Wade Hampton II
Encyclopedia
Wade Hampton II was an American plantation owner and soldier in the War of 1812
. He was a member of the Hampton family, whose influence was strong in South Carolina
politics and social circles for nearly 100 years.
He became a lieutenant
of the dragoons in 1811, and was acting inspector general
and aide to General Andrew Jackson
at New Orleans, Louisiana
, in 1815.
Hampton was born in Columbia, South Carolina
, the son of General Wade Hampton I
(1752–1835) and Harriet Flud. He married Ann Fitzsimmons on March 6, 1817, in Charleston, South Carolina
, whose sister, Catherine Fitzsimmons, was the wife of James Henry Hammond
. His son, Wade Hampton III
, was a prominent Confederate
cavalry
general in the American Civil War
, and a postbellum Governor of South Carolina
.
His summer retreat, High Hampton
, is on the National Register of Historic Places
, as is his mansion
in Columbia, South Carolina
, the Hampton-Preston House
, the ruins of his plantation house Millwoods
.
He is interred in the churchyard at Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. He was a member of the Hampton family, whose influence was strong in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
politics and social circles for nearly 100 years.
He became a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
of the dragoons in 1811, and was acting inspector general
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
and aide to General Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
at New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, in 1815.
Hampton was born in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, the son of General Wade Hampton I
Wade Hampton I
Wade Hampton was a South Carolina soldier, politician, two-term U.S. Congressman, and wealthy plantation owner. He was the scion of the politically important Hampton family, which was influential in state politics almost into the 20th century...
(1752–1835) and Harriet Flud. He married Ann Fitzsimmons on March 6, 1817, in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston 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...
, whose sister, Catherine Fitzsimmons, was the wife of James Henry Hammond
James Henry Hammond
James Henry Hammond was a politician from South Carolina. He served as a United States Representative from 1835 to 1836, the 60th Governor of South Carolina from 1842 to 1844, and United States Senator from 1857 to 1860...
. His son, Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
, was a prominent Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
general in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and a postbellum Governor of South Carolina
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
.
His summer retreat, High Hampton
High Hampton Inn Historic District
The High Hampton Inn Historic District is an estate and resort nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina, in the Cashiers Valley in Jackson County...
, is on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, as is his mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, the Hampton-Preston House
Hampton-Preston House
The Hampton-Preston House located at 1615 Blanding Street in Columbia, South Carolina, is a historic mansion that was the home of members of the prominent Hampton family. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 29, 1969....
, the ruins of his plantation house Millwoods
Millwood (Richland County, South Carolina)
Millwood is the site and ruins of an antebellum plantation house at 6100 Garner's Ferry Road , Columbia, South Carolina. It was owned by Colonel Wade Hampton II and was the boyhood home of the Confederate general, South Carolina governor, and U.S. Senator Wade Hampton III. After the death of Wade...
.
He is interred in the churchyard at Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina.