Histories

Patriot Moffett was born in 1742 in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. While residing in the Chester District, South Carolina, Patriot Moffett was a Captain in the South Carolina Militia. He was in the Snow Campaign in 1776 against the Cherokee Indians. He was with Sumter during all his movements in 1780 and distinguished himself at Fishing Creek. His company was under the command of Colonel Lacey at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Afterwards, he was in the Battle of Cowpens where the militia under Pickens and Moffett was posted on the right of the Regulars and some distance in advance. He was promoted to Colonel before the war ended. Colonel Moffett died in 1829 at
age 87.
James McNeil, John Hayes and John Moffett were honored at a joint Piedmont and Atlanta Chapters grave marking service held at the Old Decatur Cemetery on April 17, 1999. Dedication Statement by Edgar B. Sterrett, Vice President, Central Region, GASSAR
“We are here today to recognize three patriots who served in the American Revolution – James McNeil, John Hayes and John Moffett. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do so, because by honoring them, we at the same time, honor all who served this country in its early years of development.
What a difficult decision it must have been for these men, and others like them, to leave their families and homes in order to undergo the strenuous life of a soldier. They were not – to our knowledge – trained as soldiers. For the most part they were farmers who knew how to fire their rifles in a search for food, or to protect their farms. Now they were being asked to fire their rifles against one of the strongest and best-trained armies in the world, in order to protect their adopted country. If they won the war, the world would be a better place for them. If they lost the war, they would no doubt lose their independence, and quite possibly their lives, as punishment for committing treason against King George. It was no small dilemma they faced in 1776.
We need to thank God, and the Patriots, for the decision they made. Because of their brave
determination to make this land a better place in which to live, we enjoy today freedoms earned
through their sacrifices. They prevailed through hardships, worse that we can imagine, so that we can stand in the midst of this great country enjoying the fruits of their labors. Hopefully, the time we spend here will help to remind us of the principles for which they fought, and for which we must continue to fight, if we want to preserve our freedoms. In the name of the Georgia Society, Sons of the American Revolution, and all its members, these markers are dedicated in grateful remembrance of what these Patriots did.”