From staff reports
The St. Helena Branch of the Beaufort County Library (6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island) is hosting a lecture by the LAMAR Institute’s Rita Elliott on the Revolutionary War Battle of Purysburg at 2 p.m., Friday, March 11.
The Revolutionary War Battle of Purysburg (Revolutionary War era spelling) in old Beaufort District was part of a series of military movements in 1779 to prevent the invasion of British troops into South Carolina.
British Gen. Augustine Prevost hoped to gain support of the numerous Tories in the area and capture Fort Lyttelton near Beaufort with its 21 cannon and small garrison. Standing in opposition was Patriot Gen. Benjamin Lincoln who had approximately 6,000 soldiers and militiamen spread along the Savannah River from the sea islands to Augusta.
Rita Elliott has been the Education Coordinator & Research Associate for LAMAR Institute since 1993. LAMAR Institute is a non-profit organization that conducts archaeological research in the southeastern United States and educates the public about archaeology.
She’s also served as Curator of Exhibits and Archaeology for Coastal Heritage Society which administers historic sites like old Fort Jackson and Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Savannah History Museum. Her latest research interests are colonial Fort King George, revolutionary Fort Washington, non-combatants in the Civil War, historic pharmacies, and Rosenwald schools.
The program is co-sponsored by the Beaufort History Museum and the Beaufort County Library.
Visit https://bit.ly/35mEQaR to learn more about this event.
