Charleston

“Charleston County and the city of Charleston, its county seat, are the most historic locations in the state.”

“Charleston County and the city of Charleston, its county seat, are the most historic locations in the state.” Situated in the Lowcountry, the county serves as a popular vacation destination but also relies on the business that results from its port. The area in general serves as a large cultural and economic hub for the state.

Charleston County was founded as Charleston District in 1769, and the district became smaller after some of its lands were used to create Colleton and Berkeley counties. The county and its seat were named after King Charles II.

The city and county are saturated with Revolutionary War and Civil War history. Three signers of the United States Constitution and two famous abolitionists resided in Charleston County, and the Civil War began when soldiers fired shots from the county’s Fort Sumter.

Denmark Vesey's Plot | Palmetto Special

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The program begins with Vesey discussing the condition of slavery with an acquaintance who is a slave Later, at a meeting, details of the plot are worked out with co-conspirators including Peter Poyas...
Pirates of the Carolinas
Episode 7

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DISCLAIMER: This video has a lot of visual images of hangings and decapitation. Stede Bonnet had sought and received a pardon from Governor Eden at Bathtown, North Carolina, and a privateering letter...
James Lide Coker | History of SC Slide Collection
James Lide Coker | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 44

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Born near Society Hill, James Lide Coker (1837-1918) attended local schools, the South Carolina Military Institute of Charleston, and Harvard University, where he received specialized agricultural...
Mordecai Cohen | History of SC Slide Collection
Mordecai Cohen | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 43

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Mordecai Cohen (1763-1848) was born in Poland, but amassed extensive real estate holdings in Charleston after the Revolution. A planter and philanthropist, he served as Commissioner of the Poor House...
Sir Henry Clinton | History of SC Slide Collection
Sir Henry Clinton | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 42

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Sir Henry Clinton (1738-1795) commanded the force that unsuccessfully attacked Charleston at the beginning of the American Revolution in 1776. When General William Howe resigned as commander in chief...
Mary Boykin Chesnut | History of SC Slide Collection
Mary Boykin Chesnut | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 39

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Mary Boykin Chesnut (1823-1886) was the wife of James Chesnut Jr., and a famous Civil War diarist. Born near Camden, she attended private schools; at Madame Talvande's School in Charleston she first...
Pirates of the Carolinas
Episode 5

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Although males, young and old, comprised the great majority of pirates, some women seeking the same adventure and plunder disguised themselves as males and also signed aboard pirate vessels. Anne...
Pierce Butler | History of SC Slide Collection
Pierce Butler | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 28

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Born in Ireland, Pierce Butler (1744-1822) arrived in America as an officer in the British Army stationed in Boston. However, he resigned prior to the Revolutionary War and moved to Charleston where...