New memorial wall to commemorate Upstate American Revolution heroes

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Greenville County’s Veterans Plaza, which commemorates men and women who fought in wars from World War I to present day, will soon honor Upstate veterans from the American Revolution.

It all began about two years ago when the Greenville County 250 Committee hired Mallory Tutterrow to document people, places and events pertaining to the American Revolution in Greenville County. Her work, now documented on the Upcountry History Museum website, included many known grave sites of Revolutionary War patriots. She was aided by lists of veterans provided by the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution (DAR and SAR).

Tutterrow said having a list of names isn’t enough. She cross-referenced census records, land grant deeds and death records with physical burial sites — visiting cemeteries across the county.

“It works a lot like a puzzle,” Tutterrow said. “You try to take this bit of information and that bit of information and put it all together, so you’re able to confirm your resources with primary sources. That’s been the challenge — taking all these resources and putting them together.”

Colleen Knights, vice chair of South Carolina’s DAR Lineage Research Committee, said they focused on soldiers who ended up in Greenville County during or after the war.

“Most of them actually died here — that was where we started. Anyone who was buried or died in Greenville County,” Knights explained.

The idea for the Memorial came about a year later when DAR member Tracy Andrew was walking near Veterans Plaza.

“I looked at the memorial, and I noticed there weren’t any Revolutionary War veterans there,” said Andrew, SC250 committee chair with the Behethland Butler chapter.

Andrew immediately went to work and enlisted the help of several others, including SAR member Ralph Welton, who maintains a statewide graves listing of potential patriots.

“I’ve always enjoyed history, so just participating and giving information to a group that needs it — I enjoy doing that,” Welton said.

So far, the team has verified over 100 patriots in the county and is continuing to confirm more. They also are quick to point out that their work builds on the research of others who spent tireless nights researching and documenting patriot lineage.

When asked what her greatest wish is for residents, Andrew said, “So they can go and say, ‘Oh there’s my eight great-grandfather — and there he is finally being honored for his service to America.’”

DAR hopes to unveil the memorial wall in Veterans Plaza by July 4, 2026. Funding will come primarily from a South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) grant.

If you’re interested in exploring your lineage with the help of DAR, click here.

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