The (Mostly) is in the title because I have added some links and modified some of the posts slightly from the original post. I have done so in hopes that the entries will be even more informative and led you to even more educational matter beyond what first appeared on the social media platform.
RELATED TO THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2021 THEME: TALES & TAILS
July 6 Here's a "True Tale from the BDC:" Robert Smalls was a "War Hero, Public Servant, and a 'Man of Mark'" of whom you should know. My personal opinion: If you live in Beaufort County and don't know at least the basic facts of his life and contributions to local, state, and national history, you should. And isn't it a good thing, that the Beaufort County Library offers so many resources about his life and times through the BDC and the local history sections at the branch libraries and bookmobiles so that you can?
July 8 Long-time Island resident and author Margaret Greer tells some Lowcountry Tales about critters, people and history on Hilton Head Island in "Short & Tall Tales of Hilton Head Island." This coffee table book is lavishly illustrated with photographs by Barry Lowes and items from her husband's sketchbooks, paintings, and photographs of life on the island. Learn about "The Blue Lady," the Leamington light, the Devil Gun, and Daufuskie's midwife, Sarah Grant. Borrow a copy from one of the Library's local history sections.
July 15 Been watching Shark Week? Want to learn even more about these creatures with lowcountry tails & tales to tell? The BDC and Library have plenty of materials about these fascinating creatures to share.
July 17 Only 2 weeks left to complete - and return - your Summer Reading game board. Anyone want to share what you've particularly enjoyed reading - local history-wise? [Note: No one did.]
July 25 Oh! Snap! There's only a few more days to complete and return your Summer Reading Program 2021 game board. Here's another "Lowcountry Tales and Tails" from the Connections blog [about a local marine creature] to help you do just that!
July 29 Another "True Tale from the BDC": Generations of Beaufortonians have hung out on the sandbar. James Thomas wrote:
“The first swimming I remember was from the bathhouse in front of the Sea Island Hotel. In the bottom they had what was known as “The Crib” which had a floor and a fence around it for the ladies and children so no one could drown and no sharks could bite. On the second floor there were bathrooms, and on the third floor was an open pavilion with a diving board for the men and large boys. Then the city built a dock to the sand bar in front of where Mr. Brantley Harvey lives, also a bathhouse over the mudbar. This proved to be very popular because at hightide you could swim off the dock ant the children and ladies would go at low tide to the sandbar. This lasted until 1926 when the city put in the sewer system which emptied into the river. The Health Department then forbid swimming at the sandbar. After the bridge opened, we would swim in the river off Burkmeyer's Beach which was 3 miles away, but the boys preferred Pigeon Point which had a bathhouse and a high and low diving board and dock. Also, it was only one mile and a half to walk. But we would rather walk because of the diving boards than to hitch a ride to Burkmeyer Beach."
July 31 is a big day! ... 2) It's the due date for all completed Summer Reading Program 2021 game boards to be returned to the Library so you can be entered into the Grand Prize drawings! Get yourself - and those completed game boards - to your Branch of choice today before closing times. https://www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/locations ...
July 12 “Materials Monday : Letters” Among the Narratives of Early Carolina, 1650 – 1708 compiled and published by A.S. Salley is a letter composed in mid-summer 1666 from Robert Sandford to his employers, the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. I transcribed words as they were printed in the book so expect some 17th century creative spelling.
To the Righ Honoble Edward, Earle of Clarendon, Lord High Chancellor of England; George, Duke of Albemarle, Capt. – Generll of all his Maj’ites forces in the Kingdome of England, Scotland and Ireland and Master of the Horse; Wm. Lord Craven; John Lord Berkeley; Anthony Lord Ashley, Chancellor of the Excheqr; Sr George Cart[e]rett, Vice-Chamberlaine of His Maj’ties Household; Sr Wm. Berkeley, Knt., and Sr John Colleton, Knt. and Baronett, The true and absolute Lords Proprietors of all the Province of Carolina:Right Honorble,It is not presumption but Duty that presents this Narrative (however rude and imperfect) to soe Illustrious, I had rather say a Constellation than a Corporation; the matter related was performed under your Auspice in your Country and by your servant. It measures to you, my Lords, (as his food did Hercules) the greatnes of your Soveraignes Guift, and to the World the greatness of your trust and favour with him. It shews you in Prospective how lasting a Renowne you may adde to your already most glorious Names, How boundles a Grandeur to your longest Posterity. None indeede but God and the King can move your hearts to doe these great things for yourselves and Nation. Yett that such a Notion be effected may and shall bee the prayers of, Right Honoble,With all submission, readiness and fidelity,Your Lordppes servant,Rob. Sandford
He then submits “A Relation of a Voyage on the Coast of the Province of Carolina” with testimonial signatures of members of his crew, Henry Brayne; Richard Abrahall; Thomas Giles; George Cary; Samuel Harvey and Joseph Woory. Pages 96 -105 recount the situation and exploration of the St. Helena and Port Royal sounds, interactions with the Indians and the willingness of Henry Woodward to remain behind with the Native Americans.
You can come read our copy in the Research Room or view a digital copy on the Hathitrust website.
The second image is a letter from G.G. Dowling to Howard Danner that leaves me with more questions than answers about the working relationship between the President of the Society and one of its Committee heads.
You can read the Finding Aid on the BDC's WordPress blog to get an idea of the types of records to be found in the Beaufort County Historical Society archives. Need an appointment to see some of the records? Contact bdc@bcgov.net or give me a call during regular working hours 843-255-6446 to make the advance arrangements.
July 26 Today's "Materials Monday : Letters" post is directly relevant to this week's "Book Drop Blitz" title Trouble the Water by Rebecca Dwight Bruff. In real life, United States Navy Lieutenant Roswell H. Lamson wrote letters to his family about his experiences while stationed in coastal South Carolina during the Civil War - including being the person who accepted "The Planter" from Robert Smalls that fateful day. More information is available in Connections.
BLACK HISTORY NOTE WEDNESDAY
BLACK HISTORY NOTE WEDNESDAY
July 7 "Black History Note:" This week the title for the "Book Drop Blitz" sponsored by the Beaufort County School District (BCSD) is The Freedom Ship of Robert Smalls. The classic book about one of the most important persons in Beaufort’s long and storied past now contains wonderfully vibrant paintings by Beaufort’s own Jonathan Green. We have had a copy of the book here in the Research Room for permanent retention since it was published in 2018.
The Library (but not the BDC) is just one of the many locations across the county where students can pick up a free book from the "Book Drop Extravaganza" each week while supplies last.
July 14 "Black History Note:" Gullah folktales are an original contribution of Beaufort District to the American literary canon. Author Reed Smith credits Beaufort resident Abbie Holmes Christensen (1852 - 1938) with "one of the first serious attempts to reduce the Gullah dialect to writing." Smith says that AHC "both caught the Negro's point of view and mastered the difficult dialect." In her notes AHC described her stories as coming of verbatim from Sea-Islands storytellers, "some of whose ancestors, two generations back, brought parts of the legends from African forests." Her work predated Joel Chandler Harris' Uncle Remus ones by a few years. Her Afro American Folk Lore, a book of 18 fables, was published in 1892. Although you'd have to come to the Research Room to read her book (the volumes are rare) the Library has lots of other books with Gullah folktales for you enjoy. Pick one or several and check off some more blocks on your SRP game board. Everyone can appreciate Tar Baby's tale. More on Connections.
July 21 "Black History Note Wednesday:" Gullah Animal Tales from Daufuskie Island, South Carolina as told by Albert H. Stoddard is a double "Tails and Tales." A rather unique feature of this edition is the translation and editing style of Will Killhour. He purports his interpretation should be considered a "Mid-Atlantic Suburban American" version of the 15 folktales he includes. Personally, I like that he uses two columns for each of the stories: The left hand column is in Mid-Atlantic Suburban American while the right hand column is Stoddard's version of the tales he heard on the island back at the turn of the 20th century. The Library has lots of copies to share. Borrow one - and discover the answer to "Long Bill duh Good Ting?" [Is a long bill a good thing?]
July 28 "Black History Note:" The "Book Drop Blitz" features a novel about Robert Small's dash to freedom. The Library has lots of materials about the real event to share.
COMMEMORATIONS
COMMEMORATIONS
July 1 I don't know if this particular anniversary is a cause to celebrate but it is important. 159 years ago, Congress passed the Internal Revenue Act, creating the Bureau of Internal Revenue (later renamed to the Internal Revenue Service) to help pay for the Union's military needs during the Civil War. And wouldn't you know it? Ancestry Library Edition (currently available to BCL cardholders at home with the proper password) has a database of IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862 - 1918. I found one of my ancestors on a list. Perhaps you will too.
Read more about this particular database and my research results in Connections, the BDC's longest running blog.
July 9 A photograph taken in 1886 by Conrad Munro Donner out on Halls Island in Northern Beaufort County to help you appreciate the bovine on this National Cow Appreciation Day. For more of Conrad's photographs check out our "Phosphate, Farms, and Family" collection online.
July 10 Today's post honors National Kitten Day. Cats of Beaufort: Famous Felines Tell Their Tales by Sandy Dimke is another double whammy for the Summer Reading Program game board. Portraits of cats accompany each life story. For example, "Abbey: The Miraculous Survivor;" "Dewey: The Librarian's Cat;" and "Princess: Never Lose Hope" were featured along with other felines in 2015 to raise funds for the Tabby House. Tabby House, a cat shelter and rescue, closed permanently in late May 2020.
July 16 In honor of National Snake Day and the Summer Reading Program theme "Tails and Tales," I thought that I'd share this wonderful image by Julian Dimock of Dr. Francis E. Wilder (1837-1924) holding a rattlesnake. If you check out a copy of Camera Man's Journey, you can see him defang said rattlesnake.
There are plenty of copies of this book of turn-of-the-20th century photographs taken in Beaufort, Hilton Head and Columbia to borrow from the Library.
RELATED TO THE BOOK DROP BLITZ! 2021
July 11 This week the "Book Drop Blitz" features The Great Santini by Pat Conroy - which became a feature film that kicked off a 20 year run of film-making in Beaufort and surrounding South Carolina counties and led to the unveiling of the natural beauty of this area to many others.
The program pictured is from the Paul Siegmund Collection here in the BDC. Make an appointment to see its contents and/or many other materials related to Pat Conroy or some of the films made here in the past.
July 16 The Library and the BDC have lots of books, DVDs, audio books and archival materials by and about Pat Conroy and The Great Santini, the book character, the real man [his father, Donald Conroy] and the movie.
July 18 The "Book Drop Blitz" title this week is The Circle Unbroken by Margo Theis Raven in which a grandmother passes on lessons of African and Gullah heritage through the making of a sweetgrass basket. Did you know that the BDC has one of the largest collections of Gullah related materials in the Southeast? Set up an appointment (bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6446) to come explore the BDC's extensive (and rare) collection on Gullah culture! 
July 21 Interested in sweet grass baskets? We recommend Row Upon Row: Sea Grass Baskets of the South Carolina Lowcountry by Dale Rosengarten (1994). The Library has plenty of copies to share through the local history sections at the branch libraries.
July 22 Artist Mary Jackson describes the traditions of basket making using sweet grass and other natural plants and explains the importance of this craft that has been handed down through generations in South Carolina. Learn more about Mary's family legacy of beautiful art! Borrow this e-book with your Beaufort County Library card! [Note: The book is on Hoopla, one of the Library's two e-book, audio book, and streaming services.]
July 23 Just a sample of the many Gullah culture materials we share - and these you can ask to be brought to your car. (Details on how to make that happen.)
July 24 Though Sweetgrass Baskets and the Gullah Tradition by Joyce V. Coakley concentrates on the Charleston area basketmakers and traditions, Gullah throughout the coastal region, including in Beaufort District, used the same materials and techniques to fashion the baskets. The Library has plenty of copies to share with you.
July 30 Louise Meriwether wrote the first fictionalized account [for adults] (that I know about) of Robert Smalls' life in 1994. It was re-issued in 2013. We have a copy of the Pocket Books edition with the original book cover. The other copies of this title within SCLENDS are the University of South Carolina Press, 2013 editions.
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND/OR IT INTERESTED ME ENOUGH TO SHARE
July 6 The Library of Congress had a fascinating blog post about the "Great Buchanan Inheritance Hoax". I enjoyed reading about Neely Tucker's research and personal connection to the story. Perhaps you will as well. We humans have lots of foils, foibles, and frailties.
July 7 For a limited time only: Fold3 is offering free access to their Civil War Collections until 18 July 2021 at 11:59 p.m. MT. If you have any Civil War ancestors this might be a great time to dig a little deeper into their service records while access is temporarily free. [Note: This offer has expired.]
July 8 FamilySearch.org is promoting its military records this week as well. JSYK: The materials on FamilySearch.org are always free and access is free but you do have to register with a username and password.
July 14 Our friend the Beaufort County Historical Society is hosting an in-person local history program on Tuesday, July 20th about the First South Carolina Regiment USCT. It's free, being held at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, and all are welcomed. For details: Check out their Facebook page. [Please note: The recording is supposed to be posted soon but as of this writing, 3 August 2021 at 2:30pm, it is not up.]
July 15 Recently made mobile: The Library of Congress has recently made U.S. congressional records dating back to the days of printing presses and the telegraph are easily accessible on mobile devices. With this latest update of Congress.gov — the official website for U.S. federal legislative information — the Library has transitioned over 33,000 bills and resolutions crafted by Congress between 1799 and 1873 (the 6th to 42nd U.S. Congresses) to a modern, user-friendly web format.
The Library’s “A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation” collection has been a premier source of historic legal documents since it was first published online in 1998, serving as an access point to the lawmaking of early America.
July 29 I shared a link to an online "Ask the Archives" event that was set to occur on Friday, July 30. Note: The link has expired.... but this is going to become a last Friday of each month virtual SCDAH event. To participate, send your email address to dfoster@scdah.sc.gov - and in turn, you will get a Webex Meeting link by email for the next session.
RELATED TO THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY
July 2 Perhaps over this holiday weekend celebrating our history as Americans, you can give some thought to participating in this self-selected survey: • What do you think every American should know? Share your top ten list with the Aspen Institute Citizenship & American Identity Program. Learn more about this project before you submit your list.
July 2 Reminder: All units of the Library will be closed on Monday, July 5th since Independence Day falls on Sunday this year. The BDC staff will return on Tuesday, July 6th. If you need assistance, I will respond to you during business hours next week. May you and yours have a good holiday.
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