Mathews Plantation

Database

Mathews Plantation.

What: Skirmish, Col. Robert Barnwell vs. *British, 18 or 20 May 1779 (JCP)

Other names:

Where: 32.725142 -80.01057 Mathews Plantation

Maps: [map notes]

32.725142,-80.01057 Mathews Plantation (JCP)
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Confidence: 5

Sources:

Skelly, Francis, "Journal of Brigade Major F[rancis] Skelley", Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution, Vol.3 No.12, C.B. Baxley, ed., December 2006, annotated by John Robertson.
May [1779]
...
17^th. Coln Prevost’s Detachment took post at Rantol’s Bridge.
18^th. A detachment of L^t Infantry cross’d to John’s Island surprised a party of about sixty Rebels, killed, wounded, and took most of them. [Mathews Plantation]
19^th, 20^th, 21st } Nearly the same position as the 18^th. Constructed and occupied
22^nd, and 23^rd } three Redoubts on the Main near Wapoo Cut.
24^th. Colⁿ Prevost’s Detachment took post at Rantol’s Bridge.
25^th. Same position as yesterday. Intelligence brought that Lincoln and Moultire (Rebel Generals) had joined their armies, and taken post in force six miles from our Redoubts.
26^th. Most of the Army moved and took a position on the Main to defend the Redoubts, an attack being hourly expected. Some skirmishing with advanced parties. A man or two killed on both sides.
27^th. Grenadiers and Carolinians crossed to John’s Island — from thence to the main by Stono ferry — took post there — three Redoubts constructed.
28^th. Most of the Army crossed to John’s Island.
29^th. Last division and rear Guard under Colⁿ Maitland crossed to John’s Island. Post at Stono reinforced. Colⁿ Prevost took command there. The Army remained nearly in this position till the 16^th June [1779]
16^th. Colⁿ Prevost with the Grenadiers set out by the Islands for Savannah.
...
23^rd. Quitted Stono. The whole Army on John’s Island. 24^th. Army on John’s Island.
...
26^th. Army crossed to Simond’s Island. First division crossed to Edisto Island.
27^th. Last division under Colⁿ Maitland crossed to Edisto. Whole Army on that Island.
...
JCP:
On map from "A Place Called Saint John" by Elizabeth Stringfellow found at the SC Historical Society, #28 is the plantation of John Raven Mathews. [Source of selected location]
Terry Lipscomb, "Revolutionary Battles Part II", Names in South Carolina, Vol.XXI, Winter 1974, map, snippet from:
Terry Lipscomb, "Revolutionary Battles Part II", Names in South Carolina, Vol.XXI, Winter 1974, p.25.
On May 20, while the British were encamped on James Island, they attacked an American militia unit posted across the Stono at Mathew's Plantation. The Patriots were surprised through the treachery of a local Loyalist, Thomas Fenwick, and were given no quarter, although they offered no strong resistance. Robert Barnwell was left for dead with seventeen bayonet wounds, but fortunately survived. The British then burned the Mathews house, ruins of which were still visible in the early Nineteenth Century. This was the plantation of John Raven Mathews, located on Johns Island directly opposite James Island.⁴
4. Ramsay, Vol. 2, pp. 28-29; Joseph Johnson, Traditions and Reminiscences of the American Revolution in the South, pp. 182- 185; David Duncan Wallace, History of South Carolina, Vol. 2, p. 192.
NBBAS:One. p. 285. Mathews' Plantation, South Carolina, 20 May 1779.
RevWar75
Jun 1776 listing. 6/16/1776 Stono Creek, Charlestown Bar. Draw.
Jun 1777 listing. 6/14/1777 Stono Inlet. Draw.
May 1779 listing.
5/20/1779 Mathew's Plantation. British victory.
5/23/1779 Stono River. Draw.
Jun 1779 listing.
6/1/1779 13 Mile-House, Stono Ferry. Insufficient data.
6/20/1779 Stono Ferry. Draw.
6/1779 Mouth of the Stono River. Naval action. Draw
6/22 - 23/1779 Stanyarne's and Eveleigh's Plantation. American victory.
Feb 1780 listing. 2/22/1780 Stono. American victory.
Mar 1780 listing. 3/5/1780 Stono River. Draw.

Confidence level: 4