Native Americans in Beaufort District

November is Native American Heritage Month. Once upon a time, Native Americans roamed the wetlands, fished the estuaries, and camped along our riverbanks. Many small Native American groups lived in the area. These former residents left behind shell middens, pottery shards, and their words upon our landscape:  Wimbee, Combahee, Huspah, Yamasee, Pocotaligo, Sadkeche, Coosawhatchie, etc.

Archibald Rutledge, Jr., South Carolina's Poet Laureate from 1934 to 1973, penned the following poem: 

"Indian Days"

Coosawhatchie, Waccamaw, Yauhannah, Edisto!
What singing memorial of long ago,
Of Yemassee, Tamassee, and Pocotaligo.

The homes of our primal man, hard by God's ancient sea,
Oconee, See-Wee, Wateree, Cherokee.
Gone now, gone forever from Cumbahee, Jocassee.
The braves' change here no more shall ring by Peedee, Socastee.
Their maids' bright smiles no more shall cheer on golden Congaree.
Quiet, quiet, all is quite, deep on the dark Santee.

I hope that you were able to hear Dr. Poplin's lecture about the archaeological record of the "Combahee Ferry Historic District" on November 15th. Native American trading paths had crossed the river for thousands of years. Unfortunately artifacts left along trading paths are usually much fewer in number than those found in settlements or at trading sites.

For a group that only lived here for about 35 years, the Yamasee played a critical role in the most important colonial war that few remember. Our "Yamasee War, 1715 - 1717" Wordpress blog post outlines some of the materials we have on the topic.

For a broader discussion of Native Americans based in this general area, I recommend our "Native Americans" Wordpress blog post.