When most think about the American Revolution and what part their ancestor played in the war, most probably think of a patriot set on freeing America from the British. But that is a misconception. While, yes, there were many who were patriots, there were some who were not. Depending upon your viewpoint, those were either Loyalists to Britian or Tories against the Patriots. And the loyalty to Britian was not limited to the elite British who lived in the new world.
The back country in and around what is modern day Newberry County, South Carolina is one such area were the community was a mixture of those whose support was separated between the two causes. It is important to understand the life of those in the back country to understand why many of them did not necessarily support the Patriot Cause. These folks lived in the frontier and were more concerned with their own survival with many just wanting to be left alone.
- The had to travel to Charleston for business and the roads to travel in the area were few.
- Police protection was not available so they had to protect their own and the militia was relatively inactive in the area.
- There was general distrust and tension between the elites in Charleston and the back country settlers, must of this the result of past conflicts between the regulators and the patriot leaders.
Basically the leaders along the coast in Charleston, had failed in recognizing and addressing their issues. Additionally recent immigrants still felt a loyalty to the British Crown due to the land grants they received when they arrived.
It was this backdrop that Casper Byerley and his eldest son Casper Byerley experienced when making their decision as to which side they should support. Records do seem to indicate that Casper (Jasper), the son, did serve in the Captain Waters Regiment as he was listed on the pay vouchers of Captain Houseal. But there is also a record of a Caspar Byerley being listed in British records as a refugee. Some researchers are of the belief that was because he was trying to get retribution from the British for the use of Bierley’s Ferry during the war. What is not clear as to what position both of these men took during the war and whether their position was based on their beliefs or based on what was best for them at a given moment in time.
Links for more information –
- Loyalists | South Carolina Encyclopedia
- The American Revolution in South Carolina – Brierley’s Ferry
Books available that give more insight into South Carolina during the war.
