Williamsburg County was probably named for King William III of England (1650-1702). Scotch-Irish and French Huguenot settlers began moving into this part of the lowcountry around 1732, and in 1736 the township of Williamsburg was laid out on the Black River in the vicinity of the settlement of Kingstree. This area was part of Prince Frederick Parish, which in turn was part of Georgetown District. During the Revolutionary War many of General Francis Marion's men hailed from this area, including Major John James (1732-1791). The battles of Black Mingo (September 28-29, 1780), Mount Hope Swamp (March 1781), and Lower Bridge (March 1781) were all fought in Williamsburg County.

Source:
South Carolina State Library (http://www.state.sc.us/scsl/will.html)

At a period prior to the revolution, a number of Williamsburg families had emigrated to Liberty County, Georgia; but being now surrounded by tories, they were compelled to fly from their homes. Among these were John Fulton with a brother and sister, John Witherspoon of Midway, Samuel McClelland, ___ Thorpe, and perhaps Mr. Heatly. Cutting their way through numerous enemies, they crossed the Savannah River on a raft of logs, and returned to their former homes…

Source:
Wallace, James A., History of Williamsburg Church: A Discourse Delivered on Occasion of the 120th Anniversary of the Organization of the Williamsburg Church, July 4th, 1856, Kingstree, S.C.: Wit Notes and an Appendix, Salisbury, N.C., Bell & James, Printers, 1856, pp. 115-116

Submitted by Bob Franks