From staff reports
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2023, Beaufort’s Gov. Paul Hamilton Chapter, South Carolina Society, Sons of the American Revolution, honored namesake Paul Hamilton with a wreath-laying ceremony at his gravesite in honor of his militia service to the Colonies and fledgling United States.
Although he was young during the Revolutionary War, Hamilton saw action under Generals de Kalb, Gates, Marion and Greene. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1787 and 1788 and was a member of the conventions to adopt the federal and state constitutions.
From 1880 to 1904, he successfully performed duties of Comptroller General of South Carolina, followed by two years as Governor. He was the third Secretary of the Navy, having been appointed by President Madison, from 1809 to 1812.
Hamilton died June 30, 1816, at Rhodes Plantation outside of the Beaufort District and was buried in the Talbird family graveyard on Whale Branch Plantation in Beaufort District, now known as Clarendon Plantation in Grays Hill.
Col. Harold Mills, chapter Military Awards Chairman, made arrangements with the Cox Communications family, owners of Clarendon Plantation, to schedule a day for the Chapter to honor Hamilton, selecting Veterans Day as the perfect time. It had been more than 15 years since the owners of the plantation had allowed Chapter members to view the grave.
Twenty-one individuals attended the memorial service, including 11 Gov. Paul Hamilton Chapter members and five members of the Beaufort Thomas Heyward, Jr. Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter. Following a detailed historical presentation on the life of Hamilton by Chapter Chaplain Tom Burnett, DAR member Anita Henson laid the wreath she made, which was to remain on display for the Cox family during the holiday season.
