In the serene pine woodlands of Camden, South Carolina, a historical secret from America’s early days lay hidden for centuries. It was here, in August 1780, that a fierce battle unfolded between British forces and the American Continental Army, resulting in a devastating blow to the American side.
For many years, battlefield archaeologists Jim Legg and Steve Smith have meticulously examined this historic site. Recently, they unearthed a startling find: several sets of human remains were discovered buried in the sandy soil’s shallow graves. The metal buttons on the remains pointed to their identity as Continental soldiers, although other identifying details were absent. Instead of names, the remains were initially labeled with numbers.
In this fierce confrontation, approximately 2,000 Continental soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured, leaving many families wondering about the fate of their loved ones. However, recent findings by Legg and Smith, combined with breakthroughs in DNA analysis, are unveiling new possibilities.
One set of remains, previously referred to as 9B, has now been confirmed as John Pumphrey. He was a young recruit from Maryland, joining the Continental Army’s 7th Maryland Regiment at the tender age of just 13.
Allison Peacock, a genetic genealogist adept at using DNA coupled with genealogical records to identify such remains, noted that researchers used “three different types of DNA” along with biographical information to complete the identification. Discovering the true identity of the remains gave her “goosebumps on her arms,” she remarked.
The Pumphrey family has deep Maryland roots, historic records show. The family owned sawmills and real estate, but court records show the estate was lost in a dispute after John Pumphrey’s father died. A need for money may have led to the teen’s decision to enlist, Peacock said.
“I’m sure he just was building a new life for himself,” Peacock said.
Pumphrey likely marched more than a thousand miles with the regiment. The unit fought in battles with then-Gen. George Washington in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The Pumphrey family still exists today. The DNA that helped identify Pumphrey’s remains came from three women: Pam Donahue, Karen Pumphrey Etchison, and Nancy Pumphrey White. Donahue said she is proud to know her fourth-great-uncle fought for the United States.
“To find out that we do have a young man that sacrificed his life for the development of our country, it’s amazing, absolutely amazing,” she said.
In late June, members of the extended Pumphrey family came together to hear his story and say his name for the first time in centuries. His remains are interred in South Carolina, where he and the other soldiers were discovered, but the tombstone, once marked “Unknown,” will soon have his name carved on it.
“I think it’s a gift to the whole country to know his story,” Peacock said.