Symposium takes audience through Revolutionary journey

Konstantin Vengerowsky/Clarendon Citizen - Presenters from the Francis Marion Symposium held at the F.E. DuBose Campus of Central Carolina Technical College. (Front row L-R) Ben Rubin, Karen MacNutt and James Queen. (Second Row) Charles Baxley, Bill Segars and Dick Watkins. (Third Row) Joe Stukes, Garland Hart and David Neilan. Not pictured Christine Swager, Tony Zeiss and Jim Piecuch.

As an anniversary gift every year, the Chiappettas, Turbeville residents Peggy and her husband Greg, give each other a ticket to the Francis Marion Symposium, a two-day event held to reflect and examine the historic events that took place during the Colonial Period, Revolutionary War and the birth of the United States.

This was the ninth annual event, held at the F.E. DuBose Campus of Central Carolina Technical College, in Manning, on Oct. 14-15. The event featured a cast of 11 speakers specializing in different fields from that time frame.

The grand finale featured two performers: Summerton Presbyterian Church pastor, Rev. Garland Hart, a Revolutionary War fife re-enactor, and retired Francis Marion University history professor, Dr. Joseph T. Stukes, who conducts various autobiographical performances of historic South Carolinians.

This year, Stukes played the autobiographical role of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a South Carolinian who was a signer of the U.S. Constitution, brigadier general in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and United States Minister to France.

Stukes took the audience back to a time when the 13 colonies had just formed into an independent nation, and the war against Great Britain had been won. He gave a detailed description of Pinckney’s life, from the time he was a boy born into the famous Pinckney family, to him serving in various state positions for the young nation.

Stukes said although the focus of the symposium was Francis Marion, and the Revolutionary War, he felt that he wanted to introduce another family key to the country’s formation.

“We covered Francis Marion throughout the symposium thoroughly, and I thought it was time to have some sweet dessert,” he said.

Co-organizer George Summers said that he is thankful for all of the support from sponsors, presenters and all of the board members of the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society.

“This was one of the most meaningful events we’ve had in the last nine years,” Summers said.

About 95 people attended the various events during the two days.

Summers said that he is looking forward to next year’s event, which he hosts with his wife, Carole, to he held Oct. 12-13.