MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — A local historian is calling on families to help compile a permanent public roll of Berkeley County residents who served during the American Revolutionary War.
Keith Gourdin, a board member and historian with the Berkeley County 250 Francis Marion Commission, is gathering names of patriots who “lived or had property and voting rights” in any of the historic Berkeley County parishes: St. James Santee, St. Stephens, St. Thomas & St. Denis, St. John’s, or St. James Goose Creek.
Gourdin asks residents to share as much detail as possible for each ancestor, including name, rank, date of birth, date of death, and whether the patriot was killed in action, served under Gen. Francis Marion (“one of Marion’s men”), or under Lt. Col. Hezekiah Maham (“one of Maham’s men”).
The project already lists more than 300 patriots and aims to include as many verified names as possible on a permanent display—stone, brick, or wall—honoring local contributions to independence. The goal is to unveil the public memorial before July 4, 2026, the primary observance of America’s 250th anniversary.
There is no submission deadline, but organizers encourage early participation to allow time for research and verification. Family stories and documents are welcome, and questions from the public are invited.
To submit a name or ask about eligibility, contact Keith Gourdin at 843-509-3408 or email [email protected].
