Name/Title
Richard Pearis, Bold PioneerEntry/Object ID
RG134-01-06Description
Richard Pearis, Greenville’s first white settler, was a bold, controversial figure. An Irish-born frontiersman, Indian agent, and Loyalist during the American Revolution, Pearis played a key role in recognizing the waterpower potential of the Reedy River. Though viewed as a scoundrel by some, he helped establish the foundations of what became Greenville. He acquired land from the Cherokees through complex dealings, built a trading post, and lived a turbulent life filled with adventure, political intrigue, and conflict. After fleeing South Carolina, he died in Nassau in 1794, leaving a legacy intertwined with Greenville’s earliest development and frontier history.Collection
Proceedings and PapersCopyright
Copyright Holder
Greenville Country Historical SocietyCopyright Details
Exclusive License
