Gullah/Geechee Corridor

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.

What Does the Gullah Language Sound Like?

June 29, 2020

Gullah Geechee is a rich culture with its own language. The language has been around for hundreds of years and continues to be spoken today. The language is a combination of a variety of African words from various countries as well as English.

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 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.

Slavery in the Lowcountry | By the Numbers

February 21, 2020

As a result, close to 80% of American Blacks who are descendants of slaves can trace their lineage back to the Gullah Geechee Corridor with the majority of them coming from South Carolina. At one point, the majority of South Carolina’s population consisted mostly of African slaves, with the highest concentrations in the plantation areas of the Lowcountry. By the 1860 census, the population was 703,620, with roughly 57% or 402,000 classified as slaves.

What is Heirs Property?

October 24, 2019

The problem that exists with heirs property is two-fold. Acreage, in some cases, has been subdivided between family members with the land having been passed down generation to generation without a deed; the practice of which, makes the legal transfer or the division of property nearly impossible under the current laws.

Mother Ethel Rivers

September 20, 2019

It’s not often that you have the opportunity to spend time with a centenarian; it’s a chance to pause and to take notes. Time with her is a chance to peek behind the historic curtain and receive first-hand knowledge and unexpected details from someone’s past. Still active and clear in her memories, Mother Ethel Rivers comes across as if she’s decades younger. It’s only when she starts to share her rich past that you realize how much of a rare island treasure that she is. She, however, doesn’t think so.

PENN CENTER AND THE PORT ROYAL EXPERIMENT

August 1, 2019

On February 6, 1862, General Thomas Sherman initiated General Order No. 9, which outlined a plan for the abandoned plantations and opened the door for Northern societies to send volunteers and workers South to aid the freedmen. Once the Union Army occupied the island, the Port Royal Experiment began. This was a massive humanitarian effort to address the needs of the 10,000 newly freed men, women and children.

ARE YOU A GULLAH OR GEECHEE?

July 31, 2019

So where did the words
Gullah and Geechee come from? There’s a lot of speculation about their origins.
So are you a Gullah or a Geechee?
Over time, the names have been combined and have become interchangeable.

HILTON HEAD FIRST FAMILIES – The Jones

July 12, 2019

After the war, having an army pension was almost a life and death matter for these newly freed slaves. Many soldiers had to obtain witnesses to help them verify who they were, and that they were in fact veterans of the Civil War. Matthew Jones, one of the early residents of Historic Mitchelville, was one of those soldiers.

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