Mary Ramage (1757-1795)

Revolutionary War Heroine
Both Mary's father, John Ramage, and maternal grandfather, Joseph Adair, Sr., were American Patriots in Laurens District. Mary's husband James Dillard served as a Captain in the American Revolution. Mary is considered a Revolutionary Heroine because of her midnight ride to warn the American Patriots of an impending attack. It seems that her husband, Capt James Dillard, was away from home at the time serving in the American Army. A group of British and Tory soldiers came to Mary's home and ordered Mary to prepare them a meal. While serving the meal, Mary overheard them discussing that they would attack the American Army. After they left, Mary mounted a horse, not even taking time to saddle it, and carried the information to the American Patriots. She had a baby son to deal with and having no time to find somewhere to leave him, Mary lifted the bed post and sat it down on the end of his dressing gown, keeping the baby from safe while he slept. Her effort is said to have prevented a Tory victory at Blackstocks which was Tarleton's first defeat in South Carolina. Tarleton later recalled seeing a woman on horseback among the trees bordering his march and he believed that she reported him to Sumter.

On another occasion, Mary numbered the British Army while they marched down the road near her home. By counting the men in each file and then counting the number of files, she was able to calculate the number of British. She gave this information to her husband who passed it to the commander of the American Patriots. On two occasions during the Revolution the Dillard's home was burned but this did not discourage their desire for American Independence.

History records that Mary Ramage Dillard was a beautiful woman, remarkably little and very active. After the Revolution, James and Mary continued to live in Laurens County where they reared their family, They had seven children: John Dillard, George Washington Dillard, Priscilla Ramage Dillard, Mary (Polly) Dillard, Jane (Jennie) Dillard, Elizabeth (Betsy) Dillard and Samuel H. Dillard.

Duncan Creek Gravestone
The date of death on her headstone is incorrect. She had been confused with the second Mary Dillard, wife of James Dillard. The headstone was moved from Mary Puckett Dillard's grave to the Duncan Creek Church cemetery because no one knows exactly where she was buried.
 * Location : Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Laurens County, South Carolina