The present day Winnsboro, SC began as “Winnsborough”, a settlement on what was the land of Richard Winn. It was chartered as a village by Richard Winn, John Winn, Minor Winn and John Vanderhorst about 1785. It became a prosperous town with many stores, a Masonic Hall, two factories, a market house, a blacksmith and a carriage shop.
During the occupation of the British, from October, 1780 to January, 1781, John Winn and Minor Winn attempted to ambush and kill British Lord Cornwallis, but “were captured and condemned to the gallows” until Lord Cornwallis pardoned them. Richard Winn attained the rank of Colonel in the state militia during the Revolutionary War.
Fairfield County formed from the ‘Camden district.’ “The origin of the name “Fairfield” is not known, but local legend attributes it to a remark by Lord Cornwallis, ‘how fair the fields’ of the area” (Italics in quotes were contributed by Mary Martin to SC State Library)
In 1832, Winnsboro was incorporated as a town.
“The county was also invaded by General (William Tecumseh) Sherman’s (Union) troops during the Civil War.” During his “scorched-earth” march through the south, (only two days in Winnsboro) thirty homes and stores and the Episcoapl Church were burned.
