It decided upon the novel idea of an “experiment”: Try paying wages to these contrabands (the awful word used to describe slaves freed by Union forces as well as for those who had escaped). “My name’s Irvin Campbell — but you can call me Irv,” he said. Shortly after the war, the main house was destroyed by fire. In 1862, Mitchelville was established near current Beach City Road and was the nation's first Freedmen's village, self-governing … Location – Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County In Sea Pines Plantation, a present-day real estate development, 84 Baynard Park Road at Plantation Drive. The Gullah/Geechee people are descendants of enslaved Africans from various ethnic groups of west and central Africa. They settled on the 100 Sea Islands in the Hilton Head area. 1862 - Hilton Head's population swelled to over 40,000, including Union troops, civilian store-keepers, missionaries, prisoners of war, and slaves seeking refuge from their owners. After the Civil War, more than 1,200 freed slaves remained. Most noteworthy, the Gullah Celebration is scheduled throughout Hilton Head and Bluffton each February for Black History Month. Commissioned by a group of Barbados planters to find new land on which to plant sugar and indigo, Hilton soon claimed the Island in the name of the British Crown. Hilton Head Island Publishing Company, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Elliott, with the help of his neighbor, Will Seabrook, pioneered a new type of fertilizer for the cotton, resulting in record crops and wide acclaim for the Sea Island cotton. I had a hard time imagining even one person having room to lie down to sleep in a space of that size — especially if there was a stove or table or any other piece of furniture, never mind if an extended family lived together. Slaves - 100 slaves per Federal census of 1800. Later, in 1989, the Cross Island Parkway was constructed, making Hilton Head even more accessible to the vacationers (many from Ohio, as it’s about the max you’d be able to drive in a day) that now flock here every summer. After assuming command in September of 1862, General Ormsby Mitchel was upset at the living conditions of the former slaves. “This used to be our downtown,” Irv said. The Civil War and the subsequent abolition of slavery altered the prosperous and patrician lifestyle of the plantation owners forever. Its original inhabitants were known for fishing and shrimping. Union troops quickly took over Hilton Head Island from the Confederacy during the Battle of Port Royal. You could suck that for two days! In 1663, English sea captain William Hilton landed on Hilton Head Island and, thus, the seeds of the first successful plantations were sown. My great-grandfather was a slave,” he said. And now is the time for you to leave your own footprints in the sand…on Hilton Head Island. Not so long ago, Gullahs owned much of the land on the 26,880-acre isle. Next day, what would it be covered with? I thought that was the coolest thing — a town telling a huge company like Mickey D’s to follow their rules or shove it. “They used to bring in Motown singers, from 1957 to ’70,” Irv reminisced. Strict rules remain when it comes to construction projects. . It is the oldest structure still standing on the island, and more Revolutionary War soldiers are buried in this coastal cemetery than anywhere else on the coast other than Charleston. The Federal government seized the property. But long before Hilton Head’s resorts arrived, the island had been home to cotton, indigo and rice plantations that relied on slave labor. The Gullah Heritage Tour was a part of our Alternative Spring Break Program while visiting Hilton Head. There used to be just one paved thoroughfare on the entire island. Consequently, Hilton Head Island lapsed into obscurity, remaining isolated for over 80 years. Within two days of the Union victory on Hilton Head, Sea Island blacks began descending on the outpost. We stopped at Driessen Beach Park and headed down the boardwalk to take photos by the water. One plantation was named Spanish Wells for the freshwater wells dug by the first European invaders. Perfect for independent travelers, you create a sightseeing itinerary that suits your personal interests. Tickets cost $32 for adults; $15 for kids 12 and under. When I first came to the island as a kid, I learned that McDonald’s had to build a brick restaurant to fit in with the Hilton Head aesthetic, and that they weren’t allowed to put up their trademark golden arches. And indeed, there are: Buildings of this era were made of tabby, which consists of lime, sand and oyster shells. French, Austa M., Slavery in South Carolina and the Ex-slaves; or, The Port Royal Mission. His efforts were aided by the construction of a bridge to the mainland the same year. Brought to the New World and forced to work on the plantations of coastal South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida, Gullah/Geechee people have retained many aspects of their African heritage due to the geographic barriers of the … “We’d catch enough fish to feed those families who didn’t have a boat. And there are strict tree laws. 1969. In 1860, fourteen prominent families and their slaves lived on Hilton Head and most spent their time off the island. ——— ©2020 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.) Visit The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.) at www.islandpacket.com. After the war, the Island made a healthy recovery. After the war, as the freed slaves on the island attempted to grow Sea Island cotton, the boll weevil proved to be even more devastating. We’d save the wrapper, suck on it all day, then put it on our windowsill. Incorporated as a town in 1983, Hilton Head Island is now home to several environmentally planned resort and residential communities, supporting more than 40,000 full-time residents. Their Gullah culture and language survive today as a living legacy of their strength and perseverance. Enjoy easy days relaxing in the sun, sand and surf on some of the best beaches in the country. You’re too young to remember Sugar Daddy [caramel pops]. It was the first self-governing town of formerly enslaved African Americans. He had a great sense of humor and has been a part of the Gullah community his whole life. We took care of each other,” Irv told us. “It’s so spirits can take the waters back to West Africa.”. THE BIRTH OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND. Remnants of mysterious shell rings, measuring up to 240 feet across and nine feet high, can still be found on the Island. “We’d drive right on the beach. If you’re spending some time on Hilton Head, there’s much more to do than play golf and go to the beach. Storytelling, crafts and music accompany an impressive art exhibit and culinary events. “Many people realized they could move anywhere else,” Irv said. During the American Civil War, Union troops wanted to stop trade in the Confederacy, which led to an attack at Port Royal Sound, off of Hilton Head Island. The Hilton Head story is about war and peace and slavery and freedom. One Union soldier stationed on Hilton Head at the time recounted: negro slaves came flocking into our camp by the hundreds, escaping from their masters when they knew of the landing of "Linkum sojers," as they called us . Back in the day, the pavilions would have changing rooms, showers and a dance floor, all under one roof. By 1860, 24 plantations were in operation on Hilton Head Island. Finally, the main house ruins are the only tabby mansion built on Hilton Head Island. They founded the town of Mitchelville, the first freedmen's town in America. Missionaries, teachers, doctors and ministers came from New York and Pennsylvania to educate and help shape the African-American community. We liked him right from the get-go. Mr. Campbell was an excellent tour guide and took the time to connect with our group personally. Sure, we cover the basics — where to go, what to see. It means “living by the water,” according to Irv. Top Rated Tennis Facilities. In 1965, Ike and Tina Turner were here. Gullah of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. Venue: Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. He also encountered the native Escamacus Indians, but little is known of the earlier native civilization that inhabited the Island as far back as 4,000 years ago. 9 Insider Tips on How To Do a Golf Trip on Hilton Head Island, Free Download: Beginner's Guide to Golf on Hilton Head Island, Splurge on Hilton Head Island’s Most Storied Courses, Hilton Head’s Most Special and Secret Spots. “The Gullah people are the descendants of the slaves who worked on the rice plantations in South Carolina and Georgia,” said historian Joseph Opala. “We called it the Tar Road,” Irv said. “When Union troops invaded Hilton Head Island on November 7, 1861, Baynard and other plantation owners fled inland. When William Hilton landed in the Lowcountry in 1663, he was greeted by Spanish-speaking Indians from the Yemassee tribe, who had migrated north from Florida 100 years prior. Yet, like the enigmatic rocks of Stonehenge and the carvings of Easter Island, their secrets remain hidden. Today, historic Mitchelville is preserved as a tourist attraction, while the Gullah Geechee are squeezed onto ever-smaller tracts of land. My mom had suggested we take the Gullah Heritage Tour, a two-hour bus ride around Hilton Head Island, South Carolina that highlights a vibrant African-American community. Northern businessmen, called carpetbaggers for the soft-sided bags they traveled with, bought the entire island and sold it off. Popularly called sea pines, the trees produced lumber for a variety of uses. A Mitchelville family poses with a Union soldier. Armed with vision, energy, modern air conditioning and investment dollars, he created a master plan for a resort community. Consider hopping on the bus for an insightful tour of the island’s fascinating Gullah heritage. Consequently, Hilton Head Island lapsed into obscurity, remaining isolated for over 80 years. An Authentic Culture of the Sea Islands Gullah is the West African based system of traditions, customs, beliefs, art forms and family life that have survived centuries of slavery and more than a … It didn’t take Union troops long to gain control of the island, according to Irv. "You see, Gullahs bury their dead along the edge of a waterway because they believe that's the only way we can get back to their homeland,” Irv told us. Many Gullah families purchased acreages, and for nearly a century, they farmed their land. Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm. In what is now called Fish Haul Creek Park on the “heel” of the island, the community of Mitchelville was created. Hilton Head Island Recognized As One of the “Best Bicycling Communities” in the United States! It was the first self-governing town of formerly enslaved African Americans. Over the centuries, Hilton Head Island’s natural beauty, spectacular seascapes, exceptional ecology and South Carolina historical sites have beckoned generations of explorers—with Native Americans, English, Spanish, French colonists, pirates, African-Americans and soldiers all leaving their footprints on the sands of South Carolina’s Treasured Coast. . Describes Hilton Head Island’s involvement in the Civil War: its invasion by the Union Army, and the bustling life during the War, with Union encampments and Mitchelville, the first town established for newly-freed slaves. On November 7, 1861, the Island became the scene of the largest amphibious landing by U.S forces until D-Day, as more than 12,000 Union soldiers landed on the Island. It was a 45-hour journey — and sometimes the winds weren’t favorable, so they couldn’t make it Savannah, and the perishable goods would be lost. You’ll see stacks of bricks propping up the buildings. These descendents of West African slaves take their name from the Gola or Gula tribe from Liberia and Sierra Leone. Keep in mind that this was all near the beginning of the Civil War. Although the Island is home to many world-class golf courses and resorts, much of the landscape remains as it was when sighted from William Hilton’s ship more than 300 years ago. Irv drove us past the ruins of part of a plantation owner’s home — that of William Pope, known as “Squire” because he had so many properties. In the Gullah communities that developed on Hilton Head, everything was shared, and everyone knew each other. Request a free copy of the Hilton Head Island Vacation Planner and learn about all the attractions, activities, unique history and places to stay on Hilton Head Island. When the Union Army occupied South Carolina’s Sea Islands, including Hilton Head, on November 7, 1861, it freed about 10,000 slaves. Mitchelville on Hilton Head was the first self-governing community of freed slaves in the US, established during the Union Army occupation of the Sea Islands. Irv’s involved in a project to restore Mitchelville. the famous Underground Railroad freedom fighter, Harriet Tubman. “They still live in rural communities in the coastal region and on the Sea Islands of those two states, and they still retain many elements of African language and culture.”. Top Rated Hilton Head Island Hotels & Resorts, How To Plan a Family Vacation That Pleases Everyone, Find Luxury Accommodations in Hilton Head Island, How to Plan a Family Vacation That Pleases Everyone, How To Inject Lowcountry Style Into Your Home, Five Fun Facts About Hilton Head Island Wildlife. There weren’t proper doctors on Hilton Head, and this father and son handled medical cases — at least the ones the midwives didn’t attend to. Beaufort County, which includes the island of Hilton Head, was founded in 1711. Origin of name – Named for Captain David Cutler Braddock, commander of the colonial half-galley Beaufort in 1742.. Other names – Braddock Cove, Calibogue Point, Stoney-Baynard Hall Ants! The Gullah Heritage Corridor stretches from St. Augustine, Florida up to Wilmington, North Carolina, and Hilton Head Island played a key role in the community. It was the first freedman’s community after the American Civil War. Yet much of the Island remains as it was when sighted from William Hilton’s ship more than 350 years ago. Today, they own less than 1,000, Irv informed us. Categories: Show on Calendar. One of the oldest structures on the island, the Queen Chapel, A.M.E. Church is located on Beach City Road. In Hilton Head, S.C., efforts to change the names of gated communities and resorts are unequivocally about Black people. 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