Southern AdventuresLindley’s Fort

“Lindley’s Fort played a small but significant role in the revolutionary history of the Saluda river in the old 96 district. It was considered an old Fort in 1776. It is believed that the Fort was constructed by a private individual for needed protection in the Backcountry. It is possible that the Fort was built during the early 1760s since there were Indian disturbances in the area during that time.

The site is located on a wooded hill the highest rise of land surrounded mostly by open fields. The rise is approximately 25 to 30 feet above the adjacent land. On the top of the rise, evidence of a ditch approximately 3 feet in width is present . There are considerable stones scattered throughout, with what appears to be two rock-lined pits within the area encompassed by the ditch.”

This excerpt was taken from the National Register of Historic Places nomination form for Lindley’s Fort site, filed in 1977.

Part of the British plan of attack was to encourage Indian uprisings in the Backcountry. At this point, Lindley’s Fort became very important to the area residents.

Historical Marker at Lindley’s Fort

Lindley’s Fort
On July 15, 1776, a number of Indians and Tories attacked this frontier fort where area settlers had gathered for protection. Major Jonathan Downs, with a company of men, had arrived the previous evening & helped repulse the attack. This victory gave encouragement to the American cause locally. The site is located about 600 yds. south.

Jonathan Downs
One of the Justices of the Peace to settle a courthouse site for Laurens County, Jonathan Downs was a member of the 1st & 2nd Provincial Congresses and served in the South Carolina General Assembly. His Revolutionary War service included the Laurens County battles of Lindley’s Fort (1776), where he was commander, & Hayes’ Station (1781). He died in 1818.