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: Patriotic Service
William Jeter, a son of French immigrant John Jeter, was born at Virginia, about 1722 and married Margaret Vaughan of Caroline County, Virginia, about 1741. William and Margaret’s children were William, Jr., Parnethia, Ancridge, Calpharna, Cornelius, Joseph, Hal, James, Argulus, Eliazer, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy, Deliah, Priscella, and Peggy. Margaret died about 1794-1795, and William, in 1797. Both were buried on the Jeter property at Edgefield County, South Carolina.
William became a prosperous farmer at Lunenburg County, Virginia, and removed about the year 1769 to Edgefield District, South Carolina, accompanied by those of his 16 children who were not already married and settled at Virginia.
At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, William and Margaret owned much land at South Carolina, many slaves, and a large sum of gold. Years earlier, the Jeters had adopted the orphaned son of former neighbors. Several of their sons and their adopted son joined the American forces, but unknown to the Jeters, their adopted son became a British spy. He easily made visits to his foster parents and was most solicitous concerning “Father.” Hearing that British forces were marching from Charleston toward his home, William, a known patriot, placed his gold in seven kegs, assisted by his trusted African slave, Toby, and buried them in a nearby grove of trees before leaving home for safety.
The British had learned of William’s gold and were determined to seize it for the British cause. A squad of soldiers came to the Jeter plantation, ransacking the house and outbuildings. Finding nothing, they seized Toby, who was always near his mistress; demanding to know where the gold was hidden and that he lead them to his master. Toby denied knowing the whereabouts of either. The soldiers built a fire then held Toby’s feet to the fire until the soles were roasted. When Toby endured in silence, the soldiers left, vowing to come again.
The adopted son made a visit to “Mother” who told him when “Father” planned a brief visit home. This news was conveyed to the British, who then kept watch on the Jeter plantation, surprising and capturing William in his own home. Threats of torture and death had little effect on William. The soldiers again resorted to torture by fire. Taking two forked sticks and implanting them firmly in the ground, they built a fire between them. Trussing William hand and foot, they hung him over the blaze. Margaret was overcome with fury. Looking for some weapon to defend her husband, she seized a reap hook hanging on the nearby barn wall and rushed into the midst of her enemies, slashing right and left. Shocked and injured, the soldiers fled. William was released from the fire and eventually recovered from his ordeal.
A few days after this occurrence, General Cornwallis himself went to the Jeter home. Margaret saw him coming and went to the door to meet him. Removing his hat, Cornwallis made a low bow, then extending his hand said, “My respects to the bravest woman I ever saw.” Margaret put her hands behind her back and said, “My hands are for my friends, not for robbers and murderers.” Cornwallis continued, “Had I an army of such soldiers as you, I had quelled this rebellion long since.” With a look of defiance, Margaret replied, “Then you would have the women to reckon with!” Cornwallis must have truly admired her spirit for he gave orders that she should never more be disturbed.
William Jeter generously gave provisions and forage during the Revolutionary War, strongly supporting the patriot cause. The story of “Brave Margaret” was published in textbooks of South Carolina history for many generations. One of the Jeter descendants later became Governor of South Carolina.
Author: James Gray Chandler
THE SOUTH CAROLINA JETERS
At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, William Jeter and his Wife, Margaret, were living in Edgefield District. South Carolina. They and their youngest children had come from Virginia some years before and had prospered greatly, owning much land, many slaves and a large sum of gold. On learning that the British Soldiers were nearing that part of the country William placed his gold in kegs, and with the assistance of a faithful African slave, Toby, they carried it and buried it, at midnight, in a cluster of five oak trees near the house. The British had heard of William’s gold and had determined to possess it. A squad of British soldiers came to the Jeter home to search for the gold. They prowled through the entire dwelling and every outbuilding on the plantation. Finding nothing of value, they were much enraged and seizing Toby, who was always to be found near his mistress, commanding him to show them where the gold was hidden, and to lead them to his master. Toby stoutly denied any knowledge of the money or of his master’s whereabouts. They then built a huge fire, and placing his feet to it, kept them there until the soles were baked. Their efforts proving fruitless, they left, vowing to come again and not leave until the treasure was found. When William came home, he was surprised and captured in his own home. Threats of torture and death had no effect on the courageous American, so, as in Toby's case, they resorted to torture by fire. Taking two forked sticks and implanting them firmly in the ground, they built a fire between them, and, binding William hand and foot, hung him over the blaze. When Margaret saw what the villains were about, fury possessed her soul. Looking quickly for some weapon with which to defend her husband, she seized a reap hook, which was hanging on a wall nearby, and rushed to his assistance. In desperation she threw herself in the midst of her enemies, cutting and slashing, right and left, with all her might. The British were terrified and, in their agony, ran from the avenging fury, as if all the American soldiers were at their heels. William was released from his perilous position and. in a short while. was entirely recovered from the effects of his ordeal. A few days after this occurrence, Cornwallis went to the Jeter home. Margaret saw him coming, and, nothing daunted, met him at the door. Removing his hat, he made a low bow, and, extending his hand, said, "My respects to the bravest woman I ever saw. Stepping back, Margaret put her hands behind her, saying. "My hands are for my friends, and not for robbers and murderers." Cornwallis showed no displeasure at this thrust, but continued. "Had I an army of such soldiers as you, I had quelled this rebellion long since. With a look of defiance she replied, "Then you would have the women to reckon with." Cornwallis must have greatly admired her indomitable spirit for he gave orders that she should never more be molested.
Excerpt from “Our Kin” pg 523-526 by Mary Ackerly and Lula Jeter Parker By J. Gray Chandler, 6thGrandson
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