History of Eutaw Springs, (Orangeburg County) South Carolina United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Eutaw Springs, (Orangeburg County) South Carolina, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Biographies:

John Blake White, lawyer, artist, and dramatist, was born at Eutaw Springs, S.C., Sept. 2, 1781; son of Blake Leay and Elizabeth (Bourquin) White; and a descendant of Sir John White of Kent, England. He was brought up on his father's plantation at Eutaw Springs; attended an academy; studied law in Columbia, S.C., until 1800, but temporarily abandoned it in the latter year to give his attention to art, going to England with his friend and relative, Washington Allston. He studied painting under Benjamin West, 1800-04, and upon his return was married, in 1805, to Eliza Allston of Georgetown, S.C. In 1805 he removed to Boston, Mass., intending to follow his profession as an artist, but not receiving sufficient encouragement returned to Charleston, S.C., and again took up the study of law with his friend John C. Calhoun; after admission to the bar he began the practice of law, in which he achieved great success. He was a representative in the state legislature several terms, and organized and commanded a company of South Carolina infantry in the war of 1812. In the years 1832-33, when the legislature of South Carolina was made up of nullifiers, he strongly and unflinchingly supported the Union cause. Sir. White's first wife died in 1817, and he was married, secondly, in 1819, to Anna Rachel, daughter of Dr. Matthew O'Driscoll of Charleston. Their son, Octavius Augustus, became a prominent physician in New York city, making a specialty of the treatment of yellow fever; Although professionally engaged in the practice of law, Mr. White devoted his leisure to artistic and literary production, winning the sobriquet of "The Old American Master." He received a gold medal from the South Carolina institute and the first prize from the Apollo association of New York in 1840, for the "best historical painting"; was the founder of the Literary Lyceum of South Carolina, and an honorary member of the National Academy of Design. His canvases, representing chiefly historical subjects, include: Battle of Eutaw Springs (1804); Battle of Fort Moultrie (1806); Battle of New Orleans (1816); Marion Inviting the British Officer to Dinner; Mrs. Motte Presenting the Burning Arrows to Marion and Lee, to fire her Residence to dislodge the British; The Capture of Andr?; The Unfurling of the United States Flag in the City of Mexico to quell Civil Riot, which remained the property of President Jackson, and subsequently hung in the capitol at Columbia, S.C., until its destruction by Sherman's army in 1865. Several of the historical paintings were presented to the U.S. congress by his son Dr. Octavius A. White, and now hang in the senate wing of the capitol at Washington. Among his portrait subjects are: Charles C. Pinckney, Keating L. Simmons, John C. Calhoun, and Gov. Henry Middleton. He published the following dramas, which were produced in America: Foscari, or the Venetian Exile (1805); Mysteries of the Castle (1806); Modern Honor (1812); Triumph of Liberty, or Louisiana Preserved (1819), and Intemperance (1839). He died in Charleston, S.C., Aug. 24, 1859.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Richard Campbell, soldier, was born in the Virginia valley. In February, 1776, he was commissioned captain, and later served at Pittsburg as major under Col. John Gibson. In 1778 he was on the expedition led by McIntosh against the Indians in Ohio, and the following year led a relief party to Fort Laurens, which garrison he commanded until the evacuation. Shortly after joining General Greene with a regiment of Virginia regulars he served with the rank of lieutenant-colonel at Guilford, Hobkirk's Hill, Ninety-Six, and Eutaw Springs, where he received a mortal wound while leading his regiment in the final charge. He died at Eutaw Springs, S. C., Sept. 8, 1781.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor