The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: SC
Qualifying Service: Civil Service
The cemetery is in the middle of the Orchard Crest Subdivision
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
The cemetery is near Orchard Crest Subdivision off Highway 101, Greer, South Carolina
Author: Joseph Richard Glavitsch
Thomas Edwards was born at Fauquier County, Virginia, 25 January 1762. He enlisted 28 November 1779, in the Fourth South Carolina Regiment, Artillery, under Colonel Beeckman. The first South Carolina Provincial Congress authorized the Fourth Regiment, 6 June 1775. The Second Provincial Congress authorized the Fourth South Carolina Regiment, Artillery, 14 November 1775. The Continental Congress considered this regiment as a continental line unit assigning it to the Southern Department, 18 June 1776.
Edwards was at Huck’s defeat and under Baron DeKalb at Camden. He claimed to be at Yorktown, however; this conflicts with what is known about the Fourth Regiment’s history. The Fourth Regiment saw continuous action to include Fort Moultrie and the Siege of Savannah. The regiment was captured by the British at the Siege of Charleston. The regiment disbanded 1 January 1781.
Thomas Edwards married Mary Ann McClanahan, 27 August 1782. They were he parents of nine children. Their family settled at present-day Greenville County, South Carolina. From 1802 to 1809, Edwards acquired over 3000 acres in land grants. He purchased 300 acres from the Colonel John Thomas family, 9 February 1814, including the Thomas house, and cemetery.
Edwards served as a judge at Greenville and represented Greenville in the South Carolina House for six terms from 1798 to 1813. He also was an officer (captain or major) in the State Militia. Edwards was appointed a Greenville County judge in 1796.
References:
Ross, Bobby Gilmore: Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, Baltimore Genealogical Publishing Company Inc., 1983, Pg. 286.
The Greenville Mountaineer, August 11, 1832. Obituary of Thomas Edwards.
Biographical Directory of the South Carolina House of Representative, Vol. 4, 1794-1815, Pg. 180-181.
Deed Book 1, Pg. 262-263, Greenville County, South Carolina.
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Additional Information:
DAR GRS shows DoB as "10 Apr 1762"
DAR NOTE: (there are potential issues) regarding this man's service - MUST PROVE SERVICE CONSISTENT WITH AGE & RESIDENCE. 3/2022