Mary Dillard

Mary Ramage Dillard 1755 –1836, was young and reputedly quite attractive - and she drew a private's pay in the American Revolutionary War.

• from Find A Grave Memorial #29696253

History records that Mary Ramage Dillard was a beautiful woman, remarkably little and very active. After the Revolution, James and Mary continued to live in Laurens County where they reared their family, They had seven children: John Dillard, George Washington Dillard, Priscilla Ramage Dillard, Mary (Polly) Dillard, Jane (Jennie) Dillard, Elizabeth (Betsy) Dillard and Samuel H. Dillard.

Mary is considered a Revolutionary Heroine because of her midnight ride to warn the American Patriots of an impending attack. It seems that her husband, Capt James Dillard, was away from home at the time serving in the American Army. A group of British and Tory soldiers came to Mary's home and ordered Mary to prepare them a meal. While serving the meal, Mary overheard them discussing that they would attack the American Army. After they left, Mary mounted a horse, not even taking time to saddle it, and carried the information to the American Patriots. She had a baby son to deal with and having no time to find somewhere to leave him, Mary lifted the bed post and sat it down on the end of his dressing gown, keeping the baby from safe while he slept. Her effort is said to have prevented a Tory victory at Blackstocks which was Tarleton's first defeat in South Carolina. Tarleton later recalled seeing a woman on horseback among the trees bordering his march and he believed that she reported him to Sumter.

• from http://www.scssar.org/PDF/Patriot_Grave_Stones_How_To_2.pdf

Between the dangers of living on the Indian Frontier and he vulnerability she accompanied her husband on every, campaign, bivouac, drill, and battle. In addition to being the information Conduit for Kerr (SUPER SPY) and his guardian, during the Battle of Blackstock’s Plantation, at the height of the fighting, she noticed that some fifty-plus British horses were unattended and off to the side tethered to a long rope tied between two trees. Un noticed, she walked to the horses, cut each end of the rope and boldly led them from the field and across the river to the Virginans on the American Side of the River. The British officers and Cavalry had to walk away (rather than ride) and they had to abandon their three canons plus supply wagons (Tents, blankets, Lanterns, Shovels, Axes, Pots & Pans, and their munitions wagons without the means to propel them.