A report from the mayor, city council, and various governmental departments of Charleston, South Carolina for the year 1882. The yearbook opens with an address from Mayor Courtenay followed by reports from various departments and an appendix recounting the history of Charleston.
A newspaper clipping announcing an "Anniversary Meeting" of the Literary and Philosophical Society of South Carolina, to take place in Charleston on Chalmers Street at the "Depository." The clipping lists the elected officers of the Society.
A short letter from J.H. Stevens, Coroner, to John F. Grimke about the death of one of his female slaves, [named Benit?], who had previously escaped and ultimately died "of want."
A bill of sale to Sarah Marie Drayton for the purchase of five slaves from the estate of Mrs. Ann D. Perry. James W. Gray, the commisioner of the Court of Equity facilitated the sale. The sale includes the guarantee to the purchaser of "the future issue of the Females"--meaning any future children will be the property of the purchaser. The back of the document includes several worn statements regarding the legality of the sale.
A letter from Thomas S. Grimke to Philadelphia bookseller Thomas Kite, asking his opinion of Mr. Price, an attorney, but also giving details on military preparations and a fear of violence over the nullification issue in Charleston.
A bill of sale to Sarah Marie Drayton for the purchase of four slaves named Flora, Shedrack, Mary-Ann, and Emma, from Susan S. Keith and Charles M. Furman.
A letter from an ill woman seeking financial aid from the St. Andrew's Society to pay her rent so that she can get her own place and not rely on the charity of her friend who took her in and cared for her.
A letter from an married woman requesting the financial aid of the St. Andrew's Society. It is followed by a note from three men, a minster and two elders, who are verifying that she remains unmarried to the best of their knowledge.
An accounting of a women petitioning St. Andrew's Society on behalf of her husband for a land grant of 400 acres. The accounting includes three men noting their recommendations she be granted the land and certifying her story.
A letter from a Scottish person petitioning the St. Andrew's Society for financial assistance to help them recover from illness while living in a workhouse in Charleston, South Carolina.
Letters of Mary Smith Grimke, wife of John Faucheraud Grimke, to her daughter, Anna Rutledge Grimke Frost (1795-1882), in Philadelphia, regarding the drowning death of her son, Benjamin (1798-1825) and his child, her grieving daughter-in-law Mary Augusta Barron Grimke (1806-1843) and the return of the bodies to Charleston, to be buried in St. Paul's cemetery. With references to settling of her husband's (?) estate, a note to her granddaughter as well and references to "Sally" (Sarah) and Angelina Grimke, especially the latter's turning to religion, attending Presbyterian services, giving up fashionable company and dress and becoming more like her sister Sarah.
Letters of Mary Smith Grimke, wife of John Faucheraud Grimke, to her daughter, Anna Rutledge Grimke Frost (1795-1882), in Philadelphia, regarding the drowning death of her son, Benjamin (1798-1825) and his child, her grieving daughter-in-law Mary Augusta Barron Grimke (1806-1843).
A short letter from George Reid, Secretary of the Society of the Cincinnati, to John F. Grimke regarding starting a society chapter in South Carolina. Reid notes that a meeting will be held at "William's Coffee House" to discuss the matter further.
Letter from Thomas S. Grimke, President of the South Carolina Temperance Society, to William Gill, James Johnson, William Greu, and Isaac A. [Kerlark?], the committee of the Temperance Society of 'F' Company, 2nd Regiment of Artillery, stationed at Fort Moultrie, recommending that their organization receive auxiliary status within a soon-to-be-established state temperance society.
A letter from a Scottish woman who is petitioning the St. Andrew's Society for financial assistance due to her old age and changes in financial circumstances.
A report from the mayor, city council, and various governmental departments of Charleston, South Carolina for the year 1880. The yearbook opens with an address from Mayor Courtenay followed by reports from various departments and an appendix recounting the history of Charleston.
A note from B. D. Heriot passing on an extract from a letter referencing the Sumter, South Carolina Temperance Society, with a mention of Reverend Samuel Gilman.
A short note to John F. Grimke from Charleston's Sheriff[?], James Kennedy stating that a "Sugar House" on Broad Street is ready for the arrival of "Negroes" for incarceration.
A short note to John F. Grimke from Charleston's Sheriff[?], James Kennedy inviting the City Constables and the Seargeant with the City Guard to attend an execution.
A letter from a man seeking financial aid from the St. Andrew's Society based on his destitution, lack of home, and being new to Charleston. The letter makes note of correspondence being lost which was meant to be sent to the St. Andrew's Society on behalf of the petitioner.
A letter from a woman with a sick infant who is petitioning the St. Andrew's Society for financial aid to help her pay the midwife, rent, and other necessary items.
A letter from a man seeking financial aid from the St. Andrew's Society based on old age and having all of his valuables taken from him by "Creek-Indians" who he traded to for thirty years. The second half of the page is a recommendation note who is testifying to the petitioner's character.
A letter from a man seeking financial aid from the St. Andrew's Society based on his illness. He would like aid to assist him in returning to Great Britain
A letter from a woman petitioning the St. Andrew's Society for a renewal of financial aid based on her husband's death and being left with an infant child. The letter states that the woman is able to provide for herself and child partly on her own through working.
A letter from a man recently arrived in Charleston, SC and seeking to return by ship back to Leith, Scotland with the financial aid of the St. Andrew's Society. He writes of his financial destitution and fear that without their assistance he and his wife will die from starvation.
A letter from a woman who is seeking financial aid from the St. Andrew's Society after her husband died and then her daughter died, leaving her with a granddaughter to care for.
In this ten-page, handwritten letter, Warren Hubert Moise writes about his uncle Theodore Sidney Moise (b. 1808), and his uncle’s family, offering recollections of each member of the family.
In this fifteen-page, handwritten letter, Warren Hubert Moise responds to questions his nephew Edwin Warren Moise (b. 1889) had asked in previous letters, expanding on the Moise family history.
In this two-page, handwritten letter, Warren Hubert Moise writes to his nephew Edwin Warren Moise (b. 1889), thanking him for the cards he sent from his trip to New Orleans. W. H. Moise describes the location of the old family home in Jefferson City, discusses inscriptions on the Moise tomb, and notes that his uncle Theodore Sidney Moise (b. 1808) was not buried in New Orleans; rather, "[h]is remains were taken to Charleston S.C." Moise concludes the letter by speculating on the location of "Uncle’s portrait" by Paul Edouard Poincy, whose name he misspells "Poincie."
In this six-page, handwritten letter Warren Hubert Moise writes to his nephew, Edwin Warren Moise (b. 1889), about a trip he took to Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia. He also discusses his father, Edwin Warren Moise (b. 1810), whose death in 1868 left the family in financial distress.
Colleen Condon (b. 1970) describes her upbringing in an Irish-American family in Charleston. Her family came to the States from County Cork during the time of the Famine, first landing in a northern city before coming to Charleston, which she remarks is most likely due to the similarities between Charleston and County Cork. Her great-great-grandfather started Condon’s department store in Charleston in 1899, which was family owned until closing in 1984. She discusses what it was like growing up in a large but very close-knit family with lots of ties to the community. She feels that issues of prejudice and discrimination against Irish Catholics in particular is something that has decreased through the generations, and that the Irish Catholics have become more integrated with the wider community as the years have passed, that Irish identity has “mesh[e]d really well” with Southern identity in Charleston. As to the difference between Charleston and other southern cities, she feels that the Irish community and sense of Irish identity is more prominent in Charleston than it is in places such as Atlanta or Charlotte. Part of her interview also includes her experience as a lesbian in an Irish-Catholic family, and how she has begun to try to separate her Irish identity from Catholicism because of the difficulties she has faced. Colleen and her wife were the first couple in the state of South Carolina to be granted a marriage license as a same-sex couple, after a long legal battle.
Sean Doherty discusses his experience growing up as part of an Irish-American family in New York City. His parents emigrated from County Donegal in the 1920s. He discusses growing up in a neighborhood of various first-generation immigrants from different backgrounds. He was an officer in the United States Marine Corps, until he became a salesman for Sylvan Pyrometric Systems, eventually retiring and coming to Charleston.
Barbara Dugan discusses her upbringing as part of an Irish-American family in New York City. Her grandparents emigrated from County Mayo and County Kerry around 1900. Her grandmother, Catherine, took care of janitorial duties in her apartment building while her grandfather, Patrick, became employed in steel works and helped to build several New York City area bridges. As a child, she had difficulty getting her grandmother to speak in detail about Ireland, which she suspects is because of the hardships the family endured before their move to the United States. Barbara grew up going to all-girls Catholic schools and was raised Catholic. She speaks glowingly of her travels in Ireland and discusses the various ways in which she passes a sense of Irish-American identity onto her children and grandchildren. Barbara recently relocated to Charleston to be close to her married son and grandchildren, who live in Mt. Pleasant.
Jeremiah Courtney discusses his experience as an Irish immigrant in New York City, and then in Charleston. He came to the States full time in 1991, after having lived in London for five years and finding life there difficult for an Irishman. He speaks warmly of growing up in Kilarney, County Kerry, but left largely because he felt that Ireland couldn’t offer him the variety and adventure that he wanted in his life. He felt welcomed and supported upon first arriving in the States, particularly by others in the Irish or Irish-American community. He made his way down to Charleston after feeling he needed a break from New York. Though he was raised in the Catholic church and attended Catholic school, he finds himself turning away from Catholicism, and has not passed that on to his children.
Eimer Kernan discusses her experience as an Irish immigrant. She is the youngest of five siblings from Dublin, and first came to the States in the late seventies on a J1 visa, then later came to live here full-time with her American husband. She has worked as a clinician, researcher, teacher, and consultant for thirty years. She comments on the difference in diversity between Ireland and the States, stating that Ireland is very homogenous, especially when compared to the States, and discusses how she “dials” herself back into Irish culture whenever she returns to Ireland. On religion, she remarks that she found the Catholic church restricting from an early age, so she feels that Catholicism, and religion in general, is not a part of her identity, though it did play a role in her upbringing in Ireland. She speaks specifically to her experience as a woman with a career, and of the difficulties that women face in trying to balance work and family. Above all, she maintains her identity as “Irish-Irish,” and considers herself “a bicoastal dual citizen.”
Darragh Doran (b. 1977) discusses his experience as an Irish immigrant in Charleston. He grew up in Chapelizod, a small village in Dublin, and first came to the States in 1997 on a J1 visa. His first experience in the U.S. was in Newport, Rhode Island, and, then in 1999, he made his way to Charleston, wanting to experience what he saw as the charm of the South, and wanting to better experience American culture. His first job in Charleston was with Bosch, who initially offered him a three-month internship, but at that time he didn’t expect to stay in the States. The sense of community, he states, is much stronger in Ireland, and he currently feels conflicted about whether he wants to return to Ireland or stay here as he gets older. He does state that the Irish are very warmly received here in the States, which he appreciates. Darragh is a realtor in town and runs CharlestonIrish.com and its associated Facebook page, dedicated to helping Irish immigrants in Charleston through business and personal networking. The ultimate goal of the Charleston Irish website is to help build up a well-connected community of Irish immigrants and their businesses in Charleston and the surrounding area.
Paul Flaherty, a former Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, discusses his upbringing as part of an Irish-American family in Boston and in Charleston. The paternal side of his family came from Galway in the early 1900’s and settled in Boston. The lore states that his family goes back to the twelfth century in Ireland. His father, Anthony, was in the Navy, while his mother, Mary, was a homemaker. He is the oldest of five children. He shares fond memories of growing up and being immersed in Irish culture at his grandparents’ house in South Boston, surrounded by a houseful of Irish immigrants and constantly hearing stories about Ireland. Most of the immigrants he came into contact with during childhood had emigrated to the States for work. He briefly discusses the importance of identifying as Americans first, specifically in how his grandparents spoke Gaelic but didn’t pass it on to the next generations, and of the importance of ensuring that the next generation of Irish-Americans are as well-educated as they can be. He also discusses the prevalence of Irish gangs in Boston. One of his main assertions is that, from his perspective, the Irish culture and Irish heritage is severely lacking in Charleston, especially when compared to the culture he was surrounded by in childhood in Boston.
Michael Duffy (b. 1943) discusses his upbringing as part of an Irish-American family in Charleston. His paternal grandfather, William J. Duffy, emigrated from County Donegal, and the family settled in the coal region of Pennsylvania. His mother’s side of the family came over from Clonmel, County Tipperary, through New Orleans and settled in Charleston. Michael travelled to Annagry, in a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) region on the West coast of Ireland, on a search for more information about the Duffys, and stumbled upon a pub where he was able to get more information about the Duffys from that region. He has pieced together much of his family’s background since but is still searching for more information. He has travelled numerous times to Ireland and has built numerous friendships through his travels. In his discussion of growing up as an Irish-Catholic in Charleston, he recalls some of the anti-Catholic sentiments he encountered in childhood, specifically the vivid memories of his childhood friend’s mothers asking him peculiar questions about the Pope. He acknowledges that the Catholic church, and the various duties and services associated with it, played a central role in his upbringing. He speaks about the current Irish community in Charleston, and how the Hibernian Society is taking steps to promote Irish culture in the city, whether by bringing Irish music in, or through commemorative or educational events such as the building of the Irish Memorial on Charlotte Street. Michael is immensely proud of his Irish-American background, and of the contributions the Irish-American immigrants have made in the States.
A letter written to John F. Grimke from Alexander Chisolm in Charleston, South Carolina. Chisolm commends Grimke for his "kind interference" in a business manner. Chisolm writes that he will make a payment on a debt presently.
A letter from Ralph Izard invites Grimke to Scheveling Plantation, advises him to avoid Combahee ferry, and mentions the pox and children in quarantine.
Petition of Hugh Rose to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance, claiming that he is destitute after his sizeable crops were stolen by enslaved Africans and destroyed by bears.
Petition of Mary Anderson to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance, explaining that her husband abandoned her when she was pregnant and she is now unable to support her infant.
Petition of Ann Sturgeon to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance, explaining that she is destitute five years after her husband drowned in the Charleston harbor.
Petition of Margaret Day to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance from the St. Andrew's society, explaining she is no longer able to support herself in her old age.
Petition of Jane Stuard to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance, explaining that she is unable to support herself because of prolonged illness.
Petition of Hannah Duckett to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance, explaining that her husband has died and she cannot support herself or her child because of prolonged illness.
Petition of Ann Charlotte Mackinzie to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance in returning home to Britain, explaining that she is the daughter of a Regiment Captain but is now unable to support herself.
Petition of Elisabeth Daylee Shane to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance, explaining that she is a widow and unable to support herself in old age.
Petition of Benjamin Glenoross to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance, explaining that he is an old soldier whose command abandoned him without pay in Augusta (Ga.) while he suffered illness.
Petition of John McKenzie to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance, explaining that he is a retired soldier now unable to support himself in old age because of prolonged illness.
Petition of Isabella Black to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance in returning to Scotland, explaining that her soldier husband abandoned her and their infant child.
Petition of William Nielson to the St. Andrew's Society requesting assistance in returning to Scotland, explaining that prolonged illness has rendered him unable to work to support himself and his family.
Petition of Anne Williams to the St. Andrew's Society explaining that she lives unmarried in Edinburgh and requesting that her annuity be paid. A postscript confirms that Anne Williams is alive and unmarried.
Petition of Robert Sutherland to the St. Andrew's Society requesting more assistance, thanking them for previous assistance, and explaining that illness still renders him unable to support himself.
Petition of Elizabeth Lesley to the St. Andrew's Society requesting that she be compensated for the nursing services she provided for a David Blair, who died before he could repay his debts to her.
A letter from Thomas S. Grimke in response to Langdon Cheves in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Grimke references ideas about the rule of law and philosophers that influenced the Reformation.
A letter from Theodore Drayton-Grimke to his father, Thomas S. Grimke, from "Middletown" (Middleton Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina?). Drayton-Grimke describes his studies in Trigonometry and reading Homer.
List of items in his estate to be surrendered by Algernon Wilson to ensure his release from jail. Wilson's "estate" includes several articles of clothing as well as a razor, box, and brush.
A short letter written to John F. Grimke from Thomas Roper regreting to inform Grimke that he was unable to satisfy an inquiry regarding the General Election of 1784 due to a missing document.
A short letter to Judge John F. Grimke from a "N. Marshal" asking for more information about a particular "daily" [newspaper?] mentioned in a court case.
Receipt issued by Roger Pinckney (via Algernon Wilson) for the purchase of a Pew in the North Aisle of Saint Philips Church. The pew had previously belonged to Francis Bramar.
Letter petitioning the Saint Andrew's Society on behalf of an impoverished and twice widowed woman, Elizabeth Russel, and her surviving child. The letter states her husband and some of her children died when an enslaved woman, owned by the family, poisoned them as well as herself. Russel and one of her children lived despite also being poisoned.
A bill of sale to Thomas Wilson for the purchase of ten slaves from John Potter, in payment of debts owed. The sale was issued by the Sheriff's Office in Colleton District, Charleston, South Carolina.
A portion of a will possibly belonging to Thomas Drayton in which Drayton specifies the ways in which he would like his slaves distributed. The writer also wills several "hacks" and tracts of land on the Ashley River.
A letter from a South Carolina constituent protesting a 24-hour guard being placed at the houses of blacks living in the Tom McMillan housing project by the Charleston Navy Yard. Senator Maybank sympathizes with the constituent's views but replies that he can only voice his opposition.
Correspondence concerning a request by Senator Burnet R. Maybank to Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox that further investigations be made into vice conditions in Charleston to see if there have been any improvements.
An excerpt, printed on a sheet of copy paper, taken from a letter sent by Admiral William Henry Allen to Senator Burnet R. Maybank concerning the effort to cleanup the vice problem in the city of Charleston. Attached to the copy paper are a number of newspaper clippings concerning reports of criminal activity in Charleston. These newspaper clippings can be found in the physical collection held by the College of Charleston.
A letter from Navy Yard Intelligence Officer Lieutenant Ernest Burwell to Governor Burnet R. Maybank thanking the Governor for his cooperation with Admiral William Henry Allen concerning efforts to clean up the Charleston vice problem. A two-page typed letter, written by Admiral William Henry Allen, urging the President of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, Henry J. Mann, to make efforts to clean up the severe vice problem afflicting the city of Charleston including illegal prostitution, gambling, and the sale of alcohol and drugs. The Admiral cites the need to preserve Charleston as an important shipping and naval base. Also included is a a three-page typed explanation and justification of order No. 14-40, given by Admiral William Henry Allen, which declared parts of Charleston "out of bounds" to all Navy personnel visiting the city due to vice problems.
A three-page letter, written to Senator Maybank by a Charleston Reverend, supporting Admiral William H. Allen's attempts to clean up Charleston's vice problems and condemning Mayor Henry W. Lockwood's efforts to control the problem. The Reverend also suggests the possibility of German foreign agents operating within Charleston's City Police Department. Also included is a response by Senator Maybank explaining that he has no authority over law enforcement, but would vote for the Sheppard Bill to prohibit the sale of liquor within army camps.
Correspondence concerning the declaration of parts of Charleston as "out of bounds" to United States military personnel. Mayor Lockwood felt that he was personally under attack and requested the aide of Senator Maybank. Also attached is a copy of a letter from Admiral William Henry Allen to Mayor Lockwood stating that he had restricted general liberty to all enlisted men in Charleston for one week due to their violation of the previous "out of bounds" restrictions.
Historian Stephen J. White, Sr. discusses his experience as an Irish-American in Charleston, and his work in dispelling myths about the Irish in the South. His family emigrated from various areas in Ireland, with family from County Kilkenny, County Mayo, County Clare, and County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Most of them came over in the mid-1800’s. He is one of ten children from a very religious Irish-Catholic family. He has been tracing the history of the Irish in Charleston, beginning with Captain Florence O’Sullivan’s landing in 1670, and has taught courses and written on the contributions of the Irish to Charleston’s rich history. The focus of his research and writing is that the experience of the Irish in northern cities is a rather stereotypical one, and that there is a significant Irish presence in the American South, with experiences that are often vastly different from those who emigrated to northern cities. Stephen is a member of numerous Irish organizations in Charleston, including the Irish Historical Society of South Carolina and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and is dedicated to educating others about the important role that the Irish have played in Charleston’s history.
Ron Plunkett discusses his experience as an Irish-American in the South. His Irish family background is largely derived from County Meath, County Louth, and County Dublin, and the first ancestor of his to come to the States was Captain Peter Plunkett, who arrived in Virginia around 1690. Ron was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. His background is Welsh, German, and French Huguenot, as well as Irish. Ron was raised in the Episcopal Church. Of anti-Irish or anti-Catholic sentiment, he states that he feels such discrimination or prejudice wasn’t a part of his experience in Atlanta, and that religious or ethnic background didn’t seem to be as big of a deal as it might have been in other places. He also discusses his time in the service during the Korean War. He first visited Ireland in the seventies on business and returned several times through his job with Sealand/Maersk Line, speaking of his experience as a visitor in the best of terms. He is a member of the Hibernian Society of Charleston and the St. David’s Society, a Welsh organization. To him, being of Irish descent in America is about celebrating one’s heritage and knowing one’s history, to share pride in the contributions of one’s ancestors.
![Bill of Sale to S.M. Drayton [Sarah Marie Drayton] for the purchase of four slaves, March 21, 1834](https://rspace.library.cofc.edu/iiif/image/36418/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
![Portion of a will by Thomas Drayton[?], unsigned, undated](https://rspace.library.cofc.edu/iiif/image/40260/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
