History of the old Cheraws; containing an account of the aborigines of the Pedee, the first white settlements, their subsequent progress, civil changes, the struggle of the revolution, and growth of the country afterward

Front matter

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Introduction

The Author was induced some years since, at the instance of the "Cheraw Lyceum," to investigate the history of the Indian tribes formerly inhabiting the valley of the Pedee.

In the course of his researches, some very interesting documentary^ matter connected with the first white settlers of this region was unexpectedly discovered, which led to renewed effort in that direction, and resulted in the collection from various sources of an amount of matter far beyond anything which the most sanguine hopes in the outset could have anticipated. This was the more gratifying, inasmuch as in the histories of the State and the published memoirs of some of the distinguished leaders of the Revolution, the region of the Ux)per Pedee, embraced within the limits of the Old Cheraw District, had literally found no place. It was far removed from Charles-town, as well as from the main routes of emigration, travel, and the Indian trade, all which tended to the west and north-westward, where the Cherokees held sway. None of the important battles of the Revolution were fought in this portion of Carolina, though it contributed largely to the number of those who took an active part in the strife. The operations of Marion were confined chiefly to the parts lower down on the river. Even Judge James, who served in early life under that distinguished partizan leader, remarks, in his ''Life of Marion" : — "As to the Old Cheraw District, where a vi Introduction.

sanguinary warfare was waged between the Whigs and Tories under General Thomas, their leader, nothing is known, and it will, perhaps, remain ever unrecorded."

It may, therefore, be readily imagined with what delight the materials of this unwritten history were recovered, how the desire was naturally excited to give it publicity, and the pride justly felt by one in the region of his nativity, to rescue the noble deeds of those who had long since passed away, from oblivion.

After gathering materials for his narrative from every accessible source, and carefully collating them, the Author was called, in the providence of God, to make a permanent removal from the State of his birth and the scenes of his former labors. He has since found time to bring 'the work to completion, esteeming it a tribute of affection due to those ties and associations, ever so dear to man, which he has left behind him.

Though in the main a local history, and for that reason chiefly interesting to those who by nativity or descent are more immediately connected with this portion of Carolina, there is yet of necessity a close and continuous connexion throughout with the history of the State at large — a history which, except by the aid of such detailed accounts of particular localities, can never be fully written. Much, therefore, of general interest will be found in the following pages, more especially in the period which immediately preceded the Revolution, and during the progress of that eventful conflict. To the Whigs of the Old Cheraws, though with very few exceptions hitherto unknown to fame, must a conspicuous place be assigned, for the part they took in preparing the way for that early struggle for independence, and in its prosecution afterwards.

If omissions appear in the account of families which came at an early period to the Pedee, and are known to have taken

Introduction. vii

an active and influential part in its subsequent history, it is to be attributed to the fact, which none can regret more than the Author, that after diligent and unremitting effort, information was either not to be obtained, or failed, after repeated application, to be procured from their descendants. It is a melancholy fact, indeed, as has been painfully experienced here in not a few instances, how little is known by their posterity of the third and fourth generations, of ancestors who are worthy of being held in honored remembrance. In this connexion facts could be given which Avould scarcely be credited. Too little attention has been generally paid to the preservation of such ancestral accounts, and of documentary matter, invaluable in connexion with the history of communities and public events of importance. To a few such collections which happily escaped the ravages of time, the Author has been largely indebted in filling up some of the links of his narrative. He is under weighty obligations to those who kindly furnished information and materials within their reach; also to others who gave him access to public libraries and the archives of the State, and desires in this lasting form to give expression to his acknowledgments.

In a local history like the following, much of minute detail as to persons and places is to be expected, constituting, as it does, one of the chief attractions of such a narrative. Where printed or documentary matter of permanent interest and value could be given in full as recorded, the object has been to present it literally in its original form, rather than in the language of the Author. In this way only can the materials necessary for general use in the future be preserved, and the labor of those to come in more important paths of historical inquiry be lightened. The hope is therefore cherished that the intrinsic value of the matter collected, not the style of its narration, may interest the reader. And if a work, begun and prosecuted under the constant pressure of

^" Introduction.

other pursuits and labor., shall serve to make those for whom

their fathers, and do justice, though at so late a period to the memory of the noble men who have gone before the Author will feel that his effort is abundantfj rewarded!

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HISTORY

OF

THE OLD CHERAWS.

Chapter I

Indian tribes in Carolina — Extent of tlieir territory — Other tribes — Pedees — Kadapaws — Localities of each — Their origin — Advent of the Catawbas — Their tradition — Subsequent relation to tribes on the Pedee — Lederer's narrative — Localities identified — Sara, where — First mention in public records of tribes on the Pedee — Visit of the Cheraws to Charlestown — Governor's visit to the Congerees — Interview with Pedees — Governor Glenn writes to Governor Clinton — Evans's Journal — Cheraws visit Charlestown — Smallpox prevails — Removal of Cheraws and union with Catawbas — Catawba History — Languages of tribes on the Pedee — Meaning of "Cheraw" — -"Pedee" — Indian remains on the Pedee — Indian habits and customs — Lawson's narrative — Last of Cheraws and Catawbas.

There is a sad chapter in the history of the New World : it is that relating to the Aborigines of America — a people, as all accounts agree, distinguished for many noble traits, but invariably degenerating in character and habit as they have come in contact with the "pale-faces," and taken up their mournful line of march towards the setting sun.

When first known to the colonists, South Carolina is said to have contained not less than twenty-eight tribes of Indians, with settlements extending from the ocean to the mountains. Of these tribes but a few names survive to mark the localities they once inhabited; and these, with such scattered remains as the waste of time and the levelling work of the white man have spared, are the only memorials left to tell of their early occupancy of the soil. Of the tribes which dwelt upon the Pedee and its tributaries, the Saras, or Saraws, as they were first called — afterwards Charrows, Charraws, and Cheraws — occupied the region still identified by the name: their territory extending thence to the coast, and along the coast from the Cape Fear to the Pedee. This extensive region has been assigned to the Cheraws by one of the most eminent ethnologists of America, as among the sites of the Indian tribes when first known to the Europeans, about the year 1600, along the coast of the Atlantic*

If such was the extent of their territory at that early period, it would indicate a population which must have been greatly diminished, when, upon the approach of the Catawbas, a half century later, the supremacy of the Cheraws over the smaller tribes around them, and even over their own distinct nationality, would seem to have been lost, or at least unacknowledged. Within these early territorial limits of the Cheraws, and along the middle and lower parts of the valley of the river, must be assigned the Pedees ; and about the mouth of the river, the Winyaws, The Kadapaws were found on Lynche's Creek, after the name of which tribe that stream was called in the Indian tongue. Of these, the Cheraws — however they may have been diminished in number by disease and war, or perchance by some dismemberment of their nation, and the removal of many, of which no record or tradition remains — continued to be the dominant race on the Pedee; the others having ever been reckoned among the smaller and inferior tribes. Of their origin nothing is known beyond the conjectures of ethnologists. They have been assigned, but upon what grounds does not appear, to the extensive family of Algonkins. These occupied that portion of North America on the east extending from 35° to 60° N. latitude, and reaching along the northern line of extension almost to the Pacific on the west. Beyond this, as the track of aboriginal descent and migration begins to be traced back, even conjecture is lost in a sea of uncertainty.

The tribes on the Pedee continued in their feeble and disconnected state (the Cheraws maintaining the supremacy) until the arrival of the Catawbas from the north, with the

*See map annexed, by the late Albert Gallatin, vol. i. of "Transactions of American Ethnological Society."

history of whom their own was ever after to be inseparably blended.

According to their tradition,* as it has been handed down to very recent times, the Catawbas, at a period prior or not long subsequent to the discovery and settlement of North America by the whites, occupied a region far to the northward, from whence, in course of time, they removed to the south. Being a numerous and warlike race, they vanquished the tribes with whom they came successively in conflict on the way, until they met the Cherokees on the banks of the river, afterwards called by their own name, Catawba.

Here, as the tradition relates, a sanguinary battle ensued between them, which lasted from morning until night, darkness alone serving to put an end to the conflict. The loss on both sides was heavy, though neither party gained the victory. They slept on the field of blood among^ their dead and wounded. With the approach of morning, propositions of peace were made by the Catawbas, and accepted by the Cherokees. According to the terms of the agreement, the former were to occupy the country east of the river, and the latter the territory on the wesi. Here they solemnly agreed to live together as brothers; and, after burying their dead, and erecting piles of stones as monuments alike of their common loss, and of the peace and -friendship established between them, returned to their encampments, ever afterwards sacredly observing the terms of the compact. This tradition of the Catawbas is confirmed throughout by the fuller details which ethnological research has added to their history. They appear to have been a Canadian tribe, and to have left their ancient home about the year 1650, pursued by the Connewangas, a superior and more warlike tribe, with whom they had come in conflict. Forced thus to remove, they turned their faces to the southward, and fought their way, when necessary to do so, until they approached tlie head waters of the Kentucky River.

♦For this interesting traditional account, as given by tlie Catawbas, tiie author is indebted to W. H. Thomas, Esq., of Qualla Town, No. Ca., who has been intimately connected with them, as their head man, or chief, since their removal to the western part of that State.

Here a separation took place, the larger number becoming absorbed in the great families of the Chickasaws and Choctaws.

The remainder of the tribe stopped in what was afterwards known as Bottetourt County, Virginia, but without making any permanent settlement.

They removed thence in the year 1660, continuing their journey to the south, and, as Adair wrote, "settled on the east side of a broad, purling river, that heads in the great blue ridge of mountains, and empties itself into Santee River, in Amelia township, then running eastward of Charlestown, disgorges itself into the Atlantic."

On the banks of this river, the Eswa Tavora (as it was called in the Indian tongue), they met the Cherokees, whose extensive territory ran thence to the westward, and there followed the sanguinary conflict, of which some account has been given.

In this battle 1000 of the bravest warriors were lost on each side, greatly reducing the force of the Catawbas, and doubtless making a permanent impression on their spirit as a warlike race, for which they had been so celebrated in the earlier periods of their history.

How the approach of the Catawbas was regarded by the Cheraws, and whether any conflict ensued between them, tradition does not inform us. The approach of a strong and formidable tribe was generally regarded by the Indians as a hostile demonstration and claim to dominion. Already, doubtless, the decline of the Cheraws had commenced and made such progress as to unfit them for contesting the claim to supremacy. It was to be the story of a continuous decline, and of a race scattered or absorbed into another superior to themselves, the beginning of the last and most mournful chapter in their history. A portion of the Cheraws, however, must have remained distinct and independent for more than a century later, as will be found in tracing their subsequent course. They were henceforth to be wanderers, the remains of their once extensive dominion, with those of the smaller tribes around them, having passed aw^ay to the Catawbas. The territory of the latter was placed in 34° north latitude, being bounded on the north and north-east by North Carolina; on the east and south by South Carolina; and about west and south-west by the Cherokee nation.*

The smaller tribes on the waters of the Pedee, appear after this period to have had but a nominal existence. They had doubtless degenerated through the operation of those wasting and destructive agencies at work in the history of the aboriginal races; and, in addition, had undergone the process, common among the Indians, of becoming absorbed in their conquerors or in the larger tribes around them.

In this instance they were merged chiefly in the Catawbas. About the year 1743, the language of the Catawbas is said to have consisted of twenty different dialects, of which the "Katahba" was the standard, or court dialect, the "Cherah" being another. Scarcely anything beyond a bare allusion to them by name is found relating to the tribes on the Pedee in the earliest accounts of the Indians of Carolina. With the exception of the Cheraws, they were reckoned among the smaller and inferior tribes, most of whom had then greatly degenerated and were rapidly approaching extinction. Brief allusions are found at an early period to the several tribes in the Acts of the Assembly, passed for the regulation and support of the Indian trade. The larger tribes on the northern and western boundaries of the Province engaged the attention of the Government almost exclusively. The Catawbas formed a sort of barrier against their incursions, and of them there is frequent mention.

Of the Cheraws the first distinct relation in any contemporaneous record, is found in the explorations of John Lederer, "in three several marches from Virginia to the west of Carolina and other parts of the Continent; begun in March, 1669, and ended in September, 1670."t

Such at least is the case, if we are to understand by "Sara," as he writes it, the locality of the "Saraws," as they were sometimes called, or Cheraw Indians. Thus, in tFor a full account of this early American traveller, the reader is referred to Dr. Hawks' "History of No. Ca.," vol. it. pp. 43 — 63, with maps annexed.

one of his journeys, Lederer says, "I departed from Watery the one-and-twentieth of June, and keeping a west course for near thirty miles, I came to Sara. Here I found the ways more level and easy. I did likewise, to my no small admiration, find hard cakes of white salt among them; but whether they were made of sea-water or taken out of saltpits I know not, but am apt to believe the latter, because the sea is so remote from them. From Sara I kept a southwest course until the five-and-twentieth of June, and then I reached Wisacky. This three days' march was more troublesome to me than all my travels besides, for the direct way which I took from Sara to Wisacky is over a continued marsh overgrown with weeds, from whose roots spring knotty stumps, as hard and sharp as flint.

"I was forced to lead my horse most part of the way, and wonder that he was not either plunged in the bogs or lamed by those rugged knots. This nation is subject to a neighbor king residing upon the bank of a great lake called Ushery, environed of all sides with mountains and Wisacky marsh."*

There is great difficulty throughout Lederer's narrative, as Dr. Hawks more than once remarks, in determining the routes by which he passed and the localities described. If by "Watery," the Wateree of the present day is to be understood, he could not by going west thirty miles to "Wisacky," and thence three days' march by a south-west course to "Ushery," have reached the San tee; for by "Ushery" the Santee was meant, if the authority quoted by Dr. Hawks is correct: Col. Byrd, he adds, says that the Indians living on the Santee River were called "Usheries." If, on the other hand, amid the confusion of names which could not have been very well defined at that early period, we may understand by "Watery" the Pedee of the present day, a journey of thirty miles to the west would have brought Lederer to Lynche's Creek, the "Wisacky," and three days' march from thence south-westwardly along the swamp of Wateree, would have enabled him to reach the Santee, environed by the "High Hills" which have since become so famous, called by this early explorer, "Moun-

♦Hawks' "History of N. C," vol. ii. p. 49.

tains," and with an almost impenetrable swamp of vast extent, to which his description of a "marsh overgrown with reeds," would very well answer.

In support of this view, we find in Oldmixon's "History of Carolina," published in 1708, reason for supposing that the Pedee was then called by that name (Watery). Describing the six counties into which Carolina, North and South, was then divided, he begins with Albemarle, on the borders of Virginia. Then follows an account of Clarendon County, in which, he says, "is the famous promontory, called also Cape Fear, at the mouth of Clarendon River, called also Cape Fear Kiver. The next river is named Waterey River, or Winyan, about twenty-five leagues distant from Ashley River: it is capable of receiving large ships, but inferior to Port Royal, nor is yet inhabited. There is another small river called Wingon River, and a little settlement honoured with the name of Charles-town, but so thinly inhabited that 'tis not worth taking notice of. We come now to South Carolina, which is parted from North by Zantee River. The adjacent county is called Craven County."*

It is evident that the "Waterey" here spoken of, was the Waccamaw, or the lower Pedee, and not the Wateree of the present day.

The Pedee being a much longer stream than the Waccamaw, it is not impossible that though the latter was known by the name of Waterey, or Winyan near its mouth, the former being supposed to form its extension higher up, Avas also in like manner designated. Dr. Hawks remarks, "Watery, Sara, Wisacky, and Ushery, would all appear to have been in South Carolina, the last directly west of Charles-town. If he made his journey then, entering the State somewhere in Robeson County, he must have crossed in a south-western line, and passing through Robeson County into South Carolina, must have traversed that State also in its entire width. The time occupied would not have been sufficient for it. Lederer's Itinerary presents difficulties which we confess we cannot satisfactorily solve."t

♦Oldmixon's "History," in Carroll's Collections, vol. ii. p. 446. fllawks' "History of N. C." vol. ii. p. 52.

If, as is here conjectured, Lederer passed through Robeson County into South Carolina, the supposition we have made will appear the more probable. And it brings to light the fact never before suggested or imagined, perhaps, that the Pedee, in the earlier days of aboriginal history, was known as "Sara." If it was so, the time and reason of the change to Pedee can be left to conjecture only.

It might have taken place after the advent of the Catawbas, and been brought about by them in order that such a standing memorial of the "Sara" dominion might be for ever obliterated; or, what is yet more probable, the "Sara" territory, once embracing the region higher up, but afterwards confined to the coast, the Pedees, if succeeding to it, would naturally have called the river after their own name.

The earliest mention in the provincial records of any of the tribes inhabiting the Valley of the Pedee, is found in the proceedings of the Council or Upper House of Assembly, December 15th, 1732.* It is in these words : — "Mr. Sanders and Mr. Waties came from the Lower House with the following message. We herewith send your Excellency a letter of great moment to this Government, relating to the murder of a Pedee Indian, by one Kemp. We desire your Excellency to take the proper measures to prevent the ill consequences of it, by causing the offender to be apprehended and brought to justice, or otherwise as your Excellency shall see fit."

Upon reading the message from the Lower House of Assembly, and likewise the letter therein mentioned, complaining that one Kemp, or Camp, an overseer at Black River, or Georgetown, has barbarously murdered one of the Pedee Indians,

"Ordered, — That James Neale, Esq., Provost Marshal, do immediately attach the said Kemp, or Camp, and bring him before his Excellency, the Governor, in Charlestown, to be dealt with according to law, and that all Constables and other officers and subjects of his Majesty be aiding and

♦"Council Journal," No. 5, p. 258, Secretary of State's Office, Columbia.

assisting to the said Provost Marshal in the execution of this order."

This proceeding of the House was based upon the following facts: — "Appeared before this Board, Thomas Burton and Wm. Kemp, and upon the affidavit of Thomas Burton, and the information of Wm. Kemp concerning the fact of an Indian fellow being killed, name Corn-White Johnny, his Excellency issued the following order. On the 17th January, 1733, in Council, upon hearing this day the information of William Kemp, relating to the death of Corn-White Johnny, and the affidavit of Thomas Burton, it is ordered that King Harry, Captain Billy, George and Dancing Johnny, and some of the relations of the deceased, be and appear before me, the second Wednesday in February next ensuing, to give an account of what they know of the death of the said Indian, and that Wm. Kemp do attend at the same time; likewise that Mr. John Thompson, jun., is desired to acquaint the said Indians of this order." This record is of interest now as evincing the jealous care exercised by the Provincial Government for the protection of those scattered and defenceless remnants of the Indian tribes whose domain was fast passing away from them, and who continued faithful to the whites to the close of their history.

Of the result of the proceedings referred to no further account appears.

We have next a brief, but interesting notice* of a visit made to Charles-town by a few of the leading men of the Cheraws and Catawbas in July, 1739: — "On Saturday last," said the Gazette of that day, "arrived in this town eleven of the chief men among the Catawbas and Cheraw Indians, who came to pay a visit to his Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor, and inform him that some time since a party of their people went out to war, and not meeting with their enemies, had cut off a white family on the

*South Carolina Gazette, June 30 — July 7th, 1739. For access to this invaluable historical collection — a complete file of the old Gazettes, commencing about 1730 — the author is indebted to the courtesy of A. H. Mazyck, Esq., of the Charleston Library. Only a few of the earlier numbers of the Gazette are missing. At a later period a small portion was burned.

borders ol' Virginia ; that upon complaint made to them of the said barbarous murder, they examined into the facts, and had put five of the ringleaders to death; and that they Were determined to prosecute in the same rigorous manner any of their people who for the future should be found guilty of the like cruel practices. They met with a kind reception from his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, and having received the usual presents from the country, they set out this day on their return home, well pleased and content."

The signal punishment visited by these tribes upon the murderers of the whites, indicated their fidelity to the Provincial Government, which continued to be as true as it was lasting.

Of the Pedees mention is made a few years later. "In Council, March 2nd, 1743, his Excellency, the Governor, signed the following order to Mr. Commissary Dart, viz., to provide for the Pedee Indians now in town, the following particulars, viz. : —

'^Presents. — To the three head men, each of them, a gun and knife; to the others, each of them, a knife. For the three women, each of them, a looking-glass, twenty bullets, half a pound vermillion to be divided among them.

"Also, an order on Col. Brewton, for ten pounds of gunpowder for use of said Indians."* The Pedees are mentioned again, with the Catawbas, in the following year. "In Council, 25th July, 1744, the Governor admitted four Pedee Indians to an interview in the Council Chamber, who informed his Excellency that seven Catawbas had been barbarously murdered by the Notchee Indians, who live among them, which horrible deed having been confirmed by Mr. Matthew Beard, who lives at Goose Creek, who had certain intelligence of the same, saying, that the said Catawbas being drunk near Fuller Cowpen, near the four holes, seven of them, while asleep, were murdered by the Notchees ; which affair being taken into consideration, his Excellency, by the advice of his Majesty's Council, ordered the following letter to be despatched away, relating to that subject : —

•"Council Journal," No. 11, p. 133.

"Sir, — I have received information of an imlueky accident which happened about a week ago, at or near the store belonging to the late Major Fuller, somewhere about the Four Holes, where some Notch ee Indians have fallen upon and killed five or six of the Catawbas, being instigated thereto by a person who keeps that store. The Catawbas, as I understand, have already set out to take their revenge, which has obliged the Notchees and Pedees to come further down among the settlements for shelter, I must therefore desire the favor of you to interpose in this matter, and to prevent, as far as you are able, any bloodshed, till this matter is fully enquired into. Then the guilty may be punished, and if you find it necessary, to interpose with the Militia in your parts to keep the peace. This I write at the desire of his Majesty's Council. I hear they are at Mr. Beard's Plantation, in the neighbourhood.

"I am, with truth, yours,

"To Hon. Wm. Middleton, Esq." "JAMES GLEN.*

About two years after this, the Governor, as was usual when any difficulty occurred with the Indians, or to preserve their friendship and maintain a due influence over them, made a visit into the interior, at a certain place on the Congarees, appointed by him for an interview with the Catawbas, of which the following account was preserved. t "The Governor arrived at Congarees 27 April, 140 miles distance hence, where, on the bank of the Santee, the king and a few of the head men met him. Yenabe Yalangway, the King — the old leader. Captain Taylor, Nafkebee, and some others awaited on his Excellency. The next day the Governor addressed them. A place being erected for the Governor to sit under, and the Union Flag hoisted, our men were drawn out in two lines, through which the Indians marched, when they were received with drums beating and colours flying, and saluted with some small pieces of cannon : after they had all taken the Governor by the hand, and the King with some of his head-men, had placed himself near

♦"Council Journal," No. 11, pp. 413, 414. iGazette, June 2, 1746.