“M” is for Motte, Rebecca Brewton (1737-1815)

“M” is for Motte, Rebecca Brewton (1737-1815). Revolutionary War heroine. Rebecca Brewton married Jacob Motte, Jr. They actively supported the patriot cause. Their plantation, Mount Joseph, in St. Matthew's Parish was near the junction of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers and McCord’s Ferry. This advantageous location overlooked a key British supply route. British troops took the Motte house, fortified the property and renamed it Fort Motte. In May 1781 patriot commanders Francis Marion and Henry Lee decided that they would have to burn the house to get the British outpost to surrender. Rebecca Motte gave her consent to the plan and even provided the arrows used to set fire to the roof. The British surrendered after the roof caught fire. Rebecca Brewton Motte reportedly then fed all the officers, British and patriot, following the battle.