James Steen (planter)
Encyclopedia
Lt. Col. James Steen was a successful planter who, at the time of the American revolution, resided in the Thicketty Creek area of what was once the northern part of Union County (formed in 1785) and is now part of Cherokee County, South Carolina
(formed 1897). Steen, a stanch Presbyterian, had been born in County Antrim, Ulster Province, Ireland in about 1734. In the 1750s, he moved to America along with his father's family, that included his brother John Steen. Originally residing in Pennsylvania
for only a few years, John (Steen)and James (Steen) both had recorded land deeds on Thicketty Creek 1766 & 1767.
Both John and James Steen, as well as many other local natives of Thicketty, South Carolina
, were heavily involved in the American Revolution
. There were families who were British loyalists, as well as families such as the Steen's who were Whigs and Colonial Militia Officers. In quite a few instances, Thicketty Creek neighbors found themselves on opposite sides and battles throughout the war, in surrounding areas.
According to Lyman Draper (1815-1891), as written in his well-known book titled Kings Mountain and it's Heroes:
Cherokee County, South Carolina
Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The county was formed in 1897 from parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg Counties. It is included in the Gaffney, South Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 United States Census, the county's...
(formed 1897). Steen, a stanch Presbyterian, had been born in County Antrim, Ulster Province, Ireland in about 1734. In the 1750s, he moved to America along with his father's family, that included his brother John Steen. Originally residing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
for only a few years, John (Steen)and James (Steen) both had recorded land deeds on Thicketty Creek 1766 & 1767.
Both John and James Steen, as well as many other local natives of Thicketty, South Carolina
Thicketty, South Carolina
Thicketty is an unincorporated community in Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States. It lies between Gaffney and Cowpens along U.S. Route 29. Thicketty is located about northeast of Spartanburg....
, were heavily involved in the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. There were families who were British loyalists, as well as families such as the Steen's who were Whigs and Colonial Militia Officers. In quite a few instances, Thicketty Creek neighbors found themselves on opposite sides and battles throughout the war, in surrounding areas.
According to Lyman Draper (1815-1891), as written in his well-known book titled Kings Mountain and it's Heroes:
- "James Steen, also of Irish descent, was probably a native of Pennsylvania, and early settled in what is now Union County, South Carolina. In August 1775, he was fully convinced and ready to sign the Continental Association and doubtless led a company on the Snow campaign, as he did the following year against the Cherokees, and, in 1777, commanded at Prince's FortPrince's FortPrince's Fort was built in South Carolina for protection against the Cherokee Indians. It was near the residence of John Prince. Fort Prince was the general rallying point in times of danger when the people of the settlement sought safety. Just in front was a creek for their washing. Nearby stood a...
. In 1779, he served in Georgia, then at Stono, and Savannah; and performed a tour of duty from November in that year till February 1780, near CharlestonCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. At this period, he ranked as Lieutenant-Colonel, distinguishing himself at Rocky Mount (Battle of Rocky Mount), Hanging Rock (Battle of Hanging Rock), Musgrove's Mill (Battle of Musgrove MillBattle of Musgrove MillThe Battle of Musgrove Mill, August 19, 1780, occurred near a ford of the Enoree River, near the present-day border between Spartanburg, Laurens and Union Counties in South Carolina...
), King's Mountain (Battle of King's Mountain), and probably with his superior, Colonel (Thomas) Brandon (Fair Forest Regiment), at the Cowpens (Battle of CowpensBattle of CowpensThe Battle of Cowpens was a decisive victory by Patriot Revolutionary forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
). In the summer of 1781, while endeavoring to arrest a Tory, in Rowan County, North CarolinaRowan County, North Carolina-Demographics and economics:As of the census of 2010, there were 138,428 people, 53,140 households, and 37,058 families residing in the county. The population density was 270.7 people per square mile . There were 60,211 housing units at an average density of 117.7 per square mile...
, he was stabbed by an associate, surviving only a week."