Mary Ramage Dillard

“A woman on horseback had viewed the line of march from a wood, and, by a nearer road, had given intelligence that the British were approaching without infantry or cannon.”

“…and being informed of Tarleton’s approach and want of infantry, by a woman who passed him on the march, and contrived by a nearer road to get to them…”

“After learning of Tarleton’s advance, Sumter ordered his force to begin a retreat toward the Tyger River. In an attempt to catch the Patriots, Tarleton left his slow-moving infantry and cannon behind and rushed ahead with just his mounted troops. Learning of this from a local woman, Mary Dillard, Sumter decided to stand and fight late in the day at the farm of William Blackstock on the banks of the Tyger River.” 

November 3rd, 1780, he escaped as a refugee from the British and Tories, and joined the American army under Gen. Thomas Sumpter; served on horseback in the fragment of the Little River regiment then commanded (after Col. J. Williams’ death) by Col. Joseph Hayes and in the company formerly commanded by Capt. Greer, but now by Capt. Sam’l. Swing [Ewing] and Lieut. James Dillard.
 
When Sumter had crossed the Enoree, he went to take a view of Col. Tarleton’s camp at Sherer’s Ferry on Broad river; immediately on his return to. his former camp, he ordered Ewing’s company of 14 men to cross Dunkin’s creek, and reconnoitre the country towards the fort the Tories had on Col. Williams’ plantation; and upon our returning to Sumter’s camp, he had decamped, having gotten certain notice that Tarlton was advancing upon him. We followed Sumter’s trail, crossing Enoree, found Tarlton was between us and Sumter; took two of his men and escaped. This is the reason we were not in the battle of Blackstocks. 

Mary Ramage Dillard, a daughter of John and Jean (Jane) Adair Ramage of Laurens
District, South Carolina, was born during the early 1760’s. Mary was the wife of James Dillard, who was born in 1755 in Culpeper County, Virginia. James had settled in what is now Laurens County when he was seven years old. James and Mary lived near the South Fork Creek in the eastern section of Laurens County.
Both Mary’s father, John Ramage, and maternal grandfather, Joseph Adair, Sr., were
American Patriots in Laurens District. Mary’s husband James Dillard served as a Captain in the American Revolution.

Mary is considered a Revolutionary Heroine because of her midnight ride to warn the American Patriots of an impending attack. It seems that her husband, Capt James Dillard, was away from home at the time serving in the American Army. A group of British and Tory soldiers came to Mary’s home and ordered Mary to
prepare them a meal. While serving the meal, Mary overheard them discussing that they would attack the American Army. After they left, Mary mounted a horse, not even taking time to saddle it, and carried the information to the American Patriots. She had a baby son to deal with and having no time to find somewhere to leave him, Mary lifted the bed post and sat it down on the end of his dressing gown, keeping the baby from safe while he slept.

Her effort is said to have prevented a Tory victory at Blackstocks which was Tarleton’s first defeat in South Carolina. Tarleton later recalled seeing a woman on horseback among the trees bordering his march and he believed that she reported him to Sumter.

On another occasion, Mary numbered the British Army while they marched down the road near her home. By counting the men in each file and then counting the number of files, she was able to calculate the number of British. She gave this information to her husband who passed it to the commander of the American Patriots. On two occasions during the Revolution the Dillard’s home was burned but this did not discourage their desire for American Independence.

History records that Mary Ramage Dillard was a beautiful woman, remarkably little and very active. After the Revolution, James and Mary continued to live in Laurens County where they reared their family, They had seven children: John Dillard, George Washington Dillard, Priscilla Ramage Dillard, Mary (Polly) Dillard, Jane (Jennie) Dillard, Elizabeth (Betsy) Dillard and Samuel H. Dillard.

Mary Ramage, a daughter of John and Jean (Jane) Ramage of Laurens County, South Carolina, was born during the early 1760’s. Mary married James Dillard (4 February 1755-4 December 1836), who later became an American Revolutionary Captain. Capt. James Dillard was a son of George Dillard (ca. 1735-3 March 1790) and Priscilla Majors. Capt. James and Mary Ramage Dillard settled near the South Fork Creek in what is now Laurens County, South Carolina (the eastern section).

History records that Mary Ramage Dillard was a remarkably little and beautiful woman. Mary was a member of a family who supported independence during the American Revolution. Both Mary’s father, John Ramage, and her husband, Capt. James Dillard fought for American independence during the Revolution. Capt. James and Mary Ramage Dillard had a large home on the Enoree River, opposite the Musgrove plantation. On two occasions, Capt. James and Mary Ramage Dillard’s home was burned by the British and/or Tories but this did not discourage their desire for American independence.

Mary Ramage Dillard is considered an American Revolutionary Heroine because of her midnight ride to warn the Patriots of an impending attack. It seems that Mary’s husband, Capt. James Dillard, was away from home serving in the militia at the time. A group of British and Tory Soldiers came to the Dillard home and ordered Mary to prepare a meal for them. While serving the meal, Mary overheard them discussing that they would attack the Americans. After they left, Mary mounted her horse not even taking the time to saddle it and carried the information to the Patriots. Her effort is said to have prevented a Tory victory at Blackstocks, Tarleton’s first defeat in South Carolina.

Tarleton later recalled seeing a woman on horseback among the trees bordering his march and he believed that she had reported him to Sumter. The Battle at Blackstocks occurred on 20 November 1780. There have been several versions of Mary Ramage Dillard’s ride. Several stories stated that Mary had warned Colonel Clarke at Green Springs of an attack by Ferguson and Dunlap. Another indicates that she warned General Greene at Musgrove Mill (19 August 1780). Historians now agree that she warned the Patriots at Blackstocks. Historians have come to this conclusion because the Tory troops were camped at Musgrove’s Mill and the Patriots were in camp at Blackstock’s Plantation.

In a letter written to Lyman Draper in 1873, Mrs. Nancy E. Dillard Boyce, age 71, daughter of Capt. James Dillard and his second wife, stated that the first wife of her father was Mary Ramage, the daughter of John and Jean (Jane) Ramage. Mrs. Boyce’s letter also identified Mary Ramage Dillard as the “Mrs. Dillard” who had warned Sumter at Blackstock’s on the Tyger River that British soldiers were headed in that direction. Mrs. Boyce also stated that her older sister had been of the opinion that the warning had been to Musgrove’s Mill (19 August 1780). Mr. Draper, author of Kings Mountain and Its Heroes which was published in 1881, noted on Mrs. Boyce’s letter that the British were already at Musgrove’s Mill at the time. One family story concerning Mary Ramage Dillard’s ride has been passed down from generation to generation among her Ray descendants of northeast Mississippi. Members of the family say that Mary Ramage Dillard’s son, John was only a small child at the time. Mary could not take him with her and had no one to leave him with. She lifted up one end of the bed and set the bedpost down on the end of the child’s nightshirt where she left him in order to warn the patriots. The British came to Dillard home, finding the child they took him to a nearby home before returning and burning the Dillard home.

On another occasion, Mary numbered the British Army while they marched down a road near her home. By counting the men in each file and then counting the number of files, she was able to calculate the number of British. She gave this information to her husband who passed in on the commander of the American Patriots.

Mary Ramage Dillard died at the age of 35 in 1795. Capt. James Dillard later married Mary Puckett and they had seven children. The children of Capt. James and Mary Ramage Dillard were: John Dillard, Priscilla Ramage Dillard Garrett, Jane “Jennie” Dillard Burke, Elizabeth Dillard Harris, George W. Dillard, Samuel Dillard and Mary “Polly” Dillard Garrett.

…The book was part of a series called the Young Patriot Series that was used as text books for students of that time .It is an amazing tale that includes the boys meeting up with Capt. Dillard, Col. McDowell and Col. Campbell (all of these surnames are part of my own genealogy) and continuing on into battle.

I have never found the answer as to why she was called Sarah instead of Mary. Perhaps because Mary Ramage Dillard died in childbirth in 1795 and Capt. Dillard took another wife who was also named Mary (Puckett).The two have often been confused.

When the Eagle Scouts decided to make a memorial at the gravesites of Capt. (then Major) Dillard and his wife they mistakenly marked the gravesite of Mary Puckett as Mary Ramage Dillard. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in getting them or the SAR to make a stone for Mary Puckett Dillard even though they had turned hers and James Dillard’s face down in the dirt.

They are buried on the Duckett farm which is now private property. The Duckett family had two of their children marry Dillards including Lydia Duckett who married Samuel Dillard, my great great grandfather and his half sister, Narcissa Dillard, married Thomas Duckett. Thomas and Narcissa are buried behind James and Mary Puckett Dillard.

“The recollection of the courage and patriotism of Mrs. Dillard is associated with the details of a battle of considerable importance, which took place in Spartanburg District, at the Green Spring, near Berwick’s iron works. The Americans here gained great honor. Colonel Clarke, of the Georgia volunteers, joined with Captains McCall, Liddle, and Hammond, in all about one hundred and ninety-eight men—having received intelligence that a body of tory militia, stated to be from two to five hundred, commanded by Colonel Ferguson, were recruiting for the horse service—determined to attempt to rout them. **

** Mills’ Statistics of South Carolina, p. 738.

They marched accordingly; and hearing that a scouting party was in advance of Ferguson’s station, prepared to give them battle. Colonel Clarke, with his forces, encamped for the night at Green Spring.

On that day the Americans had stopped for refreshment at the house of Captain Dillard, who was with their party as a volunteer. They had been entertained by his wife with milk and potatoes—the simple fare which those hardy soldiers often found it difficult to obtain. The same evening Ferguson and Dunlap, with a party of tories, arrived at the house. They inquired of Mrs. Dillard whether Clarke and his men had not been there; what time they had departed; and what were their numbers? She answered that they had been at the house; that she could not guess their numbers; and that they had been gone a long time. The officers then ordered her to prepare supper for them with all possible despatch. They took possession of the house, and took some bacon to be given to their men. Mrs. Dillard set about the preparations for supper. In going backwards and forwards from the kitchen, she overheard much of their conversation. It will be remembered that the kitchens at the South are usually separate from the dwelling-houses. The doors and windows of houses in the country being often slightly constructed, it is also likely that the loose partitions afforded facilities for hearing what might be said within. Besides, the officers probably apprehended no danger from disclosing their plans in the presence of a lonely woman.

She ascertained that they had determined to surprise Clarke and his party; and were to pursue him as soon as they had taken their meal. She also heard one of the officers tell Ferguson he had just received the information that the rebels, with Clarke, were to encamp that night at the Great Spring. It was at once resolved to surprise and attack them before day. The feelings may be imagined with which Mrs. Dillard heard this resolution announced. She hurried the supper, and as soon as it was placed upon the table, and the officers had sat down, slipped out by a back way. Late and dark as it was, her determination was to go herself and apprize Clarke of his danger, in the hope of being in time for him to make a safe retreat; for she believed that the enemy were too numerous to justify a battle.

She went to the stable, bridled a young horse, and without saddle, mounted and rode with all possible speed to the place described. It was about half an hour before day when she came in full gallop to one of the videttes, by whom she was immediately conducted to Colonel Clarke. She called to the colonel, breathless with eagerness and haste, “Be in readiness either to fight or run; the enemy will be upon you immediately, and they are strong!”

In an instant every man was up, and no moments were lost in preparing for action. The intelligence came just in time to put the whigs in readiness. Ferguson had detached Dunlap with two hundred picked mounted men, to engage Clarke and keep him employed till his arrival. These rushed in full charge into the American camp; but the surprise was on their part. They were met hand to hand, with a firmness they had not anticipated. Their confusion was increased by the darkness, which rendered it hard to distinguish friend from foe. The battle was warm for fifteen or twenty minutes, when the tories gave way. They were pursued nearly a mile, but not overtaken. Ferguson came “too late for the frolic;” the business being ended. Clarke and his little band then returned to North Carolina for rest and refreshment; for the whole of this enterprise was performed without one regular meal, and without regular food for their horses.”

The credit of giving this seasonable notice to the Americans has also been claimed for Mrs. Thomas, the heroic mother of Colonel J. Thomas, jun., and no doubt with reason — they both did it. With such patriotic matrons and with a peasantry who refused to take protection, or acknowledge submission to the British forces, well may this District be designated as Spartanburg.

Mrs. Thomas rode sixty miles to give Colonel Clarke the information. The foregoing should have appeared in the Sketch of Samuel Hammond and his Services, but was overlooked and inadvertently left out..”

https://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/History_of_Edgefield_County_SC_Chapman_1897.pdf