iii{iiliiiliiiiiiiilili!i!ii ^ 1 ■■ll|!l|l!llilllll!llllll!||l| o/ Lower Colonial and ReTolutionarr Incidents J^he Romance of Lower Carolina HISTORIC. ROMANTIC AND TRADITIONAL INCIDENTS OF THE Colonial and Revolutionary Eras OF THAT PART OF SOUTH CAROUNA AT AND BELOW THE FALLS OF THE RIVERS; LOCAUTIES SO PLAINLY DESCRIBED. AS TO BE EASILY IDENTIFIED C. IRVINE WALKER ART PUBLISHING COMPANY CHARLESTON. S. C. COPYRIGHTED. 1915 C. IRVINE WALKER PRESSES OF WALKER, EVANS ft COGSWELL CO. CHARLESTON. S. C. CONTENTS A St. Cecilia Concert in Olden Days - - - 37 A Surgeon as a Despatch Carrier - - - - 133 Adamson, Capt. John — A Chivalrous Tory - 152 Ancient Mill Dam (1699) i^ Summerville - 145 An Historic Pane of Glass ------ 72 Art in the Early Days of Carolina - - - - 57 Ashley Hall, the Home of Gov. Wm. Bull - 8 Bacot, Samuel, an Adept at Escaping - - - 55 Baron DeKalb's Death -------- 80 Battles and Engagements (66) which took place during the Revolution in Lower Carolina 117 Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church - - - no Birthplace of the First Carolina Baby, and of the Rice Culture 146 Bows and Arrows as Partisan Weapons - - 6 Breech Loaders, Revolutionary ----- 98 British Supplies and Men Captured at Hunt's Bluff ----- - 12 British supply (not willingly) Patriots with arms and munitions -------68 Calhoun, Patrick — How he advocated popular suffrage -----------112 Campbell, "Mad" Archie — His capture - - 5 Campbell, "Mad" Archie — His marriage - - 32 Capture of British Galley by Captain Rudolph 49 Carolina owes her freedom to the Partisans - 150 Charleston Library 104 Charleston, Siege of, 1780 ------ 85 Coincidences and Contradictions - - - - 39 College of Charleston -------- 138 Crockett, James, and the Bear ----- 76 Cruelty of Tarleton's Quarters ----- 72 Cupid respects not political differences - - 115 Don't ask for gizzards - 84 Dorchester as it once was -------65 Earliest permanent white inhabitant of South Carolina ----------- 3 Edwards, John — His liberality and patriotism 26 English Church in Georgetown - - - - - 148 Exchange, Charlestown, now known as the Old Post Office -------- 105 Fidelity of a British Corporal 103 First Baptist Church, Charlestown - - - 35 First Battle for Carolina's Liberties - - - 13 First Celebration of "Carolina Day," June 28 60 First Church established in the Colony - - 47 First Congregationalist Church in the Colony 31 First Free Public Library in America - - - 56 First Presbyterian (Scotch) Church, Charles- town ---- -63 First Reading of the Declaration of Indepen- dence in Charlestown ------ 75 First site of Charlestown -------140 Fort at Dorchester ---61 Fort Moultrie. Battle of ------- 41 From the hallowed past to the practical present 161 Harleston's (Major) Faithful Ben - - - - 28 Hayne, Col. Isaac — His execution - - - - 78 Hayne, Col. Isaac — His rescue ----- 91 Heyward, Mrs., would not illuminate - - - 102 How politics were run in 1768 ----- 141 How the Partisans reached their swamp fast- nesses ------------94 Huguenot Church in Charlestown - - - - 69 Huguenot settlement, by Rivers - - - - 113 Ingleside, and Marion's Oak ------ 25 Izard, Ralph, evades his enemies - - - - 134 Jackson, Andrew — His imprisonment at Cam- den during the Revolution ----- 21 James (Maj.) interviews the British Captain 99 Jewish Synagogue, Charlestown - - - - - 149 Johnson (Governor) Introduces Rice Culture 143 Laurens, Col. John — His gallant rashness - 11 1 Love finds out the way -------38 Magazine Explosion --------158 Majoribanks (Major) British — His gallan- try and chivalry --------30 Manigault, Gabriel, and his grandson, offer their services - - - - - - - - -iii Marion's Escape _-_--_--- 9 Marion's Men not in the triumphal parade - 52 Marion's True Birthplace - 66 Mayham's (Col.) acceptance of a writ and how he fought a bed-post ----- 39 Mayham's Towers -- ~ - 77 Meeting of Exiles ---------67 Motte, Rebecca, gives arrows to bum her house 52 Moultrie, General William -------54 Moultrie (Gen.) meeting his slaves - - - 10 Moultrie and Pinckney at Snee's Farm - - 146 Oldest Houses in Charlestown ----- 4 Parish Church, St. George's, Dorchester - - 144 Pinckney House in Charlestown - - - - 139 Pirates' Bones under Battery - - - - - 157 Pitt, William — His statue ------ 159 Plantation Residences of the Proprietary Era 23 Pompion Hill Chapel --------158 Postell, (Major) Captures a British Party - 134 Pringle House, on lower King St., Charlestown 2.2 Quakers among the early settlers - - - - 35 Roberts (Col.) and Davie (Major) - - - 97 Rumph, Captain, and Billy Sturkie - - - 156 Runnymede on the Ashley - - - - - -153 St. Andrew's Church - --130 St. James' Goose Creek Church 70 St. John's Lutheran Church, Charlestown - 74 St. Mary's, the first Roman Catholic Church in Charlestown --------148 St. Michael's in Charlestown ----- 96 Saunders. Wm. — His capture ----- 109 Saunders, Wm., the pioneer of Sumter County 147 Sergt. Jasper replaces the flag on Ft. Moultrie 45 Sharp Witticisms of the Rebel Women - - loi Silk Culture in Colonial Days ----- 15 Silver of Bishop Smith, and of Church, saved 31 Skinner, Dr., not frightened, but "damnably alarmed" ---------- u Smith, Capt. John, and the British Lieutenant 151 Social Life during the Proprietary Era - - 135 South Carolina's Leadership ------21 South Carolina Society founded 1737 - - - 137 States of South Carolina and Georgia — Pro- posal to unite -- -"73 Sumter's home in the High Hills of Santee - 131 Swamp Homes of the Partisans - - - - 107 The famous Liberty Tree ------ io8 The Swamp Epicure - -8i Thomas Cordes' life saved by smoking his pipe 53 Unitarian Church Building, Charlestown - - 149 Vander Horst, Maj. John, has narrow escape 137 Warren's, Col. Samuel, "Leg"-acy - - - - 109 When A. B. C.'s were first taught in Carolina 17 White Meeting House at Dorchester - - - 36 Wragg, William, noble devotion to principle - 155 PREFACE This collection of stories of the Colonial and Revolutionary eras of coastal South Carolina is called "The Romance of Lower Carolina." The great majority of the stories which are here given are from duly credited history, many are based up- on tradition, and some very few are pure fiction. To avoid criticism for historical inaccuracy, the stories are called "Romances." I have been merely a collector, not an author, and have ofttimes used the very language of the authorities borrowed from. It gives me pleasure to acknowledge indebtedness to the authors of the various publications bearing on the History, Tra- ditions and Romances of the State, and of sundry sections thereof, to be found in the most valued store of the Charleston Library, and to individual friends, among whom are Messrs. David Doar, Dr. R. Y. Dwight, Philip E. Porcher, D. E. Huger Smith, Hon. H. A. M. Smith, Joseph loor Waring, Rev. Robert Wilson, Mrs. W. L. Saunders and Miss Anne S. Deas. The only touches of modernism are the num- bered notes. It is aimed to make these so explicit that a stranger could, with their guidance, visit and stand upon the many spots consecrated by the valor, heroism and patriotism of the Colonial and Revolutionary forefathers of lower Carolina. C. IRVINE WALKER. THE EARLIEST PERMANENT WHITE INHABITANT OF SOUTH CAROLINA In 1665 the Lords Proprietors sent an expedi- tion to examine the coast of their grant. In charge thereof was Robert Sanford and with him was Dr. Woodward, a "chirurgeon" and friend of the Earl of Shaftesbury. Those men explored the coast. While in North Edisto Inlet there came down to them a friendly Indian who had been on the Cape Fear, called the Cassique of Kiawah. This deluded savage was extremely anxious for the white men to settle in his country, and to that end proposed to Sanford that one of his party should come on shore and remain with him, while his sister's son should sail away with the English- men, "for the mutual learning of the languages." Dr. Woodward, the courageous "chirurgeon," was left with the savages. The Cassique honorably fulfilled his part of the bargain, making his guest comfortable after the manner of his nation, and delivering him up in safety when Governor Sayle arrived in 1670. Some of the most illustrious families of South Carolina were descended from Dr. Woodward, in fact, it is to be doubted whether any other immi- grant to this or any other State, had as many distinguished descendants. 3 OLDEST HOUSES IN CHARLESTOWN Dr. Shecut, in his essay on the topography of Charles Town, written in 1719, states that among the first brick houses built in the town was that in Cumberland Street, which was the residence of Chief Justice Trott^^, just west of the old Powder Magazine^^, which was doubtless the magazine of the Carteret Bastion. Col. Rhett'8 Home. Hasell Street, Charlestown. Dr. Johnson, in his "Traditions," states that Colonel Rhett's family mansion^^ at the time of i3No. 25 Cumberland Street. i^AIagazine on Cumberland Street, home of the Colonial Dames. i5No. 58 Hasell Street, opposite Trinity Church, 4 his death, was the still excellent building in Hasell Street. This is corroborated by a map, published in 1739. If this was Colonel Rhett's residence, the building was probably built during the Pro- prietary rule, as he died January 14, 1722. A Watch or Guard House stood at the end of Broad Street, where the Old Post Office Building now stands. It is not known that any historic incidents at- tach to either of these buildings, and only their age gives them interest in this our new country. Tradition alone gives authority to the statement that a small two-story brick house^^ on Church Street, adjoining the lot on the southwest corner of Tradd Street, is one of the very oldest in the City. It is said that the Council of the Province held their meetings in one of its rooms. It is extremely doubtful if the building now standing on the site was the original building, though it is very old. CAPTURE OF "MAD" ARCHIE CAMPBELL In St. Thomas Parish, near the residence of Bishop Smith, on a plantation called Brabant*, a battle was fought January 3, 1782, at Videau's Bridge between Coffin's cavalry of the British anny and a detachment of Marion's Brigade under Col. Richard Richardson. In the first attack, the British were defeated, and "Mad" Archie Camp- bell was captured by two Venning brothers. The ^^No. 71 Church Street, west side. < Battlefield on Brabant Plantation, St. Thomas' Parish. horse of one brother having refused to carry double, Nicholas Venning took the prisoner be- hind him on his horse. Finding that he was mak- ing an effort to escape, Nicholas, as ordered, shot him. His grandson, Mortimer Venning, recorded the incident and kept in his possession the sword Nicholas Venning wore, until after our late War between the States, when he lost it, together with other valuable possessions. The sword was made of a saw-blade bound with wire to a wooden handle, and was used by him until the close of the Revolutionary War. BOWS AND ARROWS AS PARTISAN WEAPONS In a sequestered, beautiful bay or small bottom of swamp lands, about a mile east of the Ashley River, and three miles below the British Post of Dorchester, was the camp of a small detachment of Marion's men. Around one of the camp fires was a group of four persons. The carcass of a fine buck lay between them. One of the party, a Lieutenant, had been carefully examining the game, and finally exclaimed, *T give it up — there is no wound except that of the arrow, and it has fairly passed through the body. I have no more doubts. But that you, such a miserable sapling of a fellow, should have sent the reed clean through such a beast is enough to stagger my be- lief. You must have been at butting distance, used no bow, but the arrow as a spear." "Shot it, I swan, at full fifty-five paces — I stepped it off 6 myself," said one of the Partisans. "I give it up!" said the Lieutenant, "I will believe in any weapon that brings us such meat. Henceforth, boys, take your bows and arrows always. When the Major took it into his head to supply such weapons to our men for the want of better, I thought he had gone clean mad. I never heard his argument for it — I never hear anything but the dinner horn when I am hungry. Lay on, boy, and let's have a steak as soon as possible. What a glorious creature ! Fat an inch thick, and meat as tender as a doe's bosom. The Santee's well enough, but there's a sweetness, a softness, a plumpness, a beauty about birds and beasts along the Ashley, that you find nowhere else. God bless my mother! She chose it for my birthplace. I should not have been half the man that I am, born anywhere else; should not have had such dis- criminating taste, such a fine appetite, such a sense of the beautiful in nature." The deer had been brought down with an arrow from a hickory bow. The Partisans were so de- ficient in arms that they had to go back ages, to the bow and arrow. They proposed to use them against the enemy as well as to secure food. To such extremities were the devoted sons of Caro- lina brought in their struggle for liberty! Suffer- ing all trials, all privations, making any sacrifices — yet their poor country was not able to even arm them for the strife, much less to clothe and feed them. Heroes beyond all doubt! The noblest of Patriots ! ASHLEY HALL, THE HOME OF GOV. WM. BULL Building at Ashley Hiill. built about 1704. Treaty of Peace with Indians, signed therein. On the old Bull Plantation, Ashley Hall^'' , stands a small one-story brick house, built by the original Stephen Bull about 1704. In this house was signed a treaty of peace with the Cherokee Indians. After the war of 1761 and the defeat of the Cherokees, their great Chief Attakullakulla> attended by several of the tribal chieftains, came down to Charlestown to confer with Lieut. Gov. Bull, then acting as Governor. A council was called at Ashley Ferry. Gov. Bull, on receiving the Chief, took him by the hand as a pledge of his security. A fire was kindled, and the pipe of peace was lighted and all smoked together for some time i^Ashley Hall was on the west bank of the Ashley River, at Ashley Ferry. It is reached by the Ashley River Road. 8 in silence. Attakullakulla then opened his mis- sion and in a speech of great dignity and pathos, sued for peace. This Governor Bull readily granted. Thus ended the War with the Chero- kees, which had proved ruinous to them and dis- astrous to the Colonists. On this plantation stood the house built in 1704 by Stephen Bull, who came out with the very first Colonists, and after his death the residence, in succession, of two William Bulls, his son and grandson, who for more than thirty years were Lieutenant Governors of the Province, and often had the administration of its affairs — a house which was the scene of many historic incidents. It remained standing until 1865, when it and its priceless contents were burned to prevent their fall- ing into the hands of the Federals. GENERAL MARION'S ESCAPE One of the most picturesque old places on the Santee was Hampton, the home of Col. Daniel Horry^. Late one evening Mrs. Horry heard the sound of horse hoofs, and then a man's voice asking admission. It was General Marion, return- ing from the attack on Georgetown, and being pursued by the British. His men had gone on, but Marion, worn out and exhausted, stopped for supper and a lodging. While supper was being prepared the weary soldier dropped asleep in his 5Col. Daniel Horry's plantation, Hampton, on South Santee. chair. Suddenly came the tramp of horses — the British were upon him. Mrs. Horry waked the dozing General and led him out the back door of the house. She then met the enemy at the front and, parleying with them, gave Marion time to make his escape. He swam Wambaw Creek at the back of the house and hid until the enemy disappeared, and was thus saved from capture by the bloody Tarleton, by a Patriot woman's devotion. MEETING OF GEN. MOULTRIE AND HIS SLAVES General Moultrie, going from Waccamaw, late in September, 1782, to General Greene's army at Ashley Ferry, stopped at his home^, which was on the direct road. He says, "On my entering the place, as soon as the negroes discovered that I was of the party, there was immediately a general alarm and an outcry through the plantation that 'Massa was come! Massa was come!!' and they were running from every part with great joy to see me. I stood in the piazza to receive them. They gazed at me with astonishment and every one came and took me by the hand saying, 'God bress you, Massa! I'm glad to see you, Massa I' and every now and then one or other would come out with a 'Kyi' and the old Africans joined in a war song in their own language. It was an affec- tionate meeting between the slaves and the master. The tears stole down from my eyes and ran down ^Moultrie's plantation, Windsor, adjoining, to its west, Woodstock, Southern Railway. 10 my cheeks. I then possessed about two hundred slaves, and not one of them left me during the war, although they had had great offers." DR. SKINNER NOT FRIGHTENED BUT "DAMNABLY ALARMED" Dr. Skinner^ of Lee's Legion, was an extra- ordinary character, full of eccentricities. Col. Lee once said that the Doctor made a dire objec- tion to the field of battle, yet in private society was always ready for a quarrel. His excuses for seeking the rear in time of battle were very orig- inal. On a night alami at Ninety-Six, as Col. Lee was hastening forward to learn the cause, he met Skinner in full retreat, and stopping* him, said, "What is the matter, Doctor; whither so fast; not frightened, I hope?" No, Colonel, no," replied the Doctor, "not absolutely frightened, but I can- didly confess, most damnably alarmed." Falstaff maintained that it was proper for every man "To labor in his vocation." Dr. Skinner asserted "That every man had his sphere of action, beyond the limits of which he ought never to emerge. Mine, amidst the conflicts of battle, is in the rear. There, I am always to be found. I am firm at my post. What did Dr. Irvine get by quitting his? A wound — a villanous wound. Shall I step out of my sphere and set myself up as a mark to be shot at? Oh, no! I am a 11 stickler for the strict performance of duty, but feel no ambition to shine beyond it." Arriving at the river, when an attack was pro- posed on John's Island, he was asked if he in- tended to pass the ford. "By no means," replied Skinner, "the river is toO' deep and my spirits are not buoyant. I should certainly sink and meet a watery grave. Death by water drinking! I shudder at the thought of it." BRITISH SUPPLIES AND MEN CAPTURED AT HUNT'S BLUFF On the very day in 1780 when the British re- linquished their post at Cheraw, the inhabitants, distressed by their deprivations and disgusted with their conduct, took up arms. McArthur, the British commander, arranged to transport his sick and the captured negroes by boats to George- tow^n. A party of Whigs, under the lead of James Gillespie, collected at Bedingfields (now Toby's Mill, three miles from Cheraw). As they moved down the river their number increased and the command was assigned to Major Tristram Thomas. The British had left the Pee Dee and were retreating toward Black Creek. The Whigs determined on Hunt's Bluff' as the best place to intercept the enemy's flotilla from Cheraw. They made a mock battery of wooden guns and ostentatiously displayed their force on ■^ Hunt's Bluff, on Pee Dee River, about twenty-five miles below Cheraw, on the east bank. 12 the river banks. When the flotilla appeared, it was halted and demand made for unconditional surrender. This was accepted. At the same time a large boat, coming up from Georgetown with supplies for the British, was seized. More than one hundred captives was secured and were carried to North Carolina as prisoners. This effective blow struck increased terror into the enemy, already alarmed, and encouraged the Patriots to more determined and unyielding re- sistance. It was the first brilliant exploit yet achieved upon the Pee Dee, and occurred just at the time when the most important moral effects were likely to follow in its train. THE FIRST BATTLE FOR CAROLINA'S LIBERTIES Little is generally known of the first battle of the War for Independence fought in South Caro- lina, and it will be interesting to learn its history. The Patriots had seized and garrisoned Fort Johnson'^ on the James Island shore of Charles- town harbor, and hoisted on the fort the first American flag unfurled in the State. This fort had first been built in 1707 as a protection when the French under Admiral Le Feboure attacked the City. The flag was of a blue color with a white crescent in the dexter corner. The British ships Cherokee and Tamar lay in Rebellion Road. News having reached the Provincial Congress, then in session at Charlestown, that the British sPort Johnson, on James Island, south side of Harbor. 13 had fired upon the town of Bristol, Rhode Island, passed a resolution directing the officer command- ing at Fort Johnson, "by every military operation to oppose the passage of any British naval arma- ment that might attempt to pass." First Flag of South Carolina Troops. A passage to the town, without the range of the guns of Fort Johnson, was practicable for the small Royal armed vessels in the harbor, via the Marsh and Hog Island channels. It was deter- mined by the Council of Safety to block these channels, by sinking schooners therein. To cover this work, a coasting schooner, Defence, was armed with ten guns and manned by a detail from Col. Moultrie's regiment. Six old schooners had been purchased, two to be sunk in Marsh Channel, and four in Hog Island Channel. As soon as the hulks, which were in advance, approached their destination, the Tamar opened and fired six shots, 14 which all fell short. As soon as the Defence came to anchor she replied with her two nine- pounders, which, being heavier guns, carried their shot much farther than the Tamar's had done. The Tamar, now roused at the insult, returned the fire with three or four shots, while the Defence answered with one. Meanwhile three hulks were sunk, but the tide ebbed and placing of the others was delayed until next morning. Meanwhile the British vessels warped into Hog Island Cove as close as they could and about quarter after four in the morning of November 12, 1775, opened their broadsides on the American schooner De- fence, continuing the cannonade until near seven o'clock. The alarm was beaten in Charlestown, thd Second Regiment stood to their arms, and! the volunteer companies formed at their different alarm posts. Notwithstanding this heavy fire, the fourth hulk was carried to her proper position and left sinking. During the fight the Carolina officers and men behaved well. The garrison at Fort Johnson attempted to take part and fired, at ten degrees elevation, three twenty-six pound shots at his Majesty's ships, but the distance was too great, and the fire was discontinued. The objects of the Americans having been accomplished, the Defence came up to an anchorage ofif the City front. There were no casualties on either side. 15 SILK CULTURE IN COLONIAL DAYS The King and Lords Proprietors of the Colony would naturally want all the resources of the country developed. It was thought that the coun- try could produce wines and silks. The Hugue- nots, generally, were familiar with these. So in 1680 King Charles gave free passage to Charles- town, in the ship Richmond, to some families of French Protestants, who had refugeed in England, forty-five persons in all, on the understanding that they were to introduce the cultivation of vines and the production of olive oil and silk. Officially, this was promulgated in these words, "And pro- vided, alsoe, that the said Families bee such as shall come from beyond the seas" (French Hugue- nots) "and bee many of them skilful and practiced in the manufacture of Wines, Silks and Oyles." There is no account of any success with the wines and oils. As to silks, it appears that the eggs of the silk worms brought by the settlers were hatched at sea, and from want of sustenance, the worms died, and thus was frustrated the first effort at introduc- ing into the colony "a manufacture of silks." Even- tually, it reached an approximate success, as the Custom House records show some silk was exported to Great Britain by the Colony. It is said that the dress which Queen Anne wore when she was crowned in 1702 was made entirely of silk pro- duced in her Colony of Carolina. Mrs. Thomas Pinckney, about 1745, paid some attention to this industry, and with such successful results that she had three beautiful dresses woven 16 o s go 5 of her silk. One of these she presented to the Princess Dowager of Wales (the mother of George III), one to Lord Chesterfield, who had befriended the colony, and the third, a lustrous gold colored brocade, owned (in 1896) by her grand daughter of the fourth degree, is still greatly admired when produced for exhibition. WHEN THE A B C'S WERE FIRST TAUGHT IN CAROLINA Education received, very early, the attention of the people in the Carolina Colony. No children having come over with the first immigrants, there was no necessity for schools immediately after the settlement. Prior to 1710, which was within thirty years of the founding of Charlestown, the people had conceived and attempted the establish- ment of a free school, and several legacies had been left therefor. In 1711 there was established in Charlestown a free school, under the care of the Rev. William Guy. In 1712 the Assembly passed "An Act for the encouragement of learn- ing," which, within the year, however, had given place to a more elaborate system, under "An Act for founding and erecting a Free School in Charlestown for the use of the inhabitants of the Province of Carolina." An inscription on a tomb stone, still standing in St. Philip's churcTiyard®, 'This tombstone is south of the Church, and about thirty- paces from south door, near path to Church Home. 17 attests that it had been established and certainly- maintained until 1729, which is as follows: "The Rev. Mr. John Lambert Late Master, Principal and Teacher of Grammar and other sciences taught in the Free School at Charlestown for y« Province of South Carolina and afternoon lecturer of the Parish of St. Philip's Charlestown, Departed this life {suddenly) on y^ 4 August iy2g Blessed is this servant whom his Lord, when He cometh shall find so doing." Gov. Sir Francis Nicholson (Governor 1721- 1729), was a friend of learning. He liberally contributed to the support of the school and pressed upon the Colonists the usefulness and necessity of provincial school establishments. In 1722, an- other Act was passed by which the Justices of County and Precinct Courts were authorized to purchase land, establish a free school in each county and precinct, and to assess the expenses thereof upon the property within their jurisdiction. They were instructed to appoint Masters, who should be "well skilled in the Latin tongue." Many legacies and gifts were made to the Free Schools of Carolina. In 1728, Rev. Richard Lad- son died, leaving all of his property for the in- struction of the poor of St. James, Goose Creek. This was added to by subscriptions from the Col- onists and in 1778 amounted to £15,272, currency. 18 A free school was established in the Parish of Dorchester in 1734. The Fellowship Society of Charlestown^^ was incorporated in 1769, and was one of the very first organizations in this country for the care and relief of the insane, but appro- priated one-half of its funds for the gratuitous education of poor children. The St. Andrews So- ciety of Charlestown^^ likewise appropriated a portion of their funds for similar purposes. The Winyah Society of Georgetown^^, founded about 1740, met in Georgetown for social enjoy- ment, and about 1753 a considerable fund had ac- cumulated. To what good purpose should the fund be devoted? Tradition relates that at the close of a discussion upon the subject the president called upon the members to fill their glasses, as he wished to close the debate by a definite proposi- tion for which each member should signify his ap- proval by emptying his glass. He said, "There may be intellectual food, which the present state of society is not fit to partake of; to lay such be- fore it, would be as absurd as to give a quadrant to an Indian ; but knowledge is, indeed, as free as air. It has been wisely ordained that light should have no color, water no taste, air no odor; so, in- deed, knowledge should be equally pure and with- out admixture of creed or cant. I move, there- fore, that the surplus funds in the treasury be de- voted to the establishment of an independent char- iiSite of Fellowship Society Hall, on Archdale Street. lOSite St. Andrew's Society Hall, No. 118 Broad Street. i2Winyah Indigo Society's Hall, Georgetown, S. C. 19 ity school for the poor." The meeting rose to its feet. Every glass was turned down without stain- ing the table cloth, and the school of the Winyah Indigo Society was established and has continued its good work to this day. The columns of the Gazette from 1733 to 1774 show, for the period and circumstances, a lively interest in educational matters. During this per- iod there are more than four hundred advertise- ments relating to schools and teachers. There were day schools, evening schools, and boarding schools, schools for boys and for girls. The fol- lowing advertisement appears May 22, 1732, and seems quaint to a reader of the present day : "At the house of Mrs. Delaware on Broad Street, is taught these sciences — Arithmetic, Alge- bra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Surveying, Dialling, Navigation, Anatomy, Gauging, Fortification. The Stereographic and Orthographic Projections of the Spheres. The use of the Globe and the Italian method of Bookkeeping by John Miller." The facts given above are from McCrady's History of South Carolina under the Royal Gov- ernment. It is deeply regretted that space does not allow giving in full the articles showing the large measure of attention given in the Province to education and the liberal arts. See chapter xxv, pp. 482 et seq., and be convinced that the Colony of South Carolina was not equalled by any other colony in the early and liberal attention given to and in the development of the education and polite arts which adorned her colonial history. 20 PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON'S IMPRISONMENT AT CAMDEN, DURING THE REVOLUTION The British had many prisoners in a vile, loathsome prison house in Camden, many of them distinguished Carolinians, and many from the Waxhaws. Among the latter were Andrew Jack- son, who won the brilliant American victory at New Orleans, and subsequently became President of the United States. Here occurred the well- known incident of his refusing to black the boots of a British officer, who gave a sabre cut, leaving a mark which he carried through life — a mark of honor. This clearly shows that Andrew Jackson was a South Carolinian, he having been brought a prisoner from the Waxhaw settlement in that State. THE LEADERSHIP OF SOUTH CAROLINA In the two great political and bloody convulsions which have swept over our land, it has been the fate of South Carolina to inaugurate action in each. To take the first steps which brought about definite action. Many of the younger men of the generation which witnessed the State lead the Secession movement of 1861 are yet alive and well remember the thrilling events of those momentous days. The actors in that event, perhaps, did not know, certainly we can recall no reference to it, at the time, that South Carolina was doing in 1861 21 what she had done in the early days of the Revolu- tionary struggle, led in a great political upheaval. The historian Drayton says, "South Carolina was the first of the United Colonies that formed an independent constitution ; it rested on the funda- mental point that the voice of the people was the source of law, honor and office." This patriotic action was taken in January, 1775, while the Battles of Lexington and Concord were fought in April of the same year, and it was some time before Massachusetts or any other of the Colonies took similar action formally sundering the State or Colonial bonds with the mother coun- try. THE PRINGLE HOUSE ON LOWER KING STREET, CHARLESTOWN The elegant mansion, now known as the Pringle House^^, was built in Colonial times and owned, about the commencement of the Revolution, by Miles Brewton. Being one of the most imposing and elegant homes in the City of Charlestown, it was used by the British, during the occupation of the City, as the headquarters of the commanding officer. Mrs. Rebecca Motte, who patriotically sacrificed her home at Fort Motte, was the sister of Miles Brewton. A very complete and most artistic description of this historic old building has been published. Therefore, for particulars consult I8N0. 27 King Street, west side, below Lamboll Street. 22 this book, titled "Twenty Drawings of the Pringle House on King Street, Charlestown, S. C," by Miss Alice R. Huger Smith. PLANTATION RESIDENCES OF THE PROPRIETARY ERA Landgrave Smith's Back River House. A FEW plantation residences built during the Proprietary Government, which ended in 1719, were standing until a recent date. The two oldest of these were both the property of Landgrave Smith. The first was his residence on Back River^^, a branch of the Cooper, and is believed to be the first brick house in Carolina. Landgrave Smith afterwards, in 1693, removed I90n Back River, about five miles east of Mt. Holly, A. C. L. Railway. 23 to Yeaman's Hall, on Goose Creek^''. This has been in his family for more than two hundred years, but was so much injured by the earthquake in 1886 that it is now in ruins. It was surrounded by an earthwork and had port holes in its walls, to defend it against the Indians. In the cellar was a deep well for supplying- the family or garrison with water in case of a siege. There was also a subterranean passage, which led out under the gar- den to the Creek, where boats were kept moored. There was in this old mansion a secret chamber with a panel leading into it, used as a hiding place for valuables, in which the family silver was kept secreted during the Revolutionary War. Mulberry Castle, Cooper River. Mulberry Castle^ \ on the west side of the Cooper River, was built in 1714. This is said to have loop holes for musketry, with bastions at the four 20Goose Creek, on property now owned by Charleston Water Works. 2iOn Ashley River, three miles from Strawberry. A. C. L. Railway. 24 comers. It was used also for defending the set- tlers in the vicinity against incursions of Indians. INGLESIDE AND MARION'S OAK About fifteen miles from Charleston and eighteen from Summerville, near the Southern Railway^^, stands the colonial mansion "Ingle- side," formerly "The Hayes." It is a square brick building with very thick walls. It was built, so tradition says, to resist Indian attacks in the early colonial days. During the Revolutionary War the plantation was owned by Mr. John Parker. One day a party of Tory marauders fired on the house. Mrs. Parker was sitting in one of the windows, but the ball missed her and the hole it made in the opposite wall was visible certainly up to a very re- cent period. On the plantation is a great live oak, known as Marion's Oak. Tradition makes this the oak under which General Marion regaled the British officer on potatoes. Johnson, in his "Traditions of the American Revolution," states that he believes the story true, but he does not say where it oc- curred. A British officer came to Marion's quarters un- der a flag of truce, and when dinner time came, the General invited him to dine. The dinner was 22This house is about a half a mile from station Ingleside, on the Southern Railway, and can also be reached by private conveyance by a private road leading from the Blue House Road into the State road from Charleston. 25 of two courses — first, baked potatoes, second, a gourd of cool water; rather different from the us- ual fare of the British officer. The potatoes were served in their skins, but when General Marion peeled his, he laid the skins on one side of his plate. After the potatoes were consumed, the General called for something to drink, and his servant brought a gourd full of water, of which the officer was invited to drink. Marion's horse was then brought up and fed with the potato peel- ings saved by his master. It is said that the scene so impressed the British officer that on his return to his army, he resigned his command. He deter- mined never to draw his sword against men who so conscientiously opposed the King. Suffering privations of all kinds, without pay, clothing or arms; compelled to reside in sickly swamps, with nothing to drink but water nor to eat but roots, and feeding their horses on the refuse of this home- ly fare. LIBERALITY AND PATRIOTISM OF JOHN EDWARDS John Edwards, who possessed great wealth, was the first inhabitant in Carolina to tender his fortune in support of the American Cause. His •friend, the venerable Josiah Smith, was equally liberal. Their example, in a great degree, con- tributed to establish the public credit and induce others to risk their fortunes for the public good. Warned by friends that he was too liberal, he re- 26 plied with lofty patriotism, "Be it so ! I would rather lose my all, than retain it, subject to British authority." After the fall of Charlestown, Mr. Edwards was invited to an interview with Admiral Arbuthnot. The Admiral said, "Nothing has appeared more extraordinary to Sir Henry Clinton and myself, than that you, a native of Great Britain, should have taken part with the Rebels and appeared throughout the contest a strenuous and decided ad- vocate of revolutionary principles. How is it to be accounted for?" "Because," replied Mr. Edwards, "I conscientiously approve and have solemnly pledged myself to support them." The Admiral then attempted to convince him of the futility of resistance, and suggested his taking protection and save his property. Mr. Edwards answered, "The temptations of wealth shall never induce me to for- feit my honor. I cannot hesitate to choose, where duty, inclination and every virtuous principle points out the course which it becomes me to pursue. My losses have been great, but they cost me not a sigh. My monies were lent to support a cause which I consider that of justice and humanity. I have a wife, tenderly beloved, and ten children worthy of my most ardent affection. They are all dependent upon me, and I may probably have little to leave them, but good principles and an untarnished repu- tation; but, were a gallows to be raised by your order, in my view, and you were to say, 'Your fate depends upon your resolve — take protection or 27 perish,' I would, without a moment's hesitation — die." Supporting exile in St. Augustine, with unshaken fidelity, he was finally sent to Philadelphia for exchange. There his virtues gained him respect; his misfortune, friends. He died in exile, amidst the regrets of an admiring people, whose pity for his sufferings could only be surpassed by their ap- plause and their admiration of the firmness with which he supported them. The residence of John Edwards was on Meeting Street, west side, below Smith's Lane, and now owned by Mr. George W. Williams. MAJOR HARLESTON'S FAITHFUL BEN There was a large stock farm, owned by Major Isaac Charles Harleston, about fifty miles from Charlestown, and in the neighborhood of the Irishtown Settlement, and considered a safe refuge. But after the fall of Charlestown, marauding par- ties of British spread over the country and often forced ladies and their stock to find safety in the swamps. The horses were in charge of a trusty negro, "Cy," and several negro stable boys, among whom was "Ben." One day the cry was raised, "De British am coming," and Cy and his followers hustled ofif the stock to the swamp. Ben was as- signed the duty of following and obliterating the tracks. But alas, the British were on him before he could reach the swamp. The British officer thought he had a clue to the hiding place of the 28 horses and tried bribery on Ben — a shilling, a guinea, five guineas, five guineas and protection — only drew from the faithful Ben, "I dunno, Sah." The flat of the sabre, the point of the sabre, only brought the same, "I dunno, Sah." The officer began to think that probably Ben did not know the hiding place of the stock, and was not a stable boy. The sergeant trapped him, however. He dis- mounted and examined his horse's hoof. Ben looked on with eager interest. "It's in the hoof," said the officer. "Boy! Pick up that horse's foot." Ben stroked, slapped the leg lightly, lifted the foot and probed with his finger around the inside. This convinced the officer that, knowing how to handle a horse, he was a stable boy. So he renewed his queries^ to all of which Ben still answered, "I dunno, Sah." "String him up," commanded the officer, and Ben was promptly hung up and then let down. "Now wnll you tell?" Ben's answer still was, "I dunno, Sah." Up they hauled him again, and when they let him down the same ques- tion was asked. But Ben's blood was up. "If I know, I will dead 'fore I tell," he said sullenly. "String him up again and leave him as a warning," said the officer, and the troop galloped off. Hardly had they gone, when he was spied by one of the servants. Ladies and servants rushed out, cut down Ben and took vigorous measures for his re- covery. At last he gasped, opened his eyes, and sat up. "Dey gone?" he asked. "Tank de Lord! Lemme go ! Uncle Cy want me down to de swamp wid de horses," and off he went, 29 This is one of a thousand instances of the faith- fulness, loyalty and devotion of the slave to his master. THE GALLANT AND CHIVALROUS BRITISH MAJOR MAJORIBANKS Major Majoribanks (pronounced Marsh- banks) was a British officer distinguished for brav- ery and generosity. He commanded the flank bat- talion of the 19th Regiment. He is said to have turned aside the bayonet of a British soldier who was trying to kill Col. William Washington, after being wounded at the Battle of Eutaw. He and Major Sheridan saved the British army at that bat- tle. On the retreat of the British army, Major Majoribanks was taken desperately sick and found refuge in a negro cabin on the Daniel Ravenel plantation, "Wantoot^^. There he died, and by his own request was buried in the woods nearby. The grave was first marked by a cypress slab taken from an indigo vat, with his name. But Mr. Daniel Ravenel erected a very neat and substantial tomb, with full inscription, and which is now in a good state of preservation. It is on the east side of the public road from Biggin Church to Black Oak, on Wantoot Plantation, (in 191 5) owned by Mr. Elbert Pegues. Mr. Ravenel, after the Revolution, communicated with the family of the Major, in England, think- ing that they would like to remove the remains 230n the east side of the road from Biggin Church to Black Oak, on Mr. Pegues' plantation, Wantoot. 30 home, but he never received a reply. The Major's request to be buried in the woods rather indicates that he may have had some disagreement with his family, and did not care to have his remains car- ried home. THE FIRST CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH IN THE COLONY On the earHest plans of Charlestown is found marked the site of the Independent Church^'^, Presbyterian Congregationalist. This spot on Meeting Street has been occupied, up to this day, by that religious society. The original Church was a small wooden building, which, later being re- modeled and enlarged, was painted white and thence was known as the "White Meeting House." It was in 1804 supplanted by the brick building known as the Circular Church, which was destroyed in the great fire of 1861, and in recent years the present structure was erected. Before the Revolution, the Society had grown so largely as to require another building, so it erected one on Archdale Street which finally be- came the Unitarian Church. The old White Meeting House once secured a parson in a most providential manner. The Rev. Mr. Stobo was returning from the unlucky Scotch colony at Darien, after its unfortunate failure. Oflf Charleston bar the ship stopped for water and 27Nns. 136-150 Meeting Street, between Cumberland and Queen Streets. 31 supplies. Mr, Stobo was invited to come up to the City and preach for this congregation on the ensuing Sabbath. He did so, and while on shore a terrible storm arose, wrecking the ship and losing all on board. So clear a "leading" could not be neglected. The congregation called him, and he accepted. He proved an acceptable, zealous and useful preacher during a half century. MARRIAGE OF "MAD" ARCHIE CAMPBELL Johnson, in his "Traditions," gives the romantic story of the marriage, at the pistol point, of "Mad" Archie Campbell to Miss Margaret Philp, of Charlestown. The distinguished narrator unfor- tunately has been either careless or ignorant of the true facts. This is evidenced by his giving Miss Philp the name of Paulina Phelp, whereas it was Margaret Philp. The story as given by John- son and followed therefrom by Simms, Mrs. Rav- enel and others, is largely incorrect. It is fair to presume that the family connection is far better authority than good old loquacious Dr. Johnson, who did not even know the bride's name. The uncle of the Rev. Dr. Robert Wilson, of Charleston, married the grand-daughter of "Mad" Archie Campbell, and the family history, joined to Dr. Wilson's pure and high character, guaran- tees the absolute truthfulness of the following ver- sion, kindly given by him. There was really no opposition on the part of Mr. Philp to the marriage of his daughter to Capt. 32 fee c. So I' . 'its ■-^ 1- -S rO" M-2 Archie Campbell, of the British force then occupy- ing Charlestown. But he did desire delay, as he thought proper to make certain enquiries before giving his consent to the marriage. The young couple, however, did not care to wait, so they went up to the Rectory of St. James, Goose Creek^ and were married by the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Elling- ton. About a year afterward, Capt. Campbell was killed at the battle of Videau's Bridge. His wife died soon after, leaving a child, the issue of the marriage. This child, a sweet little girl, was, in her early life, cared for by her grandfather, Mr. Philp. After the war he communicated with the Duke of Argyle as to his recognition of the child as a member of the Argyle family. The Duke agreed to recognize her, but required that she should be sent to him to care for and rear. Mr. Philp most naturally declined this. Subsequently Mr. Philp conceived the idea that the Duke was endeavoring to get possession of the little girl. There was then in the town a British artist, Mr. Thomas Coram, who took much notice of the little one and had her frequently at his studio. Mr. Philp feared that Mr. Coram was an agent of the Duke, and was seeking to kidnap the child. How- ever, on investigation, it was developed that the artist was painting a picture of Christ's blessing little children, and wanted the little girl because of her great beauty, as the model of one of the children in the picture. The little girl therein, whom Jesus is blessing, and on whose head the iGoose Crppk Church, near Otranto, a station on Atlantic Coast Line. 33 Saviour's hand rests, is this little girl, the child of Capt. Archie Campbell of the British army, and his wife. Mr. Coram was a very liberal supporter of the Orphan House during his life, and at his death left it his entire estate, together with the painting referred to above. This painting now hangs in the Orphan House Chapel, on the North wall, to the East of the pulpit. A rather queer circumstance connected with Capt. Campbell, is that his name stands on no tombstone but that of the son of the man who killed him in battle. At its opening the battle of Videau's Bridge went favorably to the Partisans and Capt. Campbell was captured. He was placed in charge of Mr. Nicholas Venning, who was instructed to kill him if he attempted to escape. Later in the fight, success turned to the British, and Capt. Campbell attempted to escape. He was then killed by Venning, in accordance with his orders. In the cemetery of old Christ Church^ a grand- son of Nicholas Venning, in recent years, erected a monument to his father, James Venning, the inscription of which bears these words, "whose father, Nicholas Venning, killed a British officer, 'Mad' Archie Campbell." 3 Christ Church Cemetery, on McClellanville road, about five miles from Mt. Pleasant. 34 THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, CHARLESTOWN The first Baptist congregation was the earliest organization of this denomination in the' Southern Colonies, having been founded in 1683. The meetings were held for some time in private houses. In 1699, William Elliott, a member, conveyed to the Society the lot on Church Street as a gift^^. A wooden building was erected, which was re- placed by the present brick building in 1822. Rep- resenting the original body of Baptists in the early days of the Colony, the tomb-stones in its cemetery and tablets on its walls exhibit memorials of the founders thereof and early members. QUAKERS AMONG THE EARLY SETTLERS The Society of Friends, or Quakers, were among the earliest sects to establish themselves in Carolina. Sir John Archdale, one of the Lords Proprietors, who came out in 1682, was a Quaker, and he gave them a site from the Archdale Tract, on King Street, near Queen, on which to build a meeting house^^, and such a place of worship was erected as early as 1682. No meetings were held after 1698 until a revival in 1718, after which the sect gradually died out. 28N0S. 61-65 Church Street, west side, between Tradd and Water Streets. 29Site on King Street, east side, south of Queen. 35 WHITE MEETING HOUSE AT DORCHESTER White Meeting House, Dorchester. The "White Meeting House,"^" the place of worship of the original Congregationalist group of settlers, who came from Dorchester, Massachusetts, to bring the Gospel into Carolina (the "only Gos- pel" known to them was of the Puritan brand — they ignored the other kinds which had, years be- fore, been established in the Province), was located on the public road about the center of the Dorches- ter Township, but about two miles from the vil- lage. The first building is said to have been of wood, which was replaced by a brick structure, erected on the same site in 1700. The removal of practically the entire congregation to Georgia in 80Is on the Charleston-Orangeburg Road, about two miles from the old town of Dorchester. 36 1752-56 caused the discontinuance of services. The celebrated Whitefield, in 1744, preached in the Church to an overflowing congregation. The Brit- ish are charged with burning the interior, but the walls were left standing. In 1794 the Church was reorganized and the edifice repaired. But what a change! Not a single descendant (unless of the female line) of the members of the original congre- gation formed one of the new society. Services for many years w^ere held intermittently until finally the Society was consolidated with its off- spring, the Presbyterian Church of Summerville. A ST. CECILIA CONCERT IN OLDEN DAYS Mr. Quincy, of Boston, visited Charlestown in 1773, and in his journal, says of a St. Cecilia Con- cert, — in its original formation this Society was musical, Mr. David Deas had, he says, given him a ticket, on presenting which he was passed from servant to servant, and finally ushered in. The music was grand, especially the bass viol and French horns. The first violinist, a Frenchman, played the best solo he had ever heard. Most of the performers were gentlemen amateurs. He comments on the richness of dress of both ladies and gentlemen; there were two hundred fifty ladies present, and it was called no great number. "The ladies are in taciturnity, during the performance greatly before our (Boston) ladies: in noise and flirtation after the music is over, pretty much on a par. If our (Boston) ladies," says he, "have 37 any advantage it is in white and red, vivacity and spirit. The gentlemen were many of them dressed with elegance and richness uncommon with us — many with swords on." LOVE FINDS OUT THE WAY About 1765, Miss Golightly, the daughter of an English family now extinct in Carolina, was quite a belle. The following is one of the romantic stories that used to be told, as an instance of how, even in that formal age, "Love would find out the way." Her family was averse to the man of her heart, Mr. Huger; why, it was not clear, for though not a rich man, was of high position and lofty char- acter. So, Miss Golightly, one night at a ball, picked up a straw hat which chanced to be lying on a bench, and with no more preparation stepped out of the long window into the garden and ran away to be married. The adventurous bride did not live long, but died, leaving one son. A lovely picture of her, with the straw hat hanging from her arm, is still in the possession of her descend- ants. Her husband married again, and it was at his plantation, at the mouth of the Santee, that Lafayette landed on his first coming to America. His son, Colonel Francis Kinloch Huger, after- wards risked life and imprisonment to rescue his friend Lafayette from the dungeons of Olmutz. 38 COINCIDENCES AND CONTRADICTIONS The people of South Carolina, without any orig- inal design on their part, were, step by step, drawn into revolution and war, which involved them in every species of difficulty and finally dissevered them from the mother country. The coincidences and contradictions of the period were remarkable. It so happened that while on the 28th June, 1776, John Rutledge, President of South Carolina, was defying the combined army and navy of the King in Charlestown harbor, his brother, Edward Rut- ledge, at the head of the delegation in the General Congress, was hesitating to commit South Carolina to a declaration of independence. Yet John Rut- ledge, but a short time before, had been for a recon- ciliation with the Crown, while Edward was in favor of extreme measures. At the moment when Thomas Jefferson rose in Congress and presented his draft of the Declaration of Independence, Sir Peter Parker was pouring his broadside into Fort Moultrie. And while Edward Rutledge was sign- ing the Declaration, John Rutledge was addressing the garrison at Fort Moultrie, thanking them for their gallant conduct! HOW COLONEL MAHAM ACCEPTED SERVICE OF A WRIT, AND HOW HE FOUGHT A BEDPOST Col. Hezekiah Maham won a golden reputa- tion as a soldier, but appears to have had rather crude notions of his duty as a citizen. He un- 39 fortunately managed his financial affairs loosely, and became indebted to a creditor, who finally be- came very importunate. One morning, just as the Colonel was about to sit down to breakfast, a stranger was announced. He went out, his gen- erous heart filled with good will and hospitable intentions, when the stranger, an officer of the Court, served on him a legal writ. The Colonel took it gingerly, and read it. His astonishment was only exceeded by his indignation. The thought could not be borne that he, who had periled life and fortune for his country's liberties, should be thus bearded in his home^*, his castle, and threatened with a loss of his own. His anger rose and he determined to revenge the insult by making a victim of the innocent instrument of his creditor. He returned the parchment to the officer. He sternly and decisively ordered him, and the Colonel's orders were not often disobeyed, to in- stantly swallow it. But when the dry meal was fairly engulphed, he brought the officer into the house and gave him some good liquor to wash it down. The Colonel, alas! discovered like too many others who had borne the burden and heat of the day, during the war, that the day of military rule had passed and that the civil power was in control. He learned that zurifs were not to be served up as a morning's meal. He was obliged to flee the 24Col. Maham's plantation, near Pineville, Berkeley Co. 40 country and remain in exile until the difficulty was removed by the intervention of his friends. During the war he was passing a night at the house of a gentleman, living in great comfort. He had partaken of a good hot supper and soon there- after went to bed. On retiring he placed his sword within reach of his bed and hung his clothes on the bed post at the foot, his cap on top. Dur- ing the night, Col. Maham startled from his sleep, dreaming that he had been attacked. The moon, by this time, was shining in the room, giving his clothes the appearance of a hostile soldier. Seizing his sword, he began cutting furiously at his sup- posed enemy. The commotion alarmed the family, who ran, with lights, into the chamber and showed him what havoc he had been making with his own regimentals. BATTLE OF FORT MOULTRIE The first decisive defeat of the combined British navy and army during the Revolutionary War was that of their attack on Sullivan's Island, June 28, 1776. The defence of the Island was as gallant as its success was surprising. This defence really Composed two distinct engagements ; that which' has received all the credit and glory, the defeat of the naval attack on Fort Sullivan (now Fort Moultrie) and the equally important and brave de- fence of the east end of the island against the Brit- ish attack by land forces, but of which so little has ever been said. Let equal justice be given to each. 41 The Battie of Fort SullivanJi Early in 1776 the construction of Fort Sullivan (after the battle named Fort Moultrie, in honor of the hero who commanded the garrison) was com- menced. Its plan was a square, with a bastion at each angle. Whole logs of palmetto were laid one upon the other in two parallel rows, sixteen feet apart, bound together by pieces of timber, dove- tailed and bolted to the logs, with the space be- tween filled with sand. The merlons were walled entirely by palmetto logs, strongly secured to each other and ran up ten feet above the platform. The fort was not completed when the battle opened, the sea faces only were ready. The armament consisted of thirty-one guns, only twenty-five of which could bear upon the fleet. The guns ranged in size from twenty-six (26) pounders (French) down to nine (9) pounders. The British attack- ing fleet consisted of seven ships carrying two hun- dred thirty-two guns and a bomb ship. The garri- son of the fort was the 2nd Regiment of South Carolina Infantry, four hundred thirteen (413) rank and file, and twenty-nine (29) men of the South Carolina Artillery Regiment. After an all day bombardment, which did but small damage to the fort or its garrison, the Brit- ish fleet withdrew, did not renew the attack, and subsequently sailed northward, having left one ship, destroyed in the battle, in Charlestown harbor. 3iOn site of the present Fort, Station No. 13, Sullivan's Island. 42 The old palmetto fort was on the exact site of the present Fort Moultrie. Some of the old pal- metto logs are buried under the breastworks of the present fort. The next time under Prevost in 1779 the British attacked Charlestown, profiting by the experience of 1776, the fleet did not stop to engage Fort Moul- trie, but sailed past, with little or no damage, and anchored in the harbor beyond range of the guns of the fort or those at any other point of the shores of the harbor. The co-operating land forces moved via James Island and across the Ash- ley River, and not by way of Long Island, as in 1776. On the 30th June, in the afternoon, General Charles Lee, commanding the Southern Depart- ment, and staff, reviewed the garrison at Fort Moul- trie and thanked them for their heroic defence, and on the 4th of July President Rutledge visited the garrison and taking his own sword from his side presented it to Sergeant Jasper as a memorial of his bravery and an incitement to further deeds of valor. Excluding Lexington, which ushered in the war, and Yorktown, which ended it, the battle of Fort Moultrie must rank with the three most complete and decisive American victories of the Revolution. It was the first absolute victory, the next was Sara- toga, and the third was King's Mountain, two be- ing in the State of South Carolina. 43 Defence of the East End of Sullivan's Island^^ The British landed about three thousand men on Long Island^*, under command of General Sir Henry Clinton. They at once made preparations for crossing to Sullivan's Island, from which it was separated by an inlet^^, which was said to be only eighteen inches deep at low water, and erected two earthworks to cover the movement. They had an armed schooner, some floating batteries, and a number of boats. To meet this, Col. William Thompson, with about seven hundred thirty men, was stationed on the sand hills at the east end of Sullivan's Island. This position, to put it mildly, was very uncomfortable, and far from safe. The only avenue of escape from the island, in case of disaster, was a bridge near Fort Sullivan, which the Americans could hardly have reached, if de- feated by the superior force in their front, and must have been captured. The same result would have ensued if the fort had been taken by the Brit- ish. So the very precariousness of the position gave added glory to the magnificent defence the Americans made. The Americans threw up some breastworks and mounted two pieces of artillery. On the morning of June 28, 1776, some firing took place from the batteries on either side. About noon the British Light Infantry, Grenadiers and the 32Sullivan's Island, near railway crossing of Breach Inlet, Station No. 29. 3*Long Island is now known as the Isle of Palms. 33Breach Inlet, between Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms. 44 15th Regiment embarked in the boats. The armed schooner and floating batteries were placed in posi- tion to cover the landing. But they did not and could not approach the shores. Thomson's riflemen were too good marksmen and it was soon evident that the force would be decimated before even a sin- gle boat could be landed. The British were forced to abandon the attempt, having been effectually pre- vented by the brave and determined stand of the force under Col. Thomson. This saved the fort from capture on the land side. The defeat of Col. Thom- son's force and the capture of fort would have led to the British capture of Charlestown. Equal credit, therefore, must be given to the defenders of Fort Sullivan and to Col. Thomson's force at the east end of Sullivan's Island. SERGEANT JASPER REPLACES THE FLAG ON FORT MOULTRIE An incident of the Battle of Fort Moultrie'* was the gallantry displayed by Sergeant Jasper. When the fire of the enemy was at its hottest, the flag-staff was struck. It tottered and fell, with the crescent flag, and lay on the beach in front of the fort. Sergeant Jasper of Marion's Company cried out, "Don't let us fight without a flag," and leapt from the parapet at the southwest angle, to the beach. He passed along the entire front of the fort, recovered the flag, attached it to a sponge 31 Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island, present fort on site of old. Station No. 13. 45 staff, remounted the parapet and deliberately fixed it in position on the southeast bastion. This heroic Sergeant Jasper Replacing Flag During Battle of Fort Moultrie. act inspired the men of the fort to the renewed and persistent efforts which crowned them with victory. A commission was offered Sergt. Jasper by Presi- dent^" Rutledge, but with a modesty equal to his 30South Carolina was the only State of the Union which had a "President," the title of its chief executive. This title was changed to "Governor" near the close of the Revolution. 46 good sense, he declined, saying that his lack of edu- cation unfitted him for a higher position than that which he held, and that it would only render him ridiculous, in the eyes of his comrades, to accept. THE FIRST CHURCH ESTABLISHED IN THE COLONY St. Philip's Church was the first establishment of the Church of England in the Province of Caro- lina. In the original plan of Charles Town a lot was set apart for a church, and upon this lot, at the southeast corner of Broad and Meeting Streets, the site of the present St. Michael's, the first Church was built in 1681-82. It was usually called the English Church, but its distinctive name was St. Philip's. In March 1710-11, an Act of Assembly was passed for the building of a new Church of brick. This second Church was built on the site occupied by the present one on the east side of Church Street^^, a short distance above Queen. It was first opened for divine service in 1723, but was not entirely finished until 1727. It was a very elegant and imposing building, regarded as one of the finest church edifices in America at the time, and continued for the upwards of a hun- dred years the pride and admiration of all who were connected with it. In historic value probably no building in the South compared with this old Church. 25Nos. 144-46 Church Street, between Queen and Cum- berland Streets. 47 Oil Sunday morning, February 15, 1835, a fire broke out in some buildings to the north of the Church, and, the wind blowing strongly from that direction, sparks were lodged in the woodwork of the steeple, which soon caught fire, and in a very short time the whole building was so enveloped in the flames that all the efforts of the citizens, who flocked to the scene, were unavailing, and it was completely destroyed. Preparations were imme- diately made to rebuild, and on the 12th November of the same year the comer stone of the present Church was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, on the same site. The following description of the interior of old St. Philip's, which church building was commenced 171 1, first used 1723, and completed 1733, and destroyed by fire 1835, is taken from Mill's Statis- tics of South Carolina, pp. 404-05. "The interior of this Church in its whole length, presents an elevation of a lofty double arcade, sup- porting upon an entablature a vaulted ceiling in the middle. The piers are ornamented with fluted Corinthian pilasters rising to the arches, the key stone of these arches are sculptured with a cheru- bim in relief ; over the centre arch, on the south side, are some figures in heraldic form, represent- ing the infant colony imploring the protection of the King. Beneath the figures is this inscription: 'Propius res aspice nostras' (which has been adopt- ed as the motto of the seal of the Church). Over the middle arch, on the north side, is this inscrip- tion : 'Deus mihi Sol,' with armorial bearings. The 48 EXTERIOR OP OLD ST. PHILIP'S OHX'RCH, Built 1723, burued 1835. Copy of engraving in tlie Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Clii-onii-lc, pnlilished, London 1753. pillars are now ornamented on their face with beautiful pieces of monumental sculpture, some of them with bas-relief, and some with full figures, finely executed by the first artists in England and this country. At the end of the nave is the chancel (within the body however of the Church) and at the West end is the organ, which is an ancient piece of furni- ture imported from England, and which had been used at the coronation of George, the Second. The galleries were added sometime subsequent to the building of the Church. * * * * When you enter under its roof, the lofty arches, porticoes, arcades and pillars which support it, cast a sombre shade over the whole interior and induce the mind to serious contemplation and reli- gious reverence. In every direction the monu- ments of departed worth and excellence gleam upon the sight." CAPTURE OF BRITISH GALLEY BY CAPTAIN RUDOLPH A British Galley was stationed high up the Ashley River, and obstructed the Patriots' move- ments on either bank of the river. General Greene wished it destroyed, and Captain Rudolph of the infantry of Lee's Legion, was directed to devise a plan for its seizure. Early in March, 1782, Capt. Rudolph matured his plan. It was founded on the facility, he had discovered, with which boats going to market in Charlestown, with 49 provisions, were allowed to pass the galley. The Captain proposed to place in one of these boats an adequate force. He disguised himself as a farmer, and some of his soldiers as negroes. Under the truck for market he concealed his armed men. Lieut. Smith, of the Virginia Line, joined the ex- pedition and prepared his boat similarly. On the night of March i8th, between three and four o'clock in the morning, Capt. Rudolph got near the galley, and was halted by the sentinel. He answered in negro dialect that it was a market boat and asked permission to pass. He was ordered alongside, as the captain of the galley wished to purchase some provisions. Rudolph obeyed, drew up to the gal- ley, threw some provisions on board, and made fast to the galley. At a signal, the soldiers rose, boarded and captured the galley. Some of the men escaped by jumping overboard, some were killed, but the captain and twenty-eight soldiers were cap- tured. The galley mounted twelve guns, besides swivels, and was manned by forty-three seamen. Rudolph did not lose a man. After taking out such stores as he found, he burned the galley and returned to shore. The novelty of this successful enterprise created much despondency in the British garrison in Charlestown and depressed the spirits of the sol- diers. 50 SILVER OF BISHOP SMITH AND OP THE CHURCH SAVED Bishop Smith had a plantation, his home, on the Cooper River^^. When the British were ap- proaching, the overseer, an Irishman named Mau- der, whom the Bishop had previously befriended, concealed all the silver and other valuable articles. When the British, under a quartermaster, Sergeant Jack, took possession, seeing no silver, they suspect- ed that it had been hid. They arrested Mauder, threatening to hang him if he did not disclose its hiding place. This he refused to do, and they suspended him from the limb of a tree. On being lowered, he declined to confess. Again and again it was repeated, and still he most firmly declined. At last, finding him inexorable, steadfast and im- movable, Jack concluded that he was either inno- cent or very faithful, too good in either case to be hung like a dog. He was therefore released. The sacramental plate had been entrusted to Mauder with the Bishop's personal silver. He had buried both under the very tree from which the British had hung him. After the war he confessed, with great candor, that he would have given up the Bishop's silver, knowing that the Lord would for- give him, but as the plate of the Church was mixed with it, he would have been guilty of sacrilege to have given that up. 35Brabant, the Bishop's place, was on the eastern branch of the Cooper River, near French Quarter Creek. 51 MARION'S MEN NOT IN THE TRIUMPHAL PARADE When the British evacuated Charleston near the end of 1782, at the close of the war, the American troops made a grand triumphal entry into the City. The great blot upon this most happy event was that Marion's Partisan Rangers were exchrled from the parade. It was alleged that they were too rough, irregular and dirty. It was a shame upon the officer in charge. Marion's men had kept alive the struggle in Carolina when all hope was dead. To their swords was largely due the liberty being celebrated. Instead of being excluded, they should have led the patriot column, and been given the greatest honor. History, however, righted the wrong, and Marion's men, in rags, stand on its glowing pages, far higher than the well-dressed troops who triumphantly entered Charleston in 1782. REBECCA MOTTE GIVES ARROWS TO BURN HER HOME Mrs. Rebecca Motte owned a plantation and country home on the Congaree, about fifty miles below the present site of Columbia^^. The residence stood upon an eminence on the direct road from Charleston to Camden. The British took posses- sion of the house, established there a post, and ran a line of fortifications around the house. It was known as Fort Motte. Mrs. Motte, forced out of 36Near present Southern Railway station Fort Motte. 32 her home, occupied a small house on the plantation. The Patriots, under Marion and Lee, laid seige to the fort. The advance of British reinforcements necessitated a prompt reduction of the fort. Mar- ion decided that if he could burn the house, it would force the enemy out. When advised of this, Mrs. Motte not only consented and urged the firing of her home, but furnished the means of so doing. She had some East Indian arrows, which would ignite on percussion. These she gave the Patriots. They fired them from rifles, and soon the roof of the house was in flames. The British surrendered. The Patriots and British, together, put out the fire, only the roof of the house being consumed. More singular is it that the officers of both parties dined together that evening with Mrs. Motte, who received all with equal courtesy. This noble act of Rebecca Motte, the sacrifice of her home, was sublime, and in perfect accord with her high character and the previous devoted services she had rendered to the cause of liberty. THOMAS CORDES' LIFE SAVED BY SMOKING HIS PIPE At the Tavern Bridge^^ on the road leading to Murray's Ferry on the Santee, a few miles from his home, Yahan, Thomas Cordes was taken by the British, for reporting their movements to the American army. He was just about to be hung, 37Tavern Bridge is two miles from Pineville, on the Mur- ray Ferry Road. 53 when he requested the privilege of smoking his pipe, which was granted. Just then a messenger arrived with a reprieve from Cornwalhs, who was then encamped at Li f eland Plantation, near the Santee. GENERAL WILLIAM MOULTRIE William Moultrie was appointed in 1775 Colonel of the 2nd Regiment South Carolina In- fantry. January 2, 1776; he with his command was sent to Sullivan's Island to build a fort^^ for the protection of the City. This work and the de- fence thereof was so splendid as to win for him and his command, undying reputation. He rose during the war to be a Major-General. After the war he was twice Governor of his State. He died in Charlestown, and was buried at his plantation in St. James, Goose Creek^. In disposition he was easy tempered, but he was firm and determined when necessary. These qualities, with his un- flinching courage, unspotted integrity, and his sense of honor, marked him as one of the great men of his day. The following incident is characteristic : One Sunday on his way to St. Philip's Church, he met a gentleman with whom he had some cause of quarrel. They both preferred to adjust it at once. 3iHe built Fort Sullivan, which after the battle was named in his honor, Fort Moultrie, on the site of the present fort, Station No. 13, Sullivan's Island. ^Windsor, adjoining Woodstock, Southern Railway. 54 so going round to an alley^^ in rear of the Church, they drew swords and engaged. General Moultrie succeeded in running his antagonist through the arm, upon which, saluting him, he sheathed his sword, and went on to Church. Barbarians, by modem standards, but, apart from its moral or religious aspect, far more decent than a fisticuff, which now so often takes the place of the old gen- tlemanly custom. SAMUEL BACOT AN ADEPT AT ESCAPING Samuel Bacot, who lived on Black Creek, not far from Darlington, was one of the many suf- ferers from the devastation of the Tories. On one occasion a party of Tories was seen approaching his home. He seized a well-charged musket and while the marauders were dismounting, he was able to escape and hide in a thick covert in rear of his dwelling. The Tories entered the house and were about making search when the loud report of a musket and the clatter of shot against the walls confirmed their impression of a surprise. A panic followed and the cowardly wretches ran for their lives, leaving their horses behind them. On another occasion he was taken as a prisoner to Camden and thence sent with thirty others to- wards Charlestown. As he plodded along he turned over in his mind some plan of escape. The party stopped for the night at a deserted log house. 4iPhiladelphia Alley, back of St. Philip's Church, be- tween Cumberland and Queen Streets. 55 The guard stacked arms in front and occupied the front room, placing the prisoners in the back room. This gave them the chance for conference, and they agreed to strike for Hberty, when Bacot gave the signal or watchword, "Saturday night." About midnight Bacot opened the door connecting the two rooms and asked for a drink of brandy. He saw th^t the moment for action had come. He raised the glass and gave, "Here is success to Sat- urday night," and dashed the liquor in the officer's face. As the words were uttered he and his com- rades rushed upon the guards, seized their arms and overpowered them. The captives, once more at liberty, lost no time in finding their way home- ward. THE FIRST FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN AMERICA The establishment of libraries, encouraged by Legislative Acts and private donations, are cer- tainly evidences that education was not neglected in the early days of the Province of South Caro- lina. "The idea of a free public library could hardly find acceptance," it has been observed, "un- til the idea of free public education had become familiar to men's minds, and the libraries existing at the time of the Revolution were necessarily rep- resentative of the existence of public opinion on the subject of culture." The Colonists of South Carolina, had become familiar with the ideas alike of free public education and a free public library even before the overthrow of the Proprietary Gov- 56 ernment. Their efforts as to free education were, no doubt, limited, but in each parish there were pupils who were taught free. There can be little doubt that the first library in America to be sup- ported, in any degree, at the public expense was that at Charlestown in 1698. The library which the Rev. Dr. Bray established was the first, if not the only one, to receive support from the public treasury. October 8, 1698, the Commons ordered that letters be addressed to the Lord Bishop of London and to Dr. Thomas Bray for their "laying the foundation of a good and public library." On the 19th of November, 1698, the Commons further order payment for certain books bought for a pub- lic library. This library was supported by the Lords Proprietors and by the Assembly, and was governed by Commissioners appointed by the Legis- lature. It was in operation in 1712 under the Acts of 1700 and 1 712, which are the earliest library laivs in America. This library must not be confused with the Charlestown Library Society, which was founded in 1748, an account of which is found in another part of this book, and more in detail in McCrady's "South Carolina under the Royal Government." ART IN THE EARLY DAYS OF CAROLINA The following as to art in the early days of Carolina is condensed from the valued article by Rev. Robert Wilson, D. D., in the Charleston 57 Year Book, 1899. It is much regretted that space does not allow the article to be given in full. There is abundant evidence that the inhabitants of Charles Town and its vicinity, not only adorned their homes with the products of the pencil and the brush, but by their patronage afforded a comfort- able living and an honorable position to pro- fessional artists, at a very early period of the City's existence. The portraits, and especially the min- iatures of some of the earliest settlers, show a high appreciation of fine artistic work. That there was a resident portrait painter in Charlestown as early as 1705 is certain, for there is still existing an admirable portrait of Sir Nathaniel Johnson, in the possession of Mr. Henry L. Barker (in 1899) bearing on the background, evidently by the artist's hand, "Aetatis 61 April 7th 1705." There was a lady artist in the town, who did good work in pastel and marked her pictures with the legend, "Henrietta Johnson. Fecit." She died in 1728. The next evidence that we find of the prevalence of artistic taste is the following advertisement in the South Carolina Gazette, 1735: "This is to give notice to all gentlemen and others, that Por- trait painting and engraving, Heraldry and House Painting are undertaken and performed expedi- tiously in a good manner and at the lowest rate by B. Roberts." The Gazette of August 30, 1740, contains the following: "Jeremiah Theus, Limner, gives notice that he is removed into Market Square, near Mr. John Laurens, Sadler, where all gentle- men and ladies may have their pictures drawn, 58 likewise Landscapes of all sizes, Crests and Coats of Arms for coaches or chaises. Likewise for the convenience of those who live in the country he is willing to wait on them at their respective Plantations." This gentleman, owing to a resi- dence of nearly forty years, impressed the com- munity with the influence of his talents and high personal character. He was the undoubted pioneer of legitimate art in South Carolina. His portraits came to be in great vogue, and there were few families of note and position which were not rep- resented on his canvas. Thomas Coram, coming to Charleston in 1769, was a skilled artist. One of his paintings, "Christ Blessing Little Children," now adorns the chapel of the Charleston Orphan House^^. (See article on the marriage of Mad Archie Campbell.) Dr. Wilson, in his most valuable article in the Year Book, from which is selected the above facts, has rescued from oblivion the names and works of Provincial artists who well deserve to be remem- bered. He has shown that from the very begin- ning of its history the people of lower Carolina cherished and patronized art and artists with a cul- tured refinement of taste that was scarcely less marked than that which, in the next century, char- acterized the patrons of Peale, of Malbone, of Alls- ton, of Sully, and of the many others whose names have been household words. 38Painting of Thos. Coram, in Chapel of Charleston Or- phan House, on Vanderhorst Street, near St. Philip, south side. J9 THE FIRST CELEBRATION OF "CAROLINA DAY", JUNE 28th The following order of Col. Marion is for the first celebration of the victory at Fort Moultrie, which celebrations have been continued down to the present day. In commemoration of the battle, the State of South Carolina in recent years made the 28th June a legal holiday, as "Carolina Day." "Regimental Orders of Lt. Col. Marion, June 27th, 1777. Commanding Officers of companies to apply to the quarter master for their men's coats this afternoon, in proportion to the number of men in each company and tomorrow to supply their men with leggings; all who had a pair for last year to give Col. Marion their names. * * * A number of ladies in the Town have been so kind as to order a genteel dinner to be given the soldiers tomorrow in memory of their good behavior the 28th June last year, at Fort Moultrie and the offi- cers of the Regiment, present them with a hogs- head of claret and three barrels of beer. Col. Mar- ion hopes the men will behave with sobriety and decency to these ladies who have been so kind as to give them so genteel a treat; for soldiers being seen on the street drunk or riotous will be a scan- dal to the regiment and prevent any further notice being taken of them. He hopes they will keep in barracks and not a man go into town that day; and should any man be overtaken in liquor, the Sergeants and Corporals will have them put quietly in their barracks, for which reason the Colonel in- 60 sists that every Sergeant and Corporal will stay in the barrack yard, that they may take care of the men of their company. The Sergeant Major in particular is to stay in the barrack yard and keep good order amongst the men. "General Moultrie will be on the parade tomor- row morning and it is expected the men will take care to be very clean in respect to him." THE OLD FORT AT DORCHESTER The fort at old Dor- lester'^^ which faced the Irish Church, stood upon the rise or bluff, on the banks of the Ashley River, in a po- sition to com- mand the bridge across the river, the approaches to it and the town itself. It is the most perfect ex- ample remaining in the State of a fort of that period. It is made of "tapia," more commonly called ^ "vivur Plan of Dorchester Fort. "tabby," which was composed of oyster shells em- 390n site of old town of Dorchester, near the river. 61 bedded in a composition of burnt shell lime, which grows stronger the older it is. The exact date of its construction is unknown. Tabby was used for such purposes from the earliest days up to 1812. There is a tradition that the fort was co- eval with the foundation of the town, used as a protection from Indian attacks. This is so plaus- ible as to secure general belief, but it is not sup- ported by any evidence, and all the attainable evi- dence points to its construction at the commence- ment of the Revolutionary War. Neither on the plan of the town as originally laid out in 1697, nor on the map of 1732, was the fort set down, although the site of the parish church, constructed in 1719, is mentioned on the latter. In 1775 the Council of Safety of the Province directed Dorchester to be fortified. In December, 1775, they directed Fort Lyttleton, near Beaufort, to be repaired with "tappy," which showed that at the time the Council was fortifying Dorchester, they ordered used on another fort, the "tappy," which was the same used for the Dorchester fort. Hence, it is probable that the tappy was used at that time for the Dorchester fort. Commissioners of fortifications for Dorchester were appointed, and in December, 1775, urgency was recommended to them in the erection of barracks, a guardroom and a place of confinement for prisoners. The ap- pearance of the ruins of the walls rather indicate that it was intended for this purpose, and not for a fort, as usually constructed. In February, 62 1776, military stores were placed in the fort which had been constructed by the commissioners. Therefore, we rather incline, from the scant evidence obtainable, to believe that the ruins now standing on the site of old Dorchester, were those of a fort, or perhaps barracks, built not earlier than 1775. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN (SCOTCH) CHURCH, CHARLESTOWN In the year 1731 the strict Presbyterians among the congregation of the Independent Church left it and established a church for themselves after the form of the Church of Scotland^^. They were incorporated in 1784. They erected a church on the lot at the corner of Meeting and Tradd Streets. which was replaced by the present massive struc- ture. The interior of this Church was remodeled after the earthquake of 1886, and the contrast be- tween the stern, almost rugged exterior, and the highly finished, comfortable interior, is striking. In the Church and its adjoining cemetery may be seen the monuments of its founders and the names of some of the best known families of the com- munity. On its walls are many historic and valued tablets. Among these, on the eastern wall to the right of main doorway is one in honor of Lady Anne Mur- ray, which is surmounted by the coat of arms of 43Church building at the southwest corner of Tradd and Meeting Streets. 63 the Cromarty family, and is one of the most artistic pieces of workmanship in this country, and there is no other tablet like it in America. The inscription is neatly executed on wood, and is surrounded by an elaborately carved oaken frame. It was visited by the Marquis of Lome and the Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's daughter, in 1883, and by the Duke of Sutherland, a relative of Lady Anne Mur- ray, in 1886. The inscription thereon is: In this Cemetery lie the Remains of The Right Honourable Lady Anne Murray Third Daughter of George, Earl of Cromarty, A young noblewoman as conspicuous for Piety & Virtue as she was for High Birth & illustrious descent — She died the 17th of January 1768 much lamented. Near her lies the body of Geo. Murray, Esqr., deputy Secretary of So. Carolina, A Gentleman of rigid honesty and inflexible integrity; who died on the 24th of September 1772 64 TABLET TO THE MEJIORY OF LADY ANNE MURRAY. In Scotch Presbyterian Church. DORCHESTER AS IT ONCE WAS The old Town of Dorchester^^ was situated at the head of navigation on the east bank of the Ashley River. It is about twenty-six miles from Charleston, and about five miles southwest of Sum- merville. Only the ruins of the parish church and of the fort, mark the spot where a flourishing town once stood. The history of the town begins with the immigration thereto, from the town of the same name in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, arriving at Charlestown December 20, 1695, of the Rev. Joseph Lord and a company who came to Carolina, *'To set up the ordinances of Jesus Christ ther^ if the Lord conveyed them safely thither, according to gospell truth withe a very large profession of ther faithe." The settlers took up, altogether, four thousand and fifty (4,050) acres of land. They divided this up among them into farm lands and lots in the "trading town," the village of Dorchester. In the neighborhood were a number of settlers and the very site of the town was an old field. The country around the town filled up and the town itself became a trading place and point of distribu- tion. It stood in a position easy of defence and of ready communication with Charlestown, and thus became the refuge from Indian invasions. One of these invasions was met by a Capt. Chicken, 39Five miles from Summerville, on the Charleston- Orangeburg Road, and about twenty-six miles from Charleston. 65 at the head of the Goose Creek mihtia, and defeat- ed the Indians at a place called the Ponds. The whole four thousand and fifty (4,050) acres was the township, but only the four acres near the river was the town proper. At its most flourish- ing period it contained a population of about one thousand eight hundred (1,800) souls. Its de- cadence commenced in 1752-56 when a large ex- odus took place, principally of the Congregational- ists, to Liberty County, Georgia. At the outbreak of the Revolution, although still a mere village, it was, next to Charlestown and Georgetown, the largest town in the Colony. During the Revolu- tion it was garrisoned, at first by State troops un- der General Moultrie, and after the capture of Charlestown in 1780 was held as a British post until December, 1781, when a force under Col. Wade Hampton attacked and forced the withdrawal of the British, and it passed finally under the con- trol of the American troops. THE TRUE BIRTHPLACE OF GENERAL MARION It has been disputed by many persons as to the birthplace of General Marion, but Mr. Philip E. Porcher has been told by his grand uncle, Francis Cordes, that he knew positively that Marion was born at Goatfield plantations*^, opposite Chachan gate not far from Cordesville. When he was a boy he often visited him at his camp near Wadboo 40Goatfield Plantation was opposite "Chachan Gate," not far from Cordesville. 66 Bridge. He is buried at Belle Isle, St. Stephen's Parish. Mr. Philip E. Porcher, of Porcher's Bluff, Christ Church, about eight miles from Mt. Pleasant, is eighty-eight (88) years of age, and his knowing a living witness as to Gen, Marion's birthplace pro- duces a living line of evidence of the truth. PATHETIC MEETING OF EXILES An exchange of the American prisoners at St. Augustine had been arranged, and they had to go to Philadelphia to be legally granted their freedom, and a party went there in a brig they had char- tered. Balfour's cruel edict, banishing from Charlestown the families of those who would not sully their honor by taking protection, compelled, about the same time, the removal of a large num- ber, mostly women and children, to Philadelphia. The brig from St. Augustine containing nearly one hundred and thirty souls, had a prosperous voyage and reached the capes on the second of August, 1 78 1, and with a fair wind continued its course up to New Castle. Another brig had been in sight all day, pursuing the same course a little behind. The two brigs came to anchor in the evening close together, when William Johnson, on that from St. Augustine, hailed that from Charlestown and was answered in the well-known voice of the captain. "It that you, Downham Newton ?" "Ay ! Is that you, William Johnson? We have your family on 67 board." Many other manly voices immediately inquired each for his own family, and a joyful meeting then took place of many dear ones, thus providentially brought together. BRITISH SUPPLY (NOT WILLINGLY) PATRIOTS WITH ARMS AND MUNITION The British dispatched, under proper escort, the commander being Lieut. Meadows, a train to Cam- den. It contained arms, ammunition, and supplies. It was proposed to cross the Santee at Nelson's Ferry. The Partisan leaders determined to inter- cept and capture it. The whole train, with escort distributed in front and rear, entered a long, close, circuitous defile in a thick forest, near Ravenel's plantation on the Santee. The Partisans, with sharp shots and wild cries of "Marion's men! Marion's men ! Hurrah !" dashed in on them, front and rear. The British made a stubborn resistance, but the gallant onrush of the Partisans was too much, and every man of the party was either killed, wounded, or captured. This valuable train be- came the spoil of the Partisans, and from it they gathered much needed arms and supplies. The Americans had neither factories nor arsenals on which they could draw for supplies, and they had to rely upon the enemy for the same. From his storehouses they armed and equipped themselves. As Gen. Banks was said to have been the commis- sary to Lee's Confederate army, so the British were 68 the quartermasters and ordnance officers of the Partisan Rangers. All hail to these efficient offi- cers. They were not over strict in their issues, so the Partisans were not troubled to give vouchers for the supplies received. THE HUGUENOT CHURCH IN CHARLESTOWN The Huguenot Church in Charlestown was one of the four churches founded by the French Protestant Refugees, who sought civil and reli- gious liberty in Carolina. Originally it was styled "L'Eglise Reformee Francaise de Charlestown," but was subsequently known as the Huguenot Church^^. This Church Society is nearly co-eval with the City, and is one of the two oldest in it. Charlestown was established on Oyster Point in 1680 and in 1686 there was a French Protestant congregation in the town. This is proved, first, by a certificate of admeasurement of the surveyor general, dated December 9, 1686, and secondly, by the will of Caesar Moze, dated June 20, 1687, be- queathing to the Church of Protestant French Refugees in Charlestown, £^y for certain purposes. Those who are familiar with the religious char- acter and habits of the Huguenots are not sur- prised, in fact they would have expected nothing else, but that they would promptly organize and establish their Church where they settled. 42Church stands at southeast corner of Church and Queen Streets. 69 The records of the Church were lost in the great fire of 1740, so it is not known with certainty when and where the first church building was erected. The Church Society was certainly in ex- istence, as we have seen, in 1686. Tradition, how- ever, fixes the location at the corner of Church and Queen Streets, and the time of the erection of the first building as not later than 1692, prob- ably two or three years earlier. Twice the church buildings have been destroyed by fire. In 1843 the present building was erected. ST. JAMES' GOOSE CREEK CHURCH A MOST interesting spot in the neighborhood of Charlestown is the old Church of St. James' Goose Creek^ situated in the midst of a beautiful country, surrounded by many objects which excite the in- terest of the traveler, and connected by many asso- ciations with the history of the State in all its stages. About a mile from the Otranto station, A. C. L., across Goosecreek bridge, along a winding road, is the church, a handsome, rough-cast brick build- ing, a short distance from the creek. It has four arched windows and a door on each side, with a cherub in stucco, on each keystone ; over the west door is a pelican feeding her young; at the east end is a large window, in front of which is the chancel, in which stand the altar, pulpit and read- ^Near Otranto station, on Atlantic Coast Line, and on State Road from Charleston, near Goose Creek. 70 ing desk; over this window the royal arms of Eng- land still stand in high relief. This is thought to have saved the church from British desecration during the Revolutionary War. The sides of the St. James', Goose Creek, Church. altar are ornamented with four Corinthian pilasters supporting a cornice, and between them are the Tables of the Decalogue, Apostles' Creed, and Lord's Prayer. The roof is supported by four Doric columns, and on the walls are several marble tablets in memory of the early members of the con- gregation. Among them one commemorates the virtues of the Hon. Ralph Izard, for many years one of the leading men of the State and a gentle- man of great ability and high culture. 71 AN HISTORIC PANE OF GLASS The place known as Oakland is in Christ Church Parish, and one of the panes of glass in the house bore an inscription made with a diamond. It was in Hebrew letters, and the translation be- neath it was, "Exalt Jehovah our God," and be- neath it the writer's name, Joseph Pilmore, who was one of the clergymen sent out by John Wesley, before he left the Episcopal Church. The pane of glass is now framed, and was hung by President Carlisle in the library of Wofford College, Spar- tanburg, S. C. THE CRUELTY OF "TARLETON'S QUARTERS" "Tarleton's Quarters" became throughout the State the synonym of the bloodiest cruelty. The following will show how it originated in a bloody fact. Col. Buford commanded a patrol force of three or four hundred infantry and a few horsemen. He was attacked at the Waxhaw^s by Colonel Tarle- ton with about seven hundred horse and foot. Col. Buford, mistakenly, ordered his men not to fire till the enemy were with ten yards. A single dis^ charge made little impression, and the British were soon on the Patriots, cutting them down with their sabres. The Americans, finding resistance useless, sued for quarters, but their submission produced no cessation of hostilities. After they had ceased to resist, they were badly mangled, until five out of every six of the whole number were, by Tarle- 72 ton's official report, either killed or so badly wounded as to be incapable of movement from the battlefield. Thus "Tarleton's Quarters" became proverbial and was met with retribution from the Patriots thereafter. PROPOSAL TO UNITE THE STATES OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA The following brings out the fact, very little known, that in the early days of the Revolution, South Carolina proposed to Georgia an union of the two States. The two States were already in union, together, with the other of [the original thirteen States, and his movement could, therefore, only have meant an organic union of the two States into one commonwealth. Letter of William Henry Drayton, Dated Snow Hill, June 8, 1777. "By our General Assembly, which is a pretty numerous body, it was unanimously resolved, that an union between the two States would tend effec- tually to promote their strength, wealth and dignity and to secure their liberty, independence and safety. Commissioners were sent to Savannah to treat of an union and I was honored by being sent upon this business. Immediately after I arrived in Sa- vannah I found' that every gentleman in public office, with whom I conversed, was strongly against an union. However, I had the pleasure to find 73 some gentlemen of fortune, though not in office or convention, who heartily approved the measure." Being admitted to the Georgia convention, Mr. Drayton strongly presented the advantages of the proposed union. For full particulars thereof see "Gibbs' Documentary History," 1776-82, pp. 77-80. "In the afternoon the Convention delivered me a paper containing their objections of the proposed union, founded, as I apprehend, upon a reason which does not exist in nature. For, they declared, they could not treat of an union because of such a particular article (which they specify) in, as they said, the Confederation of the United States, to which they had acceded. A Confederation, sir, which I do assure you never existed as a public Act of the General Congress, binding upon the States, but which, nevertheless, the Conventions were taught to receive as a public Act of Congress and consider as such. The Convention were certainly innocent, but some individual is culpable. I re- ceived the paper and in silence quitted the room." ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, CHARLESTOWN The Lutherans built a church in Charlestown as early as 1759. The St. John's Lutheran Church was the place of worship of the oldest German congregation. It was incorporated in 1783, and the present building^^ w^as completed and dedicated January 8, 18 18. The Church Society is composed 64 Southeast corner of Archdale and Clifford Streets. 74 principally of citizens of German extraction, but who have become thoroughly Anglicized and keep up with their fatherland only the ties of religion. FIRST READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN CHARLESTOWN Tradition gives authority to the statement that Maj. John Huger, of Cooper River, was the first per- son to read the Declaration of In- dependence in Charlestown. On the arrival of this important docu- ment in the City, such was the anx- iety of the people to hear it, that Maj. Huger, hold- ing a high public station at that time, was pre- vailed upon to read it aloud for the information of the assembled multitude in the streets. This he did, mounted on a pump in Church Street**. *4 Church Street, Charleston. 75 JAMES CROCKETT AND THE BEAR James Crockett (probably the ancestor of the celebrated David Crockett) had granted him, in 1734, a tract of land in the then Craven, now Mar- ion County. In those early years he had many adventures with Indians and wild beasts. His life was full of hair-breadth escapes, all of which he put in a book he wrote of his life. He was as humorous as he was brave. His dress was made of the skins of animals he had killed and his cap was made of a coon skin, with the tail hanging down his back. One of the stories we give, which we have had to condense and rob of the quaint humor of his expression. Out hunting one day, he found, in a swamp, a den of young bears, in a large hollow stump. Lay- ing his rifle at the foot of the stump, he climbed up to the opening and looking down saw the young bears in their bed at the bottom. He climbed in, swinging himself feet down, as low as his arms would allow, then dropped among the young bears, much to their surprise and consternation. They set up a terrible screaming, which attracted their mother, the old she bear, who came rapidly back, got up to the opening, and looked down on the ter- rible family confusion. She could only come down backwards, which she proceeded to do. Crockett was between the devil and the deep sea. His pres- ence of mind never forsook him. He drew his keen long knife, and as the old bear's hind quarters reached him, he slashed at it and continued to do 76 so until Mother Bruin thought it wiser to climb up. Crockett grasped her tail and kept cutting away, she clambered upw^ards, impelled by his knife, drawing him up with her, until she reached the top, when she jumped to the ground and hid in the swamp. Crockett followed, reached his rifle, and shot her. MAHAM'S TOWERS CoL. Hezekiah Maham was a colonel of cavalry in the American army. He was marked for his in- genuity as well as distinguished for his gallantry. He devised a plan for reducing fortified places, which were without artillery, which was very effec- tive. While the method of application and the mode of construction was original, the general plan was an adaptation of the usages of the Middle Ages. Col. Maham's device was the construction of a tower of logs, so high as to overlook the breastworks of the fort. This was first tried at Fort Watson^^, and no better description of the entire plan can be given than by quoting the words of the historian, Weems. "Finding that the fort mounted no artillery, Mar- ion resolved to make his approaches in a way that should give his riflemen a fair chance against the musqueteers. For this purpose, large quantities of pine logs were cut and, as soon as dark came on, they were carried in perfect silence within point *5Fort Watson was at Wright's Bluff, on Santee River, east bank, now in Clarendon County. 77 blank range and run up in the shape of large pens or chimney stacks, considerably higher than the enemy's parapets. Great, no doubt, was the con- sternation of the garrison next morning, to see themselves thus suddenly overlooked by this strange kind of steeple, pouring down upon them from its blazing tops incessant showers of rifle bullets. The Patriot riflemen lying above them and firing through loopholes, were seldom hurt, while the British, obliged every time they fired to show their heads, were frequently killed." EXECUTION OF COL. ISAAC HAYNE (This is historic, not romantic.) Col. Isaac Hayne had, when the British seemed to have conquered South Carolina, taken "Protection," which was a mutual contract between the British and Col. Hayne. The British violated their part of the contract which relieved Col. Hayne from the obligations of his part. He took up arms with his countrymen. His party had been attacked by the British and dispersed. Deeming himself beyond pursuit, with Mr. Charles Glover and a few followers he had hurried into the plan- tation of Mrs. Ford^'*. While resting here on Sun- day morning a company of British cavalry was seen galloping up the avenue. Col. Hayne endeav- ored to escape by crossing the field at the back 54Mrs. Ford's plantation, four miles from Parker's Ferry, Edisto River. 78 of the plantation, but Capt. Campbell, command- ing, saw and pursued him. In leaping a ditch, the side caved in and the Colonel's horse fell and he was captured. It is said that Capt. Campbell, known as "Mad" Archie, was very indignant at the ultimate fate of his captive, and declared that if he thought such would have been his end, he would have killed Hayne in the pursuit, that he might at least have died the death of a soldier. For nearly three weeks Hayne lay in the provost ; the basement of the Exchange^^, the building known as the Old Post Office, at the foot of Broad Street, Charlestown. He was given a so-called trial. On his appeal to Col. Balfour, Maj. Trask, the Town Major brought him the fatal answer: "I have to inform you that your execution is not ordered in consequence of any sentence from a court of inquiry, but by virtue of authority with which the Commander in Chief in South Carolina and the commanding officer in Charlestown are in- vested. And their resolves on the subject are un- changeable." His execution was an act of personal tyranny on the part of the two officers. The procession moved from the Exchange in the forenoon of August 4, 1781. The streets were crowded with thousands of interested spectators. Col. Hayne walked to the place of execution with such firmness, composure and dignity as to awaken the compassion and to command the respect of all. Neither arrogating superior firmness nor betraying 55 Exchange, East Bay, foot of Broad Street. 79 weakness, he ascended the cart, unsupported and un- appalled. Being asked whether he wished to say anything, he answered, "I will only take leave of my friends and be ready." He then affectionately shook hands with three gentlemen, commending his children to their care, and gave the signal for the cart to move. For a fuller account of the trial of Col, Hayne and its subsequent effects, see McCrady's History of South Carolina during the Revolution 1780 to 1783, pages 382-412. It will reward perusal. DEATH OF BARON DeKALB The Battle of Camden^ ^ was an overwhelming victory for the British, and generally attributed to the over-confidence of the American commander, Genl. Gates. Maj. Gen. Baron DeKalb com- manded a portion of the American line which of- fered a most gallant resistance to the British at- tack. It was forced, however, to surrender. Having his horse killed under him, the Baron fell into the hands of the enemy, and was pierced with wounds, eight from bayonets and three from mus- ket balls. He was raised to his feet and stripped of his hat, coat and neck cloth and placed against a pine tree. While there Cornwallis rode up and addressed him, saying, "I am sorry, sir, to see you, not sorry that you are vanquished, but sorry to see you so badly wounded," and gave orders to siBattle fought eight miles north of Camden, and one mile north of Saunders Creek. 80 TOMB OP GENERAL BARON DE KALB, CAMDEN, of the American Army, and Killed in the Battle of Camden. an officer to administer to his wants and rode off. Tradition identifies the spot and the very pine tree. It stood until 1884, when it was destroyed by a forest fire. Portions of the charred trunk are still to be seen, and lie a few feet to the East of the highway. DeKalb had been mortally wound- ed and died on the third day after the battle in what is known as the "Blue House"^^^ in Cam- den. He was buried with all the honors of war, and his funeral attended by the British officers. THE SWAMP EPICURE {Condensed from one of Simms' Historical Romances) Lieut. Porgy was one character in Simms' his- torical romances which was not the fictitious name of a real character. The distinguished author re- cites facts, at least traditionally true, but generally under fictitious names. But Lieut. Porgy is the epicure amidst the hardships of Partisan life — a creation of the author's brain. But so real are the many incidents of his career that they might well have happened to some one, and it will be in- teresting to recall the episode of Lieut. Porgy's capture of the terrapins. The story has to be, of course, much abbreviated and it is hoped that this will not rob it of its interest. It was night in the swamp where Marion's men i34Blue House stood at or near the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets, Camden, east of the Presbyterian Church. 81 camped. Said Lieut Porgy, "We live in a very pleasant world, John Davis. Nature feeds us in all our senses, whenever we are willing and wise enough to partake. You breathe, you see, you smell, you taste, and you ought to be happy, Davis; why are you not?" "Well, I don't know, Lieutenant; I only know I ain't happy." "Oh, man of little faith ! It is because you won't use your senses, John Davis — your eyes. You ask me what I see! Blind mote that thou art! Dost thou see nothing? Look, and let me show you the pleasantest prospect, for a dark night, that your eyes ever hungered over. See the lagoon just beyond that old cypress, see the dead tree half rolled into the water. Look at the end of the fallen tree. Do you understand now why it is that I rejoice; why my bowels yearn and my soul ex- alts? Look and feast your eyes. Not a word lest you disturb the comely creatures." What did he see? On the log, three enormous terrapins — alligator terrapins — uncouth monsters, truly, and with such well developed tails as to jus- tify their appellation. Porgy continued, now in a whisper, "That's a sight, John Davis, to lift a man from a sick bed. Look how quietly they lie; that farthest one — I would it were nigher — is a superb fellow, fat as butter, and sticking full of eggs. There's soup enough for a regiment — be quiet, and I will give you a lesson in dexterity. I was a great terrapin hunter in my youth. You shall see me come upon 82 them like an Indian. I will put on the character of a social grunter. Ah, the hog is a noble animal ! It's almost a sin to mock him. Hold my rifle and witness my execution." Porgy's agility greatly belied his appearance. He was soon stealing away, along the edge of the hammock and in the direction of his victims. He pressed forward on hands and knees, appearing in the dusky night, very like the animal he was imi- tating. The terrapins were uneasy, and Porgy fre- quently had to stop and often emit a grunt like the hog. "The hog," muttered Porgy, "has one feature of the good aristocrat. He goes where he pleases and grumbles when he chooses. But it may not be proper for the gentleman to put on the hog, unless on an occasion such as this. The pleasures of a dinner are not to be lost for a grunt." He pressed forward, grunt after grunt testify- ing to the marvelous authority which his appetite exercised over his industry. Porgy's grunts were a sad fraud. The largest terrapin pricked his head and stood on the alert, but was soon satisfied. A second grunt reassured him. He had lived in intimate communication with hogs all his days. Porgy made his way forward until astride of the very tree on which his unconscious victims reposed. To reach the prey he had to practice that curious locomotion styled "cooning the log." He had squatted fairly upon the log, hands and knees, and slided along. Nigher and nigher he came, until at last he sat squat almost alongside of the two — the third being almost in his grasp. He had put 83 out his hand for the seizure, when the terrapin showed symptoms of alarm, but on his quieting down, the hands of the captor closed upon him, with a clutch from which there was no escaping. One after another, the victims were turned upon their backs, and with a triumphant chuckle the cap- tor carried off his prey to the solid tussock. "I cannot talk to you for an hour, John Davis, my boy — not for an hour — here's food for thought in all that time. Think of the soup we shall get out of these terrapins. Think of our half-starved encampment. The art which traps for us such food rises into absolute sublimity! Some years hence when our great grand-children think of the sort of life we led when we were fighting to secure them an inheritance, they will record this achiev- ment of mine as worthy of Roman fame." DON'T ASK FOR GIZZARDS Col. Pendleton was once cornered by the Brit- ish at the Pinckney Plantation, "Fairfield," on the Santee River. To conceal him, the good ladies wrapped him in a roll of carpet and stored him away in the garret. The British soldiers searched vainly from attic to cellar. The colonel, unfortu- nately, was something of an epicure, and this weak- ness led to his discovery. He was particularly fond of turkey gizzards. Hearing a servant killing a tur- key in the yard, his appetite got the better of his 84 prudence, and he called out of the window to the servant to save the gizzard for him. His voice be- trayed his whereabouts, and he was soon made a prisoner. SIEGE OF CHARLESTOWN— 1780 This attack by the British on Charlestown was rather different from that of 1776, and more re- sembled that made by Prevost in 1779. The Brit- ish approached via James Island and the west side of the Ashley River, crossed that river above the City, moved down the peninsula, and laid siege. Their fleet did not engage Fort Moultrie, but sailed past, not injured by the heavy fire, and anchored ofif Fort Johnson. Horn Work, Defencea of Charlestown, 1780. The City had defences all along the water front, which prevented any landing from the fleet. The lines on the land side ran across the neck on the ridge just north of (now) Calhoun Street. The 85 City Gate was at King Street, and on each side was a strong fortress called Horn Work, faced with "tabby"^*^. A remnant of this "tabby" of horn work now stands near the Citadel Building, on the King Street side. The enemy threw bombs, shells, carcasses, fire balls into the City, largely damaging property, and causing many fires. Families had to find safety in their cellars. A family occupied the small brick house on Calhoun Street, just west of the present Columbus Hall^^. The father had obtained leave to visit his family. As he entered the house and embraced his wife, a cannon ball from the enemy killed both, dying in each other's arms. After years brought to light the fact that Maj. Andre was in Charlestown during the siege, as a spy, and was secreted in a house on the east side of East Bay, opposite the Pinckney mansion*®. The use of facines became necessary for the de- fence, and Col. John Laurens sacrificed his beauti- ful ancestral garden^^ to furnish the materials. From this source, he and his followers prepared the facines, and repaired the works. Learning that provisions were becoming scarce in the City, the British, as a joke, threw in a bomb- shell filled with rice and molasses. The Americans returned the same shell, filled with sulphur and 46The remnant of the horn work stands on Marion Square, near the Citadel building and King Street. 47No. 145 Calhoun Street. ■*8Site of present Union Cotton Press. 49John Laurens' garden, the square bounded by East Bay, Society, Anson and Laurens Streets. 86 hog fat, with a note that it was for the Scotch regiments, to cure them of the itch. As the siege progressed, the distress of the be- sieged from hunger, exhaustion, wounds and death was largely increased and the fire of the enemy be- came daily more destructive. The inhabitants joined in a petition to Gen. Lincoln, the American commander, urging capitulation, to which he finally consented, and the surrender was agreed upon May 12, 1780, after a siege of six weeks. How precarious is the fortune of war! After the capitulation it was discovered that the British commander, having heard that a French fleet was on its way to relieve Charlestown, had considered the raising of the siege. Charlestown was the only American city which had stood the siege of the British troops. It had been subjected previously to two other attacks, both of which had failed. It was only captured after an obstinate and protracted defence. The following condensation of the translation from the French of a journal kept by De Brahm, a French engineer in the American Arm", will give the progress of the siege in detail, and will be very interesting: Feby. 9, 1780. — The English fleet arrived on Stono Inlet. Alarm fired in Charlestown. Feby. loth. — The British troops landed. March 9th and loth. — Seven vessels were sunk near mouth of Cooper River, and cables fixed from one to other, to prevent entrance of the river. March 13th. — The enemy took possession of the 87 land on Ashley River, opposite the town, construct- ed a battery near the mouth of Wappoo, on the prolongation of Tradd Street^^, on the site of the traditional residence of Gov, William Sayle in 1670. March 21st. — The English fleet passed the bar and anchored in Five Fathom Hole. March 25th. — Our armed (American) vessels before Fort Moultrie, returned to town. Cannon were transported into land batteries. March 29th. — The English army crossed Ashley River, twelve miles above the town^^ March 30th. — The advanced guard of the enemy within two miles of Charlestown. The fortifica- tions, even at this time, very incomplete. All ne- groes in town impressed, and with parties detailed from garrison, were henceforth employed upon works. March 31st. — At daybreak observed that the enemy had opened his trenches in three places. April 1st and 2nd. — The enemy's works were a little extended and ours augmented. April 3rd. — This morning the battery was dis- covered upon a height at Hampstead^^. Four pieces constructed on our right to oppose the enemy's, from which, and all the others, continuous soBattery was on the point of land between Ashley River and Wappoo Cut, on the mainland. oiBritish crossed the Ashley River at Ashley, now Bee's Ferry. 52Half Moon Battery, west of Bay Street, between Co- lumbus and Amherst, opposite Terminal Station, and was standing up to about 1880. 88 firing of shot and bombs kept up the following night along lines. April 4th. — This morning daylight discovered to us the enemy's battery very much injured. April 5th. — Galleys fire on town all night — gorge of horn-work closed. April 6th. — Reinforcements under Gen. Wood- ford arrived. April 7th. — Enemy prolongs right of his first parallel. April 8th. — Quarter before sunset, English fleet passed Fort Moultrie, under heavy fire, and an- chored in a line near Fort Johnson. Fleet consisted of seven vessels, one of which grounded on a bank called "The Green." April 9th. — Grounded vessel abandoned and burnt. Enemy commenced battery in front of our left. April loth. — Works of enemy advanced. This evening, parley received demanding surrender, re- fused. April nth. — Our batteries fired a great deal last night. April 1 2th. — Little firing during night. Enemy had more cannon mounted. At noon three chalops passed Fort Moultrie under heavy fire and joined the fleet. April 13th. — 9 a. m., enemy opened, firing bombs, carcasses and hot balls; fire returned; lasted two hours. We had one 18-pound gun dismounted and two houses in town burnt. April 14th. — Slow fire all last night; enemy ad- 89 vanced little; commenced battery on banks of Ash- ley opposite the town. April 15th. — Fire continued. Enemy's second parallel commenced. April i6th. — In addition to usual fire enemy opened from new battery. This evening one of our galleys ascended Cooper River, taking position enfilading English camp — kept up fire several hours. April 17th. — Enemy enfiladed town on all sides last night, and threw many bombs. This morning enemy's second parallel prolonged to our left. April i8th. — Fire from batteries and musketry all day. April 19th. — Fire continues. Evening three of enemy's galleys descend Wappoo and joined fleet, under heavy fire. One lost her main mast. April 20th. — Ravelin commenced in front of horn work. April 2 1 St. — Enemy commenced two batteries near his second parallel. April 23rd. — Enemy extended sap of his second parallel. April 24th. — Sortie by Col. Henderson and two hundred (200) men. Returned with twelve pris- oners. April 26th. — Enemy commenced third parallel. Troops from a vessel and four Gallies landed at Mt. Pleasant and took a battery with one piece, and losing a galley. April 28th. — Last night our fort at Lampriere's was evacuated and occupied by the enemy today. Charlestown now completely invested. 90 May 4th, 5th, and 6th. — Enemy makes three bat- teries on third parallel and we, two redoubts. May 7th. — Fort Moultrie capitulated. A sixty- gun ship joined the fleet. May 8th. — Enemy sent a parley truce during the day. In Council of War, composed of all the offi- cers of the General Statf, it was resolved, by a majority vote, to propose a capitulation. May 9th. — Enemy mounted cannon in batteries of third parallel, during the truce. Commanders not agreeing on terms, siege recommenced. May nth. — Enemy's trenches extended under abattis of advanced battery. This afternoon par- ley sent to enemy to propose fresh terms. May 1 2th. — Terms accepted, and English army take possession. The English have worked very hard upon fortifications. All I can learn is, that they have strengthened the profiles of the lines; have constructed a fort at Hampstead, and some re- doubts more advanced; they have also commenced a battery on Shute's Folly^^. THE RESCUE OF COL. ISAAC HAYNE This story is certainly not historically correct, and even tradition does not justify it. It is given by the novelist and romancer, Wm, Gilmore Simms, 53 Shute's Folly, the marsh island on which Castle Pinck- ney stands. So named, it is said, because one Shute attempted to bank it in and make a field. The first Equinoctial gale totally destroyed the work, hence Shute's Folly. 91 and is most apt to be a creation of his fervid imag- ination, marvelous if not probable, and hence may properly find a place in "The Romance of Lower Carolina." Col. Isaac Hayne had, when the Patriot cause seemed to have been lost in South Carolina, taken British "Protection." The contract was violated by the proclamation of Sir Henry Clinton, so Hayne was duly authorized and did take up arms for his country. He was captured at the Battle of Camden, it is said. Failing to induce Col. Hayne to accept the flattering commission offered by the British, Lord Cornwallis decided that he must be hung as a traitor. He sent him to Dorchester, where he was well known, to be executed there, be- cause of the influence it would have upon the peo- ple. An officer of Marion's men, with a detachment of men went to the neighborhood of Dorchester to effect, if possible, the rescue of Col. Hayne. On the day of the execution, a strong guard, a majority of the garrison, with the prisoner, emerged at midday from the town. The road, at the place of execution, was on the easy ascent of a small clay hill. On each side a squad of the Parti- sans had been concealed, and in convenient trees, hidden by their close foliage, were three skilled riflemen. The procession moved on — the crowd gathered — the doomed victim was before the fatal tree — the ofiicer in command proceeded with his arrangements for the execution. Hark! What is that ? The church bell has sounded a single stroke. 92 All are startled by the unexpected. It was repeat- ed. The clashing metal thundered forth peal after peal. Then the surprise was complete. The sig- nal brought the wild cries of men, women and chil- dren from the town. A sudden burst of flames rose from the center of the town — another and an- other in other directions — the village was on fire! The crowd broke on every side, rushing through the guard surrounding the prisoner, creating the greatest confusion. While the alarm was at the highest and the commander was striving to pre- serve order and keep his troops in ranks, he fell from the fire of one of the hidden riflemen. Then the bugles of the Partisans sounded and both squads impetuously charged upon the British. Their officer next in command coolly closed his men around the prisoner and faced them to meet their enemy. The Partisan commander broke through the enemy's line. The fatal cart was before him. Right and left his heavy sabre cut. He was well supported by his men. The fight grew fearful around the cart in which stood the prisoner with his hands tied. In a moment one of the Partisans leapt into the wagon and cut the cords. Hayne sprang from the cart, and the Partisans g'athered around him. They held the enemy at bay, while Col. Hayne gained the cover of the woods and mounted the horse provided for him. He rushed forth, with a wild shout, giving the enemy the im- pression of assistance coming. The British gave back, yielded, and finally broke and fled down the 93 road to the village, and the Partisans, carrying off Col. Hayne, retired to their swamp fastness. The signal for the rescue of Col. Hayne was given by a brave young girl of Dorchester. Be- fore dawn on that day she went to the church, climbing over the graves with some trepidation, making her way into the church, and thence to the steeple. Here she watched patiently and long. Hour after hour, until noon, did the girl continue, close concealed, awaiting the moment to do her share. Her task was to watch until the cavalcade reached a certain point and then sound the tocsin and give the signal. The bell sounded a single stroke — it was repeated! The alarm was given! Woman has again shown her patriotic devotion to the cause of the liberty of her country. The place of execution is supposed to have been the hill on the Orangeburg Road just before reach- ing Dorchester, and about half a mile from the fort. The tree from which he was to have hung was pointed out up to about 1900, when it was blown down. HOW THE PARTISANS REACHED THEIR SWAMP FASTNESSES (Condensed from one of Simms' Historical Romances) During the Revolutionary struggle in lower Carolina the bands of Patriots and native Tories made use of the many swamps in that region. 94 These swamps are many miles in extent, and have many plots of high ground in their recesses, which were used as the refuges of both. Their intrica- cies were well known, from life long experience, to the natives and they were thus enabled to protect themselves by hiding in their depths. To the un- initiated it is a wonder how these men got into these hidden fastnesses. It will be interesting to learn, from the great Carolina romance writer, Simms, how one of the swamps was entered. We therefore present this account, muchly condensed. A bugle speaks shrilly — a single sharp note as a signal. A torch flares through the woods above and along the narrow ridges, leading a detachment of twenty troopers, who slowly pick their way. They pass in single file down into the gloom, the torch bearer on foot, showing the narrow trail, which they take in silence. The land undulates. Now they are on hard, red clay, now they sink. The way before them is broken into holes and rivulets. The fallen cypress, half buried in the long grasses, stretches at their feet. They scramble over it, only to plunge into the turbid waters of the bayou. They cross a clammy moat, scramble up a rugged causeway, at the farther end of which a torch waves. The bearer stands upon a fallen tree, spanning a gorge, in which is seen a shattered wheel in a half choked mill race. The horsemen wind along below him near the edge of the cause- way. They lead their steeds across the ditch and make their way, roughly, up the opposite bank. There is the ancient mill seat. The light sweeps 95 around it and the troopers follow, among bays and willows beyond the lake of cypress. This disap- pears. The torch bearer reappears upon a rising ground, and behind him stands the rude log house of the miller, the destination of the party. GRAND OLD ST. MICHAEL'S IN CHARLESTOWN On the 17th of February, 1752, the comer stone of the present building of St. Michael's was laid^^. The material of which it was built was brought from England. The steeple, rearing its towering head One Hundred Eighty (180) feet, is architec- turally unsurpassed by any in the country then or now. During the siege of Charleston, 1780, a shot from a British battery on Stile's place on James Island, called by the citizens the "Watermelon Bat- tery," struck the steeple and, glancing, carried ofif the arm of the statue of Pitt, which then stood near the Church. The old, square, high-backed pews and the sound- ing board OA^er the pulpit, have been retained to the present day, giving the interior a very colonial aspect. The chime of eight bells has crossed the Atlantic five times. On the evacuation of the City by the British in 1782 they were carried as one of the spoils of war to Great Britain, but were re- turned. During the Confederate War they were carried to Columbia, supposedly for safety. But 26Church stands at southeast corner of Broad and Meet- ing Streets, Charleston. 96 ;t. .MICHAEL'S cinrtcii, chaiilestown. Coruer Stuue laid 1752. when in that City, at the time of the Federal occu- pation, they were so cracked and injured as to be useless. After the war they were sent back to England and recast in the original moulds, and by the successors of the firm which originally made them, one hundred years before. No sound ap- peals so touchingly to the heart, particularly of the Charlestonian, as from these old bells. On the walls of the Church and in the grave yard are many memorials to the distinguished dead of Caro- lina. COLONEL ROBERTS AND MAJOR DAVIE Among the American officers who lost their lives at the Battle of Stono^^, was the gallant Col. Owen Roberts, commander of the 4th South Caro- lina Continental Regiment. He had taken an ac- tive part in the Revolution from its commencement and had been elected, by the Provincial Congress, Major of the ist Regiment. He had won a splen- did reputation for bravery and skill as an officer. His son, who was also in the battle, hearing of his father's fatal wound, hastened to him. The expir- ing officer, perceiving his son's great sorrow, with great composure, it is said, thus addressed him, "I rejoice, my boy, once more to embrace you. Receive this sword, which has never been tar- nished by dishonor, and let it not be inactive while 56Stono Ferry crosses the Stono River, between the main- land and John's Island. The battle was fought on the mainland, near the ferry. It is about six miles from Charleston. 97 the liberty of your country is endangered. Take my last adieu, accept my blessing, and return to your duty." Major William R. Davie was severely wounded in the same battle, and narrowly escaped with his life, and w-as only saved by the devotion of a trooper, whose horse had been killed. On his re- treat, seeing the imminent danger of his officer, re- turned at the risk of his life, for the enemy were within a few steps, and with great composure raised Maj. Davie on to his horse, to whose bridle Davie had clung, and safely led him from the battlefield. Depositing the Major in safety, this trooper dis- appeared. Though diligent inquiry was made, Maj. Davie could not ascertain who was his preserver. Two years after, at the siege of Ninety-Six, the trooper made himself known, and w^as unfortu- nately killed the next day in battle. REVOLUTIONARY BREECH LOADERS Breech Loaders used at Battle of Camden. A VERY unique and interesting relic of the Revo- lutionary War is a pair of pistols, used by Capt. 98 William Johnson in the Battle of Eutaw. Their peculiarity is that they are breech loaders. The mechanism is crude and clumsy. The barrel had to be unscrewed from the breech, the charge in- serted, and the barrel screwed back, primed, and then was ready for firing. All this had to be re- peated after every discharge. A pistol, in the pos- session of the author, made in 1744, has elevating sights, in principle the same as those of the modern rifle. Thus were so-called modern inventions fore- stalled by the inventiveness of preceding ages. MAJOR JAMES INTERVIEWS THE BRITISH CAPTAIN About the end of June, 1780, Ardesoif of the British navy arrived at Georgetown^ to carry Sir Henry Clinton's last proclamation into effect, and invited the people to come in and swear allegiance to King George. Many complied, but the inhabitants of a portion of the district, of Irish extraction, and settled in what is now the County of Williams- burgh, and a part of Marion, into which the Brit- ish arms had not penetrated, held a public meeting to consider the matter. Major John James, who had commanded some of the people in battle, and also represented them in the General Assembly, was chosen to go down to Georgetown and learn if it was really meant by the proclamation that they would be required to take up arms against their fellow countrymen. Major James proceeded 1 Georgetown is reached by Seaboard Air Line. 99 to Georgetown in the plain garb of a country planter and was presented to the Captain at his residence. The Captain heard Major James with surprise and indignation that such an embassy should be sent to him, and answered that, "The submission must be unconditional." To an in- quiry whether the inhabitants would be allowed quietly to stay at home, he replied, "Although you have rebelled against his Majesty, he offers you a free pardon; you must take up arms in support of his cause." To the Major's suggestion that the people he came to represent would not submit to such terms, the Captain, irritated at his bold lan- guage, particularly at the word "represent," re- plied, "You damned rebel, if you speak in such language, I will immediately, order you to be hung up to the yard arm," The Captain was armed with a sword, the Major had no arms, so he seized a chair, brandished it in the face of Capt. Ardesoif, and making his retreat good through the back door of the house, mounted his horse and made his es- cape. This incident hastened the raising of Marion's Brigade. Many of the people had submitted and taken paroles, but they declined to imbrue their hands in the blood of their countryment and joined Marion's men. 100 SHARP WITTICISM OF THE REBEL WOMEN The repartee of the Whig ladies was ofttimes very good. Among the many, one is told of Mrs. Charles Elliott, a very brilliant and patriotic wo- man. As a very handsome French officer, a prisoner, was passing her house, a British major who was with her, pointing him out, said, "See, Mrs. Elliott, one of your illustrious allies — what a pity it is that the hero has lost his sword." "Had two thousand such men," replied the lady, "been present to aid in the defence of our City, I should not have been subjected to the malignity of your observation." At the moment a negro, trigged out in full British uniform, passed. "See, Major," continued she, "one of your allies — bow with grat- itude for the service rendered by such honorable associates — caress and cherish them —the fraternity is excellent, and will teach us more steadily to con- tend against the results." And the following are witty and expressive. The haughty Tarleton, vaunting his feats of gal- lantry to the great disparagement of the officers of the Continental cavalry, said to a lady, "I have a very earnest desire to see your far famed hero, Col. Washington." "Your wish, Colonel, might have been fully gratified," she replied, "had you ventured to look behind you after the Battle of Cowpens." It was in this battle that Washington had wounded Tarleton in the hand, which gave rise to a still more pointed retort. Conversing with Mrs. Willy Jones, Col. Tarleton observed, 101 "You appear to think very highly of Col. Washing- ton, and yet I have been told that he is so ignorant a fellow that he can hardly write his own name." "It may be the case," she readily replied, "but no man better than yourself, Colonel, can testify that he knows how to make his mark." An officer distinguished for his inhumanity and oppression, meeting Mrs. Charles Elliott in a gar- den adorned with a great variety of flowers, asked the name of the camomile, which appeared to flour- ish with great luxuriance. "The rebel flower," she replied." "Why was that name given to it?" said the officer. "Because," replied the lady, "it thrives most when most trampled upon." MRS. HEYWARD WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE The women I God bless them ! To the patriot- ism of the women of Carolina is largely due the freedom of our country. Under the accumulated evils which bore down on the Patriots, that manly spirit which alone could secure success would have sunk but for the cheering smile and intrepid firm- ness of the fair sex. Many instances of their devo- tion exists and space alone prevents their more gen- eral introduction. In another place reference is made to the patriotism of Rebecca Motte. The following as to the firmness of Mrs. Thomas Hey- ward is given : An order was issued during the British occupa- tion of Charlestown for a general illumination to celebrate the supposed victory at Guilford. The 102 front of the house occupied by Mrs. Hey ward and her sister was dark as erebus. A British officer forced his way into her presence and sternly de- manded, "How dare you disobey the order and not illuminate your house?" "Is it possible for me, sir," calmly replied the lady, "to feel a spark of joy? Can I celebrate the victory of your army, while my husband remains a prisoner at St. Augus- tine?" "That," rejoined the officer, "is a matter of little consequence. The last hopes of rebellion are crushed by the defeat of Greene. You shall illumin- ate." "Not a single light," said the lady, "shall be placed with my consent in any window in the house." "Then, madam. I will return with a party and level it to the ground." "You have power to destroy, but over my opinions you possess no control. I disregard your menaces. I will not illuminate." FIDELITY OF A BRITISH CORPORAL Once Lord Rawdon had to send an express of great importance through a country filled with the Patriot troops. Corporal O'Leary of the 17th Dragoons, known for his courage and intelligence, was selected to escort it. They had not proceeded far when they were fired on, the express killed and the Corporal wounded in the side. He snatched the despatch from the dying man and rode on un- til, from loss of blood, he fell, when, fearing the despatch would be taken by the enemy, he thrust it into his wound until the wound closed over it and concealed it. He was found next day by a 103 British patrol with life just sufficient to point to the fatal depository of his secret. In searching the body the cause of his death was found. The surgeon declared the wound itself was not mortal, but was rendered so by the irritation of the paper. THE CHARLESTON LIBRARY The Charleston Library Society was the earliest association of its kind in Charlestown, and the third in the United States. It was organized in 1748 by seventeen young gentlemen, who desired to obtain some of the current literature from Eng- land. They soon associated others with them, and, after some difficulties, a charter was obtained in 1754, under the name of Charles Town Library Society. It increased in number and wealth, and in spite of the heavy loss sustained by the fire of 1778, acquired an extremely valuable collection of books^^. The number of volumes in the library is, in 191 5, forty-eight thousand, and the Society is in a flour- ishing condition. During the War of 1861-65, the greater part of the books, including the most valu- able works, was removed to Columbia for safety, but a considerable number were left in the building and were entirely destroyed. After the war the Society was reorganized, and, in 1874, Apprentices' Library Society was merged in it, bringing a large accession of members and some funds. 5801d site northwest corner Broad and Church Streets. 104 In February, 1900, the South Carohna Jockey Club, an association of equal age with the Library Society, determined to dissolve, transferred the whole of its valuable property to the Society, mak- ing an endowment which secures the future of the Library. The old building on Broad Street was abandoned and the Library removed to a new, handsome marble building on King Street, near Queen, which has modern library equipments'^. The collection of books in the Library is of al- most priceless value; besides many rare volumes scarcely found in even the great libraries of the country, illustrated works and fine editions of the English and French classics, there are files of news- papers from 1732, pamphlets and works of local history which make the collection a mine of histori- cal value and interest. THE EXCHANGE, CHARLESTOWN, NOW KNOWN AS THE OLD POST OFFICE At the east end or foot of Broad Street, on the east side of East Bay, stood from 1680 the old Court of Guards'^. In 1761 an Act of Assembly was passed for the erection on this site of an Ex- change, the contract for building given to Messrs. Horlbeck, and the cost was fixed at £44,016, i6s., 8d., gold. Most of the material used was brought 59New building Nos. 164-172 King Street, above Queen, east side. 55East side of East Bay, opposite Broad Street. 105 from England. When completed it became the general business mart of Charleston, and so con- tinued for many years. During the occupation of the City by the British, its lower floors were used as a prison, and in one of the rooms in the base- Old Exchange, foot of Broad Street, as It was during Revolutionary period. ment Col. Isaac Hayne was confined, and thence taken to execution. The front was originally on the east side, and wings extended out on East Bay, but as these ob- structed the street, they were taken down and the front changed to the western side. More recently,- 106 the roof being out of repair, the cupola and some of the ornamental work were removed, but the building still presents an imposing appearance, and its historic associations make it an object of much interest. On December 14, 1899, the 117th anni- versary of the evacuation of Charleston by the British, the Society of the Sons of the Revolution placed a bronze plate on the western wall recording the historical incidents of the location. The building has been granted by the Govern- ment to the Daughters of the American Revolution of South Carolina, the local chapter, the Rebecca Motte, to have special charge. Possession will be given when the new quarters for the light house station are complete. It will be kept by the D. A. R. as a memorial of the past. ONE OF THE SWAMP HOMES OF THE PARTISANS Big Island, about five acres in extent, in Cy- press Swamps \ was the camping place of Marion's men, when operating in the vicinity of Dorchester. This swamp is the headwaters of the Ashley River. It possesses historic interest only as the home of the Partisans. No battle was ever fought here. Its approach was so intricate that, although in close siCypress Swamp is about five miles from Summerville. Big Island is not accessible by vehicles, nor in com- fort in any manner. 107 proximity to the British post at Dorchester, the Royal troops never dared to enter the swamp and dispossess the Americans. THE FAMOUS LIBERTY TREE Before the actual outbreak of the Revolution, and while the patriotic sentiment was crystalizing, the more ardent of the Patriots held conferences under the spreading branches of a noble live oak. This tree stood in Mr. Mazyck's pasture, now the square bounded by Charlotte, Washington, Calhoun and Alexander Streets. It was subsequently known as the "Liberty Tree." It was a place of social and political gatherings and much was done under its branches to further the cause of American inde- pendence^^. A meeting of Patriots was held under this tree in the fall of 1776. The list of those attending this meeting is given in McCrady's History of South Carolina under the Royal Government, page 590. At this meeting Christopher Gadsden im- pressed upon the Patriots assembled that the repeal of the Stamp Act and the temis thereof did not show that Great Britain relinquished her designs against the Colony, and urged them to continued resistance. The address was received with pro- found attention, and with linked hands, the whole party pledged themselves to resist — a pledge that was fully redeemed when the hour of trial arrived. 62Stood on lot No. 22 Alexander Street, Charleston. 108 When Charlestown was captured its name and associations rendered the Liberty Tree an object of hatred to the British, it was cut down and burned, the low blackened stump was all that re- mained of this historic tree. COL. SAMUEL WARREN'S "LEG"-ACY Colonel Samuel Warren, of St. James, San- tee, had some English aunts, loyal and devoted to their King. When they learned that their nephew had decided to join the Patriots and fight for the liberty of his country, they were bitter and un- christian enough to send him word that they hoped that he would lose a leg or an arm. At the siege of Savannah he lost a leg. So he dutifully deter- mined to let them have a visible evidence that their wish had been realized, and he had his leg, carefully preserved in alcohol, sent to the loyal ladies. CAPTURE OF WILLIAM SAUNDERS William Saunders, a grandson of the pioneer settler, was one of Marion's men. On one occa- sion, having been given a furlough that he might visit his family, he was captured by a party of British soldiers near Rafting Creek. He feigned illness, hoping that they would pass him by and not make him a prisoner, but the wily British said that he was undoubtedly very sick and that bleed- ing was necessary, and at once proceeded, as they 109 thought, to bleed him to death, leaving him sup- posedly in a dying condition. They then went on their way, but he recovered and lived to fight again. BETHEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH The Methodist Church was organized in Amer- ica in 1784, and at once took root in Charlestown. A wooden building was erected on the site, corner of Pitt and Calhoun Streets, and in this building the sainted Wesley preached when he visited Charlestown. The present brick edifice^^ was erected and dedicated in 1853, and the old building moved to the rear of the lot and faced on Calhoun Street. It was used as a Sunday school building. Subsequently a new wooden Sunday school building was erected, and the old historic church building was moved across to the north side of Calhoun Street, and is now used by a congregation of col- ored Methodists^^. This old wooden building is one of the oldest church buildings in the City, and is historically memorable as that in which Wesley ministered. A very handsome brick Sunday school building has very recently replaced the wooden building. With great wisdom the Methodist Church, and this one in particular, has fostered its Sunday school, as a prolific breeding place of Christians. 65Brick Church building corner Pitt and Calhoun Streets, Charleston. 66 Old wooden chiircli, No. 222 Calhoun Street, north side. 110 GABRIEL MANIGAULT AND HIS GRANDSON OFFER THEIR SERVICES The devotion of the Patriots and their loyalty to the cause of liberty is well shown by the follow- ing story: Gabriel Manigault, a Huguenot, was the richest merchant in Carolina during the Colo- nial period. At the time of the Revolution, he was far beyond the age of military service, but his pecuniary aid was not wanting and he contributed largely, out of his great fortune, to the Patriots' cause. When the British appeared before Charles- town in May, 1779, though Mr. Manigault was past seventy-five years of age, he determined that the place of his birth should not fall without some exertion, however feeble, on his part. His son having died, his grandson, Joseph Manigault. then only fifteen years of age, was in his charge. Equipping himself and his grandson as soldiers, he took the boy by his hand to the lines in t^he face of the enemy, from whom an attack was im- pending, and offered the services of his grandson and himself in the defence of the City. GALLANT RASHNESS OF COLONEL JOHN LAURENS Of Colonel John Laurens, one of South Caro- lina's most distinguislhed and heroic patriots, it has been said that his gallantry in action was highly characteristic of his love of fame. The post of danger was his favorite station. Some, even, with much truth, style his intrepidity the height of rash- ness. Let one instance suffice : 111 Captain O'Neal of Lee's Legion had been ordered to cross the Ashley River with a troop of cavalry and company of infantry, but properly waited for a boat he had sent for. Col. Laurens rode up and demanded with warmth, "Why this halt. Captain? Were not orders given to cross?" "Yes, Colonel, but look to the current and judge if it be practi- cable." "This is no time for argument," rejoined Laurens, "you who are brave men follow me." He plunged into the river, was overwhelmed by the current and with great difficulty reached shore. O'Neal, than whom no braver man lived, indignant at the speech of Laurens, replied, "You shall see, sir, that there are men here as brave as yourself," and at the head of his troop, dashed into the river. The scene that followed justified Capt. O'Neal's prudence. All was tumult and confusion. No life was lost, several were nearly drowned, and all were so much exhausted that a temporary halt was nec- HOW PATRICK CALHOUN ADVOCATED POPULAR SUFFRAGE Patrick Calhoun was the father of Carolina's mosc eminent statesman, John C. Calhoun. Soon after the Revolution, when a revision was being made of the laws, among them that referring to suffrage, there was a party in favor of restricting suffrage to those with property qualifications. This aroused the patriotic and democratic feeling of old Patrick Calhoun, and he determined not to submit 112 to such an aristocratic measure, and to defend the right of suffrage at all hazards. Failing to con- vince, by argument, his opponents, he shouldered his rifle, rallied his neightbors, who also armed themselves, and placing old Patrick at their head. Patrick Calhoun and His Friends Going to the Polls. (Copy of an old engraving) they marched to the polls, within twenty-three miles of Charlestown, and compelled a change of the voting. This made old Patrick so popular that he was elected a member of the State Legislature, in which he continued for many years. RIVERS, ON THE EARLY HUGUENOT SETTLEMENT Writing of the early Huguenot settlement and immigration, the historian Rivers says : "The nobility and wealthier portion of the refu- gees" (from France, after the revocation of the 113 Edict of Nantz) "remained nearer their old homes, in England and on the Continent. Those who ventured to America were generally tradesmen, agriculturalists, and merchants. Merchants, gold- smiths, watchmakers, shipwrights, block makers, sail makers, coopers, weavers, leather dressers, gardeners, apothecaries, gunsmiths, wheelwrights and other artisans found a home and employment in Charles Town; while about seventy families set- tled in Craven County, on the Santee (and some on Cooper River and at Goose Creek), and indus- triously set to work in clearing and cultivating the ground. Their coming was a happy event. The Colony needed such men. Sobriety and earnest labor brought to the destitute exile, competence and accumulating comforts. Such as had been able to fetch money with them and had purchased lands and slaves, soon saw themselvesi surrounded by the teeming plenty of fertile plantations." "Governor Sothell had the wisdom to see the usefulness and noble character of these immigrants and as soon as he had power, all French and Swiss Protestants were, by law, constituted as free bom in the Colony and of equal rights with the other settlers." The action of Governor Sothell did not, how- ever, meet the approval of the Lords Proprietors, which action alone showed their total inefficiency for the high trust they held. 114 CUPID RESPECTS NOT POLITICAL DIFFERENCES During the British occupation of Charlestown, a very large part of the population just had to re- main in their homes in the City. Social life went on measurably as usual. Friendships, enmities, companionship, love and hate, took their usual courses. British tyranny could not quiet the tongues John Teasdale House, Bast Bay. of the fair ones. In fact, they must have been al- lowed by their enemies a certain amount of free- dom of language. Perhaps it is just to acknowl- edge the endurance of the British, of the witty, fearless, patriotic words of Mrs. Brewton. How- 115 ever, she was so outspoken they finally exiled her to Philadelphia. There must have been a certain amount of social intercourse between those of differing political sen- timents. Some of the British officers found brides among the loyalist women, and some of the loyal British subjects were married to the most patriotic girls. The union of Mr. John Teasdale and Miss Mary Verree was an instance of the latter. Joseph Verree was one of the earliest and most devoted patriots, having been a member of the First Provincial Congress. His daughter, Mary, who certainly must have imbibed his patriotism, fell captive to the charms of Mr. John Teasdale, then a merchant in Charlestown, and a British sub- ject. Mr. Teasdale left with the British when they evacuated the City, but his attachment to Miss Verree forced him back after peace was established and he came and married her. He built a home for his bride on East Bay^^, near Water Street. While a few bales of Cotton Wool, had been sporadically shipped, even as early as 1758, yet John Teasdale was the merchant who opened up the Cotton trade, as his first shipment of eight bales from America was continuously followed by himself and others, without a break, and thus es- tablished a business which has gradually grown to as many million bales. (The Author is the great grandson of this couple.) 67 Teasdale residence, No. 43 East Bay. 116 SIXTY-SIX BATTLES AND ENGAGEMENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE DURING THE REVOLUTION IN LOWER CAROLINA; that portion of the State of South Carolina lying between the falls of the rivers and the sea coast; with their location as far as possible, by their pres- ent designations. Information from McCrady's History of South Carolina. Naval Battle in Charlestown Harbor, Nov. 11th and 12tli, 1775. ^^Charlestown Harbor, between Fort Johnson and Shute's Folly Island. American schooner Defence, Capt. Simon Tufts; British vessels Tamar and Cherokee, Capt. Thorn- brough. No casualties. Americans succeed. Battle of Fort Moultrie, June 28th, 1776. ^^ Sullivan's Island, and also east end of island. Americans in fort 435, commanded by Col. Wm. Moultrie. At east end of island 780, commanded by Col. Wm. Thomson. At other points around the harbor, but not engaged, 5,307, whole command- ed by Gen. Chas. Lee. British on Long Island, commanded by Clinton, 2,800. Fleet, 11 vessels, carrying 270 guns, commanded by Admiral Sir Peter Parker. Loss: Americans, 96; British, 200. First complete American victory. Battle of Beaufort, Febniary 12th, 1779. ''^Port Royal Island. Americans 300, under Col. Moultrie. British 117 200, under Maj. Gardiner. American loss, 30. American victory. Battle of Coosawhatchie, May 3rd, 1779. ^^Near town of Pocotaligo. Small rear guard action, 350 men under Col. John Laurens. Loss 20. British advancing under Prevost. Details wanting. Battle of Charlestown, May 11th, to 13th, 1779. ^^Crossing at Bee's Ferry, the British moved down the neck, and fighting took place outside of lines, say north of Calhoun Street. Americans 2,500, under Gen. Moultrie. British 2,400 men, under Gen. Prevost. Losses: Ameri- can, 42 ; British, 45. British retire, defeated. Battle of Stono, June 20th, 1779. ^''At Stono Ferry to John's Island, Americans 1,000, under Lincoln. British 500, under Col. Maitland. Losses : Americans, 165 ; British, 129. One of the hardest fought battles of the war. British victory. Battle of Matthews Plantation, June 1779. ■^^On Stono River. Details missing, but most of the Beaufort Com- pany were killed or wounded. Capture of British Vessels, June, 1779. '^Off mouth of Stono River. Captains Hall, Tryon and Anthony, and others, 118 put to sea and attacked seven British vessels, cap- turing two and destroying one. Galley Fight on Stono River, June, 1779. '^Stono River, near Wappoo Creek. Galleys under Captain Pyrne attack British, and make some captures. American loss. 6 men. American Schooner, Rattlesnake, Resists Attack, June 1779 "^^In Stono River. British force, 6o. Attack repulsed with greater part of men lost. Engagement at Salkehatchie, March 18th, 1780. ^^Salkehatchie. Americans 50, under Lieut. Ladson, attacked British, and were all killed, wounded or captured. Battle of Pon-Pon, March 20th, 1780. '^^Pon-Pon, in Colleton County. Americans, under Col. Wm. Washington, meet British under Tarleton. Loss: American, 14. Battle of Rantowles, March 27th, 1780. ^^Gov. Rutledge's plantation, between Rantowles Bridge and Ashley Ferry. Americans, under Col. Wm. Washington; Brit- ish, under Tarleton. Forces and losses unknown. Americans victorious. 119 Battle of Monck's Comer, April 12th, 1780. ■'^Monck's Corner, near Biggin Bridge, on Cooper River. Americans lOO, under Gen. Huger; British 150, under Col Tarleton. Losses: American, 33; Brit- ish, 2. British victory. Siege of Charlestown, March-May, 1780. ■^^In front of and before the City. Americans 5,941, under Gen. Lincoln. British Army 13,000, under Gen. Clinton, and navy under Admiral Arbuthnot. Losses, killed and wounded : Americans, 258; British, 287. City captured and garrison prisoners. Battle of Lenud's Ferry, May 18th, 1780. ^^Lenud's Ferry, on southern bank of Santee River. Americans 300, under Col. White. British 150, under Col. Tarleton. Losses : American, 35 ; Brit- ish, 2. Americans dispersed. Capture at Hunt's Bluff, August 1st, 1780. ''On Pee Dee River, about twenty-five miles be- low Cheraw, on East bank. Americans, under Thomas. British, 100, under Col. Mills. Entire British force and vessels cap- tured. Battle of Wateree, August 15th, 1780. ®°Camden Ferry across Wateree, at Carey's Fort, on west bank. 120 Americans 700, under Gen. Sumter. British, under Col. Carey. Tories completely routed. Battle of Camden, August 16th, 1780. *^Eight miles north of Camden, and one mile north of Gum Swamp, or Saunders Creek. Americans 3,500, under Gen. Gates. British 2,339, under Lord Cornwallis. Losses: American, 2,070; British, 336. British victory. Engagement at Nelson's Ferry. ^2 Nelson's Ferry, Santee River. Small affair of Marion's. Engagement at Kings-Tree, August 27th, 1780. *'Near present town of Kingstree. Marion's men under Maj. James dashed on rear of Wemyss' British Column, and made some cap- tures. Battle of Black Mingo, September 14th, 1780. "Shepherd's Ferry, on the south side of Black Mingo. Americans 150, under Gen. Marion. Tories, under Capt. Ball. Losses: Americans, 50; British, 60. American attack failed. Battle of Tarcote Swamp, September, 1780. ®'In the fork of Black River. Americans 400, under Marion. Tories, under Col. Tynes. Losses: American, none; British, 26. American victory. 121 De Peyster's Capture, January 19th, 1781. ^^Postell's Plantation, on the Pee Dee, near mouth of Black River. Americans 28, under Capt. John Postell. Brit- ish 29, under Capt. James DePeyster. Total cap- ture of British. Engagement at White's Bridge, January, 1781. ®^0n Sampit Road, about two miles from George- town. Americans, under Col. Peter Horry, attack Brit- ish and Tories, under Col. Gainey, and drove them into Georgetown. Numbers and loss unknown, but heavy on the part of the British. Attack on Georgetown, January 24th, 1781. ^'^Town of Georgetown. Americans, under Marion and Lee. British, under Col. Campbell. Numbers and losses missing. Partisans entered the town, captured some officers and men, and then were forced to leave. Engagement at Wadboo Bridge, January 24th, 1781. ^^Bridge crosses Fair Forest Swamp, about one and a half miles south of Biggin Church, near western branch of Cooper River. Americans, under Capt. John Postell, captured British supplies. Forces and losses unknown. Engagement at Monck's Corner, June 24th, 1781. ^^Keithfield Plantation, near Monck's Corner. Col. James Postell and party of Partisans, raid 122 on British at Manigault's Ferry and Monck's Cor- ner, capturing supplies. Numbers and losses un- known. Engagement at Singleton's Mill, February, 1781. '-"^Near Halfway Swamp, about twenty miles from Charlestown, St. Thomas' Parish. Americans, under Marion, attack British, under Maj. McLeroth. Numbers and losses unknown. American victory. Attack on Fort Granby, February 19th, 1781. ^^On west bank of Congaree, about one and a half miles below Columbia. Americans, under Sumter, and British, under Maj. Maxwell. Numbers and losses unknown. Fort relieved by Lord Rawdon. Battle of Thompson's Plantation, February 23rd, 1781. ^2 About thirty-five miles from Granby, in Cal- houn County, near Fort Motte. Americans lOO, Sumter. British 8o. Losses : American, unknown; British, 79. American vic- tory. Attack on Fort Watson, at Wright's Bluff, February 27th, 1781 45Wright's Blufif, east bank of Santee, near Nel- son's Ferry. Americans, under Sumter, repulsed. 123 Battle of Wiboo Swamp, March 6th, 1781. ®* About midway between Nelson's and Murray's Ferries, on Santee, in Clarendon County. Americans 250, under Marion, British 500, under Col. Watson. Losses, unknown. British dis- persed. Engagement at Mount Hope, Black River, March, 1781. ®^In Williamsburg County. Americans, under Marion. Tories, under Wat- son. Numbers and losses, unknown. Tories dis- persed. Engagement at Sampit Bridge, March, 1781. ^^In Georgetown County, near the town. Americans, under Marion. Tories, under Wat- son. Numbers and losses, unknown. Capture of Snow's Island, March, 1781. ^^Marion's Camp, in the Pee Dee Swamp. Attack by Tories under Col. Doyle and, in Mar- ion's absence, captured, and all supplies destroyed, driving off small guard left. Capture of Four Holes, April 7th, 1781. ^''^In Dorchester County, near Southern Railway station of Dorchester. Americans 100, under Col. Wm. Harden. Brit- ish 26, under Barton. Entire British force killed, wounded or captured. 124 Engagement at Barton's Post, April 8th, 1781. ^^Six miles from Four Holes Swamp, Colleton County. Americans, under Maj. Cooper, attack British under Barton, and capture entire party. Engagement on Pocotaligo Road, April Sth, 1781. ■^^Near Pocotaligo. Americans, under Maj. Cooper, attack British, under Maj. Fenwick, with 91 men. Loss: Ameri- cans, 6; British, 10. Both sides retreated. Capture of Fort Balfour, April 13th, 1781. ^^At Pocotaligo. Americans, under Col. Harden. British 91, under Maj. Fenwick. Losses: Americans, none; British, entire garrison. Americans capture fort. Siege of Fort Watson, April 15th to 23rd, 1781. ^^Near Wright's Bluff, on Santee River, Claren- don County. Americans 380, under Gen. Marion and Col. Lee. British 120, under Lieut. James McKay. Losses: American, 8; British, 120. Fort captured by Americans. Battle of Wiggins HiU, April, 1781. ®°In Barnwell County, below Briar Creek, be- tween Coosawhatchie and Augusta. Americans, under Harden. Tories 670, under Col. Browne. Losses: Americans, 19; British, un- known. Americans defeated. 125 Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, April 25th, 1781. ^°^0n the outskirts of Camden. Americans 939, under Gen. Greene. British 900, under Lord Rawdon. Losses: Americans, 268; British, 258. Americans defeated. Capture of Orangeburg, May 11th, 1781. ^^^Town of Orangeburg. Americans 500, under Gen. Sumter, captured British, 100 men. Capture of Fort Motte, May Uth, 1781. ^^Near present town of Fort Motte. Americans 380, under Gen. Marion and Col. Lee, capture British, 150 men, under Lieut. Mc- Pherson. Capture of Fort Granby, May 15th, 1781. ^^Granby, on the west side of Congaree River, about one and a half miles below Columbia. Americans 300, Gen. Sumter and Col. Lee, cap- ture British, 150, under Maj. Maxwell. Col. Mydelton Ambuscaded, June, 1781. ^•^^Lexington County, near Congaree River. Americans 150, under Col. Mydelton, ambus- caded by British, under Major Coffin. American losses, 105. Americans defeated. 126 Attack on Partisans at Horse Shoe, July 8th, 1781. ^"^In Colleton County, near Edisto River. Americans under Col. Hayne, British under Maj. Fraser. American loss 15, besides Col. Isaac Hayne captured. Americans defeated. Attack on Quarter House, July 15th, 1781. ^^■* About five miles from Charlestown, on the State Road. Americans, under Col. Wade Hampton. British, under Lieut. Waugh. Americans successful. Battle of Quinby Bridge, July, 1781. ^•^^ Bridge across eastern branch of Cooper River, in Berkeley County, near Shubrick's Plantation, about twenty miles from Charlestown. Americans 700, under Gen. Sumter. British 700, under Col. Coates. Losses: American, 60; Brit- ish, 145. American attack failed. Whigs Dispersed in the Fork of the Edisto, August, 1781. io6J7qj.j^ of Edisto, in Orangeburg County. Americans, under Rumph. Tories, under Con- naway. British Ambuscaded at Parker's Ferry, August 31st, 1781. ^^'On Edisto River, in Colleton County. Americans 200, under Gen. Marion. British, un- der Fraser. Heavy British loss, exact numbers un- known. 127 Battle of Eutaw Springs, September 9th, 1781. ^°*Near present town of Eutawville. Americans 2,098, under Gen. Greene. British 2,300, under Col. Stuart. Losses: American, 517; British, 664. American victory. Moore's Surprise, November, 1781. ^"^Between Orangeburgh and Rowe's Plantation, two miles from Orangeburgh. Americans, number unknown, under Maj. Moore, surprised by 500 Tories under Qen. Cunningham, and routed. American loss, 12. Captixre of Fair Lawn, November 27th, 1781. *^®0n west branch of Cooper River, near Monck's Corner. Americans 380, under Cols. Shelby and Maham. capture garrison of 80, and valuable supplies. Col. Richard Hampton Surprised, November, 1781. ^^^Town of Orangeburgh. Americans under Col. Richard Hampton sur- prised by Tories, under Col. Wm. Campbell, and routed. Numbers and losses, unknown. Capture of Dorchester, December 1st, 1781. ^®Town of Old Dorchester. Americans, under Col. Wade Hampton, defeated British reconnoitering party, and capture town. 128 Battle of Videau's Bridge, January 3rd, 1782. ^^On Brabant's Plantation, then property of Rev, Robt. Smith, on east branch Cooper River, near French Quarter Creek. Americans, under Col. Richard Richardson, at- tacked by 350 British, under Maj. Coffin. Losses : Americans, jj; British, 2. Americans routed. Battle of Wambaw Creek, February 24th, 1782. "^Durant's Plantation and Christ Church Road, St. James, Santee, Parish. Americans, under Col. McDonald. British, under Thompson. Losses : Americans, 44. Amer- icans surprised and defeated. Battle of Tidyman's Plantation, February 25th, 1782. ^^^Tidyman's Plantation, on the Santee River, near Wambaw Bridge. Americans, under Marion. British, under Col. Thompson. Losses : Americans, 32. Americans defeated. Capture of British Galley, March 19th, 1782. *^^High up Ashley River, exact location un- known. Americans, under Capt. Michael Rudolph, cap- ture galley. British loss, 32. Engagement Near Dorchester, April 24th, 1782. '*Near town of Dorchester. Americans, under O'Neal. British, under Capt. Dawkins. American loss, 9. Americans defeated. 129 Tories Dispersed at Dean Swamp, May, 1782. ^^*Dean Swamp, branch of South Edisto River, Orangeburgh County. Americans, under Captains Watson and Butler, attack troop of Tories, and disperse the same. Gainey Surrenders to Marion at Bowling Green, June 8th, 1782. "^Marion County. Americans, under Marion, capture 500 Tories under Col. Gainey, June 8th, 1782. American loss, I. Skirmish at Combahee, August 25th, 1782. ^^^Twelve miles below the Ferry, on the north side of the Combahee. Americans 60, under Col. John Laurens. Brit- ish 140, under Brereton. Losses: American, 24; British, 7. Post captured by British. Engagement of Capers' Scouts, August, 1782. ^^^ Berkeley County. Americans 12, under Capt. G. S. Capers. Brit- ish 26. Losses: Americans, 2; British, 26. Brit- ish defeated. CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW'S Among the relics of the early days in Carolina stands the Parish Church of St. Andrew's®'. This Parish was laid off in 1706, and a plain brick church 63ls on the Ashley River Road, about half a mile below Bee's Ferry, where Church Creek crosses the road. 130 built. In 1723 this was added to, making it in the form of a cross, forty feet long and fifty-two wide, with a handsome chancel twelve feet deep and twenty- four feet wide; it was neatly finished and had commodious pews. At the west end was a gallery originally intended for those who had no pews, but afterwards appropriated to the colored St. Andrew's Parish Church. people. At the east end was a large window, and another on each side of the communion table. This church was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1764, and now remains one of the few which have es- caped the vicissitudes of two revolutions. GENERAL SUMTER'S HOME IN THE HIGH HILLS OF SANTEE General Thomas Sumter, of Revolutionary fame, made his home amidst the High Hills of 131 Santee. When sore pressed by the British, Gen- eral Sumter would take refuge in the dense swamps of the Wateree ; here he and his men at times regu- larly camped. The days were long and the meals were often scant in this modest retreat, so when the opportunity presented, they all came out to the hills for food. Mrs. Sumter was quite accustomed to having a hearty dinner prepared in the dead of night for this band of Patriots. One night the feast had just been placed before them, when the watchman cried out, "The British are coming!" In mad haste they rushed away. General Sumter seized a large ham and carried it safely to the depths of the swamp; there he finished his repast under the shining stars. When General Sumter's residence was destroyed by Tarleton's men, Mrs. Sumter took refuge at "Hill Crest"*^^, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hooper. This house still stands upon a commanding hill, the lawn slopes gently down to the old coach road, which had been blazed out by William Saunders, the pioneer. Tales of hospitality, romance and war, are natural possessions of this ancient homestead. "When the tale of these High Hills of Santee is told it will be no history of dreams, but of men who helped to make a nation. Their inspirations were not bounded by the lofty forests. Nor their strength measured by the mighty hills. Infinite possibilities of successful achievements, wrought by 68Hill Crest, near Sumter, S. C, R. F. D. No. 3. 132 patient courage, have come down to us a precious heritage. And so we have to climb the heights ere we reach our treasurehouse of memories." A SURGEON AS A DESPATCH CARRIER The ride of Dr. William Reed, carrying the most important information to General Greene, bears high testimony to his endurance and patriotic devotion. It was not the duty of a surgeon to be a bearer of despatches, but the importance of the news carried by Dr. Reed justified and made most valuable, this distinguished service. Dr. William Reed, a surgeon, whose principal service was with the armies of the North, had a hospital at Charlotte, N. C, and was called upon to exercise great zeal and activity in carrying des- patches to General Greene. These despatches re- lated to the capture of Cornwallis by Washington. Dr. Reed rode eighty miles in ten hours, laid down at Camden for four hours, and then proceeded on at the rate of nine miles an hour, on the same horse and reached General Greene at Gabriel Guignard's house. He knew the importance of General Greene knowing the fate of Cornwallis before the British, under Lord Rawdon, should hear it. Greene immediately moved down and fought the Battle of Eutaw, before the British retreat could reach Charlestown. He gave the British a severe dressing, which contributed largely to the final suc- cess of the war. 133 MAJOR POSTELL CAPTURES A BRITISH PARTY Major John Postell, of Marion's men, was stationed to guard the lower part of the Pee Dee River. While there, Capt. James de Peyster, of the Royal army, with twenty-nine grenadiers, took post in the home of Major Postell's father^^. Learning of this, Major Postell and his men soon reached the house. He posted his small command of twenty-eight men in positions to command the doors, and then advancing to the house demanded a surrender. This being refused, he set fire to an outhouse, and then proceeded to burn the main house. Nothing but the immediate surrender of the whole party restrained^ him from sacrificing his ancestral home to gain an advantage for his coun- try. RALPH IZARD EVADES HIS ENEMIES Ralph Izard, then aide-de-camp to Col. Lee of the Legion, was temporarily at his home, Fair Spring Mansion House*^^, near the public road, a little above Bacon's Bridge. The British learned this, and sent a party to capture him. He had just time to conceal himself in a clothespress, when the enemy reached his house. Nothing saved him but the composure and urbanity of his wife, who main- tained her self control, notwithstanding the threat of soOn the Pee Dee, near the mouth of Black River, iisjs on the Charleston-Orangeburg Road, about one mile northwest of Bacon's Bridge. K'54 personal indignity and of the plunder of her home. The British were finally withdrawn, when Capt. Izard crossed the Ashley River, in the rear of his house, and gave the alarm to a body of American troops nearby. The British, not satisfied with their first visit, had returned and made another search, and were retiring, when the Americ'an cavalry, whom Capt. Izard had warned, dashed on them, completely routing them. SOCIAL LIFE DURING THE PROPRIETARY ERA Social life in the Colony of Carolina during the era of the Proprietary Government was in rather a formative condition, which might well have been expected in a new country which had not been reclaimed from the savages, and settled by the white man, for c^uite fifty years. Some account thereof, in 1700, has come down to us by tradition, as given by Landgrave Smith. In his courting days, he said, young girls received their beaus at three o'clock, having dinner at twelve, expecting them to withdraw about six o'clock, as many families re- tired at seven in the winter and seldom extended their sitting up in summer beyond eight o'clock, their fathers having learned to obey the curfew toll in England. The rooms were uncarpeted, and the walls and ceilings rough and unpainted. Rush bot- tom chairs were used. Landgrave Smith, however, was of the party in which the stiff and rigid morals of the Puritan were cultivated, and we are told that they were 135 made the object of ridicule by his neighbors. Law- son describes the gentleman having country seats, as very courteous, Hving very nobly, and giving very genteel entertainments. The Swiss gentleman who wrote to his friend at Berne, in 1719, so favorable an account of the Province, says that no people were more hospitable, generous, and willing to do good offices to strangers ; that everyone was ready to entertain them freely with the best they had. Though so happily situ- ated that nobody w^as obliged to beg for food, yet the charity of the inhabitants was remarkable in making provisions for the poor. Mrs. Poyas, in her "Days of Yore," says, "In these primeval times of Carolina, a cup of tea was considered a rare luxury, confined to those white days when a friend called in to chat away a social afternoon ; trying to investigate the true cause of the death of her host's tabby cat, or to resume that theme for endless regret, that 'So many of the new comers were still crowded in low wooden sheds, and regaled with sour buttermilk and a viand which, although dignified with the name of veni- son, they did strongly suspect was nothing better than bear or wolf flesh.' Trials considered of suf- ficient importance by those kind-hearted dames to call forth a shower of tears and a breeze of sighs. Then it was gravely recommended that all should be pedestrians, if indeed they must go abroad at all, since it would be a proof of great activity and good management in any equestrian who could put his horse safely through the wilderness or keep him- 136 self from the exalted fate of Absalom. That busy and thriving race had loved each other. When they knew of the sick they repaired thither, and if a three-stringed fiddle was heard at a neighbor's door, all were in attendance, and should any un- lucky wight refuse to take part in whatever was proposed for the innocent amusement of the whole, rendered themselves the theme for endless jest." MAJOR JOHN VANDER HORST HAS A NARROW ESCAPE At White Hall Plantation^^^ several gentlemen were dining. Major John Vander Horst being one, Hearing the enemy was approaching, he raised the sash, and was about to jump out of the window, but the tail of his coat was caught by the heavy sash and held him suspended until it tore off. He es- caped to the graveyard, and hid near the spot where one of the Hall family was buried, the stone being still visible there, though not legible. A white oak tree on the road, leading into the place, shows where three Tories were hung by the Whigs. THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOCIETY, FOUNDED 1737 The South Carolina Society was one of the earliest benevolent institutions in this country. It originated in the year 1737, with a few French Protestants, who met once a week, at a tavern at iioWhite Hall is on the McClellanville Road, about seven miles from Mt. Pleasant, is the home of Mr. Philip L. Porcher. 137 the northeast comer of Broad and Church Streets; each contributed a small sum (two bits, or four- half-pence) for charitable purposes, and the So- ciety was for some time known as the Two-Bit Club. It was incorporated in 1751, under the name of The South Carolina Society, and increased so rapidly that, in 1770, it had three hundred and sixty members, and a capital of £7,500, sterling. The Society continued to prosper, and much good was effected by giving aid to the needy families of deceased members, and educating their children. The HalP^'^ of the Society is situated on the east side of Meeting Street, a short distance south of St. Michael's Church. It is a substantial structure of two stories and a high basement. The second story contains a fine hall, on the wall of which are marble tablets, with the names of the persons who have made donations or bequests to the Society. On the front of the colonnade, which extends over the sidewalk, the seal of the Society is represented, consisting of a hand holding an olive branch, with the legend, "Posteritati." THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON The College of Charleston was proposed, and the initiatory steps were taken for its foundation as early as 1770. But the Revolutionary War de- layed the fruition of the idea, and the College was not finally established until 1790. Thus early did i20Hall of Society No. 72 Meeting Street, just below Broad Street, east side. 138 South Carolina show her desire to give her sons the advantages of higher education. The work of the College has been continued to this day, and many of the most distinguished Charlestonians point with pride to their diplomas from that valued institution. It is situated on and embraces the square bounded by St. Philip, College, Green, and George Streets. THE PINCKNEY HOUSE IN CHARLESTOWN Colonial Home of Charles Cotesworth I'inckuey, Charlestown. Burued in the Great Fire of 1861. The home of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, on East Bay, corner of Pinckney Street, Charles- town^^ \ was a grand old mansion, perhaps one of i2iThis house stood in East Bay, at the corner of Pinck- ney Street. 139 the finest in Carolina, if not in all the Colonies. Its situation was charming. The waters of the Harbor washed East Bay Street in its front, and from its many windows loomed a magnificent view of the entire bay. During the British possession of the City, it was "appropriated" by some of the higher officers. At one time Colonel Cruden, the Agent of Sequestered Estates, occupied it as his home and official headquarters. A glowing ac- count of a brilliant ball given by the British colonel comes down to us. This was attended by the British officers and many of the loyal ladies, and by some of the rebel dames, who thought it policy to mix socially with them. The rebel women were outspoken to their enemies, and it seems to have been permitted with leniency. The Pinckney mansion stood intact, surrounded by its spacious and beautiful gardens, until swept away by the great fire of 1861. FIRST SITE OF CHARLESTOWN The first permanent settlers in Carolina were English emigrants sent out by the Lords Proprie- tors under the leadership of Col. William Sayle. They arrived in the year 1670 and established them- selves on the west bank of the Ashley River, about two miles above the present bridge from the City, and there laid out a town which they called Charles Town^^^. Of this nothing now remains 122 Is on the Ashley River Road, about two miles above the bridge. 140 but a ditch or two, said to mark some of the old sites, and the name "Old Town Creek," characteriz- ing the creek which formed one of the boundaries. The "Children of the American Revolution" have placed a slab to mark this historic spot. The set- tlement was, within ten years of its founding, re- moved to the more advantageous site, the Charles- town, known so well in history. HOW POLITICS WERE RUN IN 1768 Some of the politicians of the present day would like, doubtless, to know how elections were con- ducted in the olden times. The wire-pullers of to- day have not greatly improved on old methods, and in essentials, the same means were used to secure results and bring out "The voice of the people." The following account is taken from McCrady's History of South Carolina : "The mechanics in Charlestown had not for- gotten their pledge made around the Liberty Tree. Quite a number gathered there on Saturday, the ist of October, 1768, to consult upon the proper persons to represent them in the ensuing Assembly. They first held a meeting in town, which was numerously attended, and which constituted what would now be called a canvass or nominating con- vention. Several gentlemen were put up for the nomination in the two town parishes. A vote was taken and upon a count a great majority were in favor of Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Smith, Sr., and Hopkins Price, for St. Philip's Parish, and 141 Thomas Smith (designated as B-S — i. e. Broad Street), and Thomas Savage for St. Michael. Henry Laurens and Charles Pinckne^y, whose names had been suggested, failed to get the nomination of the mechanics. "The matter being settled without the least ani- mosity or irregularity, the Gazette goes on to say, the party partook of a plain and hearty entertain- ment, provided, it seems, by some of the candidates, ( Rather more open handed and manly than buying votes.) About five o'clock they adjourned to the Liberty Tree^^, described by the Gazette as a noble oak in Mr. Mazyck's pasture, which they had for- mally dedicated to Liberty. There many loyal, patriotic and constitutional toasts were drunk" (at the candidates' expense, it is to be presumed) "be- ginning with 'the glorious ninety-two ante re- scinders of Massachusetts Bay' and ending with 'Unanimity among the members of the ensuing Assembly not to rescind from the said resolution.' In the evening, the Liberty Tree was decorated with forty-five lights, and forty-five sky rockets were fired, in honor of Wilkes and the North Briton No. 45. Then the whole company, preceded by forty-five of their number, carrying as many lights, marched in regular procession to town, down King Street to Broad Street, to Dillon's Tavern, where forty-five lights were placed on the table and forty- five bowls of punch, forty-five bottles of wine, and ninety-two glasses. Around these the party spent "Liberty Tree stood on lot No. 22 Alexander Street. 142 some hours more in a new round of toasts, among which, we are told, that scarce a celebrated patriot of Britain or America was omitted." Oh! the big heads the next morning! GOVERNOR JOHNSON INTRODUCES RICE CULTURE Governor Sir Nathaniel Johnson, early in the eighteenth century, for he died in 1713, owned "Silk Hope"^^*, on the Cooper River. Rice being introduced into Carolina, he entered into many trials of different kinds of the grain and of the soil to ascertain w^hich promised the best results. He, before others, built mills and other machinery for preparing the grain for market. It is said that it was owing altogether to his example and experi- ments that the planters were induced to engage in the cultivation of rice as a general crop. During the Revolution, Lord Cornwallis had his head- quarters at Gov. Johnson's place, for many months. He was buried on his place, and his grave was surrounded with a brick wall by Mr. Gabriel Mani- gault, and it still remains to mark the resting place of the illustrious dead. i240n the eastern branch of Cooper River, near Quinby Creek. 143 THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. GEORGE'S, DORCHESTER The most conspicuous ruin remaining on the site of the colonial village of Dorchester is the shattered old tower of the Parish Church of St. George's, Dorchester (Church of England)^^. The statute providing for its construction was en- acted in 1 719. The construction was immediately commenced, and by 1720 all the exterior work was completed. The building was of brick, fifty (50) feet long by thirty (30) feet wide, besides the chancel. It is said to have received serious in- juries at the hands of the British, during the Revo- lutionary War. It was partially repaired in 181 1, but its congregation had departed and church serv- ices could not be maintained. Dalcho says that in 1820 it was in a ruinous state, without a rector, and its records all lost. Some years later it took fire, from a forest fire, and it was partially de- stroyed. The earthquake of 1886 completed the destruction of the church building, leaving only the ruined tower. The communion plate passed into the possession of St. Paul's Church, Summer- ville, which subsequently, reserving one or two pieces, parted with it to St. Michael's, Charleston. S90n site of old town of Dorchester, opposite ruins of old fort, on the Charleston-Orangeburg road. 144 RUINS OF ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, DORCHESTER. THE ANCIENT MILL DAM (1699) IN SUMMERVILLE Near the extension of Fourth South Street, Summerville, still remains parts of the old dam across Saw Mill Branch, where there stood a saw mill, which was operated in 1699^^^, Daniel Axtell of Sudburry, Mass., of no relationship to Lady Axtell, the widow of the Landgrave of the same name, married Thankful Pratt, daughter of William Pratt, one of the original settlers of Dorchester. When he came to Carolina is not known, but he was there in 1699, carrying on a saw mill and tar and turpentine business. He kept a sort of day book of accounts, which was in 1905 in the hands of his descendant, Mr. Joshua Eddy Crane, of Bridgeport, Mass. Robert Fenwick, in 1700, ob- tained a grant of one thousand (1,000) acres. The old mill and dam is either on a part of the original Dorchester grant or the grant to Fenwick. As early as 1729 the land where the old mill dam ran across the swamp was known as "Saw Mill Land." It was not the "Mill Land" near the town of Dor- chester, and so described on the plats. In 1882, before the present canal down the swamp was ex- cavated, the dam was practically intact. Some of the old mill timbers, of solid cypress, remained on the old site. The oldest inhabitant could remember no one who had seen the mill run, and the growth of pines on the pond showed that no water could have been kept there for a century. The mill site I23ln Saw Mill Branch, near extension of Fourth South Street, in the town of Summerville. 145 has no historic interest, except for its antiquity. In our country of yesterday and tomorrow, any- thing over two hundred years old is a wonderful relic. BIRTHPLACE OF THE FIRST CAROLINA BABY, AND OF THE RICE CULTURE Tradd's house stood on the northwest corner of Tradd and East Bay Streets^^'. This was the birthplace of Robert Tradd, said to have been the first child born in the town. Thomas Pinckney, being a merchant as well as a planter, lived in a house which stood opposite to the Tradd house, at the southwest corner of East Bay and Tradd Streets^^^, which he built in 1692. Landgrave Smith's house was on the southwest corner of East Bay and Longitude Lane^^^, only one block from the Tradd house. On the lot in the rear of this, it is believed that the first rice raised in Carolina was planted about the year 1693. MOULTRIE AND PINCKNEY AT SNEE'S FARM When Charlestown was captured by the British in May, 1780, Generals Moultrie, Charles Pinck- ney, and some other officers of note, were plated on the Pinckney Plantation, known as Snee's i25East Bay, northwest corner of Tradd Street. i26East Bay, southwest corner of Tradd Street. 127 East Bay, southwest corner Longitude Lane. 146 Farm^^^, having their promise not to take up arms again, which promise they fulfilled, though General Marion offered to assist them in escaping. They could not, in honor, consent. to that offer. Charles Pinckney was the owner of that place, and is buried there in the grove near the house, but not very many years ago, his grand-daughter, Mrs. Bellinger, had the stone which had been erected at Snee's Farm removed to Christ Church^^^, de- signing to place it on the inner wall of the Church. The inscription not being suitable, it was thought best to lay it upon a brick foundation outside of the Church, which was satisfactorily accomplished. WILLIAM SAUNDERS, THE PIONEER OF SUMTER COUNTY About the year 1735 William Saunders came to South Carolina and engaged in trading with the Indians. He employed a train of pack mules and several men to assist him. His goods were brought from Georgetown to the large Indian town situated very near the present site of Camden. He was the first man to blaze out a road through Central Carolina. This William Saunders is the first set- tler of whom can be found any record in what is now Sumter County. Having a family, and the Indians being very friendly to him, he soon i28Snee's Farm, on the Georgetown Road, four miles from Mt. Pleasant, owned in 1915 by Thos. P. Hamlin. i29Christ Church is on McClellanville Road, about six miles from Mt. Pleasant. 147 obtained land grants, and made his home in the section of the country which lay between the High Hills of Santee and the Indian town. The strong box in which his goods were carried for trading is still in possession of the Saunders family. ST. MARY'S, THE FIRST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHARLESTOWN St. Mary's Church — Roman Catholic — Hasell Street^^'', was the first Roman Catholic Church in South Carolina, and on its walls and its cemetery may be seen the memorials of the early members of that faith in the City. The site has been in occupation since 1789, the present is the third build- ing erected, and was built about 1840. THE OLD ENGLISH CHURCH IN GEORGETOWN The Parish of Prince George, Winyah, was set off by Act of the Assembly in 1721. The first rec- ord of any vestry thereof was their election in 1737. From 1736 until 1753, sundry Acts, wills and sub- scriptions were made for the erection of the Church building in Georgetown^^^ It is most probable that it was completed about 1754. During the Brit- ish occupancy of Georgetown the interior of the Church was burnt, but it was subsequently com- isoNos. 77-81 Hasell Street, between King and Meeting Streets', pouth side. 131 Church of Prince George Winyah, Georgetown. 148 pletely repaired, restored and enlarged. It is very quaint, and the interior has had little alteration since, maintaining the old square pews. JEWISH SYNAGOGUE, CHARLESTOWN In 1750 there were enough Jewish families in Charlestown to organize a Society and erect a Synagogue in State Street, near Queen. Its name, which has been retained to the present time, was Beth Elohim, and the first Rabbi, Rev. Isaac de Costa. In 1757 they removed, and again in 1780 to a lot near the present site in Hasell Street^^^. THE UNITARIAN CHURCH BUILDING, CHARLESTOWN The building on Archdale Street now occupied by the Unitarians'"^, was built just before the Revo- lution by Congregationalists of Circular Church, their membership being so numerous as to require two buildings. It was used by the British as a stable during their occupation of Charlestown, 1780-82. In 181 7 part of the joint congregation became converted to Unitarianism, and the property w^as divided, the Presbyterians taking the Circular Church, and the Unitarians taking the Archdale Street Church. It was remodeled in 1854, the old foundations and walls being retained. I'^SHasell Street, north side, between King and Meeting Streets. i33Nos. 6 and 8 Archdale Street, east side, between Clif- ford and Queen Streets. 149 CAROLINA OWES HER FREEDOM TO THE PARTISANS McCrady, in his History of South Carolina has not, as is too often the case, manufactured history, but after most exhaustive research and deliberate weighing of authorities, often conflicting, has cor- rectly chronicled the true history of the State. Not only this, but he often collates the facts, so as to impress their lessons. Among the many are the facts showing the great value of the Partisan troops during the Revolutionary War and their surpassing achievements, as compared with those of the Regu- lars or Continental troops. Up to the end of 1780 the loss in killed and wounded of the American and British forces is almost the same, the former losing 1,967, and the latter 1,816. This is ex- clusive of prisoners. The greater losses of the Americans were in the siege of Charlestown, the massacre of Buford's force at the Waxhaws, the Battle of Camden, and the surprise at Fishing Creek. The first three battles, Continental officers were in command — the regularly organized Con- tinental armies under Generals Lincoln and Gates lost in killed, wounded and prisoners, 8,377, while the total British loss was only 647. Whereas, the Partisan bands under their own chosen leaders had, from July 12th to Dec. 11, 1780, five months, fought twenty-six battles with a British loss of 1,200 killed and wounded, and 1,286 prisoners, a total of 2,486, while the Partisan loss was only 497 killed and wounded, and 320 prisoners, total 817. The skilled and educated Continental officers, commanding comparatively well organized and 150 equipped troops, in their battles lost thirteen times as many men as the British. The Partisans, badly armed, without pay, and with no military exper- ience, inflicted a loss on their enemy three times as great as they themselves sustained. The Con- tinentals in five years captured 31 prisoners, the Partisans in five months 1,286. The Continentals in five years killed and wounded of the British 616, the Partisans in five months killed and wounded 1,200 of the British. The Partisans were a far more eflfective organi- zation for successful results than the Continental armies. It is not surprising — the Partisan bands were composed of the most ardent and active of the people, fired with devoted patriotism and ready to make every sacrifice and bear every hardship in defence of their homes and loved ones, and they knew the country in which they operated. The Continentals were paid soldiers, largely fighting for their pay, and not animated to the same extent by the patriotic fervor of the Partisans. To the Partisans is largely due the redemption of Caro- lina from British rule. CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH AND THE BRITISH LIEUTENANT Capt. John Smith of the Third Maryland Regi- ment was captured at the Battle of Hobkirk. In surrendering he tendered his sword to a British Lieutenant, who contemptuously struck him with its broadside. To their honor be it said the other British officers of the garrison did not approve 151 such conduct, as they recognized Smith's courage, so they arranged a Httle dinner, to which both he and the Lieutenant were invited. It was agreed that Capt. Smith might treat as he chose the man who had insulted him, so he promptly proceeded to kick the fellow downstairs as soon as he showed his face in the room. The Lieutenant did not resent this indignity, and was soon after cashiered. Smith settled in this State after the war, and was long and most favorably known as Capt. John Smith of Darlington. THE CHIVALROUS TORY CAPTAIN, JOHN ADAMSON John Adamson of Camden, whose ashes lie in the Quaker section of the cemetery, was a gallant and chivalrous Tory officer. His rescue of Mrs. Martha Bratton showed his nobility. A small British squad reached her home and stated they wanted to see her husband. She replied that she did not know where he was, when a red-haired ruffian swore that he would make her know, and seizing a sickle that was hanging on the piazza, placed it in position around her neck, and drawing his sword swore that if she did not immediately tell where her husband was, he would cut her head off and split it. Mrs. Bratton did not move, but spoke in deliberate and measured tones, "I told the simple truth and could not tell if I would; but I now add, that I would not if I could." The villain's face grew pale and horrid, and just 152 as his blow was to fall, the sword and sickle fell to the floor and the wretch crouched a pitiable beggar for his life. Capt. John Adamson was the rescuer, and expressed regret to Mrs. Bratton and offered her full protection. The Americans attacked the Tory force during the night, and about daylight Mrs. Bratton was summoned out of the house by her husband, who with old Capt. Chambers was standing with drawn swords over a prostrate Red Coat. She, with some difficulty, recognized Adamson, who had been accused of offering the indignity to Mrs. Bratton. When she gave the true statement of his part in the attack on her, all their savage fierceness changed to tender care. Mrs. Bratton nursed him most skillfully and lovingly and did all she could for him, comforting him in the agonies of his frightful wound. RUNNYMEDE ON THE ASHLEY One of the most beautiful old places on the Ashley River is Runnymede, which adjoins and is just above Magnolia Gardens. It was settled before the Revolution, but no inci- dents of historic or romantic interest are, during this period, connected therewith. Soon after the Revolution, it was the home of Hon. John Julius Pringle, who was Speaker of the House of Assem- bly in 1787, and Attorney General of the State for many years from 1792. The present house, now the property of Mrs. 153 C. C. Pinckney, is modern, but the grounds are old and grand in their attractiveness. The house contains several objects of historic value, among which are some furniture, portraits, etc., from the old Pinckney House in Charleston. A portion of an ancient Indian mound lies on the place, and from the neighboring fields pots, beads, and other relics of a vanquished race have been recovered and are in the present house. In this book we have not proposed going back beyond the period of the first English settlement On Runnymede Grounds. of Carolina, but Capt. C. C. Pinckney went far beyond that, gathering many mementoes of a pre- historic era, among which are many varieties of elephant and mastadon teeth, huge teeih of sharks and bones of extinct si^ecies of fish and animals. 154 found among the phosphate deposits of lower Caro- Hna. Visitors will doubtless find welcome in the hos- pitable home and its prized trophies of the past can be viewed with the deep interest they must inspire in all cultivated minds. WILLUM WRAGG'S NOBLE DEVOTION TO HIS PRINCIPLES A MOST notable example of devotion to prin- ciple was the stand taken by Mr. William Wragg of Charlestown, a man of lofty character, highly respected, and of abundant fortune. When asked to join with the rebels or patriots, he declined and said he did so because "of his gratitude for the honorable notice his Majesty had been pleased to take of him in appointing him, by his royal mandamus, Chief Justice of the Province, which, although he had declined, he did not consider him- self the less under obligations for. And in addi- tion thereto he had a right to exercise his own judgment in the premises, although in doing so his sentiments might differ from the general voice." He was required to take an oath that he would not, during the unhappy dispute between America and Great Britain, oppose the proceedings of the people. Mr. Wragg refused to take the oath, and the General Committee declared him inimical to the liberties of the Colonies, and ordered his con- 155 finement at his barony on the Ashley River"^. He was afterwards compelled to leave the Prov- ince and embarked on a vessel bound to Amster- dam. When near that port the ship was driven on the shore, and in endeavoring to save the life of an infant son, he lost his own. A tablet in Westminster Abbey commemorates the loyalty and heroism of this good man, who gave up family, country and fortune rather than swerve from his convictions of duty, though these convictions were opposed to the sentiments of his nearest and dearest friends and kindred. Let South Carolina never forget William Wragg, who dared to differ with his people and to sacrifice everything for the truest of all liberty, the liberty of his own con- science. CAPTAIN RUMPH AND BILLY STURKEE Capt. Jacob Rumph commanded during the Revolution a company of militia in Orangeburg County. His command was of more or less an irregular character, lived dn their farms, and as- sembled for duty when called on. On one occasion he was complained to by some women who had been on a trading expedition to Charlestown, that a party of Tory marauders had stopped their wago^ns below Orangeburg and robbed them. Rumph collected some of his partisans and went in pursuit and captured the entire party. He took 148The Wragg Barony was on the Ashley River Road, about two miles below Bacon's Bridge. 156 them to his "bull pen"^^^. The robbed women identified them, and he justly proceeded to hang them on a big oak. Among them was a red- headed man, named Billy Sturkie. When he was about to be jerked up, one of the women cried out, "Stop! that red-headed man did not take anything, but tried to keep the others from stealing." Her statement was confirmed, and Sturkie turned loose, but so frightened that he feebly exclaimed, "You might as well a' hung me." PIRATES' BONES UNDER BATTERY PROMENADE, CHARLESTOWN The good folks, old aAid young, who daily promenade the beautiful Battery garden^*'^ in Charleston, little think, as they walk or play, that they are trampling over the resting place of fifty dead pirates, including the infamous Stede Bon- nett. The pirates were captured in 1718, and after a fair trial, were condemned and then hanged and buried on White Point. The said bank has since been filled up, and on it stands the modern Battery Garden. The pirates who then infested the coasts of Carolina were routed out, and the leading gangs were captured by an expedition under Governor Johnson and Colonel Rhett. 146Three miles from Orangeburg. i47Battery at the extreme southern point of Charleston. 157 POMPION HILL CHAPEL PoMPiON Hill Chapel, on a high bluff on the eastern branch of the Cooper River, was the first Episcopal Church erected in the Province, outside of Charlestown. It was the Parish Church of St. Thomas Parish. The first building was erected in 1703, of cypress. In 1763 this was supplanted by a brick building. On approaching from the river side were seen (1842) four lofty pines, peering above all the other trees, lifting their ma- jestic heads in mid air, like giant sentinels, keep- ing watch and ward over the Church that lay at their feet. On the right of the Chapel is a deep and shady grove, spreading its sacred shelter over the graves of those who have gone before to make their quiet beds beneath the shadow of the spreading trees. MAGAZINE EXPLOSION After the British took possession of Charles- town the arms taken from the army and inhabit- ants, some 5,000 in number, were lodged in a laboratory on Magazine Street. Nearby wa.s a large quantity of cartridges and loose powder. By the imprudence of the guard, in snapping the guns and pistols, this powder took fire, blew up the house, dispersed the burning fragments which set fire to and destroyed the workhouse, the gaol and the old barracks. The British guard were 158 entirely destroyed, and their mangled bodies dashed by the viole^it explosion against the neighboring houses in Archdale Street. Upwards of lOO per- sons lost their lives on this occasion. THE WILLIAM PITT STATUE When in 1766 the debate was on, in the British Parliament, to repeal the Stamp Act, which had been bitterly opposed by the American Colonies, William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, rose from his sick bed and in speeches of extraordinary eloquence, which produced an amazing effect on both sides of the Atlantic, justified the resistance of the Col- onies. The news of the repeal of the Stamp Act was received in Charlestown, May 6, 1766, with every demonstration of joy. The Provincial House of Commons of May 13th voted to have a statue made in England of the Right Honorable William Pitt as a memorial of the respect for his upright and disinterested conduct upon all occasions, and par- ticularly his assistance in procuring a repeal of the Stamp Act. May 31, 1770, the statue arrived. It was landed amongst a vast concourse of inhabitants, who re- ceived it with cheers, and, preceded by music, drew it by hand to the place where it was to rest until its pedestal could be erected. July 5th it was raised and placed upon the pedestal at the intersection of 159 Broad and Meeting Streets. It stood there during the siege of Charlestown in 1780, when a shot from a British battery carried away the right arm, which was extended. After the war it was found to in- terfere with travel through the two important thoroughfares, at whose intersection it stood, and it was taken down and carried to the Orphan House yard, where it was subsequently erected. Finally it was moved to Washington Park^'', where it now stands. The tablet on the pedestal gives its entire history. soWashington Park, enclosing City Hall, at the northeast corner of Meeting and Broad Streets, Charleston. !60 STATUE UF WIJ.UAM I'lTT. First erected 17C6. FROM THE HALLOWED PAST TO THE PRACTICAL PRESENT The purpose of the "Romance of Lower Caro- lina" is two-fold. First, to gather in comprehensive form, many in- cidents illustrating the early Colonial and Revolu- tionary days of the section, for the information and inspiration of the present generation. Second, to point out the very spots where such history was made, that the reader may easily reach them, and standing on them imbibe the spirit of the great deeds thereon enacted. By the foot notes appended to the various articles this can be readily attained. For the people of Lower Carolina this is enough. It is hoped that by recalling the grand history their illustrious forefathers have made, they will be awak- ened to and appreciate the fact that few, if any, parts of our country is richer in thrilling patriotic deeds than Lower Carolina. But many strangers visit this section, particularly during the winter, so for the benefit of these, there is hereto added a brief summary of the routes to the central points of these historic localities, and when reached, how the tourist can be comfortably cared for. To show them how luxury will be gained, while pursuing that historic research, so much valued by the educated and refined. 161 THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY operates in "Lower Carolina" the first long railroad built in the world, i. e., the line from Charleston to Augusta. As the Southern Railway System includes the road which was first in construction, it has ever main- tained the lead, by giving to the traveling public comfort and safety, and to the hauling of freight the utmost dispatch. The millions of people who have received its benefits bear testimony to this. How times change ! The Southern now handles its passengers and freight in as many hours as were consumed in the olden time, days, in traversing the same distance. The lines of the Southern spread all over the South from Washington to the Mississippi River. Wherever it goes it gives the very best of service and enjoys the confidence of the people. The SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILWAY, the Progressive Railway of the South, is the short- est line from the North to Florida, and a direct one to Atlanta and Birmingham. It traverses Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama, reaching all the prominent cities and con- necting the capitals of these States. Its biggest recent development is its entry into Charleston and the constructing of a line thence to Savannah, which will be the shortest line between these cities. Its through trains are safe, being all steel and luxurious with their free reclining chairs, Pullmans and Dining Cars. This Progressive Railway of the South is owned in the South and is operated by progressive Southern men. THE CHARLESTON CONSOLIDATED RAILWAY reaches all over the City, and should be used by all Tourists to visit the historic spots in the City. On the King Street Line are the Pringle House, Library, Horn work on Marion Square, and within a block the Unitarian, St. John's Lutheran and St. Mary's Churches and the Jewish Synagogue, and it runs up to Hampton Park. On the Broad Street and Belt Lines are the Old Ex- change, Wm. Pitt Statue, St. .Michael's Church (and within a block St. Philip's and Huguenot Churches), Half Moon Battery, and Ferry to Fort Moultrie. On the Broad Street Line, also. Bethel Church, Old Bethel, and the Orphan House. On the Belt Line also sites of the Liberty Tree and of old Pinckney Mansion, Circular Church, and within a block the Rhett House, Tradd House, and site of first rice field. The Meeting Street Line carries one to the Battery, Scotch Church, South Carolina Society's Hall, St. Michael's, Horn Work, and up to Magnolia and the Country Club. The equip- ment and service is unsurpassed, and is a credit to its owners and the City it so ably serves. "THE CAROLINA" IN THE PINELAND of Summerville, S. C, is embowered in a grove of health-giving Pines and picturesque Live Oaks. It is modem, thoroughly heated, has many private baths, and is thoroughly homelike and attractive. On its grounds is a three-hole golf link and a tennis court. That many of its guests return year after year is the best evidence of the hospitable treat- ment received. THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. Series 9482 3 1205 02528 8729