Richard Winn

Background

Richard Winn was born in 1750, in Fauquier County, Virginia, the younger son of Minor Winn and Margaret O'Conner.

Education

Richard Winn’s education is unknown, but he gained a knowledge of mathematics.

Career

His father was doubtless the Minor Winn, who in 1774 obtained a grant for 800 acres on Wateree Creek, near the present town of Winnsboro, South Carolina. Richard, however, as a deputy surveyor, had purchased lands in that neighborhood as early as 1771.

At the opening of the Revolution, he was commissioned, June 17, 1775, first lieutenant in the 3rd South Carolina Regiment, the regiment of rangers commanded by William Thomson; four months later he was commissioned a justice of the peace. In 1776, he took part in the battle of Fort Moultrie, and the following year, as captain in command, he made a spectacular defense of Fort McIntosh, Georgia. He helped defend Charleston in 1780, and after the capitulation, having joined the guerrillas of Thomas Sumter as major, he was wounded at Hanging Rock. He also took a distinguished part in the skirmish at Fishdam Ford and in the battle of Blackstock. In 1782 he represented the district between Broad and Catawba in the Jacksonborough Assembly.

Upon the resignation of Richard Henderson in 1783, he was made a brigadier-general, and in 1800 was promoted to be major-general of militia. After the war, in 1783 he was named a commissioner to lay off Camden District into counties, and two years later he deeded 100 acres on the boundary of Winnsboro to the Mount Zion Society for the education of youth, an organization of which he had been a member since 1777.

Elected to the South Carolina legislature, he was named in 1786 a commissioner to buy lands for the new state capital, Columbia, and later to sell lots therein. In 1788 he became superintendent of Indian affairs for the southern district and was associated with Andrew Pickens. As lieutenant-governor of the state, he served with John Drayton from 1800 to 1802. His longest public service, however, was in Congress. Elected as a Republican (Democrat) to the Third Congress, defeating Sumter, he was reelected to the Fourth, and, upon the resignation of Sumter, he won a seat in the Seventh Congress, serving 1793 - 1797 and 1803 - 1813. In 1813 he removed to Duck River, Tennessee, and became a planter, with mercantile interests in addition. He died on December 19, 1818, on his plantation along the Duck River, south of Columbia, and was buried in the family cemetery there.

Achievements

• Richard Winn was a well-known revolutionary war soldier and congressman, who fought valiantly to defend Charleston in the two battles, served in the South Carolina legislature and then eight terms in the United House of Representatives.

Politics

Until 1795, Richard Winn was a member of the Anti-Administration party. After 1795, he served as Democratic-Republican.

Membership

Richard Winn was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 5th district and the U. S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 4th district.

Personality

General Winn was upwards of six feet in height, and indifferently well formed. His countenance was noble and majestic and beamed with the warmth of benevolence and kindness. His port was noble and his manners dignified and elegant.

Connections

Richard Winn was married to Susan Pricilla McKinnie, by whom he had eleven children.

Father:

Minor Winn

Mother:

Margaret Winn (O'Conner)

Wife:

Susan Pricilla Winn (McKinnie)

Daughter:

Mary Ann Sims (Winn)

Daughter:

Sophia Christina Bratton (Winn)

Daughter:

Susan Priscilla Blocker (Winn)

colleague:

John Drayton

John Drayton was an American judge and politician.

colleague:

Andrew Pickens

Andrew Pickens was an American militia leader and politician.

Son:

Minor Winn

Son:

Thomas Winn

Son:

William Winn

Brother:

James Winn

Brother:

Richard Winn

Brother:

William Winn

Brother:

John Minor Winn