Honoring 250 Years of Independence

July 2026 marks the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. The Declaration of Independence stirs our hearts by stating: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Moreover, we are aware of the various battles and the eventual surrender of the British at the Battle of Yorktown. Yet, what role did South Carolina play in the American Revolution? The South Carolina 250 Committee, along with counties in South Carolina, aim to showcase the pivotal role our state played in securing victory at Yorktown.

We, the Oconee SC250 Committee, would like everyone to pause and reflect on this 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. We encourage everyone to take time to learn about how this period affected the lives of those who resided on the South Carolina frontier, as well as how the conclusion of the Revolution led to the growth and future development of present day Oconee County.

The Cherokee Frontier

During the colonial period, this area was part of the Cherokee Territory and contained over 20 Cherokee Lower Towns as well as several British forts. While this area did not see the epic battles that occurred elsewhere across the state, there were multiple skirmishes between Cherokee and Patriot forces. The most well-known is the August 1776 Ring Fight, led by Major, later General, Andrew Pickens. These encounters were bloody and violent.

Historic map of Cherokee territory — Historic Cherokee frontier and colonial forts.

Although the Cherokee signed a treaty in 1777 ceding lands in present Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson counties to the Patriots, a true cessation of hostilities did not occur until 1782. After the Revolution, representatives of the Cherokee Nation met at Hopewell, the home of General Andrew Pickens, and secured the Hopewell Treaty.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Over the course of 2026, we will provide several opportunities to learn about the American Revolution:

Teaching Trunk: Our Education Subcommittee is preparing a trunk of resources for local schools and homeschool programs.
Patriot Burials: The Historical Research Subcommittee is locating every known Patriot burial in Oconee County.
Ongoing Blogs & Topics: Look for posts on the general history of the Revolution, women in the Revolution, the Cherokee in the Revolution, and more.

May we all come together to celebrate this momentous event!

Quientell Walker
Oconee SC250 President