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At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, John and other men from the Ninety-Six District, sent a letter to the
Council of Safety notifying them that they were forming a militia unit to defend their country.
John became a Captain under the command of Andrew Pickens. He was at the battles of Eutaw Springs, Kettle Creek and
Cowpens as well as being in charge of a ranger company to protect the frontier against Indian attacks.
On the night of October 3rd, 1781 Loyalists and Cherokee Indians lead by Major William "Bloody Bill" Cunningham raided
Pratts Mill and burned it to the ground. John was wounded but was able to escape with his men The company lost thirty
30 horses and saddles.
At the battle of the Cowpens, John took command of Andrew Miller's men after Miller was killed in action.
In 1782 John killed John Masterson, a Tory who was known to be "a notorious and mischievous enemy of the country". A
female slave was confiscated from another Tory named Alexander Chavis and given to John as a reward for killing John
Masterson. Chavis later petitioned South Carolina for compensation for the loss of his slave.
John continued living in Abbeville County after the war. Here he was a landowner and farmer of hundreds of acres. He
remained part of the local militia, eventually being promoted to Brigadier General.
John was a delegate from the 96th district to the 1790 constitutional convention in order to establish South Carolina's
first state constitution.
In 1792 John along with other citizens petitioned Abbeville County for stronger laws and penalties to prevent such
behavior as profane swearing, drunkenness, and breaking the Sabbath.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sources:
- Will of General John Norwood Abbeville County, South Carolina dated 01-12-1798
- Alexander Chavis Petition
- Grand Jury Petition
- Documentary History of the American Revolution
- Revolutionary War Marker, Abbeville South Carolina
- Roster Of South Carolina Patriots
- Ancestry.com, U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
- Revolutionary War Pension for John Miller, Fold3.com
- Revolutionary War Pension for William Perry, Fold3.com
- Revolutionary War Pension for Mathew Fox, Fold3.com
- Ninety Six District Delegate Return
- 1790 South Carolina Constitution (http://e-archives.sc.gov)
