Son of Vardry and Hannah Eckols McBee, among many other accomplishments, he is credited with having named Columbus, Mississippi.

The following was provided by flgrl:

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Silas was had only just turned 15 when he fought at KING'S MOUNTAIN under Colonel Williams.

The family was living at Thicketty Ford sic -- another Find-a-Grave user pointed out that this should say Thicketty Fort, not Ford, and that it was also known as Fort Anderson] South Carolina when Captain Moore and his men were captured.

**Silas McBee S7202/fn30SC

Lowndes County, Mississippi, February 18, 1833(aged Sixty Eight)

Partial quotes from his official statement:

"entered the service of the United States as a volunteer Soldier during the Month of July 1781(80)near Tates Ferry in the State of South Carolina under the Command of Col. Thomas Brandon and in the Company of Captain John Thompson and Lieutenant Josiah Tanner.........and from thence I marched with Genl. Williams' force towards Kings Mountain,.......until the month of March or April 1782 at which time I was Discharged."

**Thicketty Ford, South Carolina in the American Rev. War

July 26, 1780

Fort Anderson also called "Thicketty Ford"

Total Patriot Forces - 600 men

Total British Loyalist Forces - 93 men.

Silas McBee was among the Patriot forces.

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The following was provided by Paul Armstrong:

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ANOTHER REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER GONE!

DIED - at his residence in Pontotoc Co., Mi., on the 8th of January 1845, SILAS McBEE, Esq., in his 80th year. Having arrived at a good old age, he died, as he had lived, respected by all who knew him - at peace with himself and without fears for the future. He had lived in eventful times and his life was not uneventful. The writer will briefly mention that he was born in Halifax Co., Virginia on the 24th of November 1765, and that bis parents having emigrated, he grew to manhood in the state of South Carolina, amid the thrilling events of the Revolution. In feeling he espoused the cause of Independence with enthusiasm but was too young to take part in the War until the British had over run the state; when in the fall of 1780 - then in his fifteenth year, he joined the Patriots under Col. Williams, who so nobly cooperated with Campbell Shelby and Cleveland at the Battle of King's Mountain. He mingled in the fight, and was "in at the death" when Ferguson fell, mortally wounded - subsequently he aided in driving The British from the soil of South Carolina. Soon after the War he emigrated to the new settlements upon the Cumberland near Nashville, where every man was a soldier from necessity, and had to fight his way among the Indians, for several years. He took part in those troubles, and when the Indians began to haul off he settled upon a small farm in the Southern part of Kentucky. There for several years he was distinguished as one of the most enterprising and worthy citizens, and acquired a handsome property.

In 1818 he removed to the neighborhood of Columbus Mississippi - at that time believed to be within tho limits of Alabama - shortly afterwards he was elected and served as a member of the convention which formed the Constitution of that state. Subsequently for many years, he resided near Columbus living on his farm seeking no public employment being blessed with an interesting family, and an easy competence, with a vigorous intellect and a generous temper, he was always happy at home. Amiable in social intercourse and benevolent in feeling, his distinguishing trait was generous hospitality. It may be truly said that no man ever entered his dwelling without meeting a warm reception, or left it unrefreshed. His servants -

horses - dogs - everything must be well fed - must be comfortable. Above all he was an affectionate husband - kind parent - good neighbor - devoted friend, sincere in all his attachments - true to every trust.

He bore his last illness with becoming fortitude; and as fruit fully ripe, falls to the ground, so he has passed to the bourne from which no traveller returns. His children and relatives will feel the pang of separation, mingled with gratitude that he has been so long spared to them.

The Mississippi Advertiser, Aberdeen, MS, February 8, 1845.

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McBee Creek that crosses Lehmberg Road in Columbus, Mississippi, is named for him.

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The following was provided by Nick Walters:

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According to "A History of Columbus Mississippi" publised in 1909, Silas is given credit for naming the town Columbus (which he apparenty thought was better than the Chickasaw name of "Possum Town".

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[Biographical information was also provided by Vonnie Cantrell, Roisin, Ms Betty, Carolyn Sims Fortner, K Haden, and Leigh Compton Smith.]