Rebecca Motte was a patriot of the American Revolution and the namesake of Fort Motte in South Carolina. She is counted among the patriots who willingly displayed an inner belief in what these United States of America were born to be.
Background
Rebecca Motte was born June 15, 1737, her family had already lived in the low country of South Carolina for over half a century, and had established themselves as leaders in the Proprietary and Royal governments. Rebecca was the third daughter of Robert Brewton by his second wife, Mary Loughton Brewton. There was also a son, and three children by his first wife.
Rebecca was reared in an atmosphere of security, wealth, and intelligence. Her father was an imposing figure in Charles Town, where he served as churchwarden for St. Phillip’s Parish and Christ Church Parish, and was captain of one of the two militia companies.
Career
After the death of her husband, Rebecca Motte maintained control of the plantation on the Santee River, though it was encumbered by her husband's wartime debts until she was ejected from her home by the British forces following the capture of Charleston in 1780. A British captain named McPherson occupied Motte's mansion with 165 men and transformed the house into "Fort Motte" by building a high parapet to fortify the building. Just as Rebecca Motte removed herself to a farmhouse to the west of the mansion, American forces arrived under the command of Henry Lee and Francis Marion to contest McPherson. Henry Lee established headquarters in Motte's farmhouse as he planned a siege of the fort.
When the British commander in South Carolina, Lord Rawdon, arrived with reinforcements, Lee and Marion resolved that burning "Fort Motte" would be the only effective method to drive the British out. Though the commanders hesitated to destroy Motte's property, she insisted that they proceed to burn her mansion. To light the fire, Motte provided a suitable bow and arrows that her brother, Miles Brew ton, had obtained from India.
After the war, Rebecca Motte regained control of the property that she had helped to destroy. She grew rice on the Santee River and managed to pay off her husband's debts. Motte died in possession of a considerable fortune.
Achievements
Rebecca Motte provided aid to Continental army forces that were opposing Lord Rawdon's control of South Carolina after the Continental defeat at the Battle of Camden in 1780. Motte's position as the owner of a large and strategically located plantation involved her directly in the Revolutionary War. She helped the Continental army burn her own home, which the British had fortified as "Fort Motte," in 1781.
Politics
The Mottes actively supported the patriot cause during the Revolutionary War. They supplied food for the soldiers and their animals from their plantation, Mount Joseph, in St. Matthew’s Parish, near the junction of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers and McCord’s Ferry.
Personality
After the British were driven from her burning plantation home, Motte entertained officers from both opposing camps at her table in the farmhouse. Her hospitality is an example of the codes of courtesy often extended between officers of opposing forces in the Revolutionary War.
Quotes from others about the person
"Mrs. Motte was informed by Lieut. Col. Lee that the destruction of her house might be necessary. To this she immediately and cheerfully consented, assuring him that the loss of her property was nothing compared with the advancement of their cause; and to facilitate their operations, presented them with some combustible arrows, which to set fire to the house." - Mrs. Harriott Horry Ravenel
Connections
Rebecca Motte had married Jacob Motte, a planter, in 1758, and they had six children together. Her husband was killed early in the Revolutionary War.
