The Swamp Fox, General Francis Marion and his engagements with the British in 1780-81 in St. Mark's Parish,
 now Clarendon County,  depicting history on Historic murals in Manning, Paxville, Summerton & Turbeville.
 Every mural tells a story of the events of the American Revolution in South Carolina. 

( For map of murals, individual town maps linked below:)

Murals Maps for locations of Swamp Fox Murals, Clarendon County, SC:

Manning Map      Paxville Map

Summerton Map       Turbeville Map

Summary of Murals & Historic Sites with GPS 

Clarendon County Tour" app will tell you about the sites and markers; 

 download here or at Google Play apps Store. This is your walking and talking tour of the historic markers and sites

Or tour at home and pick the site to visit in Clarendon County, South Carolina

  14th Francis Marion Symposium October 21-22, 2016  - Save the dates.

Newest mural completed in Summerton on US 15 & 301: Elusive Francis Marion

Elusive Francis Marion,  1780-1781

     During the American Revolution, General Marion’s Brigade eludes the British invaders.Marion’s Militia slip through swamps, trees and grasslands, enticing the British to follow along the Santee.    

     In November 1780, the British send Lt Col Tarleton to engage Marion & his Militia. Gen Marion is looking for the British and heads towards Jacks Creek. He locates them at Gen. Richardson’s home and attempts to draw them into an ambush he has set up at Benbow’s Ferry on the Black River. The British give up the ride at Ox Swamp.

The Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society donated this mural in Summerton, 10' x 24' mural, finished, Jan. 19, 2016 at 33.608° N  80.353° W, on US15/301, opposite Clarendon School District 1 Offices. Artist: Terry Smith, Land O’ Lakes, Florida

Good links to the historic markers, all the murals & the latest.

Thanks to The Clarendon Sun, The Sumter Item & Konstantin for the 1-14-16 story.

©2016

EPR Manning DAR Chapter assisting the ribbon cutting of this Marion mural with Terry & Rock, as they support the murals showing Rev. history.

©2013 

New, 27th mural panel: Francis Marion’s Militia Needs

During the American Revolution, General Marion and the men of his Brigade encountered wounds and diseases. Those shot or sick were left at the mercy of comrades and sympathy of Patriots and farmers. Medical care was basic, crude, herbal and local.  The “Swamp Fox” had his brave Americans put vinegar in their water and he had less illness than others. Find the fox.  The Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society and Anderson Pharmacy donate this mural in Manning in 2013.  Artist: Terry Smith, Land O’ Lakes, Florida   ©2013  Look for this 8' x 24' mural: 419 South Mill Street: 33° 41' 16.8" N  80° 12' 45" W

Manning mural, panels go up first. Thanks for the good helpers.

    Artists Welded Sculpture:

 "The Swamp Fox" at F.E. DuBose Campus, Central Carolina Technical College, Manning, SC, April, 2012.

   Thanks to the CCTC & F.E. DuBose welding student artists, Axel Reis, the Bank of Clarendon and Swamp Fox Murals Trail. Left: Students: Dustin Cook, Will Stewart, Joshua Eichmeier; Instructor: Mark Burke; Right: Artist: Axel Reis  Find this site: 33.725° N,  80.2° W   Photos' credit: Thanks to Peggy C.

     Read all about it in the Clarendon Citizen:                                                                            ©2012 http://www.clarendoncitizen.com/article/students-weld-francis-marion-sculpture

Clarendon Citizen notices Swamp Fox Murals 10th anniversary:

http://www.clarendoncitizen.com/article/swamp-fox-murals-trail-society-celebrates-10-years

4 Francis Marion Trail Commission History Markers, 1st unveiled March 2, 2012.
    See Francis Marion related items for sale & monthly events.

        General Marion’s militiamen re-built his home after the Revolution. Francis Marion, at age 53, married Mary Esther Videau, April 20, 1786. They lived at Pond Bluff, on the south edge of the Santee Swamp and raised pineland cattle.  With Oscar, the Marions frequently traveled to former battle sites. They took day long Sunday trips to St Stephen’s Church, which was supported by the Marion families.  Feb. 27, 1795 Marion, age 62, died at his home at Pond Bluff, presently under Lake Marion, and is buried at Belle Isle. These murals bring alive Revolutionary War history.
  Artist: Terry Smith, Land O’ Lakes, Florida completed, June, 2010, 3 murals in Manning, on Simpson's (formerly Geddings) Hardware, 110 N. Brooks St.
             Look for these 13' x 86' murals. 33° 41' 51" N   80° 12' 36" W  & St Stephens Church: 33.406 N  79.917 W

©2009

Terry Smith constructs a new interpretation of Fort Watson, March 2009.
Eighth mural panels in Summerton: Siege of Fort Watson Murals:
     Colonel Lee and Lee's Legion joined General Marion and Marion's Brigade on the Santee River.  They elected to capture British-held Fort Watson to get supplies. General Thomas Sumter had attacked Fort Watson unsuccessfully on February 28, 1781. Marion's men  laid siege to Fort Watson for many days starting April 16, 1781. While waiting for a cannon to arrive, Major Maham suggested building a tower to have sharpshooters pick off the Redcoats inside the fort. The Patriots gathered saplings for several days and constructed the tower overnight. The use of the tower led to the capture of  Fort Watson on April 23rd, 1781, and was the final Battle of Fort Watson.
These 11' to 17' x 77' murals are donated by the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society, 2009, to bring alive
Revolutionary War history on Summerton's Main Street on Baucom's building.  

Artist: Terry Smith, Land O’ Lakes, Florida
Mural: 33° 36' 28"N   80° 20' 59"W & Indian Mound Site: 33.539N 80.438W  Follow the Swamp Fox Murals Trail on Historic US 301: Summerton, Manning, Paxville, Turbeville, SC

In 1950 the SC DAR erected this Historic Marker at Santee Indian Mound

for Marion taking Fort Watson, 1781.

       This bronze statue of General Francis Marion stands in the window of

Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce office

19 North Brooks Street,  Manning, SC.  From all reference sources
this Bob Barinowski statue is the best likeness ever done of Gen. Marion.

Barinowski sculpted this Marion in 2006.
 

     Best ever: Feb 27-28, 2015 with about 800 participants even with cold and held inside.
     American Revolutionary Francis Marion Days Living History Encampment and

Celebration of "General Francis Marion Memorial Day and Victory at Wyboo Swamp",

Camp Bob Cooper, Summerton, SC.
    To honor General Francis Marion Memorial Day, which the South Carolina Legislature

designated as February 27, the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society sponsors

General Francis Marion Days Living History.
Come find this Marion statue in Manning: 33.696° N  80.211° W 

   The Swamp Fox:  During the American Revolution, after the fall of Charles Town in 1780, Francis Marion burst forth to lead the Williamsburg militia. He was the senior Regimental/Continental Officer not captured or paroled.  He recruited patriots, ambushed the British and Loyalists as he gained control of the supply routes to Camden. As they said in their textbooks, the British lost the war in the south & so the Patriots won independence in the south.
      This Swamp Fox Mural joins the historic location formerly home to Land's Service Station, The Bootery (HB Mahoney), Randylynn’s (Children's Clothes), Easy Rent-To-Own, 35 N. Brooks St., and adjacent to Sub Station II  in Manning, SC This Swamp Fox is donated by the Swamp Fox Mural Trail Society.   Artist: Donna VanWynsberghe, Summerton, SC 2006, Fox added 2012.  Look for this 8' x 12' mural:  33° 41' 47" N  80° 12' 39" W

A Brief History of General Francis Marion

by Dr. Joe T. Stukes, including Marion becoming the Swamp Fox

This pair of Swamp Fox Murals is donated by the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society, 2007, and depicts Revolutionary War history on Summerton's North Main Street on the Detwiler and Gaters buildings.       Artist: Terry Smith, Land O’ Lakes, Florida.     Look for these 2: 12' x 12' murals:  33° 36' 30" N  80° 20' 57" W

©2004
Chase from Richbourg’s Mill to Ox Swamp

     During the American Revolution, November 1780, Colonel Tarleton with his Green Dragoons hunted General Marion. Tarleton encamped at the late General Richardson’s home. Marion was warned by the widow's son and quickly withdrew to Jacks Creek near Richbourg’s Mill.  Learning from a Tory spy that General Marion had slipped away, Tarleton gave chase. Marion and his  militia, staying just ahead of the dragoons and fighting a series of delaying actions with his rear guard, rode to the head of Jacks Creek, down the Pocotaligo River, beyond Ox Swamp where Tarleton gave up the chase and on to Benbow’s Ferry.
Don & Anna Marie Marshall donated this Swamp Fox Mural in Paxville.

Follow the Swamp Fox Murals Trail: Paxville, Summerton, Manning and Turbeville.
Artists: Master Peace Originals, The Williams Family, Sumter, SC  (Mural on North wall of Short Stop formerly McLeod's Grocery, HWY 261, Paxville, SC January, 2005)     Look for this 8' x 28' mural:  33° 44' 19" N  80° 21' 28" W  & Richardson site: 33.637 N  80.491 W

     In the American Revolution, Nov. 8, 1780, Gen. Francis Marion and his militia lured British Col. Tarleton and his Green Dragoons about 26 miles from Jacks Creek through the swamps (Sammy and Pocotaligo) to Ox Swamp.  After spending 6 hours in this pursuit, Tarleton gave up the chase saying “as for the old fox (Marion), the devil himself could not catch him.”  Thus, Gen. Marion became known as the “Swamp Fox”.
The citizens of Clarendon County and Manning donated this mural in Manning.
Artist: Will Anderson, Stateburg, SC, 2001.
(The 12 foot x 48 foot mural is painted on West wall of the Manning Fire Station, corner of 42 W. Boyce & Boundary, completed December 2001, refurbished to restore: 2008 & 2016.)
     Follow the Swamp Fox Murals Trail: Manning, Paxville, Summerton, Turbeville, SC.
     Look for this 12' x 48' mural.  33` 41' 42"N   80` 12' 46"W  & Ox Swamp site: 33.692 N  80.201 W

  Dr. Joe T. Stukes recounts Francis Marion becoming the Swamp Fox:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSw7ms2qUKw&feature=related

Largest murals in Manning, April 2006, are the 12th - 14th.
As part of the Bridges Campaign:
Battle of Wyboo Swamp (Tuesday, March 6, 1781) (Left, central & right panels)

  Battle of Wyboo Swamp Mural
     During the American Revolution, the Bridges Campaign or Watson Chase started March 6, 1781. Colonel Watson and British troops from Fort Watson were sent to crush General Marion.  Marion’s Militia challenged them on the 1/4 mile causeway over Wyboo Swamp. The cavalry clashed several times on the causeway. When the cannon arrived Marion withdrew to a position near the Cantey Plantation. One of Marion’s men, Gavin James, personally killed three Tory dragoons on the causeway. He shot one and then bayoneted two from his horse.
     The Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society commissioned this mural for the IGA (600 S. Mill St & Bozard St.) in Manning, 2006.
     Artist: Terry Smith, Land O’ Lakes, Florida  Prints (11" x 17") of the 3 panels are available NOW.  
      Look for these 12' x 105' murals:  33° 41' 10" N  80° 12' 39" W  & Wyboo Swamp site: 33.539 N 80.218 W

     During the American Revolution, travel was slow and hard work.  Wagons needed to stop often since wooden axles and wooden wheels required grease and maintenance.  Marion’s militia traveled in a day only as far as men could walk or ride horses; they were documented as able to travel fifty miles through the swamps at night on horseback.  Most travel from Nelsons Ferry to Camden was along the Santee Path just west of here. This Patriot gives directions to Marion’s camp near Jacks Creek.
The Citizens of Summerton, the Ardis Family and the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society donated this mural.
Follow the Swamp Fox Murals Trail on Historic US 301: Summerton, Paxville, Manning and Turbeville.
     Artists: Master Peace Originals, The Williams Family, Sumter, SC  (Mural Painted on East wall of Old Bank/Martin Building, Summerton, SC September, 2004)      

                   Look for this 12' x 12' mural:  33° 36' 30" N  80° 21' 00" W

 Summary of Murals' Locations with GPS:
 Manning:  Murals & statues sites listed South to North:

  M 13  Marion Militia Needs, Anderson Pharmacy, S. Mill St.: 33°41'16.8"N 80°12'45"W

  M 10-12  Wyboo Swamp - IGA, S. Mill St.: 33° 41' 10" N  80° 12' 39" W

  M 9   Citizen Soldier - Piggly Wiggly, S. Mill St.: 33° 41' 27" N  80° 12' 45" W
  M 7   Swamp Fox to Ox Swamp - Manning Fire Dept., Boyce St.: 33° 41' 42"N   80° 12' 46"W 

  M 8   Marion Statue - Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, 19 N. Brooks St.: 33.696° N  80.211° W 

  M 6   Reflections - Citi Trends, Mill St.: 33° 41' 47" N  80° 12' 42" W
  M 5   The Swamp Fox - Sub Station  II, N. Brooks St.: 33° 41' 47" N  80° 12' 39" W
  M 4   Half-Way Swamp - Domino's, N. Brooks St.: 33° 44' 19" N  80° 21' 28" W

  M 1-3  Pond Bluff to St Stephens Church - Geddings Hardware, N. Brooks St.: 33° 41' 51" N   80° 12' 36" W

    Marion Sculpture - FE DuBose Campus, Central Carolina Technical College, US 521: 33.725° N,  80.2° W
 Paxville: (at stoplight):
  P 1   Richbourg Mill to Ox Swamp - Short Stop, US 15 & SC 261: 33° 44' 19" N  80° 21' 28" W
 Summerton:   Murals sites listed North to South:
  S 1   The Patriot - Gaters, Main St.: 33° 36' 30" N  80° 20' 57" W
  S 2   The Redcoat - Detwilers, Main St.: 33° 36' 30" N  80° 20' 57" W

  S 3-6   Fort Watson (new edition)- Baucoms, Main St.: 33° 36' 28"N   80° 20' 59"W
  S 7   Wagon Travel - Walker Bldg., Main St.: 33° 36' 30" N  80° 21' 00" W

  S 8   Patriot at Scotts Lake - Ginger’s, S. Cantey St.: 33° 36' 28" N  80° 21' 06" W

  S 9   Elusive Marion - Opposite School District 1 offices & Summerton Cultural Arts Center, S. Church St.: 33.608° N  80.353°W
  Turbeville:
  T 1   Puddin Swamp - Formerly Griffin Drug Store, Main St.: 33° 53' 27" N  80° 01' 08" W

  T 2    Tearcoat Swamp - Dollar General, Main St.: 33° 53' 26"N   80° 01' 15"W
  T 3-6   Burning Mouzons - Formerly Older Post Office, Corner of Main & Gamble Sts. - 2 sides: 33° 53' 25" N  80° 01' 14" W    **

   The General Francis Marion story (in 1780) is told on the Murray’s Ferry Historic Marker. This marker originated on the first Santee River Bridge entrance on brick posts, now highway US 52. It returned to South Carolina via Florida and Ohio.  Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society coordinated the rescue and return Sept. 2008.  Special thanks to A. and R. Hausfeld, J.M. Odom, B. Rowe, D. Stewart, G. Summers and W. Turbeville.
            Do find this Santee River historic piece on HMDB :   33.696° N  80.211° W

                   which stands in the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce office

                   19 North Brooks Street,  Manning, SC and which states:

“Murray’s Ferry – Santee River

Chartered by acts of the General Assembly beginning March 8, 1741

with title vested successively in Joseph Murray, Theodore Gaillard,

James Hunter, Trustee, Adam McDonald, Theodore Gourdin

and William Staggers.

Upon the death of Staggers in 1863, the ferry was abandoned.

On his plantation near here is buried General Francis Marion, the

Swamp Fox, the greatest of partisan leaders in the bitter struggle

for independence in the Carolinas during the Revolution.

This crossing with the dense swamp was used by him most successfully in

harassing and eluding the enemy.

After the fall of Charleston, the British established a guard

here and on the night of August 23, 1780, General Marion, then

Lieutenant Colonel of the second South Carolina

Continental Regiment, attacked and captured this post.”

©2004

  During the American Revolution, life at home in the backcountry was difficult for all. Families had to be self-sufficient.  The children carried water and carded cotton for the spinning wheel, helped tend the kitchen garden, cared for animals, milked cows, made butter and soap.  The women protected and managed the home when the men & boys were away fighting with Marion's Brigade. (14' x 60' mural)
Santee Cooper, Summerton Downtown Development Events Committee,  Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society donated this mural in Summerton, SC.     Artists: Dayton & Sandy Wodrich, Brenham, Texas.
(Mural Painted on the West & East walls of old Dr. Keller's office and the Masonic Building, Main St., Summerton, SC May, 2004, destroyed 2009.)
Follow the Swamp Fox Murals Trail on Historic 301: Summerton, Manning and Turbeville.