Thomas Sumter

Thomas Sumter (born August 14, 1734 near Charlottesville , Colony of Virginia , † June 1, 1832 near Stateburg , South Carolina ) was a general of the United States in the American Revolutionary War and a long-time member of the US Congress .

At the age of 30 Sumter moved to South Carolina and settled in Stateburg in the Claremont district. Here he married Mary Jameson in 1767. Together with his wife, he enjoyed some economic success and became a wealthy plantation owner . Because of his wealth and reputation, he was able to set up a local militia . In February 1776 he became lieutenant colonel of the 2nd rifle regiment. He took part in several battles during the War of Independence, including the defense of Georgia . After the British surrounded Charleston , they searched for Sumter, who had to flee into the hinterland. Here he formed a resistance group made up of men from North Carolina and South Carolina. He was made brigadier general and successfully fought behind the lines of the enemy. His daring and fearless fighting style earned him the nickname gamecock (English fighting cock).

After the revolution he went into politics and served here among the top four presidents . For South Carolina Sumter was from 1789 to 1793 and from 1797 to 1801 a member of the House of Representatives and from 1801 to 1810 a member of the Senate . He belonged to the Democratic Republican Party .

Sumter died in 1832 as the last living general of the War of Independence. His son Thomas (1768-1840) was Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina and his son Thomas De Lage Sumter was from 1839 to 1843 also Congressman for South Carolina.

The district in which Stateburg is now located was renamed Sumter County in 1800 . The district town is Sumter . Many other places and places were named after Sumter, including Fort Sumter , which became famous during the Civil War .

Web links

Thomas Sumter in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)

personal data
SURNAME	Sumter, Thomas
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American military in the American Revolutionary War and politician
DATE OF BIRTH	August 14, 1734
PLACE OF BIRTH	near Charlottesville , Virginia
DATE OF DEATH	June 1, 1832
Place of death	near Stateburg , South Carolina