Wednesday, July 31, 2024

The History of Daufuskie Island

 



I've often wondered why I didn't enjoy history class as a child. Today, I can really appreciate the history we find all over the world. But I think what I love the most is the history that is in my back yard. We just returned from a short vacation on Daufuskie Island (Duh-fuss-key) that was full of the past. This little-known gem is nestled in between two well-known Islands off the coast of South Carolina. Sitting on the sandy beach, you can look to your left and see Hilton Head Island and if you look to the right, you see Georgia's Tybee Island. What keeps this island remote and not commercialized as much as the other barrier islands is its lack of a bridge. It can only be accessed by boat. 


Daufuskie Island is only 5 miles long and approximately 2.5 miles wide with a surface area of only 8 square miles. But as small as this little Island is, it is full off rich South Carolina history. The first records we have date back to the 1500's when the Muskogee Indians inhabited the island. They thrived on the island with its rich resources of wildlife, fish, and long growing season. They named the island Daufuskie which meant sharp feather due to the long narrow shape.

Endangered Marsh Tacky Horse



By the early 15 hundreds European explorers had discovered the island. Spanish setters had made their way across the Atlantic looking for places to make new settlements. They brought with them Iberian horses. The Carolina Marsh Tacky horses are descendants of the Spaniard's 16th century horses and are in danger today with only 400 horses alive. They are a smaller horse of approximately 14 hands. They are intelligent, strong and well-built for the Carolina lowland's swampy areas.




Endangered Marsh Tacky Horse

English, French, and Scottish began settling on the island. The island appealed to the Europeans for much of the same reasons it did the native Indians. The fertile soil and mild temperatures made it an ideal place to grow crops for profit such as rice, cotton, and indigo. The Yemassee Indians ran off the other Indians on the island and became intolerant of all the settlers coming to Daufuskie. In 1684 they attacked the Scottish settlement. That was the beginning of many conflicts between the settlers and the natives. The Spainards who felt threatened by the newcomers encouraged the Yemassee Indian attacks. 

Small Island Home

The conflicts heightened and between 1715 and 1717 the attacks became more violent. The British, tired of the raids, hid in the woods on the southwestern shore with cannons and guns waiting for the next attack. When it came the Indians were no match with their inferior weaponry. The waters ran red from the blood. The point was given the name Bloody Point--a name that remains today. The raids on the settlers ended as the Indians lost the battles and eventually their land.


 

Live Oak Trees used for Tall Ships


T
all ships brought a need for good wood and Daufuskie Island with all its live oaks became the center for the harvesting of trees. Live oaks were prized by shipbuilders because the wood was resistant to rot, it was extremely strong, and an added bonus was the curve in the wood. 



Daufuskie Island kept its loyalties to England during the Revolutionary War. There were conflicts with the neighboring Hilton Head as its loyalties were to the new America. 

Island's First Upstairs Stairs in this house


World famous Sea Island cotton became a highly sought after high-quality cotton by buyers. The long strands made for not only a stronger fiber but a finer one as well. It brought good money in for the plantation owners and beautiful mansions were built. There were a total of eleven plantations prior to the Civil War. But the raising of cotton also had its downfalls for it brought slavery to the island. The conditions were harsh for the slaves who had to work the plantations.


Winery

Slave Church



When the Civil War broke out, Union troops occupied the island. The plantation owner fled to safety, leaving behind their homes and their slaves. The slaves continued to work the fields. Some of the freed slaves bought land on the island and continued to live there. Because of this the Gullah language was used on the island. Gullah is a combination of English, Creole, and African languages. You can still find the rich Gullah accent among some of the residents of the island today.



Light House Home





The Gullah language can be a bit difficult to 
understand if you haven't been around it. I had the privilege of meeting the man who owned one of the Marsh Tacky horses. I love to hear Gullah spoken but I had to ask him to repeat himself several times. He took it in good stride, even using hand motions once to help me understand.

Artesian Store front


Visiting Daufuskie Island truly is like stepping back in time. Electricity didn't come to the island until 1953 and telephones arrived in 1972 It's a slower pace, a more relaxed lifestyle, there are no store chains, no grocery stores (yes, you read that correctly, so bring your own food), just local businesses such as an artesian community, a handful of restaurants, and a couple stores that are similar to a convenience store only one third the size. The stores and restaurants have what I'd call 'suggested' hours. You can never be sure... 





The Iron Fish

The island is full of historical landmarks to see. With the island being small we drove around in golf carts visiting a lighthouse (don't get too excited it isn't what you'll expect), an old Gullah school, old Cemetaries, old homes, an old winery, and a pre-civil war slave church to name a few. We stayed in the home with the very first set of stairs to an upstairs. It was super cozy. Next door was the owners metal shop, The Iron fish. He had lots of fun wall designs and you could watch them work. The wildlife is abundant. We saw everything from deer to raccoons, to armadillos, to alligators, birds, lizards, unusual squirrels, frogs... The list could go on and on. The scenery was just breath-taking. I do love the Spanish moss! The vacation was a hit and I can't wait to go back and visit!

 

What the roads look like on the island

A Small Old Cemetary

 


3 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting today. What a wonderful place to discover! I'm glad I could visit there, thanks to your vivid descriptions and pictures!

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  2. Hey Connie! It was so interesting! I just loved it. How long did you go there? I had never heard of it until my Daughter-in-law invited us. I hope to go back again. It truly was like stepping back in time.

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    1. I only went there through your eyes and descriptions, Debbie Lynne.

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