Robert Anderson (general)

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For other possible meanings see Robert Anderson
Robert Anderson

Robert Anderson's grave marker at Old Stone Church (Clemson) cemetery
Born November 5, 1741
Augusta County, Virginia
Died January 9, 1813
Oconee County, South Carolina
Occupation Colonia militia and surveyor
Spouse Anne Thompson
Parents John and Jane Anderson

Robert Anderson (1741 – 1813) was a brigadier general in the colonial militia and a surveyor. He was a lifelong friend of General Andrew Pickens. Anderson, South Carolina, Anderson County, South Carolina, the ghost town of Andersonville are named for him.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

He was born on November 5, 1741 in Augusta County, Virginia. His parents were John and Jane Anderson who had immigrated from Ireland. Before moving to Virginia, they had lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[edit] Marriage and children

He married Anne Thompson in 1765. The moved to South Carolina and settled near his friend from Virginia, Andrew Pickens. She died after twenty-five years of marriage. They had five children:

  • Robert, Jr., married Maria Thomas.
  • Anne married Dr. William Hunter.
  • Elizabeth married Robert Maxwell, who was killed in the Revolutionary War.
  • Mary
  • Elizabeth married Samuel Maverick. One child was Samuel Maverick.

In 1793 Anderson married a second time, to Lydia Maverick, a widow in Pendleton, South Carolina.[1] Her son, Samuel, married Robert's daughter Elizabeth.[2]

After the death of his second wife, he married Mrs. Reece. She was the widow of Dr. Thomas Reece, who was the pastor of Old Stone Church.

[edit] Military career

In the Revolution War, he joined the Fifth South Carolina Militia. He became a captain in the regiment commanded by his friend Andrew Pickens when they fought Boyd's Loyalists.

Anderson was one of the Patriots who gave their parole to the British as Ninety Six, South Carolina. Many took up arms after the British disregarded their promises.

At the Battle of Cowpens, Anderson was a colonel under Brigadier General Andrew Pickens. Anderson also served under Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee. He fought in the Battle of Eutaw Springs, in which the British were victorious. Later, his regiment held the line against the British between Augusta, Georgia and Ninety Six.

After the Revolutionary War, he fought with Andrew Pickens against the Cherokees. A treaty signed in 1777 ceded most of the Cherokee lands in the present Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties.

Anderson was promoted to the rank of general in the state militia.

[edit] Civilian career

He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1791 to 1794 and from 1801 to 1802 from the Pendleton District. He was an elder of the Old Stone Church. In 1800, he was elector for Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.

He owned 2,100 acres (8 km²) in the current Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties including his home, Westville, on the west side of the Seneca River across from Andrew Picken's home, Hopewell.

[edit] Death and afterward

He died at his home on January 9, 1813. Due to a flood, they were not able to bury him at Old Stone Church, and he was buried on his estate. During the construction of Lake Hartwell, his body was reinterred at Old Stone Church.

The ghost town of Andersonville, the City of Anderson, and Anderson County were named for him.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Marks (1989), p. 6.
  2. ^ Marks (1989), p. 9.

[edit] References

  • Louise Ayer Vandiver, Traditions and History of Anderson County, Ruralist Press, Atlanta, GA, 1928.
  • Frank A. Dickson, Journeys into the Past: The Anderson's Region's Heritage, Sponsored by the Anderson County Bicentennial Committee, 1975.
  • Marks, Paula Mitchell (1989), Turn Your Eyes Toward Texas: Pioneers Sam and Mary Maverick, Centennial Series of the Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University, Number 30, College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, ISBN 0890963800 

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Anderson, Robert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Revolutionary militia
DATE OF BIRTH November 5, 1741
PLACE OF BIRTH Augusta County, Virginia
DATE OF DEATH January 9, 1813
PLACE OF DEATH Oconee County, South Carolina