Early life Francis Marion was born in Berkeley County, Province of South Carolina around 1732. His father Gabriel Marion was a Huguenot who emigrated to the Thirteen Colonies from France at some point prior to 1700 due to the Edict of Fontainebleau and became a slaveowning planter.Southern and Western Monthly Magazine and Review, Volume 1, 1845, page 210. Marion was born on his family's plantation, and at approximately the age of 15, he was hired on a merchant ship bound for the West Indies which sank on his first voyage; the crew escaped on a lifeboat but had to spend one week at sea before reaching land. In the following years, Marion managed the family's plantation, including overseeing the activities of the family's slaves.
early life francis marion was born in berkeley county province of south carolina around 1732 his father gabriel marion was a huguenot who emigrated to the thirteen colonies from france at some point prior to 1700 due to the edict of fontainebleau and became a slaveowning plantersouthern and western monthly magazine and review volume 1 1845 page 210 marion was born on his family's plantation and at approximately the age of 15 he was hired on a merchant ship bound for the west indies which sank on his first voyage; the crew escaped on a lifeboat but had to spend one week at sea before reaching land in the following years marion managed the family's plantation including overseeing the activities of the family's slaves