After seeing action in battles in White Plains, New
York and Rhode Island, the Regiment was sent to take Charles Town (now
Charleston) South Carolina. The regiment arrived during the closing
weeks of the siege and was part of the force that was left behind to
garrison the city in 1780. In 1781, Arthur married in secret to
Christina. Although many officers and men brought their wives with
them to America, unmarried men were not permitted to marry. In April
1781, he petitioned to be allowed to resign his commission - this being
granted, he began his life as a member of the community. In 1781,
Arthur purchased "messuage or tenement" (apartment building or apartment) in
this house which is at 37 Meeting Street for 1000 pounds pictured here:
Given the price that he paid, it is apparent that he was
buying the entire building. This property had been seized from it's
rightful owner when the British entered the city and was returned to him in
1782 in a "ravaged" condition.
In 1782, Arthur purchases a 300 acre plantation called "Sans
Souci" on the Charleston Neck. The original farmhouse was turned into
a residence in the 1800's by a later owner. A wall marking the limits
of the plantation is still standing and runs through several of the
neighborhoods of today.
At some point between 1783 and 1788, Arthur (now known as Arthur
DeBardeleben) is buying plantations in northern part of Orangeburg County,
South Carolina. This area was called "Amelia Township" and is north of
the town of St. Matthews. Today, this area is part of Calhoun County.
Arthur's family expanded with the addition of a new spouse (Margaret) and new children and he was an
active member of the community and especially of the St. Matthews Lutheran
Church. Arthur died on 21 May 1821 and the location of his grave has
not been found. It is believed that the main family home was on a
plantation located along Big Buckhead Creek - this could be land presently
owned by the Fort Motte Hunt Club.
Unfortunately for us, the Orangeburg Courthouse records were all moved in a
railroad car to Columbia for safekeeping as the Civil War neared it's end.
This did not prevent their destruction - the Union Army burned all of the
railroad cars where they stood. What this means for us is that any
deeds, wills, etc. concerning Arthur have disappeared.
Arthur's Children
(with Christina):
Henrietta Maria (21 Jul 1782 - 24 Jul 1783)
Arthur Albrecht (8 Aug 1784 - ?)
Abram Arthur (1 Oct 1787 - 1 Apr 1812)
Arthur's Children
(with Margaret):
Elisabeth (27 Nov 1788 - 21 Dec 1826)
Julianna (7 Oct 1790 - 16 Apr 1827)
Henry (7 Apr 1796 - 27 Jan 1853)
John Ferdinand (12 Apr 1800 - 23 Nov 1845)
William Arthur (11 Aug 1802 - 1838)
Anne Margaret (11 Aug 1806 - ?)
Louisa (bef. 27 Mar 1808 - 23 Aug 1812)
Jennett (8 Jan 1812 - ?)
for more information about Arthur and his "wives", please
send me a note and I will forward an interesting link to you.
