The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEGEND-HUMAN BEING

A POPULAR LEGEND OF MY HOMETOWN EDGEFIELD, S.C., IS ABOUT A
WOMAN, BECKY COTTON CALLED THE "DEVIL IN PETTICOATS." PARSON
MASON WROTE OF THE WOMAN, FIRST CALLING HER BY THIS TERM. WEEMS
IS FAMOUS FOR BEING THE AUTHOR OF THE FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE
WASHINGTON INCLUDING THE CHERRY TREE EPISODE. WEEMS PREACHED IN
EDGEFIELD FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS FIRE AND
BRIMSTONE SERMONS. HIS WRITING OF BECKY COTTON WAS THE SUBJECT OF
SIN AND DAMNATION. ALLEDGEDLY SHE KILLED TWO HUSBANDS AND THROUGH
THEIR BODIES IN A POOL NEAR HER HOME. AFTER THE TRIAL, IN WHICH
SHE WAS PROVEN INNOCENT BECAUSE OF HER CAPTIVATING BEAUTY, HER
BROTHER KILLED HER ON THE TOWN SQUARE WITH A BRICK.

Submitter comment: THERE IS NO PROOF THAT SHE ACTUALLY DID LIVE - THERE IS NO GRAVE
AND THE FAMILY RECORDS ARE LOST.

Data entry tech comment: SPELLING ERRORS WERE CORRECTED

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD

Date learned: 07-00-1972