Doris Sander Lancaster was born in a house on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, in 1928, and ever since has spent most of her life on the island. In this interview she recounts memories of childhood growing up including games, crabbing, and playing on the beach. She tells of the house near Station 24 where she and other family members grew up "fatherless." Doris details much of the relationships between the civilian population and Fort Moultrie Military Reservation. She recalls the initial reaction to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She and other island girls then were recruited by the USO to dance with the ever-increasing number of servicemen in the area who were headed for the war. She tells of her emotional reaction to the newsreels showing the horrors of combat. Doris met her future husband, Bob, when he was stationed at the fort. They were married in 1948 and spent most of their married life on the island. A great deal of Doris's narrative surrounds the relationship with Stella Maris Catholic Church, the events that took place and the personalities involved. The interview ends with Doris Lancaster's reactions to the many changes that have occurred on Sullivan's Island over the 94 years of her life.
In this interview, Father Lawrence McInerny relates his family tree, starting with Michael McInerny from County Clare, Ireland, the first family member to come to Sullivan’s Island in 1840. Married to Julia Lillis, Michael McInerny bought property but had trouble retaining it. He owned a bakery that was destroyed by arson. In 1884, he died in a horse and buggy accident. His son, John Francis McInerny, was born on the island in 1842. John Francis became a brick mason and later operated a lumber business. John Francis briefly served as marshal of Moultrieville. His brother, James, died in Confederate service during the American Civil War. The hard times of Reconstruction forced John Francis to move to Brooklyn, New York, where he married. He moved back to the island in about 1875. In 1876, during the last great yellow fever epidemic, two of his children died. In 1889, he bought Centennial Hall which he renovated but sold soon after renovations were completed. John Francis died in 1914. His son, Joseph P. McInerny, was a merchant on the island and was instrumental in starting the local elementary school. Joseph’s son, Edward Reynolds McInerny, was born in 1910 and ran a successful laundry business. Reynolds, as he was called, was the Father Lawrence McInerny’s father. Father McInerny reflects on his and his family’s recollections of many aspects of island life including the presence of many more children, a significantly larger African American population, an easy-going lifestyle focused on boats and bicycles, the storms that have hit the island, prohibition, the ferries once needed to bring people to the area, and the businesses that used to dot the island. Closing on a personal note, Father McInerny talks about his summer work with the National Park Service and his call into the priesthood.
Peggy Maginn Ferri shares her recollections of nearly 100 years living on Sullivan’s Island, including growing up in a house with 16 people, 9 of whom were children. She describes childhood activities that centered around the beach, playing ball, fishing and crabbing. Though she attended elementary school only a few blocks from her house, getting to high school in downtown Charleston required walking to the government dock, taking the ferry, and walking to Bishop England on Calhoun Street, an all day affair. Peggy speaks of her marriage to Ferdinand “Fergie” Ferri and their life together, both on and off the island. Much of Peggy’s life has been related to her family’s strong Catholic faith. Other anecdotes cover wine making, rum runners, and a famous island murder. Peggy ends with her statement that she has always considered herself a “girl of the island” having led an idyllic childhood, but notes her strong dislike for all the changes that have occurred on Sullivan’s Island.
Caption: 'Siege of Charleston--1.Bombardment of Fort Moultrie and the Batteries Bee and Beauregard, by the monitors and ironsides, Sept. 7th and 8th.--2. Interior of Battery Gregg, looking towards Wagner. From sketches by our Special Artist, W.T. Crane.' [full date October 3, 1863.]
[Color image.] Caption at top: 'The harbor of Charleston, S.C.--From sketches by our special artist.--Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island.' Caption at middle: 'Fort Pinckney, Charleston, S.C.' Caption at bottom: 'Fort Sumter, Charleston, S.C.' [full date Dec. 1, 1860.]
Caption: 'Panoramic view of Charleston Harbor--advance of iron-clads to the attack, April 7. Union--A. Keokuk. B. Nahunt. C. Nantucket. D. Catskill. E. Ironsides. F. Patapsco. G. Montauk. H. Passaie. K. Weehawken. Rebel--1. Morris Island sand battery. 2. Fort Wagner. 3. Battery Bee, on Cummings Point. 4. [Fort] Johnson. 5. Fort Ripley. 6. Sumter. 7. Charleston City. 8. Castle Pinckney. 9. Fort Redan. 10. Fort Moultrie. 11. Moultrie House. 12. Fort Beauregard. 13. Harbor obstructions. 14. Cooper River. 15. Ashley River.' [full date May 2, 1863.]
