Jane Thomas (American Revolution)

William J. Bennett and John T. E. Cribb state that Jane Thomas' intervention before "the Battle of Cedar Springs helped launch a resurgence of Patriot fortunes in South Carolina, and brought a much-needed boost in morale.

Men and women of the Thirteen Colonies were essentially tested throughout the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) as to what side had their allegiance.

[2] Colonialist's allegiances could be decided by their means of income, for example, if their livelihoods relied on trade with England, they might then have more loyalty to The Crown.

[3] Leaders of the patriots in South Carolina created and distributed Articles of Association to identify and obtain the signatures of the people who would fight against the British government.

all were small fights—some backwoods encounters would involve hundreds of men on each side.Colonel Patrick Ferguson particularly focused on a relentless campaign against the Thomas family and the patriots that were loyal to them.

[7] She was a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania and the sister of Reverend John Black, of Carlisle, the first president of Dickinson College.

They traveled along the Great Wagon Road for 800 miles (1,300 km) and settled in the Camden District along Fishing Creek, south of the Catawba River.

John Thomas was elected Colonel of the Spartan Regiment, operating close to the frontier and involving significant amounts of active service.

When that campaign ended, and the Native Americans sued for peace, Thomas was entrusted with the protection of a long section of the frontier.

[14] As soon as the news of the surrender of Charleston reached the borders of the State, Thomas and other colonels drew up plans to concentrate their forces to protect the country.

Within a short time, almost every patriot between the Broad and Saluda Rivers was forced to abandon the country or accept British protection, with many of them fleeing to North Carolina.

[16] The Torys who lived in the area were encouraged to make life difficult for the patriots, who were subject to attacks, having their property stolen, and their houses destroyed.

John Rutledge had entrusted to his keeping, Col. Thomas fled with his band of twenty-five men, taking with him a part of the powder.

[19] While visiting her husband and two sons in Ninety Six, Thomas overheard a conversation between some Tory women, hearing one of them say: "To-morrow night the loyalists intend to surprise the rebels, at Cedar Spring.

However, thanks to Jane Thomas's information, the patriot forces were able to open fire from their secure positions, and thus inflicted heavy casualties on the attacking army.

[22] The men of the Spartan Regiment had become downtrodded by the events of the war, but this win followed by the news of another group of patriots' success at Huck's retreat, which occurred that night about 50 miles (80 km) away, improved their morale.

Learning of British plans to attack patriots at Cedar Spring, she rushed the intelligence to American forces.