Calhoun, Patrick, Family Cemetery
9.5 mi. SW of Abbeville on SC 823, Abbeville, SCThis cemetery contains the graves of Patrick Calhoun and members of his family, who settled in the Long Canes area of Abbeville County in the 1750s. Patrick Calhoun, an early settler of backcountry South Carolina soon achieved a reputation as an Indian fighter. He entered politics and served in South Carolina's early assemblies. Realizing that the Charleston-based state legislature often served only the interests of the lowcountry planters, Calhoun became a spokesman for the rights of the backcountry settlers. He was influential in securing the right to vote for this region as well as promoting its representation in the legislature. He was also the father of John C. Calhoun, U.S. Senator and Vice-President of the United States (1824-1832). John C. Calhoun spent his early life in the Abbeville community and its adjacent countryside, the homeplace of the Calhoun family. In 1844 he erected a monument in the family cemetery to his father. (John C. Calhoun is buried in Charleston. A statue in tribute has been erected in Statuary Hall of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.)
MILITARY AND POLITICAL: James, Ezekiel, William, and Patrick Calhoun, four brothers, emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania in the 1730s and then moved southward along the Alleghenies to Wythe County, Virginia. Indian attacks, after Braddock's defeat, forced them to move southward again. In 1756 they established the Calhoun settlement in the Long Canes community of present-day Abbeville County, SC.
In February 1760, the Cherokee Indians were threatening the frontier, and a caravan of about 250 settlers from the Long Canes Community was traveling to Fort Moore, near Augusta, for shelter. The caravan, of which Patrick Calhoun and his family were a part, was attacked by over 100 Indians, and many of the settlers were killed. This event, known as the Long Canes Massacre, awoke the indignation of the colonial government towards the Indians and resulted in the burning of Cherokee towns. Patrick Calhoun returned to the massacre site in 1760 and erected two stone markers, which are still standing today. He was also instrumental in having a company of government troops sent to the Long Canes Community in 1764 to protect the settlers from further Indian attacks. He was placed at the head of this company. Throughout the Cherokee skirmishes of the 1760s, Patrick Calhoun had the reputation of being a skillful Indian fighter and later became a hero in local legends.
In 1769, Patrick Calhoun led a band of upcountry settlers to Charleston, where they demanded and received, the right to vote. Calhoun was elected the first representative from the upcountry in the Provincial Assembly as a result of this expedition. From 1769-1772, he served in the Commons House of Assembly from Prince Williams Parish. He participated in the First and Second Provincial Congresses (1775-1776) and was a member of the state's first General Assembly (1776), in which he served until his death in 1796.
Patrick Calhoun's grave is the earliest recorded in the cemetery, which is located on the former grounds of his plantation. Before and during his political and military career, he earned a livelihood as a farmer and surveyor.
After Patrick Calhoun died in 1796, John C. Calhoun left Waddell's Academy and returned home to manage the family plantation, which included the family cemetery. In 1800 he reentered Waddell's Academy, which had been moved to the South Carolina side of the Savannah River, and in 1802 he entered Yale. After acquiring a law degree from Yale in 1806, Calhoun returned to South Carolina and opened a law office in Abbeville in 1807. The Law Range where Calhoun had his office is still standing in the town of Abbeville.
In 1811 Calhoun married and made his home in Bath, S.C., across the Savannah River from Augusta. In 1825 he built a mansion at Fort Hill in the northwest corner of the state but continued to maintain connections in the Long Canes community. In 1844, while he was U.S. Secretary of State, John C. Calhoun erected a monument in the family cemetery to his father, mother, and sister. The monument, with inscriptions written by Calhoun, stands today.
Local significance of the structure:
MILITARY AND POLITICAL: James, Ezekiel, William, and Patrick Calhoun, four brothers, emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania in the 1730s and then moved southward along the Alleghenies to Wythe County, Virginia. Indian attacks, after Braddock's defeat, forced them to move southward again. In 1756 they established the Calhoun settlement in the Long Canes community of present-day Abbeville County, SC.
In February 1760, the Cherokee Indians were threatening the frontier, and a caravan of about 250 settlers from the Long Canes Community was traveling to Fort Moore, near Augusta, for shelter. The caravan, of which Patrick Calhoun and his family were a part, was attacked by over 100 Indians, and many of the settlers were killed. This event, known as the Long Canes Massacre, awoke the indignation of the colonial government towards the Indians and resulted in the burning of Cherokee towns. Patrick Calhoun returned to the massacre site in 1760 and erected two stone markers, which are still standing today. He was also instrumental in having a company of government troops sent to the Long Canes Community in 1764 to protect the settlers from further Indian attacks. He was placed at the head of this company. Throughout the Cherokee skirmishes of the 1760s, Patrick Calhoun had the reputation of being a skillful Indian fighter and later became a hero in local legends.
In 1769, Patrick Calhoun led a band of upcountry settlers to Charleston, where they demanded and received, the right to vote. Calhoun was elected the first representative from the upcountry in the Provincial Assembly as a result of this expedition. From 1769-1772, he served in the Commons House of Assembly from Prince Williams Parish. He participated in the First and Second Provincial Congresses (1775-1776) and was a member of the state's first General Assembly (1776), in which he served until his death in 1796.
Patrick Calhoun's grave is the earliest recorded in the cemetery, which is located on the former grounds of his plantation. Before and during his political and military career, he earned a livelihood as a farmer and surveyor.
John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun, son of Patrick and Martha Calhoun, was born in the Long Canes settlement in 1782 and lived there on his father's plantation until about 1795. At this time he entered the Academy of his brother-in-law, Dr. Moses Waddell, across the Savannah River in Georgia.After Patrick Calhoun died in 1796, John C. Calhoun left Waddell's Academy and returned home to manage the family plantation, which included the family cemetery. In 1800 he reentered Waddell's Academy, which had been moved to the South Carolina side of the Savannah River, and in 1802 he entered Yale. After acquiring a law degree from Yale in 1806, Calhoun returned to South Carolina and opened a law office in Abbeville in 1807. The Law Range where Calhoun had his office is still standing in the town of Abbeville.
In 1811 Calhoun married and made his home in Bath, S.C., across the Savannah River from Augusta. In 1825 he built a mansion at Fort Hill in the northwest corner of the state but continued to maintain connections in the Long Canes community. In 1844, while he was U.S. Secretary of State, John C. Calhoun erected a monument in the family cemetery to his father, mother, and sister. The monument, with inscriptions written by Calhoun, stands today.
Military; Exploration/settlement; Politics/government; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
South Carolina was a major center of the transatlantic slave trade. Charleston was one of the busiest ports for the importation of enslaved Africans in North America, with an estimated 40% of all enslaved Africans brought to the United States passing through the city.
About Abbeville County
Abbeville County Timeline
Abbeville County, South Carolina, has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Creek nations. European settlers began to arrive in the late 18th century, and Abbeville County was officially established in 1785. It was named after the French town of Abbeville, possibly due to its resemblance to the area's lush landscapes.
Throughout the early 19th century, Abbeville County played a significant role in South Carolina's economy, known for its fertile farmlands and booming cotton industry. It also became a hotbed of political activities during this time, particularly during the Nullification Crisis in the 1830s. Abbeville was one of the strongholds of the Nullification movement, which aimed to resist federal tariffs. The Nullification Convention of 1832, held in the town, resulted in the drafting of the Ordinance of Nullification, which challenged federal authority and asserted states' rights.
During the Civil War, Abbeville County was greatly affected by the conflict. As the war progressed, many plantation owners saw their properties devastated and enslaved individuals gained their freedom. Abbeville County also witnessed several significant events during the war, such as the Battle of Abbeville Court House in 1864, which resulted in Union troops burning the county seat.
In the years following the war, Abbeville County experienced a period of recovery and reconstruction. The economy shifted away from agriculture, diversifying into other industries such as textiles and manufacturing. The county also played a role in the civil rights movement, with the landmark Briggs v. Elliott case originating in Abbeville County. The case ultimately served as a precursor to the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Today, Abbeville County is known for its charming small towns, picturesque landscapes, and a rich historical heritage. With a blend of agricultural tradition and a burgeoning tourism industry, the county continues to evolve while honoring its significant past.
Throughout the early 19th century, Abbeville County played a significant role in South Carolina's economy, known for its fertile farmlands and booming cotton industry. It also became a hotbed of political activities during this time, particularly during the Nullification Crisis in the 1830s. Abbeville was one of the strongholds of the Nullification movement, which aimed to resist federal tariffs. The Nullification Convention of 1832, held in the town, resulted in the drafting of the Ordinance of Nullification, which challenged federal authority and asserted states' rights.
During the Civil War, Abbeville County was greatly affected by the conflict. As the war progressed, many plantation owners saw their properties devastated and enslaved individuals gained their freedom. Abbeville County also witnessed several significant events during the war, such as the Battle of Abbeville Court House in 1864, which resulted in Union troops burning the county seat.
In the years following the war, Abbeville County experienced a period of recovery and reconstruction. The economy shifted away from agriculture, diversifying into other industries such as textiles and manufacturing. The county also played a role in the civil rights movement, with the landmark Briggs v. Elliott case originating in Abbeville County. The case ultimately served as a precursor to the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Today, Abbeville County is known for its charming small towns, picturesque landscapes, and a rich historical heritage. With a blend of agricultural tradition and a burgeoning tourism industry, the county continues to evolve while honoring its significant past.
Abbeville County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Abbeville County, South Carolina.
- 1760: Abbeville County is established as part of Ninety-Six District in South Carolina.
- 1780-1781: Abbeville County is heavily impacted by the American Revolutionary War.
- 1785: The town of Abbeville is officially chartered.
- 1791: Abbeville County becomes part of the new state of South Carolina.
- 1822: Abbeville County plays a role in the Nullification Crisis, a conflict between the state and federal government over tariffs.
- 1860s: Abbeville County is affected by the American Civil War.
- 1872: Abbeville County experiences economic growth with the arrival of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad.
- 1898-1900: Abbeville County witnesses the rise of the Populist Party and the implementation of reforms.
- 1950s: Abbeville County undergoes racial tensions and civil rights movement.
- 2018: Abbeville County celebrates its 250th anniversary.