Record #:

8226

Author(s):

Davis, Curtis Carroll

Abstract:

Elizabeth L. F. Ellet recently published The Women of the American Revolution. In this book, Ellet describes the lives of several extraordinary women. This article focuses on one of these women, Polly Slocumb, wife of colonial army captain Ezekiel Slocumb. Polly remained at their plantation outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, while Ezekiel served in the military. Following the battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781, Mrs. Slocumb encountered the notorious Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, who made camp on her property and quartered in the Slocumb home. Tarleton commanded three troops of British dragoons and was known for his cruelty toward both soldiers and civilians. Mrs. Slocumb withstood Tarleton's tirades against the American rebels with her terse banter. Contrary to his reputation, Tarleton did not burn and destroy the property but left the home intact.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 7, Dec 1984, p16-18, il, por

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History--American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783