Rebecca Motte

Bonded Bronze - Under Life Size

Available for Purchase

Have you ever heard of Rebecca Motte? Not many people have, but she has an amazing American story. Rebecca lived on a plantation in Charleston, South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. By this time, she was a widow and a mother in charge of an enormous estate. Throughout the war, Rebecca supplied soldiers with food and necessities. In 1780, the British had taken possession of the town surrounding her plantation and set up a military post in her home. General Francis Marion and Colonel Henry Lee of the Continental army guessed that burning this post would be the best way to move the British out of the area, and so they approached Rebecca Motte with the plan. When told that they wanted to burn down her home, Rebecca responded, "Do not hesitate a moment, I will give you something to facilitate the destruction." And with that, she supplied them with a quiver of arrows to set fire to the wooden roof.

The British were driven out from her home, and the flames were finally put out. Later on that same day, Rebecca chose to serve dinner to both American and British soldiers alike, despite the tragedy that had taken place earlier.

Seen above is a Charlie Pate original sculpture of this American hero. We would like to celebrate Rebecca Motte and those like her for inconveniencing themselves so that we may live freely. We believe that sacrificing one's basic needs, rights, or even life for someone else, is actually the most freeing way to live.