Rebecca Motte - Revolutionary War Woman

Rebecca Motte was a courageous woman willing to sacrifice all that she had for her country. A strong persevering woman with a great attitude to survive the many pitfalls of her life and an undying patriotism to her country. She also had a great respect for humankind no matter enemy or friend, always seeing to the needs of others before her own welfare. Showing forth a class of genteelness and hospitality.

Rebecca Brewton (Motte) was born on the 28th of June, 1738. She later married Jacob Motte in 1758, she was the mother of six children with only three living to maturity. Her husband had died in the early beginnings of the Revolutionary War leaving her a widow. This great woman lived in a beautiful mansion on the south side of the Congree River in South Carolina.
In the early part of May 1781, British soldiers under the command of Captain McPherson took possession of Mrs. Motte's plantation home to use as a fort. McPherson along with about 175 of his British soldiers fortified her home, surrounding it with a trench and parapet. She moved into a small farm house on the plantation. Soon a force led by Francis Marion and Lighthorse Harry Lee laid siege to Fort Motte and called upon the British commander to surrender, Captain McPherson refused. The British captain left them no other alternative but to burn the plantation mansion. Upon hearing Marion and Lee's plans for her home Mrs. Motte replied: "I am gratified with the opportunity of contributing to the good of my country, and I should view the approaching scene with delight." Mrs. Motte even presented Lee with the combustible arrows that were used in the burning of her home. History says she inherited them from her brother Miles Brewton who had brought them from East India.

The bow and arrows were placed in the hands of Nathan Savage, a private in Marion's army. He shot three arrows that impacted and ignited the roof. Captain McPherson seeing his men could not easily put out the burning mansion quickly threw out the white flag to surrender. Marion and Lee's men took back possession of the Motte mansion and their men where able to put out the fire on the roof saving the mansion house.

In true southern hospitality Mrs. Motte cooked a dinner later that evening for both the American and British officers and served it in her dining room.

Rebecca Motte was a woman we can all look to as an example of fortitude and bravery during difficult times. We need to look within ourselves and find that courageous person as well, and to always carry a good attitude with a sense of class.

Marion. Friends! fellow-soldiers! we again have heard

The threats of our proud enemies; they come,

Boasting to sweep us, like the chaff, away.

Shall we yield? shall we lie down like dogs beneath

The keeper's lash? Then shall we well deserve

The ruin, the disgrace that must ensue.

Ne'er dream submission will appease our foes;

We shall be conquered rebels, and they'll fear

The spirit of liberty may rouse again;

And therefore will they bind us with strong chains,

New cords, green withes, like those which Samson bound,

And we, alas! shall have been shorn and weak,

On Folly's lap, if we yield up our freedom.

MRS. S. J. HALE'S TRAGEDY, "ORMOND GROSVENOR." ACT IV.

Jeremiah O'Brien--Who????

Boys are fascinated by pirates but what they love more is a real hero. Jeremiah O'Brien is just that, a real American Hero. Jeremiah was born in Kittary, Maine in 1744. His family later moved to Machias, Maine were they ran a sawmill business.

Morris O'Brien (his father) was a strong patriot who took special care to instill his principles into the minds of his six boys; Jeremiah, Gideon, John, William, Dennis and Joseph. They were taught to read and write, "to handle the plow, the pitchfork, and the rifle, to raft lumber, and sail a boat." (I'm lucky if my children can wash some dishes and do a little vacuuming.)

Jeremiah was 31 when the Revolutionary War began. When news came from Boston of hostilities between the Americans and British the bold spirits of Machias were aflame. Soon came the Proclamation of Provincial Congress of Massachusetts "authorizing and requiring preparations and efforts incident to a state of hostility." Immediately Jeremiah and his brothers, Gideon and John erected a 'liberty pole'.

On June 2nd,1775, at the mouth of the Machias River coming from Boston arrived two sloops the Unity and Polly. On the Unity were provisions for the people of Machias that were to be traded for lumber. The people had decided they would not help the British by giving them the lumber. This was difficult since there were much needed supplies on the Unity. Now the Margaretta was positioned in the bay, it had escorted the Unity and Polly to Machias as protection against possible uprisings. The Margaretta had a crew of 40 men and four 6-pounder guns. It was commanded by Midshipman James Moore.

Captain James Moore had spotted the 'liberty pole' on shore and declared that it must be taken down or he would fire upon the town. The people voted to keep the 'liberty pole' in position "until it rotted down."

"There she is! Board her, men!" Were the echoes heard in the little seaport of Machias, Maine. Thirty-five brave men descended upon the Unity seizing her and heading out to bay to capture the Margaretta. The one sided battle of cannons vs guns last for over half an hour. The Americans riddled the British gunners at their gun ports and dropped the young Captain Moore on his quarterdeck. Captain Jeremiah O'Brien and his crew swarmed over the sides suprising the British with only their guns, swords, axes and pitchforks, seizing the Margaretta.

Captain Jeremiah O'Brien had the honor of hauling down the first British flag in the war of the American Revolution. He replaced it with a new flag fitting for those valiant lumberjacks. A pine tree or liberty tree with an 'Appeal to Heaven'.
The battle ended in a victory for the Americans. The first navel battle but not the last of the American Revolution.

During World War II the U.S. built 2,751 'Liberty Ships'. The SS Jeremiah O'Brien was built in 57 days at the New England Shipping Corporation in South Portland Maine. The SS O'Brien was launched on June 19th, 1943. The SS O'Brien was a rare survivor of the 6,939 ship armada that stormed Normandy on D-Day, 1944.