Kitty Mescher and George Estes were re-elected vice-chairman and secretary respectively of the Francis Marion Trail Commission during its most recent meeting at Francis Marion University.
The commission, with assistance from Francis Marion University personnel and private citizens, has been investigating a Revolutionary War military action believed to have taken place in Lynchburg. Officials and residents of Lynchburg have also assisted in this effort for more than a year and a substantial amount of information has been collected.
A National Park Service grant through the American Battlefield Protection Program is funding additional study of the Battle of Black Mingo. Recent reports indicate substantial progress in the location of the site of Dollard’s Tavern and other battlefield features not previously identified.
Location and mapping of certain old roads as well as the perimeter of the battlefield also is progressing.
The commission has committed to supporting the inclusion of Marion, Berkeley and Horry counties in a legislatively mandated Revolutionary War Heritage Area being studied by the National Park Service.
The commission has provided the National Park Service lists of important military sites and sites of significance to the Revolutionary War in these counties along with maps and documentation of the importance of each site.
All this has been done with the goal of having these counties, which are part of the Francis Marion Trail, included in the proposed Heritage Area.
A final report of additional archeology work on Francis Marion’s camp and redoubt at Dunham’s Bluff (Marion County) has been completed.
This report sheds light on the nature of one of Francis Marion’s partisan military camps in the early 1780s.
The camp and redoubt at Dunham’s Bluff were directly across the Great Pee Dee River from Snow Island, the site of Marion’s legendary hideout.
Two of the Trail Commission’s development committees held initial meetings recently, including the Pee Dee Development Committee under the direction of Toy Nettles, president of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative.
Committee members were provided with copies of the recently completed strategic plan, maps, site lists and archeological information as well as a review of recent developments affecting the commission in Florence, Marion and Williamsburg counties.
The Eastern Midlands Development also met twice and is conducting tours of area sites to familiarize members with area history.
The commission was made aware of efforts to preserve an important Revolutionary War Military site in Berkeley County.
Meanwhile, the commission continues to add to its collection of stories and anecdotes about Francis Marion and the men and women who played a part in his life. The commission encourages the public to submit both written and oral stories for addition to its collection.
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