In 1914 Frank Dickinson wrote of his grandfather Michael: "He made his home with us during the latter years of his life and died at our house at the age of 84. Both he and my father (Robert Robinson Dickinson) are buried at Auburn (Alabama). (Michael) came from South Carolina and his father was an officer in Morgan's cavalry during the Revolution (Rev. War) Grandfather was of a roving disposition and an Indian (word lost). He traveled through South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama for a good many years. He could talk the language of nearly a dozen tribes. He was a noted athlete and could hold his own with the best of the Indians in a wrestling match, a foot race, a jumping match, a horse race or a shooting match with a rifle. For several years he spent most of his life among Indians. He did not know what fear was. He was 80 years old when a slosist (?) man drew a knife on him only to have his face slapped. He had a strong intellect and in his later years engaged in politcical discussions and not many could hold their own with him. Being afraid of no one, and having great confidence in himself, he was slow to offense and was jolly and entertaining. In his last years everybody called him Uncle (Mike or Michael)and he was a prime favorite."



>"Tumbling Shoals on the Reedy River" is in Laurens County. It is located 5.2 >"river miles" (down river) from the bridge below our house (Dunklin >Bridge)--just before the river crosses Highway 76. The correct spelling is >"Tumblin" if this is the place you are talking about. Freda and I are >going to >canoe this part of the Reedy with a DNR group during my spring break--the >first week in April. :)

My brother is a high school science and math teacher and lives on Dunklin Bridge Road, Honea Path, SC. He does know the creeks and rivers in the upper SC area and has all sorts of maps, etc. If he is correct, Michael Dickerson was born in (now) Laurens Dist., SC. I need to check as to when Laurens was formed from Newberry Dist.



If the Michael of the obituary (b. 1776) was born near Tumblin Shoals, SC, his parents lived either in Newberry District (the part that became Laurens) OR perhaps on Indian territory that became later old Pendleton District. There were settlers on that land before it was actually ceded by the tribal peoples. No wonder Michael had such familiarity with Indian ways. I've asked my brother if he has a map of the area around Tumblin Shoals and also for more information about Tumblin Shoals and its location in relation to Anderson Co. Since my brother lives in Anderson Co., it can't be far away--landwise.

"Tumbling Shoals" is shown on the Laurens District map in Mills' Atlas. Horse(?) Creek enters the Reedy River in that vicinity and nearby is Arnold's Mill. Further downriver are Wiseman's Mill, then Boyd's Mill near where the Reedy Fork enters the Reedy from the northwest.