Brigadier General Andrew Pickens

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Andrew Pickens (September 13, 1739 - August 11, 1817) was a General during the American Revolutionary War, a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and a member of the US House of Representatives.

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[edit] Military Career

During the American Revolutionary war, Pickens sided with the American rebel militia. He entered as a Captain and rose to the rank of Brigadier General. During the war he was captured by the British. He hand his men were paroled and sent home with the promise that they would fight no more. However, he took up arms again when British soldiers destroyed most of his property and threatened his family.

[edit] Political Career

Pickens was a member of the South Carolina State House of Representatives from 1781 to 1794. He was elected to the Third Congress of the United States in 1793. He was a member of the state house of representatives again from 1800 to 1812. In 1812 he declined the nomination to be Governor of South Carolina.

[edit] Negotiations with Native Americans

Pickens led military campaigns against the Cherokee tribe in 1776. However, he later became known as an authority on Native Americans and was asked to negotiate several treaties with neighboring tribes. He was well respected by the Cherokee who gave him the name "Skyagunsta" which means "Wise Owl" or "Wizard Owl."

[edit] Personal Life

Andrew Pickens married Rebecca Calhoun (a cousin of John C. Calhoun) in 1765. They had 12 children, including a son, Andrew Pickens Jr., who became governor of South Carolina. According to stories passed down by his decedents, Pickens was a very stern man who seldom smiled and never laughed. General Pickens died on August 11, 1817. He is buried in the Old Stone Church cemetery near the Clemson University campus.

[edit] Legacy

Both the town of Pickens and Pickens County are named in his honor. The Pickens counties in both Alabama and Georgia named for him, as well as Fort Pickens in Florida.

[edit] Further Reading

The Fighting Elder: Andrew Pickens, 1739-1817; by Alice Waring; 1962; University of South Carolina Press.

[edit] External Links

Wikipedia Biography: [1]

Congressional Biography: [2]