Benjamin Hughes (1759 - 1849)

Born 1759 in Orangeburg, Orangeburg, Province of South Carolina

Husband of Anna (Mason) Hughes — married 23 Oct 1787 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA

Descendants

Died 9 Apr 1849 at about age 90 in Coweta County, Georgia, United States

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Biography

Benjamin was born in 1759. He died in 1849 at the age of 89 - 90.

Benjamin Hughes served during the Revolutionary War with the South Carolina Line, Continental Army. Several reports can be found that he was one of the only two survivors of the Cloud's Creek Massacre that occurred in South Carolina on 11/17/1781. Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 23 Sept 2017), "Record of Hughes, Benjamin", Ancestor # A059092.

In the 1790 Census, Benjamin Hughs is found living in Orangeburg, South Carolina, plus 1 white male under 16, and 3 white females. 5 total household members.

In the 1800 Census, Benjamin is found living in Lexington, Orangeburg District, South Carolina, USA Benj, wife (26-45), kids aged 10-15 - 2B 1G; kids aged <10 1B, 3G. By this time, George (20) and Chesley (18) may be on their own. Other kids would be BOYS Benajah, John, ?; GIRLS ?, Mary Lydia, Leah, and Sophia

In the 1810 Census, Benjamin is found living in Lexington, South Carolina, with a wife + 7 kids 3M 4F

In the 1820 Census,

Revolutionary War Notes

A small group of Patriot Militia, led by Capt. James Butler, Sr. and Capt. Sterling Turner, about thirty in number, were overwhelmed and slaughtered by a force of 300 Loyalist militia led by Major William “Bloody Bill” Cunningham. Only two Patriot militiamen managed to escape.

After the negotiated truce at Tarrar's Spring, Capt. Sterling Turner and Capt. James Butler camped at Cloud's Creek. There had been a hard rain and all the men were soaked, and their guns would not fire. Capt. Turner went to the house of a Mr. Carter and asked for food and a dry place to put their guns in order, but Capt. Butler advised against stopping, as did one of Butler's men, but Capt. Turner ignored this advice.

Major William Cunningham found out that they were at Mr. Carter's home and he struck in broad daylight. The Patriots returned fire from inside the log home and sent out a messenger to ask for terms of surrender. Major Cunningham refused any terms that would include James Butler, Jr. (in the party of Patriots with his father), and Capt. Butler offered his own life in exchange for his son's. Then his son fired out of the house and killed a Loyalist, ending all discussions, and ending up with the son dead.

The Patriots now only hoped for mercy, but "Bloody Bill" was again to live up to his name. He put his own sword to Capt. Butler, Capt. Turner and all but two men. Benjamin Hughes was able to escape when Mr. Carter's cattle became frightened and stampeded. He hid under some drift wood that had caught against a pine log in a nearby creek, and was not found.

A Bledsoe came out of Mr. Carter's house hanging onto Benjamin Rabun. Major Cunningham asked their names, but neither would answer. Rabun's skull was split in two by the saber and he died with his arms around Bledsoe's neck. Bledsoe was not killed, but it is said that he was never in his right mind afterwards.

After this massacre, Major Cunningham and his men stopped at Towles Blacksmith shop to have their horses reshod. When Oliver Towles finished re-shoeing all of his men's horse, Major Cunningham's men killed him and his son and a slave boy, then set fire to all the buildings as they left.

Sources

• Benjamin is buried at the White Oak Associate Reformed Presbyterian Cemetery in Newnan, Coweta County, Georgia, USA. His page lists and has links to 2 spouses, 8 children. There is a picture of his headstone. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20005312/benjamin-hughes

• 1790 Census: Orangeburg, South Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 11; Page: 388; Image: 236; Family History Library Film: 0568151

• 1800 Census: Benjamin Hughes. Lexington, Orangeburg District, South Carolina, United States;

• 1830 Census Place: Coweta, Georgia; Series: M19; Roll: 16; Page: 388; Family History Library Film: 0007036

• Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M246, 138 rolls); War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93; National Archives, Washington. D.C.

• Benjamin Hughes: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/67576794/person/38166309912/facts

• My Sons of the American Revolution ancestor. SAR # 206938 (Thomas A Taroni)