William Thomson

William Thomson (1727–1796) was a South Carolina patriot in the American Revolution. He was Colonel of the Orangeburgh District Regiment of Militia and commander of the 3rd South Carolina Regiment of Rangers. Early life William Thomson was born on January 16, 1727, in Pennsylvania. He was related to Charles Thomson. As a boy, his parents brought him to South Carolina, where they settled along the west side of the Congaree River in Orangeburgh District. Career He later served as sheriff of Orangeburgh and was elected to the First Provincial Congress in January and June of 1775. He was selected as colonel in early 1775 over the Orangenburgh District Regiment of the South Carolina militia. He was later commissioned as lieutenant colonel and commandant of the 3rd South Carolina Regiment of Rangers on June 18, 1775, and later promoted to colonel on May 16, 1776. He was promoted to brevet general on September 30, 1783. He was involved in the following engagements: December 22, 1775, Battle of Great Cane Brake December 23-30, 1775, Snow Campaign June 28, 1776, Battle of Fort Moultrie 1776, Cherokee Expedition June 20, 1779, Battle of Stono Ferry September 16 to October 18, 1779, Siege of Savannah March 28 to May 12, 1780, Siege of Charleston