George Heriot (1746 - 1807)

Born 8 Apr 1746 in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Tucker) Heriot — married 24 Jan 1775 in Charleston County, South Carolina

Descendants

Died 11 Nov 1807 at age 61 in Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States

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Biography

Emigrated to Georgetown, SC in 1765. George Heriot appears to have been married twice. His first marriage to an unknown wife occurred sometime prior to 1774 as the 1790 census for George Heriot in Prince George Parish, Georgetown, South Carolina shows that there are two males, besides George Heriot, over the age of 16, i.e. born before 1774 and also five free white females. By this time, he and his second wife, Sarah Tucker, only had two known daughters born before 1790. Thus, these were most likely from a previous marriage or additional daughters from this union since the ages of the females are not stated. George Heriot, merchant in Georgetown, married Sarah Tucker, daughter of Captain Thomas Tucker, in Georgetown, South Carolina on 27 February 1775. The Tucker’s were a very prominent English family who had immigrated to South Carolina from Bermuda and owned several rice plantations around Georgetown.

George Heriot was observed to have owned a plantation called Dunbar along the Black River in Craven County, South Carolina prior to 1800. There is an undated plat that lists George Heriot as a land owner on the Black River. This is near to where his cousin Robert Heriot had land which he probably obtained from his marriage to Polly Ouldfield and quite possibly it was purchased from him. George Heriot, Robert Heriot, and William Heriot all also appear to have owned homes in Georgetown in addition to their plantation holdings. Descendants of George Heriot are observed owning nearby plantations in the early 1800s.

In June of 1776, Captain George Heriot was the engineer in charge of building fortifications for the defense of Georgetown against the British following the declaration of war. George Heriot, along with his cousins and neighbors Robert and William Heriot, joined the patriot cause to oppose the British during the ensuing years. He and his cousins were captured by the British after the fall of Charleston in 1780.

With Charleston tightly in British hands, Georgetown quickly became the primary port and center for supplying the State's Continental and militia troops with ammunition, arms, powder, bar iron, boots, military shoes, shirts, blankets, saddles, and foodstuffs. The British moved quickly to occupy the city; however the occupation did not last long. The militia under Francis Marion continually harassed the British troops and finally on 28 May 1781 the British evacuated Georgetown and the next day Brigadier General Francis Marion moved in. Apparently George Heriot and his brother-in-law Daniel Tucker, along with Roger Smith, formed a company called Heriot and Tucker Co. to address these needs, procuring and delivering necessary supplies to General Marion’s forces. This company is seen operating as early as 1775.

George Heriot’s business partner was his brother-in-law Daniel Tucker (1752-1797), who later became a rice planter and owned Litchfield Plantation sometime between 1794-1796. A letter from Col. Lushington to General Marion in October 1782 indicates that Ms. Heriot and Tucker had received the passports for the transport of produce arriving from the sale of 50 Negroes at the direction of Governor John Matthews. It appears that the “produce” is a stand of 100 arms requested from Governor Matthews by General Marion in July. The Governor’s response states, “When you send for the arms, pray enquire if there is no one there. I know of no mode for getting them except from Georgetown; I therefore enclose for you a letter to Heriot and Tucker, endeavoring for them to procure you a supply, agreeably to such list as you may send them.” A subsequent letter from the firm of Heriot and Tucker confirms this transaction. After the war Heriot and Tucker made a request for payment for the delivery of 100 stands of arms.

In 1786 Heriot and Tucker sold Lot #76 in Georgetown located at Prince and King Streets to Robert Grant. It is interesting that the transaction was signed by George Heriot, Daniel Tucker, and Robert Heriot. It is possible that George’s cousin Robert Heriot was also a partner in this mercantile business. They then purchased two lots (22 and 24) on Bay Street from Joseph Brown. Shortly thereafter, Robert’s brother William Heriot is seen as a partner in the mercantile firm of Heriot and Grant.

George Heriot died on 7 November 1807 and was buried in the Episcopal Church of Prince George’s Winyah, at Georgetown, South Carolina.

Sources

• Heriot compiled by Dr. Caldwell Woodruff, MD, of Lihthieum Heights, MD and Mrs. C. W. Rose circa 1938
• A Historical Perspective: The Heriot and Herriott Families of South Carolina, Ray Harriot, 2015, Page 120