Who was Thomas Fletchall?
Out of the three generals chosen, Thomas Fletchall is the least documented, but there is still a large amount of information that gives insight to the life he lived. He was born in Frederick County, Maryland to "Poor Thomas" and Elizabeth Fletchall around 1725.2 He is seen as one of the most influential people in Ninety-Six, South Carolina. He married his wife Leah and had five children, and Fletchall did own slaves.3 He specifically stood up for the idea that the king had done nothing wrong, and he wanted to keep peace with his neighbors. Pictured is the marker of the creek that his plantation was on. Fletchall advocated largely for the King in South Carolina, and he comes across in these texts as extremely nonchalant and avoidant of danger. He was extremely loyal to the king and fled to live a peaceful life in Jamaica after having to leave Ninety-Six. His personality is obviously showcased through his choice to remain in Jamaica for the remainder of his life. Fletchall, as a whole, seems grateful for what he has been given and has done for himself and sees no reason to stir up strife and open a whole can of worms by having to create a new government and making an enemy of the king. Additionally, his specific role of justice of the peace gives more information for his personality.
Information
Before the War
Fletchall was initially born in Maryland. it is clear that once moving to South Carolina, things went uphill for his family. After being born in Maryland, his family moved in 1755 to South Carolina. Prior to the war, he became local magistrate. Here, they created their plantation at Fairforest Creek. It is stated that he was believed to be undecided on his personal views but prior to war, he was a militia leader. His main point was that he would not go against the King, and he was able to use his large role in Ninety-Six to help.3
During the War
In 1775, when the war began, he was considered a huge part of the Revolutionary War and to be a huge influence in the Backcountry of South Carolina. This year, he was sued with another constable because of the arrest of John Nuckolls. "He remained loyal to the king throughout conflict and is Although not a particularly brave man, Fletchall was loyal to the King throughout the Whig-Tory conflicts of 1775. Even though he could have acquiesced and embraced the Whig Cause without any loss of personal position or wealth, he steadfastly refused to take up arms against his King. "2 His loyalty is consistently referenced, and it is clear that his intentions were pure in his wanting to take up for the king. He was actually put in jail in Charleston from 1755-1756. Fletchall often hosted elaborate dinner parties for the British officers and Loyalist officers at his Fairforest Creek Plantation. After the Battle of King's Mountain, he received threats from former Whig friends and in 1782, his family fled. 5
After the war
After the war. Fletchall's property was taken and sold. After fleeing, they went to Charleston. After this, they took the HMS Milford to Jamaica, but the timeline for this is fuzzy. Fletchall stayed in Jamaica, which was controlled by the British, until he died in 1789. There is little known about this time after the war. Currently, there is a highway marker for him and his plantation. 3
"The Official Claim Submitted by Thomas Fletchall" - This specific text helps to give lots of insight to Fletchall's life. I believe this is the most in depth description of his life and who he was as a person. Through this, we see what battles he fought in as well as his exit from the country. Here, we see his war history specifically that is not outlined in many other places.
"The Memorial of Thomas Fletchall of Jamaica, formerly of 96 District, South Carolina sheweth that he was appointed in the said District of Ninety-Six between Broad and Saludy Rivers consisting of upwards of 2,000 men by Commission from Lord Charles Grenville Montague, Governor of South Carolina in the year 1769 and continued in the said Commission under his successor Lord William Campbell.
That in June or July 1775 he received Orders from Lord William Campbell to hold himself and his regiment in readiness to support any disturbances offered to Government with instructions to apply to Mr. Alexander Cameron then Superintendent to the Creek and Cherokee Indians for assistance in case it was required.
That in the Month of September 1775 William Henry Drayton collected a body of about 400 light Horse and 800 foot, with intent as was given out, to disarm the Loyalists of 96 generally, but particularly those of the Regiment under the command of the Memorialist, whereon the Memorialist immediately ordered his Regiment under Arms and marched with about 1500 Men to meet and oppose Drayton’s party. That Drayton finding the Memorialist advanced within six miles of his camp and determined to support Government offered terms of accommodation and each party agreed to return home and remain peaceable.
That about the 14th or 15th of November following, the Memorialist again embodied his Regiment on being informed that the discontented party were arming and had raised a fort at Ninety-Six mounted with swivel guns which he ordered to be attacked and taken, And it was effected the 17th of the same month with the loss of some Men killed and several wounded on each side.
That on the 9th of December following, his House was surrounded by about 400 Horse, who took him prisoner and sent him to Charles Town Gaol, where the Memorialist was detained in confinement until the 10th July 1776.
That on the 10th October 1780, the Memorialist was obliged to make his escape from his Home and go to Charles Town for refuge, with his wife, 5 children and 14 slaves; where he continued at a great expense until the 1st December 1782, when he embarked with his Family on board the ship Milford, John May Master, a transport provided by the Government for Jamaica, where they arrived in company with the rest of the Fleet about the 15th of January 1783.
That he lost by adhering to Government the following properties, viz." 2
Thomas Fletchall's Loyalist Proclamation- This text written by Fletchall is expressing loyalty to the King and that the king had not done anything wrong. He lays out accusations of the king and explains that they are overall false and that there is no reason for anyone to go against him. He seems to believe he is stating the truth and that people are being unreasonable in raising arms and fighting. This is a good indication of his position and his beliefs.
"Therefore upon mature deliberation it is our Opinions and ultimate resolutions, Touching the aforesaid Contraversey, That our Sovereign Lord King George the Third of Great Britain etcetera: has not acted inconvenient and with and Subversive of the Principles of the Constitution of the British Empire at Least at present, that we have seen no Authority Sufficient or Testimony Authenticated to Convince us thereof to Such a Degree as to forfeit his right to our Allegiance Wherefore we are Determined not to take up arms against him " 4
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