Hilton Head First Families

First Families of Hilton Head | The Singletons

March 25, 2023

These days, when we think of major developers, we think of the corporations that developed massive communities like Sea Pines, Hilton Head Plantation and Indigo Run, but the Singleton family deserves credit as a major developer as well. Not only did the Singletons play a significant role in shaping island history and “pulled themselves up by their bootstraps,” they created opportunities for the economic growth and prosperity of their neighbors.

Hilton Head First Families | The Browns

February 11, 2022

The Brown family is unique, genealogically speaking, because their family tree has been traced back to 1825, before emancipation. Documenting this kind of information about a black family is truly rare. The Browns’ story reveals a rich history, and includes information and details that paint a clear and beautiful picture of this vibrant family for future generations to treasure.

Hilton Head First Families | The Young’s

August 14, 2021

The island’s first families who were also residents of Mitchelville, is a relatively short list, so armed with the information that Mr. Moon actually lived in Mitchelville, and with the names of his grandparents, Sammy and Ella Young, I set out to find stories about the Young’s first recorded generations. I wanted to see if I could find out more about Mr. Moon’s great great grandparents. Genealogy research can be an exciting mystery that reveals seductive clues as it slowly brings the past to life. It also can be very frustrating, because sometimes the puzzle being built will never become a complete picture. Missing pieces of data, or documents may never be found due to carelessness and mishandled records, fires, or what I call the dreaded “1865 Slave Wall.” 1865 is the pivotal point in time prior to Emancipation when Black Americans’ lives were not officially documented.

First Families of Hilton Head | The Simmons

May 4, 2021

When you drive down Spanish Wells Road, on Hilton Head, you are sure to go over the bridge that was named after Charlie Simmons, Sr., also known as “Mr. Transportation.” The story of how he used his boat to connect the native islanders to the mainland is a well-known one. He established a ferry business that enabled native islanders to bring their crops to the markets in Savannah. Not only did his transportation business impact the lives of the individual islanders, it was also instrumental in increasing the economic strength and overall development of the island. This makes his life and work an important part of Hilton Head’s history.

Hilton Head First Families | The Aikens

December 5, 2020

From the beginning of my research, it became clear that the Aiken family was a family that strived to achieve all that they could often under very difficult circumstances. When I first asked the family how far back they could trace their family roots, I was told about James Aiken, who was born in 1871. However, when I began my research, I was not only able to find James, but also his father Joseph Goodwin Aiken, who was born in Bluffton in 1831. Remarkably, I was also able to find

First Families of Hilton Head | The Lawyers

July 27, 2020

The Lawyers, like most families on Hilton Head depended on the land as well as the surrounding waters to sustain them, but for generations, they chose to make fishing the family business. This included Ned’s sons, Edward Jr. and Jack Lawyer, and all of his grandsons after him, including Arthur Lawyer Sr. However, even though an existence surrounded by water brought them life and joy, it brought tragedy and loss as well.

First Familes of Hilton Head | The Stewarts

June 12, 2020

For the Stewarts, and most of the male Native Islanders, survival meant living off the bounty of the land and sea. Developing the skills needed to fish and navigate the waters was how they were able to put food on the table, and earn a living to support the family. The Stewart family was different, because however, and one of Charles’ sons, Arthur Stewart, turned fishing the family business that served the needs of the community, and his wife, Isabel worked alongside him as a deckhand. This was unusual because, in those days, most native islander women were not taught to swim or fish.

Mary Green | Shaping Gullah Futures

May 10, 2020

Born into the Gullah culture on Hilton Head during a time “when life was beautiful,” Mary Green was raised to believe that “everyone was your mother. As children, we knew that any adult in the community could discipline us if we did something wrong, just like our parents could. People were wonderful to each other on the island, we always took care of each other.”

Mary Ford | “The Rain Lady”

May 9, 2020

Known affectionately as the “Rain Lady,” Mary Ford was one of the best-known voices on the island; her voice was soul-piercing, and it lifted and carried her listeners anywhere she chose to take them. With or without musical instruments as backup, for over 60 years, Mary had been belting out her earthy alto tones with heartfelt joy while she gave her community the beautiful gift of music.

Hilton Head First Families | The Cohens

January 8, 2020

One Hilton Head first family, made boxing into the family business; which included the Cohen brothers, all of whom were trained as professional boxers. Recognized as the Southeast Heavy Weight Champion, his career brought him friendships with some of the top boxers in his day.

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