Chautauqua Festival 2026 – Revolutionary Americans – Captain Henry Felder

Hear his story in his own words. Henry Felder arrived in South Carolina from Zurich, Switzerland in 1735 at age 10. His parents soon died and as orphan he had 300 acres to care with the help of a kindly neighbor. By the time the Revolutionary War began, he had seven sons, over 3,000 acres of land, and was a highly respected leader of his district who recruited and led his own militia. The driving force for Captain Henry Felder’s campaign for political and personal liberty was fueled by his experiences in the South Carolina Royal Court as foreman of the Royal Grand Jury of Orangeburg District. In response to the corruption of the royal judges appointed by King George, Felder was instrumental in forming a “provincial congress,” believing it to do a much better job of seeing justice done. Royal judges and governors became frightened at the growing strength of colonists and complained to King George. The King ordered those loyal to him, “Loyalists,” to punish the free-thinking communities. So Colonists reached for muskets and created ways to protect themselves. Knowledge of the land and the need for safety for their families and neighbors made local men capable defenders. The rest is history. Felder was willing to lay down his life, not only for his own welfare but for the welfare and liberty of all. And he did.

Clarence Felder (Captain Henry Felder)

Clarence Felder is co-founder of Actors’ Theater of South Carolina, executive producer, writer, director, actor and
playwright. His career in film, TV and stage spans five decades. In Hollywood, he co-starred for two years with John
Ritter as “Bobo” Pritzger in ABC’s hit cop television series Hooperman, Danny Devito in Ruthless People and Bruce Willis in The Last Boy Scout. He starred as his ancestor, Captain Henry Felder, in the award-winning film All For Liberty, Daniel Morgan in Echoes of Glory, Heroes from the American Revolution, Henry Laurens in John Laurens War and wrote and starred in John at Patmos, An Allegory. He spent twenty years in New York City co-starring in ten Broadway productions as well as starring in New York’s Shakespeare in the Park and Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival with some of our greatest stars, writers
and directors.

Based in Greenville, SC, Chautauqua History Comes Alive is interactive theater and the performances offer an astonishing journey into the past allowing the audience to hear stories of the characters in their own words. This year’s character performances are Rebecca Motte (Saturday, June 13); Paul Robeson (Tuesday, June 16); Mother Jones (Thursday, June 18); Captain Henry Felder Saturday, June 20); and Edgar Allen Poe (Tuesday, June 23). Doors open one hour before show, seating is first come, first served. The Chautauqua Festival at the Transylvania County Library is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Library.