GC18R9F Jacobs Tower (Unknown Cache) in South Carolina, United States created by shuler

This cache has been archived.

gpsfun: This cache page has been archived due to the lack of a timely resolution. If the owner would like to have it reinstated, please contact me through my profile within 90 days.

Please note that unarchiving a cache page places it through the same review process as a newly proposed cache using the cache placement guidelines currently in effect.

-Brad

Groundspeak Volunteer Reviewer

GC18R9F ▼

A cache by shuler_b Message this owner

Hidden : 1/26/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Enjoy your visit, and learn something about the historic places of the area.

No turns involved once you are on the path.

Watch out for Fire Ants!

This is a really easy cache. just follow the simple clues.

At the the final stop the property owner is a cacher, but there may be some muggles around. Park and grab.

I used google earth to get the coordinates so they might be a little off, but it wont cause you to miss the cache.

I am not at the stated coordinates. Just a starting spot, so its not necessary to visit here if you can figure out the cache final location.

Figure out what type of object some of Waypoints are. All are clues to the final location.

To solve the cache think of Paul Harvey and the story behind the story...

An alternate cache title might be "Casa de Jacob". and the Tower is the best description I could come up with without giving the cache away. This could also be a Where’s George Exchange. Visit (visit link) for info.

Reference the Mills Atlas for your ending location. It has the needed information there. It has been modified slightly, but is cartographicly correct. Mrs Watson's House is listed. Visit Mrs. Watson and pay your respects.

You really are going towards Orangeburg on the old trail (Cherokee Path - wagon trail), more than 2 mins cartographic.

No turns involved once you are on the path, although you will leave town you will not enter another town.

The Ridge Spring area is full of history of all kinds from prehistoric to present. The cache will help you find your way back to the Revolutionary period in SC.

SC is where the majority of the battles were fought.

Think of Paul Harvey and the story behind the story...

Here is the part you haven't heard about:

It is May 1782, SC is in the middle of a bloody war, neighbors fighting neighbors. Tories and loyalist vs the patriots, and the battle ground is the Backcountry of SC.

Local Leaders of the militia need your help, Bloody Bill and his Tories are near Orangeburg and we need to stop them at Dean Swamp. Its time to mount up with Captains Watson and Butler and ride off at dusk to attack in the rising sun, read the signs and trail markers to guide you on your way. Keep to the path all else is slow bush-whacking and we need to make time. Pass the old burying ground and hurry your mount on, its a long ride.

Well our story ends sadly, In a fierce fight at Dean's Swamp near the present town of Salley, The Tories set in ambush and it all went badly. Patriot Capt. Michael Watson was killed, and was buried in a grave at Orangeburg.

Michael's grieving widow Martha had many visitors pay there respects. Look at the Mills Map in the aphotos for the house location or look at this one:
(visit link)

Martha remarried Jacob, but the visitors still come, even today, so stop by Martha and Jacob's House and pay your respects.

You can even leave a schilling like one famous visitor, if you like... (visit link)

The Mills Atlas is your Guide, one of the attachments is cartographically correct.. Mrs Watson's house is listed.

Figure out what the waypoints listed are... they may seem random but are not random points...this is a clue to what you will find at GZ.

No this is not a multicache, although it could be. Research Martha and Michael and you will find the answer to the puzzle is staring you in the face.

Head east MORE THAN 2 MINS CARTOGRAPHIC

I am not going to give any clues other than the Mills Atlas.

The final parking location is hiding in plain sight.

Once you find this final stop. No other micros, just the main cache hiding near a "mark", in the road right of way, no ditch jumping required. cache is a 6" round container for small items within a few feet of roadside. Watch for fire ants.

Read the clues carefully and look for the geographic references to places that still exist. the tavern is a house where parties are held now. The burying ground still exists. and the Old road is still used today. This is what you need the old map and the new map... and some luck.

The related web page will also give a clue.

Also read Edgefield and Orangeburg District History for more info on Capt. Watson, or google Captain Michael Watson or Dean Swamp

Michael WATSON was born in 1726. He died in 1782 in Dean's Swamp, Orangeburg Co., South Carolina.

History of Edgefield County From the Earliest Settlements to 1897. 1897 Chapman

When the Revolutionary War began Watson was already well known for his courage and patriotism. In the war against the Cherokees, in 1776, he rendered very efficient service at Little River, when the division was in some confusion, by collecting a chosen band and charging the Indians, driving them back and so saving the division. After the fall of Charleston, and the British and Tories became dominant in the up country, on one occasion a party surrounded his house at night while he was in bed. He heard them talking at one end of the house about the mode of attack. He did not stay long upon the order of his going (?) but went at once, and seizing his gun he ran out of the door a the other end of the house, and escaped to the woods about fifty yards distant. He then began to cal out, as if to collect a body of men on guard: “Here they are! Come on, boys! Charge!” He then fired off his gun. The Tories were frightened and somewhat disgusted, and left speedily. P148

At another time his house was surrounded in the open day, when he was alone with his family. He leaped out through a window and ran for the woods. The enemy fired at him as long as he was in sight, but he escaped unhurt, though his clothes had several bullet holes through them. Afterwards a Tory Colonel, Kin Williams, came to his plantation with three hundred men… Watson was not at home at the time, or he would probably have been killed. They burned every house on the place; killed every hog and cow, and all the poultry, and either destroyed or carried away all the provisions. With the assistance of his neighbors, he made another home about eight miles away, but he was still frequently disturbed. On once occasion a man named Hartley undertook to carry off the only horse he had left. Watson was then at home and was too much for Hartley. He fired upon him, wounded him in the arm, and took him prisoner; made him go home with him, dressed his wound, and treated him with greatest kindness. Such kind treatment from Watson and his family had so good an effect upon Hartley that he left the Tories, became a good Whig and served under Watson. Often after the war he was heard to relate these facts.

Watson's career was brought to a close a short time before the close of the war. In May 1782, hearing of a body of Tories in Dean's Swamp, near Orangeburg, Watson and William Butler determined to attack them…

The following except is from "The History of Orangeburg County South Carolina" . 1898

…in May 1782, Captain Watson (Michael Watson) heard of a body of tories in Dean's Swamp, near Orangeburg, and, in conjunction with Captain William Butler-his friend and neighbor- it was determined to attack them. Watson's men were mounted militia…(details of attack continue)…

The country from the Edisto to the Santee became thrown open in consequence for a time to the ravages of the enemy and a party of Tories under the command of William Cunningham "Bloody Bill" escaped from the lower country passed through Orangeburg District and ascended the Saluda with a body of three hundred horse By the beginning of the year 1782 the British held no posts outside of Charlestown but they did not formally retire from that city until December 14th 1782.

"Near the close of these troubles in South Carolina in May 1782 Captain Michacl Watson heard of a body of to ries in Dean's Swamp near Orangeburg and in conjunction with Captain William Butler his friend and neighbor it was determined to attack them Watson's men were mounted militia armed with rifles and muskets Butler's command were cavalry armed with pistols and cutlasses In order to surprise the tories the associates marched forward at sunset with great rapidity captured a disaffected man named Hutto or Hutton and hurried him along with them under guard As they approached thetory encampment Hutton made his escape and gave notice to the tories of Watson's approach They immediately paraded in ambush to surprise and oppose the whigs When Mutton's escape was reported to the two captains Watson declared his opinion that the expedition should be abandoned but Butler for various reasons thought otherwise and they accordingly continued to advance When they approached the edge of the swamp two men were observed as if endeavoring to hide themselves Butler Watson and Sergeant Vardel a very brave man rode rapidly forward to capture them Watson first discovered that these men were only a decoy and when too late warned the others that the whole of the tories were there concealed They arose on being discovered and poured on their assailants a well directed fire which brought down Watson, Vardel and several others of the foremost whigs Although sorely galled Butler brought oft the wounded men and now found to his mortification that the infantry had little or no ammunition left and that the enemy were advancing upon him with double his numbers In this emergency he appointed a brave young man named John Corley his lieutunant and made a desperate charge on the enemy's line so unexpectedly as to throw them into confusion He pressed on them so hotly mingling in their disordered ranks and hewing them down with his broad swords that they had not time to rally their superior numbers only increased their confusion and destruction Butler continued his impetuous attack until the tories took refuge in the swamp As the whigs returned in triumph the gallant, Vardel made an effort to rise and wave his hand in hurra but fell immediately and expired They buried him where the brave are proud to lie on the field of victory Watson survived until the Americans reached Orangeburg In that village he was buried with the honors of war and his grave was watered with the manly tears of his fellow soldiers The following incidents occurred in this expedition to Dean's Swamp A smart young man who had never been engaged in battle was very anxious to become an officer in Watson's company and very desirous of distinction He was elected and advanced in his command very gallantly to the attack mounted on a beautiful filly When the enemy were discovered he dismounted with the rest and having hitched his horse was advancing on foot when the tories rose and delivered their destructive fire Seeing the number that fell with Captain Watson the young officer's courage suddenly evaporated from his finger ends He turned his back and forgetting his horse became more distinguished in the flight than in the fight and never stopped until he reached home spreading a report that the party had been ambushed and all killed but himself The horse was saved by those who brought off the wounded When they reached Orange burg finding that the owner would not return to claim her they sold the mare and expended the money in rum and other refreshments.

--Watsons grave is at the episcopal church in Orangeburg.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

tbbtyr guvf: Wnpbo wnpbo znegun jngfba FP be jjj.uzqo.bet

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)