Welcome The Laurens County SCGenWeb Project
A Little History
Laurens county has a rich history dating back to the colonial period of America. Under British Rule Judicial Districts were established. Native Americans, mostly Cherokee inhabited the 96th until 1754 when the first white settler arrived in what would become Laurens County after the American Revolution. That first white settler was a Scotsman named John Duncan. March 23, 1785 the General Assembly divided the 96th Judicial District into 6 counties, one of which was named Laurens, in honor of the Honorable Henry Laurens of Charleston. Laurens served as President of the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War and later as an ambassador to France.
What was to become Laurens County saw more action and battles during the American Revolution than half of the other twelve original colonies. It was the site of the first battle the British Regular Army lost to a militia. That was the first of eleven Revolutionary War Battles fought in Laurens County.
Laurens Co. Revolutionary War Battles
Battle of Musgroves Mill Battle of Ft. Lindler/Lindley Battle of Widow Keller's Block House Battle of Farrow's Station Battle of Duncan Creek Meeting House Battle of Indian Creek Battle of Hammond's Store Battle of Ft. Williams battle of Cedar Springs Battle of Mud Lick Creek Battle of Hayes Station
The town of Laurens, became the County Seat and by 1786 a Court House had n built. The town of Laurens was known as Laurensville into the 1800's. By 1820, Laurens had gained an estimable reputation for the fine tailoring to be had there and that very reputation drew the likes of the Future President of the United States, Andrew Johnson and his brother. By 1824 they had set up their own Tailoring shop in the town of Laurens!
the period between 1830 and 1840 saw boom era! Many business had opened their doors in the town of Laurens these business included medical practitioners, a fancy confectionery and fruit store, carriage, buggy and wagon shops, tailoring establishments, building contractors, flour and corn mills, and 81 registered whiskey distilleries. Business was good and the local economy was booming!
Neighboring Counties
Abbeville County Anderson County Greenville County Greenwood County Newberry County Spartanburg County Union County
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