The Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, 25 April 1781.
The following description of the events at Hobkirk's Hill are courtesy of Wikipedia:
"The Battle of Hobkirk's Hill (sometimes referred to as the Second Battle of Camden) was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on April 25, 1781, near Camden, South Carolina. A small American army under Nathanael Greene defended a ridge known as Hobkirk's Hill against an attack by an even smaller British force led by Francis Rawdon.
After a fierce clash, Greene retreated a few miles, leaving Rawdon's
soldiers in possession of the hill. The battlefield marker is located
at Broad Street and Greene Street north of the center of Camden.
"Even though Rawdon
was the victor, he soon fell back to Camden. Later in the day Greene
sent a small force of cavalry and infantry to pick up the American
wounded and stragglers. These soldiers drove off a troop of loyalist
dragoons. Despite his tactical success, Rawdon found it necessary to
abandon Camden two weeks later and withdraw toward Charleston, South Carolina.
The battle was one of four contests in which Greene met tactical
defeat, yet his overall strategy was successful in depriving the
British of all South Carolina except Charleston.
"Greene considered the battle a lost opportunity to defeat a significant British force of the British Army and compel them to abandon their outposts scattered across South Carolina for the safety of Charleston."
But where did the name of the hill come from? Until recently, the only clue we had was from the the website of the Hobkirk Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
which stated: "Hobkirk Hill derived its name from an old man by the
name of Hobkirk, who lived on the ridge prior to the date of the
battle."
The area around Camden was originally known as Fredericksburg.
But now, thanks to the research of
Glenys Bolland of Brisbane, Australia, we have the following 3 items to
prove who was residing on that land:
From a document dated 8 September 1769 we find the sale of 100 acres of land to Thomas Hobkirk reading as follows: South
Carolina pursuant to a Receipt from Egerton Leigh Esq. Survr. Genrl.
dated the 2nd day of May 1769. ?? measured unto Thomas Hobkirk a Tract
of Land Containing 100 Acres in Fredericks Burgh Township Near Pine
tree. Bounded on all sides by vacant land and hath such form and marks
as the above Plat represents. Certified by me this 8th day of September
1769. (signed) John Belton ?>?. Memo: there is a book titled "The Scandalous History of Sir Egerton Leigh. He was a servant of the Crown. (b1733-d.1781)
A document dated the 19th of April 1770
reads as follows: Thomas Hobkirk 100 acres ??? 3/ Sterling or 4/ ?????
certified by ???? & ?????. at memorials exhibited by Thos.
Hobkirk, to be registered in the ???? Office of a plantation or tract
of land containing one hundred acres, Situate in ???? County, on
Sanders Creek, in Fredericksburg Township near Pine Tree: Bounded on
all sides by vacant lands. Survey certified the 5th of January 1770,
???? granted the 7th day of February 1770 to the ????????- at the
????-rent of 3/ Sterling or 4 Geo?????. ???? ???? 100 acres, to
commence ten years from the date ??? ????? whereof ???
?????? hereunto set his hands the 19th of April 1770. Jno Belton
D.S. Sig: ?????
The final document dated 14 October 1775.
This document is very difficult to read, but this may be the sale or
will of Thomas Hobkirk's land to Darling Jones (male b. 19 June 1759-d.
5 Nov. 1828) Memo: it is interesting
to note that Darling Jones married Rebecca or Hannah Belton, and her
father was Jonathan Belton. Is this the same person who signed the 8
September 1769 & the 18 April 1770 documents above?
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This page last updated on 11 December 2013