Two scenes from the movie ‘The Patriot’ were taken from events involving the Witherspoons. There were no Christians burned alive in the Church founded by Scots-Irish immigrants, many who had red hair, thus the name Peckerwood, a red-headed woodpecker. Dottie Witherspoon had reddish-blond hair,and had many freckles.

Above is a paitning of Tarleton by Reynolds, I believe.

Jon

Thorntree, the plantation home of James Witherspoon (1700-1768), was built in 1749. After the death of James Witherspoon, Thorntree became the home of Gavin Witherspoon, the son of James and Elizabeth Witherspoon. During the Revolution, Tarleton with one hundred British dragoons, and a large number of Tories under Col. Elias Ball, encamped at the plantation of Gavin Witherspoon, south of the lower bridge, on Black River, early in August 1780.

The fighting consisted of rear-action skirmishing, but heavy losses were sustained. British Major James Wemyss, under orders from Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, burned the Indiantown Presbyterian Church down.

Witherspoon proposed to his four comrades to watch the enemy’s camp, until the Tories were asleep. But his men timidly shrunk from the performance, expressing their dread of superior numbers. Witherspoon undertook the adventure himself. Creeping up to the encampment, he found that they slept at the butt of a pine tree, which had been torn up by the roots. Their guns were piled against one of its branches at a little distance from them. These he first determined to secure, and, still creeping, with the skill and caution of an experienced scout, he succeeded in his object. The guns once in his possession, he aroused the Tories by commanding their surrender. They were seven in number, unarmed, and knew nothing of the force of the assailant. His own more timid followers drew near in sufficient time to assist in securing the prisoners. There was another Witherspoon with Marion, John, a brother of Gavin, and like him distinguished for great coolness, strength, and courage. Both of the brothers delighted in such adventures, and were always ready to engage in them,–the rashness of the attempt giving a sort of relish to the danger, which always sweetened it to the taste of our partisans.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzc3xUd1zIM