McCord’s Ferry History: American Revolution in the Lowcountry
Authorized in 1766, McCord’s Ferry was established in Santee, SC, near the northern tip of the Congaree River. This public ferry was named after Captain John McCord, a trader to local Native American tribes and the commander to a South Carolina frontier ranger company during the French and Indian War of the 1750s.
Due to its location within South Carolina, pleasant times would not be as constant for McCord’s Ferry as they are today. As tensions between the colonies and the British exploded, this scenic Lowcountry location would find itself a key actor on the Revolutionary War’s South Carolinian stage. On Aug. 3, 1781, British forces would overtake the ferry. This meant that seizing back control of this strategic river crossing from the British would be necessary for American troops.
At the command of Major General Nathanael Green, Lt. Col. “Light Horse” Henry Lee (father to Gen. Robert E. Lee) would carry out this action, driving British troops from McCord’s Ferry as part of his campaign to strike enemy communication lines from Orangeburg to Charleston. Lee would encircle the enemy camp at the Battle of McCord’s Ferry with his revolutionaries, forcing the British to retreat.
Lee would repurpose the location following his victory, with American forces camped nearby to protect comrades during the siege of Fort Motte. McCord’s Ferry would be abandoned during the war before resuming activity in the years following American victory. Route 601, which was once connected to the ferry when it was operational, is still called McCord’s Ferry to this day and is one of the oldest roads in South Carolina.
Today, this historic slice of the scenic Lowcountry is a getaway for outdoor enthusiasts with a wealth of activities to enjoy on our Lake Marion’s waters. With a collection of single-family homes in our lakefront community, there’s never been a better time to engross yourself in our nation’s history than right here and now in the heart of South Carolina.
