Laurens County – A new chapter in South Carolina’s Revolutionary War history will be commemorated on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 1 p.m., with the dedication of a South Carolina Historical Marker at the Church at the Culbertson Backcountry Settlement in Gray Court.
The event will honor Joseph Kellett (1728–1785) and the historic Kellett Blockhouse, which once stood on Rabon Creek, near the Cherokee Boundary in the Ninety Six District of colonial South Carolina.
Joseph Kellett first entered historical records in 1767 as a chain bearer in North Carolina. He later settled in South Carolina, where he constructed a fortified structure known as the Kellett Blockhouse. Strategically located on the edge of Cherokee Territory, the blockhouse served as a refuge and defensive post for settlers along Rabon Creek and the Reedy River.
Several American Revolution veterans referenced Kellett’s Blockhouse in their pension applications, noting it as a station or muster point. Among them were Daniel Chandler, Moses Lindsey, William Murdock, Samuel Ridgeway, and Captain Mathew Brown, a leader of the Rangers and Spies. According to records from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Joseph Kellett provided “rashens and forage” for 500 men and horses during the war. Military figures who signed official reimbursement documents (known as “indents”) included Captain Benjamin Kilgore, Colonel Levi Casey, Colonel Joseph Hayes, Colonel Elijah Clark, and Samuel Earle, signing on behalf of General Andrew Pickens.
The historical marker will also recognize the nearby Babb/Kellett Cemetery, further preserving the legacy of early settlers in the area. The marker is located on Knickerbocker Road in Laurens County, just outside the Culbertson Backcountry Settlement.
LAURENS COUNTY — The Laurens County Revolutionary War 250 Committee received a grant from the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission to support archaeological investigations at two historically significant sites: Hammond’s Old Store and Fort Lindley.
The grant funded professional archaeological work aimed at uncovering and preserving artifacts connected to Laurens County’s Revolutionary War history. These efforts will contribute to a broader understanding of the the County’s role in the American Revolution.
Artifacts recovered from the dig will be curated and featured in a Revolutionary War exhibit set to debut on Carolina Day, June 28, 2026, at the Laurens County Museum. The exhibit will showcase Laurens County’s contributions to the fight for independence and serve as a highlight of the upcoming 250th anniversary commemorations .
For more information on Laurens County’s Revolutionary War history and ongoing projects, visit www.LaurensCounty250.com.
