John Beckham

John Beckham, a hunter and a trapper, came from NC in 1774. . Being a scout and spy during the American Revolution, Beckham and his family suffered at the hands of the British and Tories. The expert horse trainer died before he could apply for a Revolutionary War pension leaving a destitute widow and several daughters.

William Rice Feaster's A History of Union County, SC, Union County Historical Foundation, A. Press, Inc., Greenville Co., SC, p. 18 stated that John "Jack Beckham died in Santuck SC, and was buried in an unmarked grave in Hodge Grave Yard, Union District, SC.

We learn a little more about John Beckham in a biography of Col. William Henderson, a brother of Elizabeth (Henderson) Beckham. This biography appears in John H. Logan, A.M., A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, P. 38 (Southern California General Soc., Burbank). "John Beckham, his [William Henderson's] brother-in-law was a most active Whig, and fearless scout. While Morgan was encamped on Grindal's Shoals, Beckham kept Morgan in constant motion, and he did valuable service. On one occasion, when closely pressed by the Light Horse of British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, Beckham plunged headlong down a fearful bank into the river, and made his escape on the plantation of old William Hodge, who was also a true Whig. A comrade named Easterwood, from whom the shoals take their name, was with him in this race. Easterwood rode a big clumsy horse, and was big and heavy himself. His horse striking his foot against a log, fell sprawling, and Easterwood was made prisoner. Beckham's mare a magnificent animal, soon left them in the rear. Beckham could have gotten off easier, but stopping at Hodge's to light his pipe, (he was an incessant smoker), the British were close upon him, while he was yet holding the fire. He swore he would light it before he budged a foot. After gaining the opposite side of Pacolet, Beckham slapping his thigh, and looking back at his pursuers, 'Shoot and be d---d,' he cried, his pipe still in his mouth. He is said to have done all his scouting and fighting with his pipe in his mouth. He survived the war, and lies buried on Hodge's plantation. His only surviving son removed to Kentucky; his daughters all married and moved to the West." (p. 38-39)

A subsequent paragraph about William Hodge states "His place was some three miles above Grindal's Shoals; it is now occupied by his grandson, Moses Hodge. "

Jack lived in what is now Union County, SC. His home was approximately 20 miles from the Battle of Blackstock's Plantation on Nov. 20, 1780, and 24 miles from the Battle of Cowpens.

John Beckham settled on a part of the Henderson grant on Sandy Run, which is now known as the "Billy" Whitlock place. He engaged in hunting and trapping as game was plentiful. He had a store, which was possibly the first in that section.

As a horse trainer, he was considered to be an expert, and was paid a good deal of attention to his horse-racing. The war coming on, he became an ardent Whig and was celebrated as a scout, and did extensive work as a spy. Naturally such a man would suffer much at the hands of the British and Tories. Tarleton once made a foray into that section and camped for a night at Beckham's house and when Tarleton left in the morning he took all of the family's bedding except one quilt, and soon afterwards, a party of Tories came and took that; hence when the war was over, he had little or nothing left.

Subsequently Wade Hampton, who had spent much time in Beckham's home, gave Beckham employment as a trainer of race horses, but Jack Beckham ever remained what the old people would call a "ne'er-do-well." At last the faithful old scout who had done his bit in the cause of Independence, passed away, leaving a poor widow and a house full of daughters. Since Beckham's grave was not marked, the exact spot is unknown.

John Beckham has been the given-name of many of his descendants.

Source: Colonial Spy by Mickey C. Beckham

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