Peter Horry/Horry County Historical Marker

This historical marker provides a brief overview of the history of Horry County and the man for whom the county is named, Peter Horry (1743-1815), who was a prominent military officer from South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War. The marker is located in front of the Horry County Courthouse. Peter Horry rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the South Carolina militia and also served in the state senate and house of representatives. The county was established as Kingston County in 1785 but was renamed after Horry in 1801.

Peter Horry (1743-1815)

Peter Horry was born in South Carolina in 1743 (one source says 1747). In April 1779, he assumed ownership of his late father's plantation, which was located near Winyah Bay in what was then Prince George's Parish. Horry would acquire two more plantations by the time he passed away in 1815. In June 1775, Horry was one of 20 captains selected by the state South Carolina Provincial Congress to serve in the first and second South Carolina regiments; Horry was assigned to the second regiment. He became a lieutenant in 1779 and commanded a regiment of state troops, the South Carolina 4th Regiment of State Dragoons, in October 1781. This regiment was disbanded in March 1782 after suffering heavy casualties at the battles of Wambaw Bridge and Tidyman's Plantation.

After given command of Georgetown, Horry resigned from the military. However, his military service was not over yet. He became brigadier general in 1792 to command the sixth brigade of the South Carolina militia, which was reorganized. He served until 1802. It appears Horry served in the state senate and house of representatives in his later years.

Horry County

As stated above, Horry County was established in 1785 as Kingston County. Previously, it was part of three parishes (Prince George Winyah, Prince Frederick, and All Saints) and then what was called the Georgetown District in 1769.

"Colonel Peter Horry." The American Revolution in South Carolina. Accessed June 14, 2021. https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/patriot_leaders_sc_peter_horry.html.

"Peter Horry/Horry." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed June 14, 2021. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=11262.

"Salley, A.S., ed. "Peter Horry." South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine. April, 1937. http://www.hchsonline.org/peterhory.html.