Echoes of Glory: Heroes from the American Revolution
The docudrama, Echoes of Glory, Heroes from the American Revolution, reveals personal stories of nine unsung heroic patriots who risked all for the dream of freedom during seven long years of war for American independence from King George III. (1775 to 1782).
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John Featherston – Patriot, Free Black, Seaman
John Featherston was a free black man who lived in Charlestown, South Carolina. He served seven months under Captain Simon Tufts on board the Defence in Charleston Harbor and later, in an artillery battalion commanded by Captain Thomas Grimball at Fort Moultrie. Two other free African Americans, George Cooper and Steven Bond served on the Defence. In 1775, the schooner, Defence was attacked attempting to sink four hulks in Charleston Harbor to block British access. William Henry Drayton wrote to the Council of Safety in Georgia, that the Hog Island Channel Battle was “the actual commencement of hostilities by the British” and one “of the highest moment to the Southern part of the United States.”
RANDALL LEE JR. PORTRAYED JOHN FEATHERSTON
Randall starred as MacDuff in Clarence Felder’s American MacBeth and as Edgar in Mr. Felder’s adaptation of King Lear for Actors’ Theater of South Carolina at the Threshold Theater in Charleston. He portrayed Aaron in Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus at Flowertown Underground Theater in Summerville, South Carolina. Randall was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and acted in productions of Shakespeare in high school. However, his career as the talented musician and keyboard artist, “RJ Brooklyn Lee” has taken him all over the world, performing with such companies as The Original Gospel Keynotes.
Brigadier General Daniel Morgan – Patriot, Soldier, Congressman
Daniel Morgan served in the Virginia militia and fought in Canada and at Saratoga. An exceptional tactician, Morgan was the architect of the critical American victory at the Battle of Cowpens. He later fought in the Whiskey Rebellion and in 1796, was elected to the US House of Representatives.
CLARENCE FELDER PORTRAYED BRIGADIER GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN
Clarence is the executive producer, co-writer and leading actor for the film. Clarence Felder’s long career in the entertainment industry spans five decades as a lead actor in films, television and Broadway. His numerous roles include a two year run on ABC’s hit series Hooperman and films such as The Last Boy Scout, Ruthless People,
After Hours, All For Liberty, John Laurens’ War, Echoes of Glory, Heroes from the American Revolution, John at Patmos an Allegory, Horntak, and The Final Trials of Anne Hutchinson. Felder co-starred in ten productions on Broadway, performing with such stars as Christopher Walken, Danny Devito, Glenn Close and Meryl Streep. His American theatre appearances include over 160 productions, including starring roles in most of Shakespeare’s plays. A prolific writer/ producer, Felder co-founded Actors Theater of South Carolina with his wife, Chris Weatherhead. Felder was commissioned to write a play about his sixth great-grandfather, Captain Felder’s Cannon, which became the basis for the film All for Liberty.
Rebecca Brewton Motte (1737-1815) – Patriot
Born into a well-to-do Charleston family, Rebecca Brewton married Jacob Motte, Jr. The Mottes had a plantation on the Santee as well as a home in Charlestown. Early supporters of American Independence, Jacob and Rebecca furnished needed supplies and food for the defense of South Carolina. Following the death of her brother, Rebecca inherited his townhouse in Charlestown and a plantation, Mount Joseph, in present-day Calhoun County. In 1781, the British occupied and fortified Mount Joseph. Known as Fort Motte, Francis Marion and Henry Lee besieged the fort and captured it – but only after setting the house afire to force the British surrender – an action enthusiastically supported by Rebecca Motte.
CHRIS WEATHERHEAD PORTRAYED REBECCA MOTTE
Chris Weatherhead, Clarence Felder’s wife, portrayed Catherine Felder in the award-winning docudrama, All For Liberty, joining her husband in intensive research for the story about his sixth great-grandfather, Henry Felder. They worked with seven historical consultants from 2002 – 2005 to arrive at a largely authentic telling of Henry Felder’s fight for liberty, including several fictional characters representative of patriots of the period. Their research also led to docudramas on other unsung heroes including, John Laurens’ War, Echoes of Glory, Heroes From the American Revolution and Freedom Fighters of Calhoun County.
As an actress, Ms. Weatherhead has had leading roles on film, television and in theater companies in New York City, Hollywood and across the country for over 40 years, ranging from feature films (Touched, The Tonya Harding Story, All for Liberty, Echoes of Glory: Heroes from the American Revolution, John at Patmos, An Allegory and The Final Trials of Anne Hutchinson) to series television (Dallas, Equal Justice, Moonlighting, Night Court, Baby Boom, and others); and daytime television (Edge of Night, Days of Our Lives, Young & The Restless, etc.). She starred for two years in NYC in an Off-Broadway hit Table Settings, as well as many engagements in U.S.regional theaters. Weatherhead is producing director and co-founder of both Moving Images Group and its main company, the award-winning Actors Theatre of South Carolina.
Weatherhead starred in numerous productions in South Carolina and has toured in five other states and U.S. Virgin Islands. Chris received the Martha Washington Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution for outstanding service to the Sons of the American Revolution. She is also a screenwriter and author of the historical novel, Against the Wind, The Rise of Kamehameha The Great.
Lt. Colonel John Laurens (1754-1782) – Patriot, Abolitionist, Soldier, Diplomat
Born into the wealthy Laurens family, John was the son of Henry Laurens. Educated in Europe, he studied law in London before returning to America in 1776. He volunteered for military service and joined General George Washington’s staff. Laurens fought heroically, but recklessly, at Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. Laurens also proposed raising a regiment of slaves to oppose the British advance in the South. In exchange for service, the men would receive their freedom. Although the Continental Congress approved the plan in 1779, Laurens was never able to gain support from the SC Legislature. Captured in 1780 when Charlestown surrendered, he was exchanged and undertook a difficult, but successful diplomatic mission to France. After the Battle of Yorktown, General George Washington appointed John Laurens as the American commissioner to negotiate the terms of surrender. Laurens was killed in 1782 during one of the last military engagements in South Carolina.
ROBBIN KNIGHT PORTRAYED LT. COL JOHN LAURENS
Mr. Knight is a native Charlestonian theater and film actor and producer who owns a photography business in Charleston, South Carolina.
He is a charter member and past president of the Carolina Film Alliance. He holds an Associates Degree in Film and TV Broadcasting from Trident Technical College. For Actors Theater of SC’s Moving Images Group, he created the role of John Laurens in the award-winning film, John Laurens’ War, Roger Williams in The Final Trials of Anne Hutchinson, Crassus, the Roman Guard in John at Patmos, an Allegory for the award-winning two-part film, In the Sea of Grace, and Hamlet in Seven Streams (working title). On stage, he created the role of John Laurens in Radical Son, which became the film, John Laurens War. Other stage roles include Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, and A Christmas Carol. Mr. Knight has worked with various theaters and film companies as a camera operator and producer in the southeast. He is the board president of Actors’ Theater of South Carolina and Moving Images Group.
Peter Harris – Patriot Soldier
Peter Harris was a Catawba warrior who served under Lt. Colonel William Thomson (Third Regiment) and under General Thomas Sumter. For his service, the state of SC paid him an annual pension of $60.
DANTE ROLLERSON PORTRAYED PETER HARRIS, CATAWBA SOLDIER
Dante created the role of the Catawba warrior patriot, Peter Harris, in the original production of Actors’ Theater of South Carolina’s “Lowcountry Revolutionaries,” and other roles for the company, including Demetrius in Clarence Felder’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Brigadier General Francis Marion Patriot, Soldier, Legislator “the Swamp Fox,”
is best known for his successful use of guerilla tactics to oppose the British occupation of South Carolina. Of Huguenot descent, Marion fought in the French and Indian War and in 1775 was elected to the first SC Provincial Congress. Marion was instrumental in the capture of Fort Johnson and served with distinction at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island. Lt. Colonel Marion commanded the Second Regiment of the Continental Army until after the fall of Charlestown in 1780. Fortunately, Marion was not in Charlestown and the time of the surrender and as a Brig. General organized a partisan militia unit and a major role in ending the British occupation of South Carolina.
MICHAEL EASLER, BOARD MEMBER, COMPOSER PORTRAYED FRANCIS MARION
A veteran actor of over 140 theater and film productions, Michael has co-starred in numerous roles for Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina. He portrays Governor John Rutledge in the award-winning docudramas, All for Liberty, Thomas Jefferson in John Laurens’ War and Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox in Echoes of Glory: Heroes from the American Revolution, the Apostle Paul in John at Patmos, An Allegory. He also portrayed General Beauregard in the National Geographic Special: Secret Weapon of the Confederacy, co-starred as Dr. Walsh in Cold Soldiers and has been featured other films, including Chattahoochie with Dennis Hopper and Gary Oldman, as well as television series and documentaries. He spent several years in residence at Greenville’s Café And Then Some Comedy Dinner Theatre as an actor, writer and musician. He has starred in notable plays such as Breaker Morant, The Little Foxes, and Cabaret.
Emily Geiger – Patriot Courier
(1765 -1825)
According to family tradition, in 1781, the teen-aged Emily Geiger volunteered to carry an important message from General Nathanael Greene to Brigadier General Thomas Sumter. Despite obstacles, she successfully completed the mission. After the Revolutionary War, she married. Unfortunately, neither her birth nor death dates are known. A plaque in the SC State House honors her service.
MYRA JONES PORTRAYED EMILY GEIGER
After raising her family, Myra Jones has spent 20 years following her passion as a theatre, film, commercial and voice-over actor. Myra has performed with various theater companies in the southeast, including co-starring in Actors’ Theater of South Carolina’s productions of1945! Charleston Victory Christmas, Shakespeare’s Lovers & Liars, and King Lear. Myra’s ancestors were Patriots who fought in pivotal battles of the American Revolution in South Carolina. During WWII, her mother was a true “Rosie the Riveter,” building airplanes for the war effort while her father served as an officer in the US Navy. Her mother was a Navy WAVE during the Korean Conflict. Myra’s brothers are veterans of the US Air Force. Myra attends Bethel United Methodist Church in Charleston, where her family has attended for over 200 years.
Captain Henry Felder (1726-1780) – Patriot, Soldier, Civic leader.
Captain Henry Felder was a Swiss-speaking immigrant who settled in the South Carolina backcountry. He acquired land in Orangeburg District. By the time of the Revolution, he had extensive land holdings on the Edisto River. A successful and entrepreneurial farmer, Felder manufactured gunpowder, was a justice of the peace, raised a militia company during the war, served in the SC Provincial Congress and wrote the “Orangeburgh Declaration.” His life and service are testimony to the deadly conflict that ravaged South Carolina’s backcountry during the Revolutionary War.
CLARENCE FELDER PORTRAYED HIS 6TH GREAT GRANDFATHER CAPTAIN HENRY FELDER
Clarence was unaware of his Revolutionary War hero ancestor until the age of 56 when he moved back to his home state from Hollywood, California. He is the executive producer, co-writer and leading actor for the film, All For Liberty. His long career in the entertainment industry spans five decades as a lead actor in films, television and Broadway. His numerous roles include a two year run on ABC’s hit series Hooperman and films such as The Last Boy Scout, Ruthless People, After Hours, and others. Felder co-starred in ten productions on Broadway, performing with such stars as Christopher Walken, Glenn Close and Meryl Streep. His American theatre appearances include over 160 productions, including starring roles in most of Shakespeare’s plays. A prolific writer/ producer, Felder co-founded Actors Theater of South Carolina with his wife, Chris Weatherhead. Felder was commissioned to write a play about his sixth great-grandfather, Captain Felder’s Cannon, which became the basis for the film All for Liberty. The screenplay was adapted by his wife, Chris Weatherhead and Ron Mangravite.
Major General William Moultrie (1730-1805) – Patriot, Soldier, Governor
Moultrie served in the Commons House of Assembly and was a colonel in the colonial militia. Elected colonel of the Second SC Regiment of Foot in 1775, Moultrie gained fame as the successful defender of the palmetto fort on Sullivan’s Island. The fort was later named for him. He also designed a battle flag that featured a white crescent on a flag of indigo blue. Moultrie successful defeated the British at the Battle of Port Royal and prevented a British attack on Charlestown in 1779. Captured when Charlestown fell in 1780, Moultrie later served as governor of South Carolina.
Fictional Characters – Patriot
Mary Oliver – Patriot, Slave
The fictional Mary Oliver represents enslaved women and their contribution to the fight for American Independence. Her story is based on a 1780 incident in the Waxhaws recounted in African-American Patriots in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution edited by Bobby G. Moss and Micahel C. Scoggins
MICHELLE P. WARREN PORTRAYED MARY OLIVER
Ms. Warren is an actress, voiceover artist, screenwriter, producer, director and owner of Breakthrough Pictures, LLC. Ms Warren has performed many roles in theatrical and film productions in South Carolina. Most notable, are co-starring in For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange produced by Art Forms Theatre Concepts and as the evil daughter, Regan, in Clarence Felder’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear for Actors’ Theater of South Carolina. On film, Ms. Warren also presented excerpts from Ecclesiastes, in the Biblical film, Light For Your Journey, Words of Solomon, Isaiah, David, and Paul, for Moving Images Group at Actors’ Theater of South Carolina, now in world distribution with Bridgestone Multimedia Group/TwinEngines. In 2019, Michelle became the producer/director of “Its a Good Time to Be you!”, a Christian talk show airing on CTN, producing 52 episodes. Shortly after, she became producer/director for another Christian talk show, “In Context”, airing on both CTN and Preach The Word Network. She then moved to scripted series work with her writing team/business partners at Breakthrough Pictures, which has completed two pilot scripts and produced three short films entered in film festivals.
Historical Characters – British/Loyalists
General Sir Banastre Tarleton (1754-1833) – British Officer/Member of Parliament
Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754-1826)
British Officer. In 1771, Lord Rawdon joined the British army and sailed for American in 1774. Rawdon fought in the Battles of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. As a result, he was promoted to captain and later became Aide-de-Camp to General Sir Henry Clinton. During the Siege of Charlestown in 1780, he came south with reinforcements. Cornwallis posted him to Camden. When Cornwallis moved out of South Carolina, he left Rawdon in control. Rawdon defeated Major General Nathanael Greene at the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill and relieved the Siege of Ninety-Six. He then began withdrawing his troops to Charlestown. In July 1781, in ill health, he resigned from the army and sailed for Great Britain. Regrettably before he sailed, he approved the execution of Colonel Isaac Hayne. Hayne, a Continental officer, took British protection after the fall of Charlestown with the understanding that he would not be required to fight for British. When he was, he instead took an American commission. Unfortunately, he was captured and hanged without trial on 4 August 1781. As a result, Benjamin Rush and other Americans referred to Rawdon as a “butcher.” Rawdon in turn, was captured by the French en route home. Exchanged, he served in the Irish House of Parliament, and later, as Lord Hastings, in the British House of Lords. In 1812, he became Governor-General of India.
General enemies our heroes fought against…
KING GEORGE III
THE BRITISH ARMIES OF THE NORTH AND SOUTH
GENERALS AND THEIR OFFICERS
LOYALIST MILITIAS
EUROPEAN MERCENARIES
“THE KINGS’ MEN”
ON-CAMERA SCHOLARS FOR JOHN LAURENS WAR and ECHOES OF GLORY,
Heroes from the American Revolution
Damon Lamar Fordham – On-Camera Scholar, Author, Historian
Mr. Fordham was born in Spartanburg, SC on December 23, 1964 to Anne Montgomery and was adopted by Pearl and Abraham Fordham of Mt. Pleasant, SC the following year. Damon has received a Master’s Degree in history from the College of Charleston and The Citadel, and his undergraduate degrees at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He is an adjunct professor of World Civilizations, United States, and African-American History at Charleston Southern University and The Citadel in Charleston, SC. Professor Fordham is the author of The 1895 Segregation Fight in South Carolina (Charleston: History Press), Mr. Potts and Me (Charleston: Evening Post Books) Voices of Black South Carolina-Legend and Legacy (Charleston: History Press), True Stories of Black South Carolina (Charleston: History Press). Articles by Mr. Fordham appear in many books, including Sweetgrass Baskets and the Gullah Tradition by Joyce Coakley, South of Main by Beatrice Hill and Brenda Lee, The Greenwood Encyclopedia of African-American Folklore for the University of Missouri Press, Orangeburg 1968, by Cecil Williams and Sonny DuBose, and The Malcolm X Encyclopedia for the University of Southern Mississippi Press (2001). Professor Fordham has visited Senegal and Gambia, West Africa, where he toured the Slave Port at Gorre Island and spoke students at the University of Gambia in Banjul.
, where he toured the Slave Port at Gorre Island and spoke students at the University of Gambia in Banjul.
Alexia Jones Helsley – On-Camera Scholar, Author, Historian
Ms. Helsley has been an on-camera scholar for several film projects of Actors’ Theater of South Carolina’s film division, Moving Images Group, including John Laurens’ War and Freedom Fighters of Calhoun County. She has served on numerous panels for their historical, Shakespeare, and English literature productions. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Furman University and holds an MA in history from the University of South Carolina. As a student, she worked with the Furman Theatre Guild and is an advisory board member of Actors’ Theater of South Carolina. Currently, Ms. Helsley is a Senior Instructor in History and University Archivist at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where she teaches South Carolina, World and Public History. She has published widely on the history of the South Carolina. Her publications include Beaufort,South Carolina: a history, Wicked Edisto: the dark side of Eden, and The Lost History of Aiken County, South Carolina, as well as requested chapters for Remembering the Piedmont Past, II and The Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy. Prior to her teaching career, she worked for many years with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Recipient of the South Carolina Governor’s Archives Award and the SC State Daughters of the American Revolution Bobby Gilmer Moss Award. Helsley is a former president of the SC Historical Association and committed to the preservation of historical archives and manuscripts, keys to understanding the past.
Ms. Helsley has been an on-camera scholar for several film projects of Actors’ Theater of South Carolina’s film division, Moving Images Group, including John Laurens’ War, Echoes of Glory, Heroes from the American Revolution and Freedom Fighters of Calhoun County.
Trevor Erickson – Co-Director, Co-Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Sound Design
Mr. Erickson is a former member of the US Marine Corps and graduate of the Film Program at Trident Technical College in South Carolina and a graduate of B.S. International Business & Japanese Studies at College of Charleston. He was Assistant Director and Combat Coordinator on the award-winning film, All for Liberty, and created the co-starring role of Henry Felder, Jr. He served as co-producer, editor, co-star, and stunt coordinator for the indie feature, Cold Soldiers and was Co-Director/cinematographer/Editor of the award-winning John at Patmos, An Allegory, Light for Your Journey and The Final Trials of Anne Hutchinson.
Chris Weatherhead, Research, Writer, Director, Producer
Actress/writer/directo/producer/novelist, Chris Weatherhead, Clarence Felder’s wife, portrayed Catherine Felder in the film, All For Liberty, joining her husband in intensive research for the story. Chris Weatherhead has been a leading actress on film, television and in theater companies in New York City, Hollywood and across the country for over 40 years, ranging from feature films (Touched, The Tonya Harding Story, All for Liberty, Echoes of Glory: Heroes from the American Revolution) to series television (Dallas, Equal Justice, Moonlighting, Night Court, Baby Boom, and others); to daytime television (Edge of Night, Days of Our Lives, Young & The Restless, etc.). She starred for two years in NYC in an Off-Broadway hit Table Settings, as well as many guest artist engagements in U.S.regional theaters. Weatherhead is producing director and co-founder of both Moving Images Group and its main company, the award-winning Actors Theatre of South Carolina. She starred in numerous productions in South Carolina and toured in five other states. In 2023, Ms. Weatherhead received the Martha Washington Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution for outstanding service to the Sons of the American Revolution. She is also a screenwriter and author of the historical novel, Against the Wind, The Rise of Kamehameha The Great.
Production Company:
Actors’ Theater of South Carolina and film division, Moving Images Group
The award-winning and visionary Actors’ Theater of South Carolina ( 501c3 non-profit company) was co-founded by nationally known actors, Clarence Felder and Chris Weatherhead. They brought experience in directing, writing and producing when they came to South Carolina from decades of film, TV and theater in NYC, Hollywood and Canada. ATSC trains actors and directors and focuses on inspiring stories of courage in American history and great literature.
ATSC has been creating films and theater productions since 1995, including touring “Beethoven: His Women & Music” to US Virgin Islands, “Frederick Douglass, No Turning Back” to the 33rd National Black Theatre Festival in Winston/Salem, North Carolina and performing many years as guests at the Piccolo Spoleto International Theater Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.
The film division, Moving Images Group, has won twenty-nine international film awards including two docudramas, “All For Liberty” and “John Laurens War” on unsung heroes of South Carolina in the American Revolution. They both are in world-wide distribution through Bridgestone Multimedia Group. Also, the film version of “Frederick Douglass, No Turning Back” starring Kyle Taylor, won a Gold Remi Award at Houston WorldFest Film Festival, a Leading Actor award from Accolade Global Film Competition in California, a Silver Crown Award in Nashville at the ICVM Awards. It is also worldwide with Bridgestone Multimedia Group/Twin Engines. “In the Sea of Grace,” and “Echoes of Glory, Heroes from the American Revolution” won Silver Remi Awards in Historical Film & Video Production at Houston Worldfest. Actors Theater of South Carolina has staged 109 live theater productions and produced 40 original scripts, often touring to other states, including Atlanta History Center, Clemson University, Appalachian State University, Richmond Virginia, Chautauqua Festival in Greenville, SC, the National Black Theater Festival, N.C., and Theatre Festival in Madison, Georgia.
Historical profiles provided by Alexia Jones Helsley