Monroe’s Birthplace Park & Museum. Monroe was born there on April 28, 1758, close to what is now the town of Colonial Beach. The address is 4460 James Monroe Highway, Colonial Beach, VA 22443. The property covers 75 acres. See https://www.facebook.com/jmonroebirthplace/
The museum is closed due to COVID, but there's a one-mile trail divided into segments with information about Monroe's life.
The segment depicted in the attached image deals with the American Revolution (1776-1782).
Each eight year segment includes quotations from Monroe and a description of events in his life during that time period.
Walking the entire trail covers the timeline from Monroe's birth in Westmoreland County to his death in New York.
The "James Monroe Birthplace Replica" house is located near both the museum and the start of the Monroe timeline trail.
It is now part of Virginia's Road to Revolution historic trail, https://roadtorevolution.com/james-monroe-birthplace/ See also https://monroefoundation.org/
Apr 2021 McBurney Column: The Revolutionary War in North Carolina, by Lorna Hainesworth
Here
is another installment by our own Lorna Hainesworth of her visits to
American Revolutionary War sites, this time in North Carolina. This is a
great resource if you plan a trip to visit Rev War sites or to visit
North Carolina. (Last month, Lorna covered Georgia). Terrific job Lorna
and thanks!
Introduction—Preparation for this trip took several
weeks. Began by making a list of all the sites in North Carolina related
to the Revolutionary War. Researched names, events and places on the
Internet, especially in the Historical Marker Database. Located GPS
coordinates for each site, event or marker. Created circular travel
directions designed to visit as many sites as possible each day. During
the trip, visited over 90 sites and markers. In the interest of brevity,
details are not provided for each name, event or place; however, the
reader can do his or her own research to learn the details. Took almost
3000 pictures.
March 11 T Home to Highpoint, NC—Established myself at the Wingate for an eight-day stay.
March
12 F Alamance-Tryon-Pyle-Hillsboro—Started the day by visiting three
markers near Burlington. Two about Pyle’s defeat and one for a Tryon
campsite. Arrived at the Alamance Battleground State Historic Site,
location of several monuments and markers along with a visitor center.
Traveled next to the Battle of Clapp’s Mill at a site overlooking Lake
Mackintosh. Located a second Tryon campsite near Bellemont and then went
to Hillsborough. Visited the monument for the six men hanged following
Battle of Alamance. Orange County Historical Museum was not open, but
was able to chat with a volunteer at the Alliance for Historic
Hillsborough. Finished the day with a self-guided walking tour of
Hillsborough.
March 13 S Guilford Courthouse &
Greensboro—Started the day intending to see the Hoskins house; however, a
National Park Service ranger was just beginning a 2-hour, 2-mile tour
that followed the Hessian soldiers during the Battle of Guilford
Courthouse. After that, toured the visitor center at Guilford Courthouse
and the monument area nearby. Returned to my starting point to see the
Hoskins farm and then went to the Central Public Library in Greensboro
for a WiFi connection in hopes of viewing a virtual commemoration
ceremony for the 240th Battle of Guilford Courthouse Anniversary (Now
available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXVuI07yXE4).
Due to a policy change the library closed at 3:00PM so instead, visited
the Greensboro History Museum and Greene’s statue in the downtown area.
March 14 S Charlotte-Lexington-Trading-Homestead—Sunday and
overcast, so thought this would be a good day to visit Charlotte and
avoid crowds—wrong. Started the day by going to Lexington to see the
Boone-Greene marker in the center of town. Then headed south on I-85 to
find two markers (a local couple helped me find the second one) near
Linwood for the Trading Ford crossing the Yadkin River. Visited York
Hill Yadkin River Access (a local fisherman helped me with this) and
Yadkin River Park that has a walkway going over the river. In Charlotte
had to use a parking garage as street parking was full—lots of
pedestrians. Found several markers including Greene’s Command and
Mecklenburg Resolves along Tyron Street, which with Trade Street forms,
Charlotte’s main intersection adorned by four huge statues representing
Commerce, Industry, Transportation, and The Future. Last stop for the
day was the Charlotte Museum of History located at the Hezekiah
Alexander Homesite also called the Rock House.
March 15 M Snow
Camp-Lindley's Mill-Guilford—Started the day by visiting Snow Camp to
see British graves and encampments. Visited locations of Cane Creek
Friends Meeting, Snow Camp Community Drama and Spring Friends Meeting.
Next went to see site for Battle of Lindley Mills. Operational, modern
flour mill on site; however, markers are off the road, down a hill,
across a field and along a track. Staff at mill office gave directions.
Staff also aided me to get accidentally locked car open via OnStar. This
day marked the actual 240th Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford
Courthouse. Returned there and stood on the spot, at the time, when the
1st Maryland troops were forming Greene’s 3rd Line. Visited with a
ranger who gave me a detailed accounting of what happened to the
Marylanders on that day. Completed walking the battleground, seeing
monuments and reading interpretive signs.
March 16 T
Kerner-Salem-Shallow-OvrMt-Gilbert- Ramsour-Cowan—Started the day by
visiting Kernersville. Recent issue of American Spirit magazine featured
a weaning house recently restored here. Also stopped by Körner’s Folly.
Traveled to authentic living history town of Old Salem that was briefly
occupied by British in February 1781. Next saw Shallow Ford used by
Whigs, Tories and Cornwallis to cross the Yadkin River near Lewisville.
From there went to Mocksville for a Boone-Greene-Cornwallis marker.
Wanted to see some Overmountain Victory Trail campsites so visited Fort
Defiance near Lenoir and Quaker Meadows near Morgantown. Near
Rutherfordton saw marker for Patrick Ferguson campsite at Gilbert Town.
Visited the site of the Battle at Ramsour’s Mill (Patriots vs Tories),
also where Cornwallis burned his baggage prior to Guilford Courthouse.
Last stop for the day was Cowan’s Ford across the Catawba River not far
from Lowesville.
March 17 W Crossing the Dan—Just like Greene
did, today, I crossed the Dan. Started the day by visiting Halifax, VA.
Went to look at the new home for the Halifax County Historical Society
known as Chaffin House. Historical marker for Town of Halifax was
missing due to courthouse renovations. The Halifax County Historical
Society has created an excellent exhibit titled, “Crossing of the Dan”
now on permanent display in VA at the South Boston—Halifax County Museum
of Fine Arts and History. This was the next stop. Had difficulty
locating the Boyd & Irwin Ferry Marker, but was given help at the
Public Library. Here also learned of a Crossing of the Dan monument on
the floodplain of the Dan River. With some difficulty located both the
marker and the monument. Walked in the median strip across the Dan River
all the while shouting, “I’m crossing the Dan.” Just at the border
between VA and NC on US-501, located marker for each Greene and
Cornwallis. Drove to Danville, VA to locate the marker for Dix’s Ferry
and that ended this day.
March 18 T
Ramsey's-Horseshoe-Boggan-Colson-Bell—Started the day by driving to
Moncure and locating the marker for Ramsey’s Mill. Deep River where
Cornwallis built a bridge is located here. Next visited House in a
Horseshoe, home of Patriot Philip Alston near Sanford. Next site was the
D. Boggan-Hammond House in Wadesboro. Oldest house in Wadesboro built
by patriot Captain Patrick Boggan and who with Colonel Thomas Wade
founded Wadesboro. Battle of Colson’s Mill was located at the confluence
of the Rocky and Pee Dee Rivers, but no access exists. Instead visited
Pee Dee River National Wildlife Refuge to see the Gaddy Covered Bridge.
Located Colson’s Supply Depot marker less than 5 miles north of Pee Dee
River on NC-109. In Julian found marker for James Hunter for whom a
monument is also at the Alamance Battleground. A bridge crossing the
Deep River on I 73-US 220 is named for Martha McGee Bell and a monument
to her is at Guilford Courthouse. Bell’s Mill was possibly at Deep River
near Randelman, so walked several nature trails there.
March 19
F Fayetteville Tour—Packed up and prepared to relocate to the Ramada in
Fayetteville for three nights. American Independence Trail lists ten
sites to see in and around Fayetteville. First stop was the Cape Fear
Museum, which has a display on the character of the American Revolution
in the Fayetteville-Cape Fear area. Other sites included Isaac Hammond,
Flora MacDonald, Cornwallis, Lafayette, Cross Creek Cemetery and Liberty
Point.
March 20 S Moore’s-Wilmington-Cape Fear—Started the day
by visiting Moore’s Creek National Battlefield in Currie. En route
stopped at a marker for Moore’s Camp on NC-87 2 miles south of I-95.
Trail at Moore’s Creek is less than a mile including the Tar Heel Trail
and goes over the bridge once known as the Widow Moore’s Creek Bridge.
The trail ends in a series of monuments, one of which honors women of
the Revolution from the area including Penelope Barker (see 3/24).
Toured the visitor center where an NPS ranger explained how to find
Brunswick Town which at the time of the Revolution rivaled Wilmington in
size and commerce. In Wilmington toured the Cape Fear River Walk and
made note of the historical markers along Third Street, one of which is
for the Cornwallis (Burgwin-Wright) House. Drove as far as possible
along the east side of the Cape Fear River past Kure Beach to the end of
US-421. Then doubled back to Wilmington and went south along the west
side of the Cape Fear River to the site of what had been Brunswick Town.
March 21 S Lafayette Tour—Recently learned new commemorative
markers for Lafayette’s Grand Tour in 1824-1825 have been placed with
five in North Carolina. Started the day by driving to Murfreesboro where
two (one old-one newish) markers for Lafayette are located. Next saw
the new marker at Conway near the Zion Methodist Church. In Jackson a
mural showing Lafayette’s visit has been placed on the wall of the
Embassy Café and a new marker is located in a tiny park across the
street. In Halifax, NC visited the Halifax State Historic Site, location
of the Eagle Tavern where a banquet was held for Lafayette. Upon
leaving Halifax stopped for three markers, Halifax Resolves,
Washington’s Southern Tour and Cornwallis. Then visited the new marker
in Enfield where Lafayette was hosted by Joseph Branch. Lafayette
crossed the Tar River at the falls near Rocky Mount. Older marker
located where Peachtree Street and Falls Road converge. Finished the day
by locating the new marker at Shaw University in Raleigh. Had already
seen the new marker in the Fayetteville linear park as part of the tour
on 3/19. Park also contains a large statue of Lafayette. This made for a
total of nine Lafayette markers located.
March 22 M Finish
Fayetteville & Lafayette Tours—Packed up and prepared to relocate to
the Wingate in Greenville for two nights. On the way, visited Old Bluff
Church, which was part of the Fayetteville tour. Church is located in
Godwin some fifteen miles north of Fayetteville, but near the Cape Fear
River. Lafayette spent the night at Colonel Allen Roger’s Tavern at
Rogers Crossroads now known as Wake Crossroads. Missed seeing this due
to faulty research.
March 23 T New Bern-George-Bath—Started the
day by taking a walking tour of New Bern, which included Tryon’s Palace
and Gardens. Bern is Swiss for bear. Settlers from Bern, Switzerland
founded New Bern so the city has up to 70 statues of bears in various
costumes, poses and locations. Fourteen free black patriots are buried
in the George Family Cemetery near Havelock. On March 16, 2014, the NC
SAR conducted a ceremony to dedicate a marker to these men who served in
the American Revolution. Found the cemetery, but the marker is gone.
Last stop for the day was the town of Bath. Was suggested I visit this
as it is North Carolina’s first town and first port. Saw Bonner House
and Bonner Point along with several historical markers, one denoting
this was the home of Edward Teach aka Blackbeard.
March 24 W
Cupola-Home—Packed up and prepared to go home, but had one more town to
visit—Edenton. Here is the home of Penelope Barker who organized the
Edenton Tea Party. Walked around town to view the lighthouse, 1767
Courthouse, Cupola House, bronze Teapot and other sites of historic
interest. Drove home.
By Lorna Hainesworth,
Mar 2021 McBurney Column: The Revolutionary War in Georgia, by Lorna Hainesworth
An
article published in American Revolution magazine (no longer extant)
titled “Come and Take It” described eight American Revolutionary War
sites in Georgia. These sites were listed as follows:
Fight at Vann’s Creek (GPS N34.162 W82.744)
Battle of Kettle Creek (GPS N33.691 W82.886)
Heroes of the Hornet’s Nest (N33.856 W82.410)
Sieges of Augusta (GPS N33.476 W81.964)
Battle of Brier Creek (GPS N32.811 W81.466)
Battles of Savannah (GPS N32.076 W81.100)
Midway & Fort Morris (GPS N31.764 W81.279)
Frederica Naval Action (GPS N31.224 W81.393)
In
early 2021, during the period January 20 through February 3, I visited
each of these sites as well as other places to which these sites lead
me. I began my journey by driving from my home in Randallstown, MD to
the Ramada in Fayetteville, NC where I stayed the first night and then
continuing the next day to the Wingate in Brunswick, GA.
Before
embarking on a trip such as the one I describe, travelers should find
information in advance by searching for relevant historical markers in
the Historical Marker Database, https://www.hmdb.org/.
Additionally, searching for pertinent articles on the Internet is
valuable as well as using Google Maps to create directions based on GPS
coordinates. Proper nouns and dates scattered throughout this report can
be used to retrieve additional information in preparation for a visit
to Revolutionary Georgia. A list for the PDF version of the brochures
created by the Georgia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution on
each of the above sites is available at this website https://gasocietysar.org/ and the links are included at the end of this report.
January
22: On St. Simons Island, I visited my first site known as Fort
Frederica National Monument. A naval action occurred here on April 19,
1778 when Georgia galleys encountered British ships. The Georgia Naval
marker is on the left side of Frederica Road just past Mimosa Drive. I
also toured the site, which dates back to 1733. Information about the
establishment of Georgia as a colony, Frederica as a town, Fort
Frederica as a defense measure and James Edward Oglethorpe as the
founder of Georgia is readily available. This is a National Park Service
unit.
Next I visited Fort Morris State Historic Site, which is
part of the Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites under the
Department of Natural Resources. A couple of Revolutionary War actions
took place here, one in November 1778 when the Fort commander defiantly
refused to surrender by telling the British to, “Come and Take It.” The
other action was in January 1779 when the surrounded fort was forced to
surrender. This is Georgia’s only Revolutionary War site with
earthworks. Near here, at one time, on the Medway River, was the town of
Sunbury, which at the time of the Revolution competed with Savannah for
commercial trade. The town no longer exists. The Revolution killed this
town; however, there is a cemetery that is open to visitors. About ten
miles to the west is the Midway Museum, which claims to be Georgia’s
only colonial museum. I arrived after closing, but was able to tour the
grounds.
January 23: I visited the location for the Battle of
Brier Creek, which occurred in March 1779. The site is on Brannens
Bridge Road on the east side of Brier Creek where an historical marker
identifies the location. A mural that depicts the Battle of Brier Creek
is in the middle of nearby Sylvania. Next I went to what is now the
ghost town of Ebenezer. Several historical markers describe the history
of the town, its silk industry and the Georgia Salzburger Society during
the revolutionary period.
January 24: I devoted this day to
seeing Savannah. My first stop was at a marker identifying Mulberry
Grove, the plantation gifted to Nathanael Greene by the state of Georgia
for his services during the American Revolution. Greene died of
sunstroke after touring his plantation on a scorching day without a hat
in June 1786. From there I drove to Johnson Square where Greene is
buried and a huge obelisk stands in his honor. From there I went down to
the waterfront on the south side of the Savannah River at Yamacraw
Bluff where the Battle of the Rice Boats occurred in March 1776. A large
interpretive sign tells about Savannah in the American Revolution,
including its capture by the British in December 1778 and the American
attempt to liberate the town in September 1779. From the river I walked
to the Colonial Park Cemetery. Here are buried a number of Revolutionary
soldiers. Originally Nathaniel Greene was also buried here, but after
more than one hundred years, his remains were moved to Johnson Square.
Next I went to Monterey Square where the monument devoted to Casimir
Pulaski is located and followed that with a trip to Tybee Island where
the British resupply ships from Boston landed in January 1776.
January 25: This day was given over to relocating from Brunswick to the La Quinta in Augusta.
January
26: The first place I visited was the Elijah Clark(e) State Park.
Elijah Clarke is buried here and this is also the site of John Dooley’s
cabin and spring. Dooley and Clarke fought together and are considered
the Heroes of the Hornet’s Nest. Next I drove to the Richard B. Russell
State Park for the site of the Fight at Vann’s Creek that occurred in
February 1779. After much searching through what is essentially a huge
golf course, I located the historical marker in a parking lot at the end
of Christian Road. The monument is titled “Battle of Cherokee Ford 11
Feb. 1779.” Through research, I had learned of a site called “Clarke’s
Creek Encampment,” so I went there next. The location of this marker is
at the crossroads of Dunk Hill and Newton Roads. For more information,
see the Historical Marker Database. Before going to the site for the
Battle of Kettle Creek, I stopped at the historical museum in
Washington. Here I was given an overview or summary brochure for
Georgia’s Revolutionary War Trail. I reached the site for the Battle of
Kettle Creek at the end of War Hill Road where the Kettle Creek Chapter
of the DAR has set a partial wall and a gateway made of river-rock
stones. I learned at the museum that this site has recently become part
of the National Park Service’s Southern Campaign. The battle took place
on a hill where today a cemetery and obelisk are located along with
several interpretive signs.
January 27: I devoted this entire
day to seeing Augusta. The city has two main thoroughfares named Greene
and Broad with a number of historic sites being located on Reynolds
Street. Among the sites I visited were St. Paul’s Churchyard, Fort
Augusta-Fort Cornwallis, the Mayham Tower, Fort Grierson, Signers’
Monument, Meadow Garden, the White House Tract and Augusta State
University. I walked a 5-mile round-trip tour of downtown including a
visit to the Augusta History Museum, the Oglethorpe Statue on Augusta
Common and the James Brown Plaza where the Godfather of Soul’s statue is
located on Broad Street.
January 28: Augusta has built a
levee to protect the city from floods of the Savannah River. This has
become a lovely River Walk starting around 6th Street and that
continuing onto the William Bartram Trail. I spent the day walking here.
January 29: Augusta built a canal to provide hydro power
for its many textile mills. The Canal Walk begins Savannah Rapids Park
and continues seven miles into the city. I spent the day walking here.
The architecture of the textile mills is extraordinary and many have
been repurposed. I visited one that contains a Discovery Center, which
tells the history of the canal
.
January 30: I used this day
to relocate from Augusta to the La Quinta in LaGrange. En route I
visited a friend in the western outskirts of Atlanta.
January
31: I spent the entire day touring LaGrange. My main purpose in coming
here was to see the Lafayette statue in the town square. LaGrange is
named after Lafayette’s home in France. The town is lovely and a number
of other historical sites are available including Horace King’s
markers/grave and LaGrange College.
February 1: From LaGrange I traveled to Jasper where I spent the night and had dinner at a friend’s home.
February 2: I drove from Jasper to Christiansburg, VA to stay at the Wingate.
February 3: I drove home.
This
brings to a close my report on Georgia’s Revolutionary War Trail. The
information provided here barely skims the surface of everything I saw,
did and learned. I’m available to provide additional information at lornament@comcast.net or 410-655-8492.
Georgia’s
Revolutionary War Trail brochures created by the Georgia Society of the
Sons of the American Revolution can be accessed at the following link:
https://gasocietysar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Vanns-Creek-1.pdf
https://gasocietysar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27943_Fluker-Kettle-Creek-lo-res.pdf
https://gasocietysar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27943_Fluker-Hornets-Nest-lo-res.pdf
https://gasocietysar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/27943_Fluker-Augusta-lo-res.pdf
https://gasocietysar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/27943_Fluker-Brier-Creek-lo-res.pdf
https://gasocietysar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27943_Fluker-Savannah-lo-res.pdf
https://gasocietysar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/27943_Fluker-Sunbury-lo-res.pdf
https://gasocietysar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Frederica-Brochure-1.pdf
By Lorna Hainesworth,
