Captain Henry Felder portrayed by Clarence Felder
FREE. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Come early to get a seat. Doors open at 1 pm.
Be entertained while learning about a South Carolina citizen’s role in the Revolutionary War.
Captain Henry Felder (Hans Henrich Felder) was born in Switzerland and immigrated to South Carolina in 1735 at age nine with his parents who settled in the backcountry. He became a merchant farmer and was appointed to the Royal court system. After witnessing deep corruption and tyranny in his district from the Royal judges, he tried to reason with them and petition George III but was rejected at every turn. The Crown responded with more taxes, then violence. Felder cast his lot with the independence movement and is celebrated for his passionate, eloquent fight for freedom by writing his Address and Declaration of Separation from the English King seven weeks before Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. He was appointed by patriot leadership to make gunpowder and gather artillery. Felder then formed a militia company along with his seven sons and fought tyranny across the colony.
His story is one of risking his life and family, taking a revolutionary stand against the most powerful army in the world of that era, a fight to defend God-given birthrights for all people.
