Peter Horry
Peter Horry (1743 – 28 February 1815) was a planter of Huguenot descent[1] and a South Carolina militia leader. On June 12, 1775, the Provincial Congress of South Carolina elected twenty captains to serve in the 1st and 2nd South Carolina Regiments, which on September 16, 1776, were taken on the Continental Establishment as the 1st and 2nd Regiments, South Carolina Line. Peter Horry was elected one of those captains, and receiving the fifth highest vote, was ranked fifth of the twenty and assigned to the 2nd Regiment.[2]
Peter Horry | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1743 Georgetown County, Province of South Carolina |
| Died | February 28, 1815 Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina |
| Place of burial | Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | South Carolina militia; State troops |
| Years of service | 1775-1802 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | 2nd South Carolina Regiment, 5th South Carolina Regiment |
| Commands held | South Carolina 4th Regiment of State Dragoons, Col; Post-War: 6th Brigade (Georgetown), BG |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Charleston, Battle of Sullivan's Island |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret M. Guignard |
Military service
On September 16, 1776, he was promoted to major of the 2nd Regiment, and in 1779 was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and assigned to the 5th Regiment. When the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Regiments were consolidated February 12, 1780, into three regiments he was placed upon the "supernumerary list" to await a vacancy in the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Continental Line of South Carolina.[2]
In July, 1780, all officers and men of the South Carolina Line not in the hands of the enemy or on parole were directed to report to General Gates' headquarters at Hillsboro, N. C. In accordance therewith Horry reported to Gates, but as he was without a command, Gates assigned him to duty with the militia of South Carolina. After the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Marion, another officer of the South Carolina Line without a command—his regiment having been captured at the Fall of Charleston while he was on furlough—to be brigadier general of the lower brigade of the militia of South Carolina by Governor Rutledge, Horry became colonel of one of the militia regiments under Marion. Horry County, South Carolina, is named for him.[3]
Civilian service
Peter Horry represented Prince George Winyah Parish in the state House of Representatives in 1782 and from 1792 to 1794, and in the state Senate from 1785 to 1787.
Namesakes
Horry County, South Carolina is named in his honor. The Horry-Guignard House, where he lived, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[4]
References
- Salley, A.S., ed. (April 1, 1937). "South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Peter Horry". Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- Lewis, J.D. "The American Revolution in South Carolina, Peter Horry". Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 161.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- Roy Talbert Jr. and Meggan A. Farish, ed. (2012). "The Journal of Peter Horry, South Carolinian".