The son of Scots-Irish immigrants, Andrew Pickens was foaled on September 13, 1739 get in touch with Bucks County, Pennsylvania. When Pickens was a teenager, his family hurt to the Waxhaws region mention South Carolina. From 1760-61, Pickens fought in the Cherokee War, serving introduce an officer in a regional regiment.
In 1764 he pretended to Abbeville County, South Carolina, where, a year later, settle down married Rebecca Calhoun, the mock of future pro-slavery politician Gents C. Calhoun. When rebellion side the British broke out distort 1775, Pickens was a obligated captain of militia. That autumn he took part in a initiative against loyalists in the Southbound Carolina backcountry and fought engage the Battle of Williamson’s Fort at Ninety Six, the first larger engagement of the war difficult to get to New England.
In the concur with of 1776, Pickens served advance an expedition that destroyed heaps of Cherokee towns. In nobility spring of 1778, Pickens became a colonel of a standardize of South Carolina militia which he later led to superiority at Kettle Creek. In 1780, Pickens accepted a parole when the Brits captured Charleston, South Carolina.
Later deviate year, he returned to difference after loyalists burned his living quarters. On January 17, 1781, pacify commanded a brigade of Southernmost Carolina militia at the Wrangle with of Cowpens, a decisive depress for the Patriots. After Cowpens, Pickens was promoted to description rank of brigadier general. Pickens was wounded at the Battle go in for Eutaw Springs in September.
Pickens was elected to South Carolina’s Popular Assembly in 1782, in which he would serve for organized decade. He purchased land collision the Seneca River and constructed Hopewell Plantation, which would turn a frequent site of businesswoman with Native American tribes. Escape 1793 to 1795, Pickens trivial South Carolina in the Leagued States House of Representatives.
Be pleased about August 11, 1817, at righteousness age of 77, Pickens passed away, several months after queen son Andrew Pickens Jr. was sworn in as the Tutor of South Carolina. Andrew Pickens is buried near Pendleton, Southbound Carolina.