Robert Smalls Memorial in Beaufort, South Carolina

The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort, South Carolina has a small a historic graveyard to the right of the church as you face it, in a picturesque courtyard.  The church was formed by Black Members when the area was evacuated in 1861 due to Federal Occupation.

A Memorial to Robert Smalls is present as you enter the courtyard and graveyard.  A quote by Robert Smalls reads, "My Race needs no special defense.  For the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people any where.  All they need is an equal chance in the battle of Life.  Dated Nov 1, 1895.

Hannah Jones was a maid at a hotel in Charleston when Robert met her.  He was born into slavery on April 5th 1839 in a slave cabin behind the main house (located at 511 Prince St) of Henry McKee.  Henry McKee owned his mother Lydia Polite.  It is presumed Henry fathered Robert, some records list him as a mulatto, though pictures show him to be quite black.  Robert owned by Henry  and was leased out to businesses in Charleston when only 12.  It is during that occasion that he met Hannah.  As a slave he spent a good deal of time in Charleston harbor and had many jobs.  He worked on the docs and learned to make sails among other jobs.  Ultimately, he became a pilot; though being Black wasn't given that title..that is the work he did.  He became quite good at it and used those skills to free himself and Hannah and their children and others.  He was on The CSS Planter, a Confederate ship when the 3 White Captains and Pilots decided to spend their evening on shore.  On May 13th, 1862, he commandeered the ship and sailed it safely past 5 Confederate Forts.  On board were 4 large artillery pieces and along with an important coding book.  He was able to use the correct codes in order to appear to be a Confederate and thus wasn't questioned as he sailed to freedom and turned the ship, it's code book, and artillery over to Union Forces.

Though I didn't read any accounts of a 2nd marriage, it seems his 2nd wife, Annie is also buried in the quaint historic church graveyard there in Beautfort.

After the Civil War, Robert Smalls returned to Beaufort and purchased the house at 511 Prince Street from his previous Master, Henry McKee.  His Mother, Lydia lived her remaining days with him there as well.  Robert was a successful business man, and was elected to The South Carolina State Legislature, and United States House of Representatives.    It is because of him, that Blacks were admitted to fight on the side of the Union forces.  He was also instrumental in the formation of the first free and compulsory public school system in the country.

After the compromise of 1877 when Federal forces were withdrawn from the area, he was convicted of accepting a $5,000 bribe by Southern Whites in one of the many efforts to reduce power and respect of Blacks in the South, but was pardoned in a deal which also permitted charges of voter fraud by Democrats to be dropped.

What a remarkable man.  I encourage you to take the time to visit this historic church and graveyard.

**Carol Kilgore, I've been unable to visit and leave comments on your blog because of google+.  You may not be aware of your settings, but it seems things have changed and now ONLY people who join google+ can blog with you.  I know there's a fix, as others have done it.  An hopeful you'll see this post and leave a comment.  Happy to put you back on my blog log, since we enjoyed visiting back and forth during the a-z challenge.  AND perhaps someone who is google+ will see this and let you know how to fix it**

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(C6, RT6)

Beaufort National Cemetery

(A-Z Challenge G post)
Graveyards.  Yes, I almost always find a graveyard to visit when we travel.  Why?  I find them fascinating.  The history you see with dates, the beautiful artwork on stones, particularly the older stones, and because most graveyards are pretty, and so serene.

This was a quicker then normal visit, as it was getting late in the day, the sun was setting and it being January, even in South Carolina it gets nippy.  We still had to drive back to our condo in Hilton Head.  Look how perfect each row is.  I'm always impressed with the precision in National Cemeteries.

Precision, even with curves.  The wreaths are left from the National program Wreaths Across America. 
By mid January when we visited, most had been removed, as per protocol.  But laying the wreaths and removing them in a big job.  You pay your respect to those there and I believe you can learn a bit about the area while spending time in a graveyard.

A traditional stone, this one for Daniel Miller, United States Navy #334.    He was someone's son, someone's friend, perhaps someone's father or brother.

Many of The Natl. Cemeteries have a book where you look up your name or other family names.  The last 2 listed are Holladay's, spelled the same as my husband's family.

Carrying across the page, I need 2 photo's but have the plot info 17-0-30 and birth and death dates of Captain Frederick Owen Holladay and his wife who is listed as a Dependant June Hoban Holladay.  Since taking the photo, I've done minimal research and found Capt. Holladay served in both WWII and The Korean War.  He was born in Newton, Mississippi the son of Owen A. Holladay and Kate Hayes Holladay.  He was a ham operator, graduated from Milsaps College and attended George Washington University and Temple University.  We spotted the book and got the info on our way out so we didn't actually find his grave.  Next trip though we'll be ready.

This stone though really got my attention.  It's not the standard military issue.  It reads, Sacred to the memory of Lorenzo S. Snow, Ordinary Seaman of the US Steammer....and I can't make out the ship (will need to research to see if I can find it), who fell in action on Stone River, Dec 25, 1863.  Gallantly battling for his flag and his country.  Love is Eternal.  How sad, died on Christmas Day.  I will be doing some follow up to learn more of this man's story.

Yes, I almost always take time to tour a graveyard when I travel.

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(#9, start with 529)

Bluffton and Beaufort, Two B's in South Carolina

 Showing you some of the highlights you can expect to find if your tour Bluffton and or Beaufort, South Carolina.  Here we are for the A-Z post.

You see a walking map of the historic area in Bluffton, a great lunch with wine to enjoy also in Bluffton, or kick back like hubby with a favorite beer in either of those fun cities.

Take a buggy ride or horse drawn narrated tour, enjoy the old houses and beautiful hanging moss and gardens throughout the cities.  Don't miss the historic grave yards or beautiful old churches.

We've toured Beaufort both on foot and in a horse drawn carriage guided tour.  Personally we preferred to walk on our own.  Bluffton is smaller and so easy to access via shoe leather express.

I've written 7 posts with more detail for those wanting more specifics about traveling there:
Beaufort
Bluffton

Both are an easy day trip from Hilton Head, South Carolina.  Both are quaint, interesting and very historical.  Neither one would be a good option with small children, in my opinion.  Too many things you can't touch, too much to listen to, too much walking.  

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(#11, start with 1909)

Bathroom Break, Beaufort South Carolina

The historic sign outside The Arsenal tells you a brief history of the building.  That is was built in 1798, rebulit in 1852 and played a roll in The Revolution.  Take time and enter the grounds.  Firstly, inside the courtyard are public restrooms.  As you walk around the historic area in Beaufort, you'll no doubt need a potty break.  This is the perfect place for that.  The Arsenal is located at 713 Craven Street between Carterest (US Route 21) and Scott Street.  Inside is a wonderful museum with knowledgeable and friendly docents you tell many interesting things about the area, suggest places to eat, sites to see.

In the center of courtyard is this very old canon with a hard to read plaque which states Dr. Henry Woodward lived from 1646-1686.  It goes onto say he came with Robert Sandford's Expedition, stayed, and was captured by The Spanish.  Further research tells us a bit more.  He was an Englishman, perhaps born in Barbados (though Wikipedia also says information is sketchy).  He was left here as an exchange for an Indian named "Shadoo".  Perhaps the Indian was a guide for further expeditions?  He learned they language and trade including deerskins and slaves.  He was captured by The Spanish and taken to St. Augustine where he remained for a couple of years.  He proclaimed to be be Catholic and was given the title of surgeon.  When the English raided St. Augustine he escaped and served as a surgeon on board ship until he ultimately returned to Beaufort. 

 The guns in the courtyard at The Arsenal were captured from The British in 1779, and by The Union in 1861 when Fort Walker fell.  The guns were returned to Beaufort in 1880.

It's not clear to me if the gun and plaque mark the burial site of Dr. Henry Woodward or are in fact a memorial to him.

The museum is open Mon-Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sat from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Wednesday's and Sundays.  So, plan your walking tour of this interesting and very historic city of Beaufort with a potty stop and more here at The Arsenal.  There's a small gift shop inside as well should you want to purchase mementos of your trip.

**Questions?  When using the newer editor here on blogger, there doesn't seem to be a way (or perhaps not a need) to alt text one's photos?  Notice 2 types of font here?  Couldn't seem to type beside the first picture, no clue why?  But, had the option to add a caption under the picture, which is different font.  Is the new editor working well or not for others?**

Historic Episcopal Church Graveyard, Beaufort South Carolina

Though one often sees flags honoring those that came before us when walking through a cemetery, it's not all that often you see a non United States Flag.  Here you see 2 Union Jacks, the flag of England.  Buried here are 2 British Soldiers whom we fought against.   They both fought and died in The Battle of Port Royal Island, near Grays Hill on Feb 3, 1779 and were buried here 3 days later on Feb 5th.  The South Carolina Militia wanted to show the world, that even though they fought against someone, they were honoring those who had fallen by giving them a Christian burial.

 This historic church cemetery has veterans of The Revolutionary War, as above and Veterans who served their side in The Civil War.  Here lies Alston W. Brightman of The Confederacy.

Here lies little 4 year old Noel Earl, the son of W.D. and M.E. Schwartz.  He was born Dec 8, 1898 and died Jan 25th 1902.  There is such an interesting mix of burials in this historic cemetery from family people to military, young and old.  You begin to feel the history of the area and it's peoples are you ponder what their lives were like.

Mr. and Mrs. Gordan buried side by side in sectioned area with well cared for stones.  William A was born in 1836 and died in 1886; while his wife Maria Lloyd lived til 1909.  The inscriptions on their stones placed loving by one of their children. 

Here's table style grave, one I assume referred to when we learned gravestones were used as surgical tables during The Civil War.

Read previous post for additional information about the historic church, Saint Helena's The Episcopal Church

St. Helena's Episcopal Church, Beaufort South Carolina

As you approach 505 Church Street in the historic area of Beaufort South Carolina you'll see this very old red brick wall surrounding a historic church and graveyard.  The streets as you see are lined with beautiful old mossy trees that provide much needed shade during the hot summer months.

Walking through the fenced area you'll this very historic cemetery as you make your way into this beautifully restored church.  St. Helena's is the one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the country.

Glance skyward and see the beauty in the church's steeple against the blue sky as it peeks through the tree branches.

Beautiful woodwork throughout the church's interior.  The handcrafted details are truly a piece of art.

The church pews, the floors, the wood pulpit and the alter are all gorgeous.

 The church was established in 1712 as a Colonial Parish, part of the Church of England.  It was built in 1724.  It was added onto multiple times.  It was rebuilt multiple times from destruction.  A hurricane in 1896 caused lots of damaged as did one in more recent times, Hurricane Gracie in 1959.  A terrible hailstorm hit causing damage in 1970.  Parts of the church have been rebuilt using original bricks and some areas have been placed on the original foundations.

As this sign indicates, the church was used by The British to stable horses during The American Revolution, and again as a hospital during The Civil War where the flat tombstones were used as operating tables.

One of the churches most notable members was Thomas Heyward, a signer of The Declaration of Independence.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Strange how things fall into place sometimes when you're traveling. Hubby and I NEVER eat at chains when traveling. We like to see, feel, and taste local color when we can. Walking down the water front area in historic Beaufort, South Carolina we came upon Luther's. It looked most inviting. Our table faced the water front, so even though it was a bit cool (Jan-Feb) when we were there we could still see the water. They have a nice outside area that is probably very popular once the weather warms up. We had great Bloody Mary's as it was brunch time, and we like doing that on vacation. Hubby had some good sea food, I had a wonderful hamburger. Nothing ordinary about it, truly it was good. Near our table was the above picture over the old mantel. I love history, love old buildings which this most definitely is and wondered who the couple was. As I got close enough I realized it was Mr. and Mrs. Luther. Presumably the original owners of the establishment. What a nice looking couple they were. After lunch, we preceded with our walking tour of the fabulous area.
At days end we toured St. Helena's Episcopal Church and Graveyard. I didn't walk by every grave; but...oddly enough I happened to come across Mr. and Mrs. Luther's grave. Charles and Julie buried in this very historic churchyard, the couple who's establishment I had been to earlier in the day. You can see by the flag, Charles was a Veteran. He served in The Spanish American War. I was intrigued to learn a bit more about this couple who had crossed my path twice in one day.

Checking on line at Ancestry.com I learned the following. Charles's middle name is Gillespie, he was born in New York Oct 27th, 1876 and his nick name Doc in parenthesis had real meaning. You see, he was a druggist according to the 1920 and 1930 census. His wife Julie (listed Julius on the census) Jernigan was born in South Carolina July 22nd, 1888. The couple had 3 children listed on the 1930 census:
DeAngie who was 21, therefore born 1909
Charless who was 11, therefore born in 1919
Charles G. who was 10, therefore born in 1920.

The 1920 census indicated Charles Gillespie owned his own home on Worth Street and worked at 124 Bay Street at the time. Luther's is currently located at 910 Bay Street, it's open to the water side (where we entered) and open to Bay Street where to this day you see the original store front of a pharmacy. Luther's Drugs established 1909 reads the sign. Here's a link to their facebook page where you can see the 2 very distinctive entrances. We would not have gone there for lunch had we seen Bay Street entrance first, thinking it was a drug store. But, it is on our list of places to return to as it has lots of character, good food and drinks. Click here for facebook page.

Additionally, I've created a memorial page to this fine couple, please feel free to visit, and or leave virtual flowers.
Charles, click Here, while on his page there's a link to Julie's memorial.