Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

South Carolina,

Velasquez de Ayllon, with two ships sailing northward from Santo Domingo to procure Indians as slaves, anchors at the mouth of the Combahee River. The natives crowding on the vessels are carried to Santo Domingo......1520

Velasquez de Ayllon again sails from Hispaniola with three ships, one of which is lost at the mouth of the Combahee, and 200 of the men are massacred by the natives; but few escape......1525

Expedition fitted out by Admiral Coligny, under Jean Ribault, of Dieppe, explores St. Helena Sound and Port Royal, and builds Charles Fort, near Beaufort......1562

Charles II. conveys by charter territory lying between lat. 31° and 36° N., to the Earl of Clarendon and seven others, who form a proprietary and call the country Carolina......March 20, 1663

Grant of land to the Earl of Clarendon and others enlarged and extended to lat. 29° N......June 30, 1665

Capt. William Sayle explores the coast......1667

Settlement near Port Royal by a few English colonists with William Sayle as governor......1670

Settlers at Port Royal remove to the western bank of the Ashley River and found Old Charleston......1671

Settlement at Charleston increased by a small colony from Barbadoes under Sir John Yeamans. With this colony came the first slaves in South Carolina......1671

Freemen of Carolina meet at Charleston and elect representatives for the civil government of the colony......1674

Fundamental constitutions framed by John Locke, and amended by the Earl of Shaftesbury in 1669, are put into operation in South Carolina......1674

By invitation a colony of Dutch from New York settle on the southwest side of the Ashley River......1674

Settlers remove from Old Charleston to Oyster Point and found Charleston......1680

Baptists from Maine, under Mr. Screven, settle on Cooper River......1683

Scotch settlement on Port Royal is broken up and dispersed by Spaniards from St. Augustine......1686

Gov. James Colleton, in endeavors to exact arrears of quit-rents, proclaims martial law. The Assembly meet and banish him; thereupon Seth Sothel, claiming to be a proprietor, usurps the government......1690

Sothel is compelled to relinquish the [514] government on charge of malfeasance, and Philip Ludwell is appointed governor......1692

Fundamental constitutions abrogated by the lords proprietors......April, 1693

Act making all alien inhabitants freemen on petitioning the governor and swearing allegiance to the King, with liberty of conscience to all Christians except Papists......1696

Congregationalists from Dorchester, Mass., with their pastor, Rev. Joseph Lord, settle near the head of Ashley River......1696

Combined naval and land expedition from Carolina, under Governor Moore and Colonel Daniel, besieges St. Augustine. Two Spanish vessels appearing in the harbor, Governor Moore raises the siege after burning the town......September, 1702

First issue of paper money in America made by Carolina to meet £ 6,000, expenses of the expedition against Florida......September, 1702

Carolina troops, under Governor Moore, make an expedition against the Indian towns of northern Florida......January, 1703

Combined expedition of French, under Le Feboure, and the Spanish, made upon Charleston, proves fruitless......August, 1706

South Carolina troops attack and defeat the Tuscaroras on the Neuse, with a loss to the Indians of more than 300 killed and 100 captured......Jan. 28, 1712

An incipient civil war breaks out in Carolina in 1710, between Colonel Broughton, one of three deputies of the lords proprietors, and Robert Gibbes, the proclaimed governor. The controversy being referred to the proprietors, they appoint Charles Craven governor......1712

Fort Nahucke, Greene co., N. C., garrisoned by 800 Tuscarora Indians, captured by Col. James Moore, of South Carolina......March 20, 1713

Yamassee Indians, incited by the Spaniards, massacre ninety colonists at Pocotaligo......April 15, 1715

Governor Craven defeats the Indians on the Salkehatchie. In this war 400 South Carolinians are massacred......1715

King in council so advising, proprietors repeal the duty of 10 per cent. on all goods of British manufacture, and also the act regulating elections and that enabling the Assembly to nominate a public receiver......1717

Governor and council impeach the administration of Chief-Justice Trott. The proprietors uphold Trott, and order the governor to publish at once the repeal of the late popular acts of the legislature, and to convene a new council and a new Assembly......1718

Steed Bonnett and Richard Worley, pirates, and forty followers, captured, convicted, and hanged......1718

Governor Johnson, by letter of Alexander Skene, George Logan, and William Blakeway, asked to accept the government from the people under the King......Nov. 28, 1719

Governor Johnson declining the office of governor, the People's Association proclaim James Moore governor, and elect twelve councillors, choose Richard Allein chief-justice, and appoint Col. John Barnwell agent for the province......1719

Lords of the regency appoint Francis Nicholson provisional governor, having decided that the proprietors had forfeited their charter......1720

Governor Nicholson arrives, summons a new Assembly, which elects the late popular governor, James Moore, speaker of the House......1721

Lords proprietors surrender the charter and government to the King, except Lord Granville's one-eighth......1729

Sir Alexander Cumming, .sent out by Great Britain, makes a treaty with the Cherokees at Nequassee, who proclaim allegiance to the King......April 3, 1730

On assuming the government, the crown divides Carolina, and appoints Robert Johnson governor of South Carolina......April 30, 1730

First newspaper in South Carolina published at Charleston, Thomas Whitmarsh, editor......Jan. 8, 1732

Forty thousand acres of land on the Savannah is given to John Peter Pury and his colony of some 370 Swiss; Purysburg is settled......1732-33

Williamsburg township formed by Irish settlers......1734

Boundary-line between North and South Carolina partly established......1738

Negro insurrection at Stono suppressed, and its leader, Cato, and principals hanged [515]

Fire consumes nearly one half of Charleston......Nov. 18, 1740

Ship-building begun; five ship-yards established; four in the vicinity of Charleston, and one at Beaufort......1740

Colonel Clark, with emigrants from Virginia and Pennsylvania, settles on the Pacolet and Tyger rivers......1750-55

Cotton in small quantities exported......1754

Mrs. Pinckney, who ten years previously cultivated the first indigo, manufactures near Charleston silk for, three dress patterns; one she presents to the princess-dowager of Wales, one to Lord Chesterfield, and one to her daughter......1755

Governor Glen erects Fort Prince George on the Savannah about 300 miles from Charleston......1755

Patrick Calhoun and four families settle in Abbeville district......1756

Treaty of peace concluded with the Cherokees at Fort Prince George......Dec. 17, 1759

Two ships reach Charleston with several hundred poor German emigrants from England, deserted there by their leader Stumpel......April, 1764

Two hundred and twelve French settlers, in charge of Rev. Mr. Gilbert, arrive at Charleston in April. Settle at New Bordeaux......October, 1764

Stamped paper stored in Fort Johnson on James Island, by order of Governor Bull. One hundred and fifty volunteers compel the captain of the ship which brought the paper to reload it and sail immediately for Europe......October, 1765

Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, and John Rutledge appointed delegates to the second Colonial Congress......Oct. 7, 1765

An association of regulators formed in the inland settlements to suppress horsestealing, etc., leads to a circuit court law establishing courts of justice at Ninety-Six (now Cambridge), Orangeburg, and Camden......1769

Cargoes of tea sent to South Carolina are stored, and consignees constrained from exposing it for sale......1773

Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, Henry Middleton, Edward Rutledge, and John Rutledge appointed deputies to the first Continental Congress at Philadelphia......July 6, 1774

Henry Middleton chosen president of the Continental Congress......October, 22, 1774

First Provincial Congress of 184 members, including the forty-nine members of the constitutional Assembly, meet and approve proceedings of Continental Congress......Jan. 11, 1775

Letters from England to public officials in America intercepted at Charleston furnish abundant evidence of the determination of England to coerce America by force......April 19, 1775

On receiving news of the battle of Lexington, the arms are removed from the arsenal at Charleston and distributed among the enlisted men......April, 1775

Ship Betsey, from London, surprised by a Carolina privateer, and 111 barrels of powder captured.......August, 1775

Fort Johnson garrisoned by Captain Heyward and the Charleston artillery......September, 1775

Governor Campbell, last royal governor, dissolves the Assembly and retires to the sloop-of-war Tamar......Sept. 15, 1775

Hostilities in South Carolina begun by the British vessels Tamar and Cherokee making a night attack on the schooner Defence, Captain Tufts, while blocking Hog Island channel by sinking hulks. Shots are exchanged, but at sunrise the British vessels retire......Nov. 12, 1775

Colonel Moultrie, authorized by the council of safety, takes possession of Haddrell's Point, and with artillery drives the British vessels from Charleston Harbor......December, 1775

Constitution framed by the Provincial Congress of South Carolina adopted, March 26, 1776, and courts of justice opened......April 23, 1776

British fleet under Sir Peter Parker unsuccessfully attacks Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island.......June 28, 1776

Thomas Heyward, Jr., James Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton, and Edward Rutledge sign the Declaration of Independence......1776

Colonel Williamson, with 2,000 men, marches against the Cherokees, Sept. 13, and lays waste all their settlements east of the Apalachian Mountains......September, 1776

Cherokee Indians by treaty cede to [516] South Carolina all their land eastward of the Unaka Mountains......May 20, 1777

Henry Laurens, of South Carolina, chosen president of the Continental Congress......Nov. 1, 1777

Constitution passed by the General Assembly as an act, March 19, 1778, goes into effect......November, 1778

State Supreme Court declares the constitutions of 1776 and 1778 acts of General Assembly, which it could repeal or amend......1779

Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Lincoln takes command of all the forces to the southward; establishes his first post at Purysburg on the Savannah River......1779

President Lowndes lays a general embargo, and prohibits the sailing of vessels from any port of the State......1779

British under Major Gardiner driven from Port Royal Island by General Moultrie......Feb. 3, 1779

Americans repulsed at Stono Ferry......June 20, 1779

British fleet from New York against Charleston lands forces under Sir Henry Clinton 30 miles from the city......Feb. 11, 1780

Royal fleet commanded by Admiral Arbuthnot anchors near Fort Johnson on James Island......April 9, 1780

Governor Rutledge retires from Charleston northward......April 12, 1780

American cavalry surprised by British under Colonels Tarleton and Webster, and routed at Monk's Corner......April 14, 1780

Fort Moultrie, weakened reinforcing Charleston, surrenders to Captain Hudson, of the British navy......May 6, 1780

Charleston capitulates......May 12, 1780

British forces under Colonel Tarleton surprise the Americans under Colonel Buford, at Waxhaw on the North Carolina border; the Americans lose 117 killed and 200 taken prisoners, while the British lose but five men killed and twelve wounded......May 29, 1780

Sir Henry Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot, as peace commissioners, by proclamation offer the inhabitants, with a few exceptions, pardon and reinstatement in their rights......June 1, 1780

All paroles to prisoners not taken by capitulation and not in confinement at the surrender of Charleston are declared null and void after June 20, and holders required actively to aid military operations or be treated as rebels......June 3, 1780

Affair at Rocky Mount......July 30, 1780

Battle of Hanging Rock......Aug. 6, 1780

Battle of Camden; Americans under General Gates attack the British under Cornwallis and are repulsed......Aug. 16, 1780

Americans under Colonel Williams defeat the British at Musgrove's Mills on the Ennoree......Aug. 18, 1780

Sixty distinguished citizens of South Carolina are seized by the British and transported to St. Augustine as prisoners......Aug. 27, 1780

Battle of King's Mountain......Oct. 7, 1780

Col. Thomas Sumter extends his campaign into South Carolina; he captures a British supply train, Aug. 15; is surprised by Tarleton and defeated at Fishing Creek, Aug. 18; defeats Maj. James Wemyss in a night attack on Broad River, Nov. 8, and defeats Colonel Tarleton at Blackstock Hill......Nov. 20, 1780

Battle of Cowpens, near Broad River; Americans under Morgan defeat the British under Tarleton; Andrew Jackson, then a boy of fourteen years, takes part in the engagement......Jan. 17, 1781

Francis Marion, appointed brigadiergeneral by Governor Rutledge in July, 1780, joins General Greene on his return to the State......April, 1781

Battle of Hobkirk's Hill; Americans under General Greene retreat before an attack of the British under Lord Francis Rawdon......April 25, 1781

British evacuate Fort Ninety-six......June 21, 1781

Indecisive battle between General Greene and Colonel Stuart at Eutaw Springs, each claiming a victory......Sept. 8, 1781

Governor Rutledge issues a proclamation offering pardon to the Tories in South Carolina......Sept. 27, 1781

General Assembly convenes at Jacksonboro on the Edisto River, January, elects John Matthews governor, and passes laws for confiscating the estates of Tories......February, 1782

British evacuate Charleston......Dec. 14, 1782

Charleston (hitherto Charlestown) incorporated......1784 [517]

South Carolina relinquishes to Georgia her claim to a tract of land lying between the Altamaha and St. Mary's rivers......1787

South Carolina cedes to the United States government her claim to a strip of land 12 miles wide west of a line from the head of the Tugaloo River to the North Carolina border......Aug. 9, 1787

Constitution of the United States ratified by the State......May 23, 1788

Convention at Columbia completes State constitution......June 3, 1790

Santee Canal, connecting Charleston Harbor with the Santee, 22 miles long, begun 1792, completed......1802

Severe hurricane at Charleston......September, 1804

College of the University of South Carolina, chartered 1801, opened at Columbia......1805

Owing to the peculiar distribution of the slave population, which gave the upper counties the power to tax, while the lower counties held most of the property taxed, a compromise is made in the constitution, making the members of the lower House 124—sixty-two from each section......1808

Madison appoints Paul Hamilton Secretary of the Navy......March 7, 1809

Legislature creates a free-school fund......1811

State Bank of South Carolina incorporated......1812

Decatur, Captain Diron, a privateer from Charleston, captures the British ship Dominicia, of fifteen guns and crew of eighty men, and shortly after the London Trader with a valuable cargo......August, 1813

Cherokees cede territory lying within the chartered limits of South Carolina, by treaty at Washington, March 22, 1816; ratified by the legislature of South Carolina......Dec. 19, 1816

Monroe appoints John C. Calhoun Secretary of War......Oct. 8, 1817

Territory ceded by the Cherokees in 1816, annexed to the election district of Pendleton......1820

College of Charleston, commenced in Charleston in 1785, reorganized and opened......Jan. 1, 1824

Legislature denounces the United States tariff as encroaching on State rights......Dec. 12, 1827

Public meeting on State rights held at Columbia......Sept. 20, 1830

Governor Hamilton recommends to legislature a nullification act......1830

Legislature calls a convention at Columbia, Nov. 19, 1832, to consider the protective tariff......Oct. 25, 1832

President instructs the collector at Charleston to seize and hold every vessel entering that port until the duties be paid, and “to retain and defend the custody of said vessels against any forcible attempt.” General Scott and a naval force are also sent to the State......Nov. 6, 1832

State convention meets, Nov. 19, 1832, and passes an ordinance of nullification, declaring (1) the tariff acts of 1828 and 1832 to be null, void, and no law, nor binding upon the State, its officers or citizens; (2) prohibiting the payment of duties under either act within the State after Feb. 1, 1833; (3) making any appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States as to the validity of the ordinance a contempt of the State court from which the appeal was taken, punishable at the discretion of the latter; (4) ordering every office-holder and juror to be sworn to support the ordinance; (5) giving warning that if the federal government should attempt to enforce the tariff by use of army or navy, or by closing the ports of the State, or should in any way harass or obstruct the State's foreign commerce, South Carolina would no longer consider herself a member of the Union......Nov. 24, 1832

President Andrew Jackson proclaims nullification to be “incompatible with the existence of the Union, and destructive of the great object for which it was formed” ......Dec. 11, 1832

Calhoun resigns the office of Vice-President......Dec. 28, 1832

Governor Hayne issues a proclamation in answer to that of the President's, in which he warns the people not to be seduced from their primary allegiance to the State......Dec. 31, 1832

A bill to enforce the tariff, nicknamed the “bloody bill” and “force bill,” becomes a law of the United States......March 2, 1833

Henry Clay introduces a compromise tariff bill, Feb. 12, 1833; becomes a law......March 2, 1833 [518]

A State convention passes two ordinances: first, repealing the nullification act of Nov. 24, 1832; second, an ordinance to nullify the act of Congress, March 2, 1833, commonly called the “enforcing bill” ......March 16, 1833

Van Buren appoints Joel R. Poinsett Secretary of War......March 7, 1837

During this and the two previous years 2,265 volunteers furnished for the Florida War......1838

Death of Governor Noble; Benjamin K. Hennegan, lieutenant-governor, succeeds him in office......April 7, 1840

Hugh S. Legare, Attorney-General of United States......Sept. 13, 1841

Tyler appoints Calhoun Secretary of War......March 6, 1844

Calhoun dies at Washington......March 31, 1850

Furman University at Greenville, chartered 1850, opened......1851

Convention of Southern Rights' Associations of the State resolve that “with or without co-operation they are for dissolution of the Union” ......May 8, 1851

State convention declares the right of the State to secede......1852

Governor Adams in his annual message recommends the revival of the slave-trade......Nov. 24, 1856

United States steamship Niagara sails from Charleston for Liberia with Africans captured from the Echo, a slave-ship sailing under American colors, Aug. 21, and brought to Charleston, where the 300 or more slaves are placed in charge of the United States marshal......Sept. 20, 1858

Grand jury at Columbia returns “no bill” on all three indictments against the crew of the slaver Echo......Nov. 30, 1858

Grand jury at Charleston refuses to indict Captain Corrie, of the Wanderer, a slave-ship seized in New York Harbor......May 16, 1859

Resolution offered in the House, that “South Carolina is ready to enter, with other slave-holding States, into the formation of a Southern Confederacy” ......Nov. 30, 1859

Democratic National Convention meets at Charleston, and adjourns to Baltimore after delegates from Southern States had withdrawn......April 23, 1860

Seceding Southern delegates to the Democratic convention organize a Southern convention, electing Senator Bayard, of Delaware, president, but adjourn to meet at Richmond without making any nominations......May 1, 1860

A convention called by the legislature, Nov. 7, assembles at Columbia, Dec. 17, but adjourns to Charleston, Dec. 18, where they pass an ordinance of secession......Dec. 20, 1860

Major Anderson evacuates Fort Moultrie and retires to Fort Sumter, on night of......Dec. 26, 1860

Fort Pinckney, in Charleston Harbor, seized by State troops......Dec. 27, 1860

State troops seize the arsenal at Charleston, lower the Federal flag, after a salute of thirty-two guns, and run up the Palmetto flag with a salute of one gun for South Carolina......Dec. 31, 1860

Fort Johnson, in Charleston Harbor, occupied by State troops......Jan. 2, 1861

Star of the West, with a small force of troops and supplies for Fort Sumter, being fired upon by batteries on Morris Island and Fort Moultrie, retires......Jan. 9, 1861

Charles G. Memminger appointed Confederate Secretary of the Treasury......Feb. 21, 1861

State convention called by the legislature, Dec. 17, 1860, revises the State constitution, which goes into effect without being submitted to the people for ratification......April 8, 1861

Governor Pickens's demand for the surrender of Fort Sumter being refused by Major Anderson, Jan. 11, and also by the Secretary of War, Feb. 6, the Civil War is opened by a shell fired from the howitzer battery on James Island at 4.30 A. M. Friday.......April 12, 1861

Fort Sumter evacuated by Major Anderson......April 14, 1861

United States steam-frigate Niagara begins the blockade of Charleston Harbor, May 11; captures the English ship General Parkhill......May 13, 1861

Governor Pickens proclaims that all persons remitting money to pay debts due in the North are guilty of treason......June 6, 1861

James M. Mason, of Virginia, and John Slidell, of Louisiana, leave Charleston on the Confederate steamer Theodora for Europe to represent the Confederate government......Oct. 12, 1861 [519]

Twenty-five vessels of the great Southern expedition anchor off Port Royal......Nov. 4, 1861

Federals capture Forts Walker and Beauregard, Port Royal......Nov. 7, 1861

Confederate privateer Isabel runs the blockade at Charleston, avoiding eleven United States vessels......Dec. 27, 1861

Gen. David Hunter declares free the slaves in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina......May 9, 1862

Battle of Secessionville (James Island), in which Col. T. G. Lamar defeats the Federals under Gen. Henry W. Benham......June 16, 1862

Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard assumes command of the Department of South Carolina and Georgia......Sept. 24, 1862

Gen. J. M. Brannan defeats the Confederates under General Walker in the battle of Pocotaligo......Oct. 22, 1862

Commodore Samuel F. Dupont's squadron is repulsed in the battle of Charleston Harbor......April 7, 1863

Colonel Montgomery, with United States troops, makes a raid from Beaufort up the Combahee River, securing 800 slaves and a quantity of provisions and horses......June, 1863

Federals victorious in the battles of Morris Island, July 10; Fort Wagner, July 11; James Island......July 16, 1863

Fort Wagner bombarded by Gen. Q. A. Gillmore......July 18, 1863

Charleston bombarded by the “Swamp angel,” which bursts......Aug. 24, 1863

Fort Wagner bombarded by Gillmore......Sept. 5, 1863

George A. Trenholm appointed Confederate Secretary of the Treasury......1864

Confederates defeat Gen. John P. Hatch at Honey Hill......Nov. 30, 1864

Confederates repulsed in battles of Pocotaligo, Jan. 14; Salkhatchie, Feb. 3; Willston Station, Feb. 8; Orangeburg, Feb. 12; Congaree Creek......Feb. 15, 1865

Columbia surrendered to General Sherman......Feb. 17, 1865

Charleston, burned and evacuated by General Hardee the day previous, is occupied by Federal troops......Feb. 18, 1865

Gen. O. O. Howard defeats the Confederates at Cherau......March 3, 1865

Benjamin F. Perry appointed provisional governor of South Carolina by President Johnson......June 30 1865

A convention called by Governor Perry assembles in Baptist church at Columbia, Sept. 13, repeals the ordinance of secession, Sept. 19, and completes an amended constitution, which takes effect without being submitted to the people......Sept. 27, 1865

Legislature ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment......Nov. 13, 1865

Legislature rejects the Fourteenth Amendment......December, 1866

Gen. D. E. Sickles assigned to the command of 2d Military District, embracing North and South Carolina, with headquarters at Columbia......March 11, 1867

General Sickles superseded by Gen. E. R. S. Canby......Aug. 26, 1867

A constitution, framed by a convention called under the reconstruction acts of Congress, which assembles at Charleston, Jan. 14, and completes its labors, March 17, ratified by the people, 70,558 to 27,288......April 14-16, 1868

South Carolina readmitted into the Union......June 25, 1868

State penitentiary at Columbia opened......1868

J. K. Jillson elected the first State superintendent of public instruction in South Carolina......1868

Legislature ratifies the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States......March 16, 1869

State labor convention held at Columbia......November, 1869

Union Reform party organized and holds its first State convention at Charleston......June 16, 1870

Free common-school system established......1870

Tax-payers' convention held at the State capitol in Columbia “to devise means for the redemption of the State from her financial embarrassments” ......May, 1871

Owing to murder and outrage in the upper country, by the Ku-klux, President Grant, by proclamation, Oct. 12, suspends the hebeas corpus in the counties of Spartansburg, York, Union, Chester, Laurens, Newberry, Fairfield, Lancaster, and Chesterfield, and commands secret organizations to disband within five days. Many troops are stationed in the State and about 600 arrests made......1871

Act establishing the validity of bonds [520] of the State, issued between Aug. 26, 1868, and March 26, 1869......1872

Claflin University and South Carolina Agricultural College and Mechanical Institute, organized at Orangeburg in 1869, is reopened and chartered......1872

Tax-payers' convention at Columbia by resolution asking for amendments, simplifying and abridging the tax laws......Feb. 17, 1874

Governor Moses is indicted personally for official acts; indictment is quashed on the ground that he should have been impeached......June 8, 1874

Convention of independent Republicans at Charleston nominates candidates for governor, etc., who are supported by the Conservative party......Oct. 2, 1874

State normal school opened at Columbia......1874

Orphan asylum removed from Charleston to Columbia......1875

Alleged blocking of a highway at Hamburg, July 4, by a colored militia company; armed citizens attack them; five negroes killed and others wounded......July 9, 1876

Governor Chamberlain, by proclamation, orders all organizations except the militia of the State to disband within three days, Oct. 7; a similar proclamation by President Grant......Oct. 17, 1876

While the result of the State election is pending in the Supreme Court, the State board of canvassers, holding that their powers were limited by statute to ten days, on the last day issue certificates to the Republican Presidential electors and State officers, refusing certificates to members of the legislature from Edgefield and Laurens counties for irregularities in elections......Nov. 22, 1876

On the assembling of the legislature, sixty-four Democratic members, including those from Edgefield and Laurens counties, withdraw to Carolina Hall and organize separately with William H. Wallace as speaker......Nov. 28, 1876

Senate and Republican House canvass the votes for governor and lieutenantgovernor, and declare D. H. Chamberlain elected governor, Dec. 5; sworn into office......Dec. 7, 1876

Speaker Wallace, having a certificate from the secretary of State of the votes cast for governor and lieutenant-governor, proceeds to canvass the votes and declares Wade Hampton and William D. Simpson, Democrats, elected; oath of office is administered by Trial-Judge Mackay......Dec. 12, 1876

Both governors, being invited to Washington, hold a private conference with President Hayes, which results in a proclamation by Governor Chamberlain withdrawing his claim......April 11, 1877

F. L. Cardoza, State treasurer under Governor Chamberlain, is arrested for fraud upon the State government, July 21, and sentenced to two years in the county jail and $4,000 fine......Nov. 8, 1877

Legislature by joint resolution provides that “all the unfunded debts and liabilities of the State, including the bills of the bank of the State, and so much of the funded debt as is known as the Little Bonanza, be settled at the rate of 50 per cent.” ......March, 1878

Wade Hampton, elected United States Senator, resigns as governor, and is succeeded by W. D. Simpson, who is installed......Feb. 26, 1879

Department of Agriculture established......1879

Act to settle State debt in accordance with decision of State Supreme Court; James C. Colt named a special commissioner......1879

Governor Simpson, resigning his office to take the chief-justiceship, is succeeded by Lieut.-Gov. T. B. Jeter......Sept. 1, 1880

Centennial anniversary of the battle of Cowpens, Jan. 17, 1781, commemorated at Spartansburg by the unveiling of a statue of Gen. Daniel H. Morgan......May 11, 1881

Exodus of 5,000 colored people from Edgefield county, bound for Arkansas and Beaufort county......Dec. 24-31, 1881

State military academy at Charleston reopened......Oct. 1, 1882:

Constitution amended, forbidding counties to contract a debt greater than 8 per cent. of the taxable valuation......1884

Earthquake destroys $5,000,000 worth of property; first shock felt at Charleston, 9.51 P. M.......Aug. 31, 1886

Winthrop training-school for teachers at Columbia, opened......1886

Act passed providing a pension of $5 per month for disabled Confederate soldiers and the widows of those killed in the Confederate service......1887 [521]

Legislature accepts a devise of 814 acres in Ocanee county by Thomas G. Clemson, on condition that the State erect and maintain an agricultural and mechanical college......1888

First colored State fair ever held in the State opens at Columbia......Jan. 1, 1890

Act passed creating a board of phosphate commissioners......1890

Department of Agriculture and office of commissioner of agriculture abolished, and powers bestowed on trustees of the Clemson Agricultural College at session......Nov. 25–Dec. 24, 1890

Col. Samuel B. Pickens dies at Charleston......Sept. 17, 1891

Nathaniel Duncan Ingraham, formerly of the United States navy (Koszta affair), afterwards in the Confederate service, dies at Charleston......Oct. 16, 1891

Maj. George Washington Earle, of Darlington, noted mathematician and civil engineer, dies......May 5, 1892

State redistricted as to congressional districts......1893

Evans liquor law goes into effect, by which the State assumes control of the sale of intoxicants......July 1, 1893

State dispensary act took effect......July 1, 1893

First State dispensary in Charleston opened; first day's sales, $50......Aug. 22, 1893

Cyclone on the coast of Georgia and South Carolina; 1,000 lives lost......Aug. 28, 1893

Three counties in rebellion against State authority on account of the State dispensary law; militia called out......March 31–April 1, 1894

Governor Tillman assumes the control of the police and marshals in all the cities and incorporated towns......April 3, 1894

The dispensary law declared constitutional......April 19, 1894

Supreme Court of the State decides that prohibition is in force in the State......May 8, 1894

Governor Tillman issues a proclamation to open Aug. 1 the State liquor dispensaries......July 23, 1894

The convention began its sessions for the revision of the State constitution......Sept. 11, 1895

Naval station ordered removed from Port Royal to Charleston......1900

The original proceedings of the convention of 1832-33 are discovered in the secretary of State's office......January, 1900

Constitutional amendments in reference to drainage and bonded indebtedness, adopted......November, 1900

Ex-United States Senator J. L. M. Irby dies at Laurens......Dec. 9, 1900

Senators Tillman and McLaurin resign their seats......May 25, 1901

Governor McSweeney refuses to accept the resignation of Senators Tillman and McLaurin......May 31, 1901

South Dakota