South Carolina

The Discovery Of This Continent: It’s Results To The Natives

Columbus Landing on Hispaniola

In 1470, Christopher Columbus married Dona Felipa, daughter of a renowned navigator, and settled in Porto Santo, where they shared dreams of discovering lands to the West. Their ambitions fueled Columbus’s determination, leading to his 1492 voyage that resulted in the European discovery of the Americas. However, this event marked the beginning of devastation for native peoples, introducing warfare, disease, and colonization that would decimate their populations and cultures, ultimately transforming their rich, diverse societies into shadows of their former selves.

Narrative of the Escape of W. B. Thompson – Indian Captivities

John W. B. Thompson’s story of “captivity” is really a captive story about being attacked by Seminole Indians at the Cape Florida Lighthouse he manned with what appears to be his slave. Written by him to let his friends know that he was alive, though crippled, the letter to the editor of the Charleston (S. C.) Courier details the frightful event of 23 July 1836. The Seminole Indians who attacked him likely pillaged the premise for supplies as they were taking their families into the marsh around Cape Florida where they were attempting to hide from the forced migration of their tribe to Oklahoma.

Narrative of the Captivity of Nehemiah How

Fort Dummer

A Narrative of the captivity of Nehemiah How, who was taken by the Indians at the Great Meadow Fort above Fort Dummer, where he was an inhabitant, October 11th, 1745. Giving an account of what he met with in his traveling to Canada, and while he was in prison there. Together with an account of Mr. How’s death at Canada. Exceedingly valuable for the many items of exact intelligence therein recorded, relative to so many of the present inhabitants of New England, through those friends who endured the hardships of captivity in the mountain deserts and the damps of loathsome prisons. Had the author lived to have returned, and published his narrative himself, he doubtless would have made it far more valuable, but he was cut off while a prisoner, by the prison fever, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, after a captivity of one year, seven months, and fifteen days. He died May 25th, 1747, in the hospital at Quebec, after a sickness of about ten days. He was a husband and father, and greatly beloved by all who knew him.

Castaways, Deserters, Refugees and Pirates

White's 1585 Roanoke Map

In the early 1500s, North Africans sought permanent residency in the Southeastern United States, long before Spain established a colony. While the fate of these individuals remains unclear, evidence suggests some may have survived and integrated with local Indigenous populations. Throughout the 1500s and early 1600s, various groups, including Sephardic Jews fleeing the Inquisition and European Protestants, arrived through shipwrecks or as deserters. These newcomers likely contributed to the genetic and cultural landscape of the region, often settling in more hospitable areas away from colonial powers.

The Rickohockens

A New Description of Carolina

The Rickohockens were prominently featured on 17th-century British maps as the sole inhabitants of the Virginia and northwestern North Carolina mountains. Despite this, little academic attention has been given to them since John Swanton’s misidentification of their name as an alternative for the Yuchi. The term Rickohocken first appeared in Virginia colonial records in 1644 and was associated with territorial claims extending into Kentucky and Tennessee. By the early 1700s, references shifted to the Charaqui, with subsequent confusion linking the Rickohockens to the Creek and Cherokee communities.

Things Your History Teacher Didn’t Tell You

1684 Official Map of Florida Française by Franqueline

American history textbooks often neglect the significant explorations and interactions between 16th and 17th-century Spanish and French explorers in the Southeast. While they highlight events like the Roanoke and Jamestown settlements, they overlook the extensive expeditions of figures like de Soto and Pardo, as well as the French Huguenots’ attempts to establish trade relations. The portrayal of the region as a barren wilderness and inaccuracies regarding Native American tribes further complicate the understanding of early colonial history. These omissions obscure the rich, complex narrative of exploration and interaction in early America.

Indian Wars of Carolina – Previous to the Revolution

ockonostota

Upon English settlement in South Carolina, various Native tribes resisted encroachment, leading to significant conflicts. The Tuscaroras and other tribes launched a united attack in 1712, resulting in a vicious colonial response led by Colonel Barnwell. This was followed by a destructive Yamassee uprising in 1715, prompting Governor Craven to mobilize forces against attackers. Subsequent conflicts with the Cherokees, marked by treachery and violence, eventually required assistance from British forces. Peace was ultimately restored through the mediation of the Cherokee leader, Attakullakulla.

South Carolina Genealogy at Ancestry

Ancestry provides extensive genealogical resources for South Carolina, featuring billions of records that enhance research capabilities. Access includes various databases, some free and others requiring a subscription, such as immigration lists, census records, marriage and death notices, and military data. Researchers can explore materials on prominent individuals, church records, and county histories. A 14-day free trial is available, allowing users to delve into their South Carolina genealogy through Ancestry’s comprehensive offerings.

Yuchi Tribe History

The Yuchi, known as Tsoyabá or “Offspring of the Sun,” are an indigenous tribe from southeastern United States, historically located around the Savannah River, near other tribes such as the Shawnee and Cherokee. They are part of a unique linguistic group and were once a larger tribe that faced pressure from the Muskogian confederacy, ultimately joining the Creek Nation. Historical accounts of the tribe are scarce, with early references including De Soto’s expedition in 1540. By the 18th century, the Yuchi were established under Creek protection and have maintained cultural continuity despite external influences.

Biographical Sketch of Paul Pinckney

Paul Pinckney, born on March 24, 1869, in South Carolina, is a distinguished newspaper figure and the editor-proprietor of the San Mateo Times. After the early loss of his parents, he chose to explore the world instead of pursuing higher education. His career spans roles as editor of the Southern Home Journal, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, and service in the Spanish-American War. In 1903, he became a key figure at the San Mateo Times and has contributed to local commerce initiatives, serving as secretary of the San Mateo Board of Trade since 1905.

Papers of William Henry Lyttelton 1756-1760

William Henry Lyttelton

William Henry Lyttelton was active in politics from 1748, becoming governor of South Carolina in 1755 after delays due to French capture. His tenure included correspondence on Indian affairs and military matters, as well as governance challenges. He later governed Jamaica and supported Grenville’s American policies. This collection comprises documents from his governorships, notably from South Carolina and Jamaica, including military correspondence and reports on Native American affairs, spanning the years 1756 to 1766.

History of Greene County Missouri

Greene County Missouri

Greene County, established in 1833 in southwest Missouri, was originally part of the Osage Country, known for its Native American heritage. The region transitioned through various territorial designations before becoming its own county, named after Revolutionary War figure Nathaniel Greene. Springfield serves as the county seat and commercial hub, surrounded by several smaller towns. The area’s history is enriched by numerous biographies of prominent 19th-century citizens, offering insights into the lives that shaped Greene County’s development.

Biographical Sketch of Alexander Davidson

Alexander Davidson, originally from South Carolina, married Sarah Ellis and moved to Kentucky before settling in Montgomery County, Missouri, in 1821. The couple had three children: John, Abraham, and Rachel. Abraham, his son, married Mary Branson, with whom he had twelve children. After Mary’s passing, he wed the widow Hubbard, having two more sons, William and John A. Notably, Davidson spent the final forty-five years of his life in Montgomery County.

Biographical Sketch of John Hudson

John Hudson, married to Miss Allen, resided in North Carolina and fathered six sons: Isaac, Drury, Thomas, William, John, and Jesse. Drury and Isaac served in the Revolutionary War, with Isaac eventually relocating to Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, and finally Missouri by 1818. His children included Elizabeth, Nancy, Sally, John, Thomas, William, and Charles. Notably, Elizabeth married Lemuel Cox, while John had three wives, and Thomas married Polly Hammond, establishing ties in Pike and Lincoln Counties through family connections.

Biographical Sketch of Isaac King

Isaac King, originally from South Carolina, married Lydia Sitton and moved to Tennessee, where they had four children: Joshua, Abraham, Sarah, and Joseph. In 1817, Joshua, Abraham, and Sarah relocated to Lincoln County, Missouri. Joseph married Elizabeth Yates and established his family in Montgomery County in 1823, raising six children. Isaac King was also known for building a horse mill, primarily operated by his wife, and his involvement in local politics, serving as Justice of the Peace and Captain of the militia.