City of Marion to show Gen. Francis Marion documentary

The City of Marion will premiere a documentary on Gen. Francis Marion s military movements in the area from Snows Island and Dunham’s Bluff, the ferries along the Pee Dee, North to Bowling Green and East to Blue Savannah this month.

The documentary, which uses footage shot by HomeTown TV 8 during this past year's Celebrating Gen. Francis Marion Days' reenactment and living history exhibitions, has been eight months in the making. In addition to the reenactment, some of the film was shot in The Grove: The Inn Harlee Street’s parlor.

The City of Marion produced and oversaw production of the film, but the project was paid for by donations from 17 Marion County businesses and organizations.

"We wanted to create something that our students and citizens can use when they seek to understand the significance of what occurred here historically," Dianne Owens, city publicist who worked on the project, said. "This is just another way to help people become educated about their heritage and to better understand its implications for us ... It is important we remember the efforts of those who served with the Swamp Fox."

Johnakin Middle School teacher Wallace Foxworth, Britton's Neck Regiment of Militia re-enactor Denley Coughman and Florence attorney Ben Zeigler are among those included in the 25 minute film.

This premiere is a precursor to the Celebrating Gen. Francis Marion Days in Marion, set for the last weekend in February.

"We are looking for students, teachers, history lovers, genealogists, and anyone who wants to learn more about Gen. Francis Marion in Marion to join us," Marion Mayor Rodney Berry said about the premier event that will be held at the Marion Opera House on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.

Berry said he is excited about the unveiling of the documentary and that it will be shown on HomeTown 8, beginning in February. After the showing of the film, a panel of amateur and professional historians, some of whom appeared in the ETV documentary, -- "Chasing the Swamp Fox," -- will make remarks and have a round table discussion.

The panel is expected to discuss topics such as tactics and techniques; families involved in the Revolutionary War from the area, locations of activities, Loyalist & Partisan, such as Snow's Island, ferry sites on the Pee Dee, Blue Savannah, Bowling Green and more.

Panelists include authors and historians Dr. Christine Swager, Jack Parker, Charles Baxley and Britton's Neck Regiment of Militia researcher and reenactor Dusty Owens.

Owens said she hopes that any and everyone will attend the premiere to see the influence of Gen. Francis Marion on the area they live in.

“Marion County residents have something to really be proud of,” Owens said. “Our ancestors helped in the original fight for American independence, regardless of race, color, creed or national origin.”