Col Philemon Waters III
Born: 1 June 1732
Died: 29 March 1796

Philemon Waters III was born 1 June 1732 in Prince William County, Virginia. He was the son of Philemon Waters II and his wife Sarah Bordroyne. His birth year is taken from the following:
Virginia Magazine of History & Biography in the year 1895, Vol. II, Page 40.  A Size Roll of Lt. Col. Stephens Company, 13 July 1756. "Philemon Waters enlisted 12 March 1754 in Isle Of Wight County, Virginia-age 22 years, Size 5' 7½" tall, carpenter by trade, blue eyes." It is unclear as to whether the 22 years is at the time of enlistment or in 1756 when the roll was made, thus it could be 1732 or 1734. I have used 1732. He served with
 Col. George Washington. Their outfit built Fort Necessity, which was near where Pittsburg, Pennsylvania now stands.

After his service he moved to Charleston, South Carolina. Here he was engaged in the saddlery business and also had  an " express mail service." The ads in the old Charleston newspapers of that time " guarantee 10 days delivery to points in Virginia and New York." This was our "pony express" 100 years before it was used in  western America. He lived in Charles Town ( Charleston ) as it was then called for several years. At least from ca 1758-9 until ca 1772. He had children whose birth and deaths are recorded in the Church in Charleston by 1760.

In 1772 he had his first land grant in the " up country" of South Carolina. Shortly after he moved there and the land was in 96th District, but now is Newberry County, South Carolina. It was here that he took part in the Revolutionary War. He was a red hot patriot--he formed his own company of troops, built his own block house ( a place of safety for not only the soldiers, but families in the area. He outfitted his troops with clothes, muskets, gun powder and all the other necessay things. He never asked for pay for this until he was an old man. He petitioned the South Carolina Legislature and his petition is below.

To The Honorable, The President & Members of the Senate.
The petition of Philemon Waters, most Humbly, herewith:
That your petitioner at his own expnse raised and equipt a Troop of Horse in Gen Hampton's Brigade of Cavelry without putting the state to one farthering expense---and at the expiration of ten months, the term of enlistment, your Petitioner paid off the Troop to a man and as horses, bridles, saddles, and other _____? at that time was very dear, it cost your petitioner a considerable sum to equipt the troop as above.
That your petitioner made use of these articles in paying off his troop still your petitioner most humbly conceives the service of the horses and wearing of the equiptment is  as clamed. Your petitioner is entitled to as none of the articles we lost belonging to the troop--consequently the state has nothing to pay but what was promised for enlistment. In which case your petitioner humbly conceives himself entitled to pay for the service of his horses. Where before your petitioner rests his case entirely with the wisdom & justice of this house to grant him such relief as theirs in their wisdom shall seem fit and your petitioner as is duty bound will ever pray. Signed: Philemon Waters.
14 December 1792
Report on Petition of Philemon Waters. To be considered tomorrow. Report on the petition of Philemon Waters form the Committee ( Senate )
That they have considered the same and are of the opinion that some compensation should be allowed the petitioner for his supplies to the State Troops as set forth in his petition. Recommended that a Law be passed for that purpose.

Philemon Waters was  a member of the Constitutional Convention of South Carolina who ratified the constitution in Charleston, South Carolina. He disagreed with the constitution as written and passed, but lived long enough  to see that it worked and  be thankful the it was passed. His name is on each roll call of the vote on each article of the constitution and how he voted.

Philemon Waters III was recognized as a great hero in the American Revolution and is still considered a hero today. In one line of his descendants the name " Philemon" has been used for 12 generations. Also, Charles Duke, one of our astronauts of today and the 10th man to walk on the moon, is a direct descendant of Col. Philemon Waters. So the courage in this mighty family, no matter which side they were on then, still is in the ones of us living today.