Author: Bob Shaw
The ancestor I will spend a couple of minutes telling you about is Zachariah Kitchens. I feel comfortable in saying that you have probably never heard of him. I hadn't either until I attended a grave marking ceremony organized by the Marquis de Lafayette Chapter several years ago.

Zachariah was born in 1754 in an area close to Catawaba Indian land in what is now Fairfield County, South Carolina.

Zachariah's involvement in the Revolutionary War is not marked by any monument or history books chronicaling his activities. He never commanded an army unit, he never served on the staff of a general officer, he did not leave any written account of his service. What then makes him so special, outside of being my 3rd great grandfather. Zachariah left his hearth and home to enlist in a cause he believed in along with other young men of his generation. He most likely had only a rudimentary education but his knowledge of what was transpiring during this period kindled his patriotism along with recognizing the impact that victory would have for his country and future life.

Apparently he postponed his enlistment in the South Carolina militia until hostilities were moving closer to his home. His first service was under the command of General Richardson along the Congaree River in December 1775 where the snow fell half a leg deep. Granted this was not Valley Forge, but the winter conditions were similar and the soldiers were subjected to the same type of harsh conditions.


As the war escalated, Zachariah found himself under the leadership of Captain William Morris. This unit joined with General Sumter and marched to hanging rock South Carolina to engage the tories. Although this was a small skirmish and the patriots were outnumbered but when the dust settled they had prevailed.

Zachariah was at the Battle of Camden when Sumter's forces were forced to retreat with wagons of supplies when two of the wagons broke down. Guards were placed with these wagons but the British attacked and killed the guards.

In February 1781, Zachariah was in a battle around Fort Ganby and during a march to Thompson's fort all of the bridges had been burned by the loyalists.

A contingent of soldiers, including Zachariah, left the battle and were able to ambush and secure two British wagons where they took a couple of trunks containing money and goods. These trunks were floated down river. Doesn't this sound like a movie scene? If you saw the movie "the patriot" you will recognize this scenerio.

After the war, Zachariah is living in Chester County, South Carolina before moving to Georgia where he died and was buried in Henry County.

The marking of his grave was the recognition he so richly deserved as he was one of the unsung heroes of the Revolutionary War - the foot soldier. At this ceremony, a thirteen year old boy scout, working on a merit badge, had the distinction of removing the covering from the headstone of Zachariah's grave. The script had Austin Chatham removing the covering and rejoining the other participants. Instead of following this script, Austin decided to salute the grave of Zachariah Kitchens, his fifth great grandfather. After the ceremony, I asked Austin if someone had told him to salute since this was not part of the script. He told me that it was his idea because Zachariah deserved the respect and rememberance for who he was and what he had done.

In case you have not guessed, Austin is my grandson and a member of the Piedmont Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.

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