The Long Cane Massacre (also referred to as the Long Canes Massacre) took place in the Long Canes area of Abbeville in 1760. Scots-Irish settlers established a community near Long Cane Creek in the early 1750s where the height of the canes indicated fertile soil. Cherokee Indians also considered this land their territory, and legally it belonged to them. The Cherokee were incensed over the new Scots-Irish settlement, and tensions over land escalated.
On February 1, 1760, the settlement decided to move on to Fort Moore near Augusta, Georgia, as there had been a rash of local Cherokee attacks over land disputes. As the wagons caravanned from the Long Cane settlement, the Cherokee ambushed the party. The wagons became stuck in the boggy soil, and the Cherokee were able to kill dozens of settlers, capture fourteen others, and scalp nine children who miraculously survived. The mangled bodies of twenty-three victims were buried together in one grave, among them Catherine Calhoun, grandmother of John C. Calhoun. Calhoun’s father, Patrick, erected this gravestone in honor of his mother and the other settlers who were killed and buried here.
A peace treaty was forged in 1761 between the settlers and the Cherokee, which included a 40-mile boundary line that currently runs between Abbeville and Anderson counties. A metal foot bridge built in 1945 crosses a stream near the site.
Though the Calhouns are the more famous massacre victims, others were killed there as well. A newer grave stone commemorates the Norris family.
The Long Cane Massacre site is listed in the National Register:
The Long Cane Massacre Site is significant to the history of exploration and settlement in South Carolina and for its association with the Cherokee War of 1760-61 and the Calhoun settlement of Long Cane. The property includes the gravestone which marks the place where twenty-three of the Long Cane settlers were killed in a bloody massacre by the Cherokee Indians on February 1, 1760.
Among those killed was Catherine Calhoun, matriarch of the Calhoun family, who figured prominently in the settlement of upcountry South Carolina. Long Cane Massacre can be attributed in part to a boundary dispute between the Cherokee Indians and white settlers over a parcel of land lying between Long Cane Creek and Little River. The site is located in a secluded area, contributing to the preservation of the site’s historic integrity. A small metal footbridge, built circa 1945, spans a small stream near the gravestone.
This is a great site. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us.
In the Vernon Vignettes, it is written that the Vernons are relatives of John C. Calhoun. I am descendant of the Vernon Family through my 3rd geat-grandmother, Rebecca H. Vernon, daughter of Robert A. Vernon, son of Isaac Vernon, son of James Vernon (born in Virginia, Caldwell Settlement, Cub Creek, Lunenburg, VA. – died in Abbeville District 1802), son of Thomas Vernon. It is believed that some of the Vernon Family were living in the area during the massacre. If anyone has information to any Vernons in the area, please feel free to contact me. Thank you.
Hi my 7th great-grandmother is Mary Winifred Patrick Norris as well. If anyone wants to email me, my address is mumwholovesherboys@hotmail.com.
My daughter and I stopped there the other day driving back through Abbeville on 28 to our home at Lake Keowee. Brown historical signage on 28: LONG CREEK MASSACRE turn right. When paved road ends, keep going straight on gravel road. Two wrought iron historical signs will be on your left. It tells you 4 or 5 miles west of here are the gravesites … we kept going on the gravel road about 4 miles, and the right turn off is marked Massacre Road. We took that till it ends in a loop. Walked over the bridge to the gravesite. It was a gorgeous sunny day. We both love history; we stood there just imagining the horror that took place. Lots of old falling-apart homesteads off the sides of the road to see as you drive.
I understand that Anne Quarles Calhoun Matthews wrote an account of her story in book form and it is in a library somewhere in North Carolina. She is my 4th great-grandmother and I would like to find the name of the book and where I might obtain a copy. I would like to pass this along to my descendants if possible. Thanks for any help.
Hi Brenda! Is this the book you are interested in? It is described as follows: “Three essays, 1902, re: people and events associated with Abbeville County, S.C., and vicinity, approximately colonial era to 19th century, including memoir of Ann[e] Mathews, 11 pages; information re Caldwell family, 10 pages; and sketch of life of Major Andrew Hamilton, 3 pages. Memoir includes brief captivity narrative of Mrs. Ann Calhoun Mathews, discussing family relocation from Pennsylvania and Virginia to Abbeville, S.C., her time living among Cherokee Indians, ca. 1759-1761, the American Revolution, and her marriage to Isaac Mathews. Also including essay, “Sketch of the Caldwell family,” with genealogical information on Caldwell and related families; and transcript of undated newspaper article, Abbeville’s men of mark: A sketch of Maj. Andrew Hamilton, of the Revolution, including genealogical information on Hamilton and related Simonds, Simons, and Calhoun families.”
If so, the University of South Carolina has it. You can find more info here: https://www.worldcat.org/title/memoirs-of-mrs-ann-mathews/oclc/44671170
Catherine is my 7th great grandmother related through the Stewart and Harris lines.
My distant great-grandmother was Mrs. Cathrine Calhoun. Sad to see this. It’s shocking how many times in history, the majority of my relatives were slaughtered by native people. Luckily one or a couple escaped or were out gathering or hunting. Thus I am here but our family is much smaller than most Americans after devastating setbacks. Thank you for sharing this. Ruth
It was a bad and sad situation that happened there and I’ve been to this very same spot, but please, understand that Native people suffered the same treatment too – if not worse. Being of Native American descent, I don’t agree with those actions today, but that was the way of life back then. Those people were on Cherokee land and knowing that the Cherokee were listed as a “civilized tribe,” I’m sure that those people were warned and told to leave that area. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that in this day and age, people still tend to be one-sided on a tragedy that happened according to its time.
My 7th great grandmother was Alice Calhoun, sister of James Calhoun and his wife Catherine, who was murdered in the massacre along with several children.
Thats not the actual place of the attack right? 3 miles west correct is the attack place?
I am related to the Longs/Calhouns that were there and some that lost their lives. Samuel Long (1725-1760), Nancy Susannah (Ann) Long Calhoun (1723-1760), Agnes Nancy Long Calhoun (1729-1794). They had come from the Beverley Estate in Virginia where their father, my 5th Great Grandpa, Joseph Long (1695-1757) was living. Their brother John was my 4th Great and he helped settle in 1775 western Carolina, what would become part of Tennessee in 1796. What I’d really like to know is the future (going forward from 1760) history of the Longs/Calhouns of Long Cane Creek Settlement, especially involvement in the Revolutionary War. I know from the Calhouns came a future Vice President.
Have you tried using a site called Family Search? It’s free to use and I traced my husband’s family almost to the 600s AD. You can even attach the many documents they have archived to your personal tree like wedding certs., death certs, even court records.
I have lots of info on the Joseph/John Long families, if you are still interested. Email me at longdc@yahoo.com
Catherine (Montgomery) Calhoun is my 8th great aunt. Learning her story hurt me. Sadly all these years later you realize that not much has changed. That people hurt one another because of race. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if we were all colorblind?
The Grandson of Eliza Wrentz Norris, James Norris (1829-1890) and great grandson, Solomon Jones (1855-1921) play prominent roles in the true story told in the book, “Miss Elvira Ivey,” available on Amazon. This tells the events surrounding Elvira Ivey confessing to a murder she did not commit, in Jefferson County, Ga. in 1884. The Norris family lived in Warren County, Ga., and Solomon Jones lived in McDuffie County, Ga. (who was murdered in 1921.) Dr. Fay Stapleton Burnett, author of “Miss Elvira Ivey.”
Hi all, is this site accessible to the public?I’m doing genealogy research and want to visit, but it’ll be about a 4 hour round trip drive and don’t want to get all the way there and find a “No Tresspassing” sign. Thanks!
The annual reunion at Long Cane ARP church in Troy took place last Sunday afternoon. From there we drove to the massacre site (a few miles down a well-graded unpaved road – plan to wash your car after) and that day, the turnoff was marked with flags. It is in the Sumter National Forest.
The site is poorly marked.
From Troy, take Hall St till the pavement runs out. Take the rt. Fork dirt rd – Old Charleston Rd. Go 1.3 miles to Indian Massacre Rd. on the left.
From Abbeville, take Hwy 28 west for 12 miles. Take left on Old Charleston Rd. (Well marked). Travel about 5 miles and take dirt road when Old Charleston Rd takes a sharp right turn. This rd is well marked with signage.
Cross 2 bridges. .7 miles past the second bridge (old iron suspension bridge), turn rt on Indian Massacre rd.
Hi Corrie , it is drivable and open to the public, drove past it today. Good luck with your project.
It is accessible to the public.
Yes it is. It’s very surreal.
Mary Winifred Patrick Norris is my 7th great grandmother.
I stumbled onto this doing research on My French Huguenot Ancestors and although I am not related to the Pettigru family I was on a SC site about the New Bordeaux Settlement and found this About the Massacre. This was a horrific ordeal for these poor people to go through…Especially when they were leaving in peace. I will have to make this site a must see next time I’m in SC. God bless all you descendants.
Hello All,
Shannon J. Calhoun from Ashland, Ohio. Great site! I’ve been working on my side of the family tree on Ancestry.com and am close to completion on the Calhoun side, Will post soon. Feel free to contact me at 5050ballapparel@gmail.com.
Great page, settlers just had to enter Indian land, sad but true. Visited site last week, thanks.
A lot of my family was lost that day. Catherine Calhoun my eighth great-grandmother, her son James Calhoun, and his wife Nancy Long Calhoun my seventh great-grands, another eighth great-grandmother, Mary Winifred Patrick Norris, and her daughter-in-law Eliza Wrentz Norris my seventh great-grandmother, three of Eliza’s little children. Such a sad thing.
Very sad indeed, thanks for sharing your connection.
We are related through our ancestors. My family researched our history back to the 1500s before we settled in America!
We are blood.
Richard Clark(e) is my 6th great-grandfather, John Clark his son, father of Charlotte Zubly Clark, mother of Helen Zubly Mills, mother of Charlotte Bradley, mother of Jane Flenniken, mother of George Stallings, father of Martha Stallings – my mother!
I am a 7th generation decendant of Patrick Calhoun, youngest son of Catherine Calhoun and father of VP John C Calhoun. My lineage is from his brother, William Calhoun. Would love to get more information about our family. My husband and I plan to visit the historical sites of McCormick County in late August.
I’m your cousin, a direct John C ggg granddaughter. Clan Colquhoun is honored clan at Boone plantation in Charleston , SC the first weekend in November, 2018. There are scheduled history presentations, and our chief, Sir Malcolm will be there with his family. Please come if you can. I’m hosting and would love to meet you, there or another time. There are volumes written and sold called Our Calhoun Family by Owen Calhoun. He is kind to look up particular family history for you. Best on your search. I’d love to hear from you and other cousins who may see this.
Send me the details and I’ll be there. So excited to connecting with Calhoun clan.
Just FYI, anyone who hasn’t been to the gravesite and plans on visiting it, it’s a long dirt and gravel road. It comes to a fork in the road. Take the road to the right. No sign there saying which way to go. Just left there. Very somber feelings.
Laura, we can’t thank you enough for this info! I know it will help a lot of people. 🙂
Thanks for sharing I want to visit the site on my next trip down south. My Mom was a Campbell, from Anderson. Actually two different lines of Campbells. Both her mom and dad were Campbells and not related. The one line traces back to Mary Calhoun from Crosh House Estate in Ireland marrying George Campbell son of Thomas. This is where my connection to Calhouns come from. I’m searching for Thomas Campbell’s grave site and believe it may be near the land or on the land in Newberry where he was killed during the Revolutionary War. I could use some help if anyone knows any info on him. I went to the Luss Highland games in July and marched with the Colquhoun family and met other Calhouns. Met Sir Malcolm and Patrick and was asked to be in family photos taken during the games. Wish I could make it to SC in November for the gathering but can’t.
Thanks for the info. Passed by there on a trip from Walhalla. I had never heard this story.
One might think, in the general populace, Indian massacres are something Hollywood dreamt up. But this one is real and terrifying to the imagine. Not only the brutal deaths, but also the captives taken off by the Cherokee war party. From the Cherokee side, we were on their rightful land, but the brutality of it all was certainly unnecessary – Man’s inhumanity to man goes on. We should recognize more the cost of settling this country.
And the people who settled this land were certainly as brutal to the natives. You would think humans would evolve, wouldn’t you?
My Reed lineage is from Botetourt County, VA. How about yours? Thank you in advance.
On my way to the massacre site, I will send pictures when I return this afternoon.
I was wondering if any of the Norris family listed here were Jewish?
My mother’s family was at Cane Creek, their name is Houston and they ended up in Savanah, Georgia. King George gave them a land grant in Savannah as they had stayed Loyal to the Crown.
Does anyone have information on Squire Benjamin Jones who was at Long Canes at the time?
Anna Quarles Calhoun and Issac Edward Matthews are my 4th Great Grandparents.
I am a descendant of some of Tennessee’s Calhouns, Polk and McMinn Counties. I believe these also descend from the Calhouns of the massacre.
Hello Mary Winifred Patrick Norris descendants! I too am a descendant of Mary, she is my 7th great-grandma. Im just discovering I have family on the Norris side and happy to connect and see how were cousins!
KevinNorris00@gmail.com
I have been reading several accounts of the Long Cane Massacre. Some report that William’s son James was killed here as well as his daughter, Catherine. Does anyone have definite information as to what happened to him?
Morgan,
It would be great to share information.
Mary Winifred Patrick was my 7th great-grandma. My grandmother’s side, family of Norris.
To continue my family line, Joseph C. Mathews and Margaret Brough had 14 children. My ancestor is their daughter, Elizabeth Young Mathews and James Jordan Shanks, daughter, Martha Ellen and John Harvey McClinton, son Joseph Shanks McClinton who was my maternal grandfather.
Hi, Barbara!
Would love to talk more about your line from Ann Q. Calhoun!
Catherine Calhoun who was killed here was my 6th great grandmother, William, her son, my fifth great grandfather, and Ann, who was captured by the Indians and married Isaac Mathews is my fourth great grandmother. Been to the site many times. A sad place.
My family was owned by the Calhouns. My family member is Swaney Calhoun, childhood friend to John C. Calhoun. His father, Patrick, purchased Adam Calhoun from the Charleston port. I’m trying to find out more about what slave ship Adam came on and what country he was from. I’m also trying to find my great x2 mother Phoebe’s mother which would have been Swaney and his wife’s Matilda’s child. My grandmother is Mary Calhoun she is listed on the 1864 property lists.
Hi. I do a lot for Clan Colquhoun and our Chief, Sir Malcom is coming to the Scottish games in Charleston, SC the first weekend in November, 2018. We are doing a history presentation. You are always welcome to attend these festivities hosted by Clan Colquhoun. I’d love to exchange information and see if I can help you with finding answers. I’m a direct ggg granddaughter of VP John C Calhoun. There are volumes written called Our Calhoun Family and I wonder if his extensive research has answers for you? Owen Calhoun sells them, expensive, but he will look up things for people. I can find his contact information if you’re interested. Bethcalhoun@yahoo.com.
Does anyone know if Catherine Montgomery Calhoun had a daughter named Francis Calhoun who married an Archibald Hamilton, if so, she is also my g-g- grandmother?
Yes. Citation Notable Southern families vol 1. Lots of documentation on marriage to Archibald Hamilton
This post is for Art Hudson who had trouble finding the location. I was a member of a hunt club on W Charleston Rd. As a decendant of one of those killed, I visited the site many times. Going out W. Charleston, past the hunt club on the right, the next gravel road to the left takes you to the Massacre site. Sometimes there is a sign but it always seems to disappear. The site is on private land!
Mary Winifred Patrick Norris was my sixth great-grandmother. My Great-grandmother was Mary Caroline Norris Belt.
THIS SUNDAY, February4, 2018 @ 3:00 pm, at the massacre site, Troy SC.
258th Anniversary rededication and commemoration service.
Greenwood Historical Society
McCormick History Society
Abbevile History
SAR
DAR
Site has been restored.
Also rededication: Battle of Long Cane and Ft Boone historical markers.
University of Alabama published a book about the Calhoun family that goes back to about 1250. My family was in the book as well as many others. Fascinating stores are included. One family had six boys fight in the Civil War. Two were killed fighting for the North and two for the South. My great-gt gma was in that family in Atlanta.
Ronald,
Do you happen to have the name of this book? I would very much like to read it.
Please give me name of Calhoun book (Unit of Alabama).
My son in law is a decendent of Stewart, Catherine Calhoun first husband. Do you have the name of the book written about family?
Thanks, Lynette
Catherine Calhoun is my 7x great grandmother and her son James is my 6x great grandmother. James’ son is my 5x great grandfather. The one who escaped, if it wasn’t for him escaping my dad and I would not be here nor would my brothers or sister. Crazy how things work.
We often find ourselves thinking in that same type of reference. So glad he escaped and continued your family legacy.
Chip,
Is William Caldwell Calhoun the William Calhoun (son of Catherine Montgomery/Calhoun) and his wife Agnes Nancy Long/Calhoun your ancestors? If so, these are my 7th great-grandparents as well! My direct line of ancestors comes from their daughter Anne Qualres Calhoun who was abducted by the Cherokee Indians during the Long Can Massacre.
If possible at all, would it be ok to get more information about this cleaning up of the site? I would personally love to be there is possible to help out with our family’s historical site, take some photos, and spread the history.
Here is the lineage from William C. Calhouse and Agnes Nancy Long down to me:
William Caldwell Calhoun and Agnes Nancy Long > Anne Quarles Calhoun m: Isaac Edwards Mathews > Joseph Calhoun Mathew m: Margaret Brough > Martha Lorine Mathews m: Samuel Sheals Wilson > William Samual Shields (Sheals) Wilson m: Sarah Frances Alamo Rampy > John Samual Wilson m: Carrie Lou Smith > James Elmer Wilson m: Margaret Louise Dulaney > Rita Maude Wilson m: Weldon Ray Williams > Cynthia Ann Williams m: Jayson Allan Kainu > Morgan Alyssa Kainu (myself)
Best regards,
Morgan Kainu
I am President of the Greenwood County Historical Society. I am a seventh generation descendent of William Calhoun, son of Catherine Calhoun, who survived this massacre. Along with local DAR, SAR, and historical societies from local counties we are in the midst of cleaning this site. We are planning a re-dedication of the Long Cane Massacre Site on February 4, 2018 @ 3:00 pm, if we are successful in work and funds for cleaning and redoing signs, markers, reposting signs, re-do of bridge, etc. This is an important site to our state and country, and to me personally. Please contact me with information, help, or anything relative to this.
Hi, Chip.
How did the cleanup go. I’m attempting to go to South Carolina in November for a Colquhoun clan get together and would love to connect of you are in the area.
Yes. Thanks. It looks great. Will attempt to send pictures.
POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 11 DUE TO FORCASTED BAD WEATHER AND DIFFICULT LOCATION. JOIN US MARCH 11.
Our SUNDAY, March 11 2018 @ 3:00 pm, at the massacre site, Troy SC.
258th Anniversary rededication and commemoration service.
Greenwood Historical Society
McCormick History Society
Abbevile History
SAR
DAR
Site has been restored.
Also rededication: Battle of Long Cane and Ft Boone historical markers.
Hello Chip!
I would love more information on this rededication event. Is it now March 11th?
Drove down road never found site. Everything was posted.
Hello Art, did you try to go to the GPS coordinates marked? They are 33.99484, -82.33935. Pulling this up on Google, it brings you to Indian Massacre Road. You have to park along the road and walk over a small footbridge to the site.
I am a descendant of Mary Winifred Patrick Norris She is my 7th great grandmother. When I think about how she died, it is terrifying and horrible to think about at all. And yet, I also have Cherokee Indian ancestry as well, and knowing that their land was literally taken from them, I can understand that they were fighting for all they had that they felt belonged to them. I don’t agree that they should have killed these people though, especially children and old women. Mary was 71 when she died. What harm would she have done to these Indians? None! It makes no sense. There’s nothing we can do about the past, but learn from it.
You’ve made a great memorial page here and just wanted to thank you for remembering our loved ones from long ago.
From a NORRIS family member who appreciates you!
She is also my 7th grandmother.
Can you drive to the site? How far do you have to walk to get to the gravesite?
The site is off a rural dirt road. Here are directions along with coordinates: 33° 59.7′ N, 82° 20.35′ W. Off Charleston Road West when traveling south.
Does anyone know if any Cherokee were killed and how many?
From the research that I’ve read, the Cherokee suffered a number of losses including the chief. Of course the actual numbers are unknown and accuracy can depend of the perspective of the source.
Drive down South Carolina Highway 28 through Abbeville, SC and then go towards McCormick. After you pass Parsons Mountain Recreation Area, look for the sign on side of 28. It will tell you where to turn. Follow the road you turn on until it turns into a dirt gravel road. Continue on it until you see a sign on the right saying Indian Massacre Road. It will also be a gravel and dirt road. The site will be at the end of Indian Massacre Road. You can park and walk to the graves in a few minutes.
Thank you for these helpful directions!
James Calhoun, Catherine’s son, was also killed there. James’ wife, Susannah Long Calhoun, died the next day. Haven’t found any information about how she died, but wonder if she was there as well.
Catherine Calhoun is my 9X grandmother!
Jeanne,
We are related! I come from Ann Q. Calhoun (Catherine’s granddaughter) Ann was abducted by the Cherokee Indians before she was released years later and married Isaac Mathews.
Feel free to email me for any additional family info! We have a neat family lineage!
I, too, am related to the Calhoun family. Our oral history (some written as well) cites John C. Calhoun as my third (I think) great grandfather. The irony of this particular event in history is that my family and I descend from John C. Calhoun and a native American female, Cherokee, probably from the same band associated with this story. I’d love to see the information you have on our family. I can share our story as well.
Hello Morgan, I stumbled onto sciway.net webpage about the Long Cane Massacre where you said you were related to Ann Q. Calhoun who was abducted by Indians during the massacre. Do you known if there are any books or websites that record her remembrances of her experiences living with the Cherokees?
Hi, Danny!
I do believe I have some information I found a few years back. Please feel free to email me so I can send you tje information I have.
morgan.kainu@gmail.com
The book and biography of General Andrew Pickens describes much of the life of the settlers and the Cherokees. He married Rebecca Calhoun which escaped the massacre at Long Cane. General Pickens was in the Battle of Cowpens which Mel Gibson played in “The Patriot”.
We are related as well. Her granddaughter was my great grandmother…captured and raised with the Cherokee.
Sheri,
Are you referring to Ann Quarles Calhoun?
Catherine Calhoun is my 9th great aunt.
Hi, Chantell!
Would love to connect and work together on our trees if you would be interested in adding one another? Catherine Calhoun/Colquhoun is my 8th great-grandmother.
James Calhoun, son of Catherine (Montgomery) Calhoun, was also killed at Long Canes Massacre.