The Bow of an African Prince, which was given by Patriotic Mrs. Motte, to a Detachment of the American Army, for the Purpose of burning her own House, then fortified by the British

Object Status:

Unlocated

Primary Source Reference:

Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia), 19 Aug 1789,

Notes:

In May 1781 Americans laid siege to Fort Motte, the plantation home of the widow Rebecca Brewton Motte (where the Wateree River and the Congaree River merged to form the Santee River, between Charleston and present-day Columbia, S.C.) that had been fortified by the British. During the siege Mrs. Motte offered what has been variously described as an African or East Indian bow with which her home could be set afire. This was accomplished, and the British garrison surrendered.

For Peale's long account of the use of the African prince Jamba's bow in South Carolina during the Revolution, see Selected Papers, 1:565-67, and Autobiography, p. 158.

Otho Holland Williams (1749-1794) rose to Brig. Gen. of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He participated in the Southern Campaign and likely received the bow from Mrs. Motte. Charles Willson Peale painted Williams's portrait in 1784.