Laodicea "Dicey" Langston was born and raised in Laurens County, near the Enoree River, which separates Laurens from Spartanburg County. She remained at the family homeplace while her father and brothers left home to fight for the Patriots as part of the Spartan Regiment. However, staying at home did not mean staying out of the fray. Dicey quietly gathered intelligence from her neighbors, many of whom were Loyalists. When she learned that Loyalist forces planned to attack her brothers' encampment the following day, Dicey set out alone to warn them. She traveled a great distance in the dark of night, possibly 6-15 miles, and crossed the Enoree River to reach them and send them out of harm's way. Legend says that Dicey returned home before dawn - but not before cooking breakfast for the hungry Patriot forces!

In this story, Dicey's older brother has entrusted her with the safekeeping of a rifle, which his fellow Patriots-in-arms will soon retrieve. To ensure the rifle lands in the right hands, her brother gives Dicey a password that the soldiers must say before she gives them the weapon. When unfamiliar men arrive and ask for the gun, Dicey nearly forgets to ask for the password. She requests it only after retrieving the rifle from its hiding place and returns to the soldiers. The men, seeing only a young woman with a gun, move to take it, but Dicey surprises them by holding them at gunpoint until they provide the password. Thankfully, these were the anticipated Patriots and, having provided the correct sign, they laughed with Dicey after the intense encounter between allies. One of these men was Thomas Springfield, who Dicey would later marry. They settled in Travelers Rest and records indicate Dicey gave birth to 22 children!

Dicey's legacy of courage and Patriotism continue to inspire generations today in a variety of ways, including through the lives of her many descendants. A statue is planned to recognize Dicey in Travelers Rest, where she settled after her marriage to Thomas Springfield. Songs have been written to tell her story and encourage listeners to be steadfast and brave. She is even a character in several children's books! Because the stories recounted by Elizabeth Ellett were written decades after the Revolution and told as much for entertainment as to record history, it is important to note that they are not strictly factual. Explore the historical context and possibility of Dicey's alleged adventures here, from SC250. This link also includes a list of children's books featuring Dicey Langston.