The
Colleton Historical Society was organized on January 9, 1958.
We endeavor to preserve historical materials, encourage protection
of historic buildings, promote an appreciation of Colleton County's
architectural assets, and place historical markers at important
sites.
In
1975 The Colleton Historical Society received a grant for the
complete restoration of the Little Library, originally constructed
about 1820.
In 1977 a separate organization The Walterboro Preservation Society
was 
established
to promote the protection of historic buildings and houses. This
organization established two historic districts which in 1980
were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shortly
after this, these two organizations merged to become The
Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society.
In
1984 The Colleton County Historical and Preservation
Society was instrumental in placing the sundial and planter
on the grounds of the Little Library to commemorate Walterboro's
Bicentennial.
In 1988 The Colleton County Historical
and Preservation Society opened the Colleton Museum,
and restored the Old Jail for this project.
Other Points of
History
PON
PON CHAPEL
Pon Pon Chapel of Ease of St. Bartholomew's Parish has
been designated as the most historic site in Colleton County.
St. Bartholomew's Parish has deep roots, having been established
by the Colonial Assembly in 1706. Though nearly destroyed by the
Yemassee Indian uprising of 1715, the Parish recovered, establishing
Pon Pon Chapel in 1725. The Rev. John Wesley preached at Pon Pon
in 1737 during a visit to Colonial Carolina. After being burned
twice, the last time in 1832 and was never rebuilt. It has since
been known as the "Old Burnt Church."
BETHEL
PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY
Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery remains today the
site of the church organized 1728 by Rev. Archibald Stobo, the
father of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina. Until the
Revolution, all ministers of Bethel came from Scotland. The first
building was called the "Meeting House" and lasted until
1746 when a handsome church was erected. Eleven thousand handmade
bricks made up the foundation of the forty-foot square building.
This colonial church was destroyed by a forest fire in 1886. Buried
here is Commander John Herbert Dent, acting commanding officer
of the US Constitution, "Old Ironsides."
BATTLE
OF PARKERS FERRY
Parker's Ferry was the site of the ambush of the British by General
Francis Marion on August 30, 1781. He and a force of four hundred
Patriots battled five hundred and forty British at the Battle
of Parker's Ferry, forcing them to withdraw to Charleston.
JACKSONBOROUGH
ASSEMBLY
In 1782, the occupation of Charleston by the British forced the
General Assembly to convene in the village of Old Jacksonborough.
The House of Representatives meetings were conducted at the Masonic
Lodge and the Senate meetings were held at the Tavern of Peter
DuBose.
ISAAC
HAYNE'S TOMB
The burial site of Colonel Isaac Hayne, is located at Hayne Hall,
his ancestral home. Hayne was the most prominent American to be
executed in SC for treason against the Crown. Executed August
4, 1781 in Charleston after he spent his last 48 hours in the
dungeon of Charleston's Exchange Building.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
George Washington, on his southern tour in May of 1791, was entertained
at Duharra Plantation, home of Congressman O'Brien Smith, who
served in the General Assembly, the State Senate, and was the
second President of the Hibernian Society of Charleston. Mr. Smith
is buried in the churchyard of St. Bartholomew's Parish Church,
later known as Pon Pon Chapel.
