The fathers had been in the Federal or Provincial congresses; the older sons had served in the Continental line or in the militia.

The plantations were occasionally overrun by the enemy; and the general disorder had completed their ruin.

Nevertheless, the heads of the families had striven to send the younger sons to school or college.

For their daughters they did even more; and throughout the contest, even in its darkest hours, they sent them down to receive the final touches of a lady-like education at some one of the State capitals not at the moment in the hands of the enemy--such as Charleston or Philadelphia.

There the young ladies were taught dancing and music, for which, as well as for their frocks and "pink calamanco shoes," their fathers paid enormous sums in depreciated Continental currency.