Travels with Kelli

DESTINATION AWAITS:  Today I ventured up on the Ashley River to colonial Dorchester. This is located on the Ashley River and was a thriving town until the start of war when it all but disappeared. Today we enjoyed the “exploring life in Colonial Dorchester.” Talked to several reinactors from a field doctor to soldiers. ADDRESS:  300 State Park Road, Summerville, SC JUST THE FACTS (BRIEF HISTORY): *Concrete fort made of oyster-shell that was broken down and turned into lye to create the concrete. Broken shells were also added to the concrete mix. *Church build in 1719, tower added 1751 *15 miles up stream from Charleston *Ashley River was its main route for transportation of goods. *1675 John & Mary Smith came from England and was granted 1800 acres. But after his death his land went back to the state. *Mary went on to marry Arthur Middletown then Ralph Izard. These are two important families of SC *1696 a settlement of Massachusetts came down to “settle the gospel” *Bell T...

  DESTINATION AWAITS: Daily I drive by this historic site. Today I decided turn into the site and explore. First mistake was not knowing that the museum was "closed for the season." I'm wondering what season it's closed for? I think maybe winter but since we are into spring I'm not so sure. But entire park is closed on Monday and Tuesday. There is a note to go to Fort Moultrie to get the map which you need to walk the trails in the area. This National Park is free of charge but there is a box for donations.  ADDRESS: 1254 Long Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC JUST THE FACTS (BRIEF HISTORY): * 28 acre of his 750 acre plantation known ask Snee Farm *Colonial Charles Pinckney purchased the property in 1754 *This was known as the "country home" to his Charleston residence *Side note: his great aunt Eliza Lucas Pinckney is the reason why Indigo is one of the two top crops of South Carolina during this time. She's an interesting character and I want to know mo...

DESTINATION AWAITS:  A few weeks ago I went to Sullivan's Island not just for the beautiful sunset but to find out if Edgar Allen Poe really was stationed there. ANSWER: yes but I was disappointed that he didn't have a bigger presence there. Fort Moultrie is one of the oldest forts in US history. ADDRESS: 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC JUST THE FACTS (BRIEF HISTORY): *First fort was constructed of Palmetto logs and sand. It had the effect of cannons and bullets bouncing off of the walls At this time it was known as Fort Sullivan. It was built to protect the Charleston Harbor. *First British attacked was June 28, 1776 before the fort was completed. Battle last 9 hours before the British retreated *Fort was named for the colonial who saved Charleston. He is buried across the street from the fort. *After war it neglected but in 1791 congress authorized 1st nationwide coastal fortification. This included 22 forts along the Atlantic Coast *Again it fell under disrepai...

Miles Brewton was born in 1731 in Charleston. His father was a goldsmith and was associated with the city's banking and financial circles in town.  Miles Brewton gained the property at 27 King Street through as they say "by a good marriage" to Mary Izard.  Since I will not sugar coat history, he was south Carolina's biggest slave trader, owning 8 trading ships, and wealthiest man in the area. In 1765 he started construction on the Georgian Palladian brick home. By the time of the beginnings of the Revolutionary War he owner several indigo and rice plantations. Miles was a highly successful merchant and plantation owner of the era and was elected to the second congress in 1775. Sadly, he and his family were lost at sea when the ship they were traveling on when down during their trip to the north to Philadelphia.  His sister, Rebecca Brewton Motte inherited the home. She herself would also make a name for herself during the revolutionary War.  Rebecca was a strong supp...

  Just a heads up, my favorite website is roadside America . It has the craziest places to stop on the road to see. Some not worth the time, some very hard to find (even with directions), and some you just scratch your head.  Today’s stops were graves and statues. The Statue I had a hard time finding it but it is pretty cool looking. I found the town very quaint and I definitely want to go back and just walk around the town, exploring more. So King George II decreed 1732 this town and it was named Fredericksburg, but in 1758 it changed its name to Pine Tree Hill until Joseph Kershaw changed the it to Camden in honor of Charles Pratt, Lord Camden, and early advocate of the colonies in the Parliament. Joseph Kershaw established a branch office of a Charleston mercantile firm. Later he became its first mayor. Guess he was a big deal because they named the county after him.  By the Time the Revolutionary, Camden was booming both economically and culturally. After Cornwallis c...