Haunted Beaufort District

Scary stories and Halloween go together like balsamic vinegar and oil. Here are a few suggestions to get started learning about the macabre history of hauntings in Beaufort District:

• Come read about all the "Ghosts" in our vertical file available in the BDC. Here one can find tales of the Land's End Light, the Blue Lady of Leamington, hauntings at Frogmore Manor, the Castle, along Bay Street, and a ghost trivia game. (BDC only).
• The classic Tales of Beaufort, by Nell Graydon has some ghost tales. Copies are available for check-out through the branch libraries.
• Nancy Rhyne, raconteur, has stories called "The Case of the Headless Corpse"and "Dr. Buzzard's Coffin" in Tales of the South Carolina Low Country. Her sequel, entitled More Tales of the South Carolina Low Country, includes stories about Edingsville Beach and Dr. Buzzard along with other ghost tales in coastal South Carolina. Copies are available for check-out through the branch libraries.
• Coastal Ghosts by Nancy Rhyne tells the tales of "The Eliza Tree" and the "Unparalleled Rides of the Late William Baynard" from Hilton Head Island, and the story of "Daufuskie's Big Foot." Copies available for check-out through the branch libraries.

The Yamasee in Beaufort District

People often wonder about the Native Americans who once lived in this area. 

According to Dr. Chester DePratter, the Yamasee tribe moved into the Port Royal Sound area around 1683 and resided here only for 30 to 35 years. They allied themselves with the English attacking Spanish-allied Indians throughout Florida. Captured Indians were then sold as slaves in Carolina or transported to other British colonies. The Yamasee were critical in a general uprising of Native Americans against the British traders and settlers of the Carolinas beginning with the Good Friday Massacre 1715 at Pocotaligo. For decades the Yamasee were on the run. Many Yamasee survivors eventually relocated to Cuba with the Spaniards in 1763 at the end of the Seven Year’s War.  However, some Yamasee descendants still reside across the Southeast.  [Source: “The Yamasee Indians in South Carolina” by Chester B. DePratter, Legacy, vol. 19, no. 1, July 2015, pp. 14 – 16.]

The Yamasee War is the topic of this year's Archaeology Month poster from the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA).  Please drop by any of our library locations to pick up your free copy while supplies last. The verso has lots of delicious information about the conduct of the war. 

I updated our list of Recommended Resources about this area's Native Americans just in time for Archives Month.  Here are the ones most relevant to the topic of the war: 

975.702 MCI Indians’ revenge: including a history of the Yemassee Indian War: 1715-1728 by William McIntosh, III, 2010, c2009. (BDC, HHI, LOB) [Other SCLENDS has copies that can be checked out]

973.25 RAM The Yamasee War: a study of culture, economy, and conflict in the colonial South by William L. Ramsay, c2008. (BDC, BEA, BLU, HHI, LOB) [Other SCLENDS has copies that can be checked out]

SC 975.7 HIS “An Account of the Breaking Out of the Yamassee War, in South Carolina extracted from the Boston News, of the 13 ^th of June, 1715,” Historical Collections of South Carolina; embracing many rare and valuable pamphlets, and other documents, relating to the History of that State, from its first discovery to its independence, in the year 1776. Compiled, with various notes, and an introduction, by B. R. Carroll. In two volumes. Vol. ii. New York: Published by Harper & Brothers, 1836, pp. 569 -572. (BDC) http://bit.ly/1O53EDJ

Beaufort County Historical Society Paper #14.“John Barnwell and the Tuscaroras” by Rebecca DesChamps McDowell. Presented before the Beaufort County Historical Society on June 29, 1954.

Beaufort County Historical Society Paper #59.“The Yamassee War in the Beaufort and Port Royal Area, 1601-1715” by Larry Ivers. Presented before the Beaufort County Historical Society, no date.

Take a look at digital images of Yamasee artifacts from the Altamaha archaeological site.  

Archivy

 

In honor of SC Archives Month, we share this poem by Thomas Michael McCort written in 1982 and cited in Mary Jo Pugh's Providing Reference Services for Archives and Manuscripts, c1992:

As barren fields in wintertime are lined

With broken stalks and ears of corn long spent,

So records are the stubble of mankind --

They have no life, and give no nourishment.

They are the words and numbers of the past,

The dry, misshapen kernels in the bran,

Like chaff stripped from the germ, they cannot last --

Yet you do make them feed the mind of Man.

Then hearty, golden grains these records be:

They are the endless grist of History.

"Well-Dressed Marine of 1915"

The importance of the investment that the US Navy made in Beaufort County at the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century is a key point in volume 3, Bridging the Sea Islands's Past and Present, by Lawrence Rowland and Stephen Wise (release date 30 October 2015). In the words of Larry Rowland, "The military saved Beaufort County" and set up the area for explosive growth during the mid-20th century. 

The Marine Corps Recruit Depot began training recruits on Parris Island in 1915. However those recruits trained here and left as Marines would discover that what worked over here would not work "Over There" during World War I. Dave Smoot explains what Parris Island recruits and Marines looked like before they went to make the world safe for democracy. This free program will include artifacts to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the USMC Recruit Depot. No registration. Just show up to learn more about recruit training 100 years ago.

“Well-Dressed Marine of 1915” with Dave Smoot
Tuesday, October 20 at 6 pm 
Beaufort District Collection, 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort








Looking ahead:  The USC-B Libraries and the BDC are hosting two author book talks and signings south of the Broad River with Drs. Rowland and Wise. Free. No registration. 
 · Thursday, Nov. 12th at 4 pm | BDC@ USC-B South Campus Library | Ages 12 to Adult

· Thursday, December 3rd at 4 pm | BDC@ Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road | Ages 12 to Adult

 

 

Upcoming Local History Programs

“WELL-DRESSED MARINE OF 1915” with Dave Smoot 

Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6 pm | Beaufort District Collection | Ages 12 to Adult

2015 marks the centennial year of Parris Islands' existence as a training base for the Marine Corps. However, those who trained as recruits here and left as Marines would discover that what worked over here would not work, "Over There." Come learn what Parris Island recruits and Marines looked like before they went to make the world safe for democracy. Program will include artifacts!

  

RECONSTRUCTION HISTORY LONG IGNORED NEGLECTED:  ARE WE FINALLY READY TO TALK? EXHIBIT

Mondays—Fridays, Ends October 30, 10 am—5 pm | In the 2nd floor Gallery, 311 Scott Street

This small 3 panel exhibit was created by the USC-B Libraries to support the Teacher’s Summer Institute, America’s Reconstruction: The Untold Story. 

“RESERVE THE ARCHIVIST” By appointment only | Beaufort District Collection | Ages 12 to Adult 

Need help with your historical, cultural, or genealogical research? Have an in-depth local history reference question? Book your appointment with our special collections librarian-archivist: gracec@bcgov.net or 843-255-6468.

“BEHIND-THE-SCENES” TOUR OF THE BDC Limited dates by advance appointment only | Beaufort District Collection | Ages 12 to Adult 

This is your chance to venture into the inner sanctum with BDC staff to see what goes on behind the closed and locked door! Opportunities for tours occur on Oct. 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29. Members of the general public older than 12 who are interested in learning more about our holdings are welcome. To sign up: call 843-255-6468 or e-mail asylva@bcgov.net.

“SC'S CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1865” with Dave Smoot

Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 pm | Beaufort District Collection | Ages 12 to Adult

All the eyes of the nation were on South Carolina as it wrote a new state Constitution in September 1865. The Convention was lively to say the least. Half the delegates said that "The war is over. Let us move on." The other half said, "Hell, no!" What did the representatives of Beaufort District say? Come learn about the state Constitution in force from September 1865 to mid-April 1868 with historian Dave Smoot. 

"WHAT THE HECK IS IT?" with Dr. Jon Leader and Dr. Eric Poplin (Postponed due to the flooding where the archaeologists live)
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 am - 1 pm | Beaufort District Collection | Ages 12 to Adult
Try to stump our renowned archaeologists with your unidentified artifacts. No fee. No registration. No limit - though you must be able to haul the artifacts to the 2nd floor! 

“HISTORY OF BEAUFORT COUNTY” with DR. LARRY ROWLAND and DR. STEVE WISE

Various Dates and Locations | Beaufort District Collection | Ages 12 to Adult

The long awaited volume 2: Rebellion, Reconstruction, and Redemption and volume 3: Bridging the Sea Islands’ Past complete The History of Beaufort County, South Carolina to 2006. The authors will offer a brief overview of their work and autograph your copies at several locations. Co-sponsored by USC-B Libraries.

• Sunday, Nov. 8 at 3 pm | Performing Arts Center, USC-B, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort
• Thursday, Nov. 12th at 4 pm | BDC@ USC-B South Campus
• Thursday, Dec. 3rd at 4 pm | BDC@ Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road 

Join us for one, a few, or even all of these free programs brought to you by the Beaufort District Collection!