Introduction
Why is Catherine Moore Barry, also known as Kate Barry, a true heroine of the American Revolutionary War? She is best known for her role in successfully warning the American militia when the British were about to invade, before the decisive Continental Army victory at the Battle of Cowpens. She was instrumental in helping General Daniel Morgan, commander of the American forces, not only fend off British forces but ultimately set the stage for the turning point in the war. To find out more about this brave and heroic woman, read the interesting information and facts on her life below. Although not much is known about her later years, it covers her early life, such as where she was born and how many kids were in her family as well as interesting facts about her life.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about the American Revolution.
Catherine Moore Barry Early Years
- Catherine Moore Barry was born to Charles and Mary Moore in 1752 near Spartanburg, South Carolina.
- She was the eldest of ten children.
- One of the first families to migrate to the Piedmont area of South Carolina was the Moore family.
- In 1767, at the young age of 15, Catherine married Andrew Barry. They lived about two miles from her childhood home.
- Catherine and Andrew Barry had three children together.
Catherine Moore Barry Interesting Information
- When Catherine's husband, Andrew, became a captain and commanding officer in the war, she proudly helped him acting as a spy and messenger and even fought in some battles with him.
- Although there is no historical proof, it is said that Catherine Barry Moore tied her newborn baby to her bedpost and, using her extensive knowledge of the woods, rode on her horse through Indian trails to warn her neighbors that the British were approaching.
- Barry not only rounded up enough Patriots to fight the British at the Battle of Cowpens, but also aided General Morgan in setting a trap to ambush the British which forced British troops to retreat from South Carolina into Virginia.
- Winning the Battle of Cowpens was a turning point in the American War for Independence. Shortly thereafter it led to the Battle of Yorktown where the British troops, led by General Cornwallis, surrendered to General Washington and the colonies won their independence.
- Catherine Moore Barry received several medals for her brave work and her intelligence as both a messenger and a spy during the American Revolution.
- She died in September of 1823 and was buried next to her husband Andrew in a family cemetery.
- Walnut Grove Plantation, the house where Catherine Moore Barry was raised, has become a popular tourist attraction on the outskirts of Spartanburg, South Carolina in a town called Roebuck.