History of the Old Cheraws, Containing an Account of the Aborigines of the Pedee, the First White Settlements, Their Subsequent Progress, Civil Change

The author began this work as an investigation of "the history of the Indian tribes formerly inhabiting the valley of Pedee." However, he discovered a wealth of historical documents that rescued "the noble deeds of those who had long since passed away, from oblivion." As a result, the focus of this work expanded and became mainly a local history, but with "a close and continuous connexion [connection] throughout with the history of the State at large....especially in the period which immediately preceded the Revolution and during the progress of that eventful conflict." This hefty volume provides detailed accounts of Indian tribes on the Pedee, the first settlement in the province and the establishment of counties, the dividing line between North and South Carolina, inducements to settlers in the province, the Welsh settlement, settlements lower down the river, Irish Protestants, Huguenots, stock raising, agriculture, culture, land grants, slavery, social life, religion, judicial history, the Parish of St. David, circuit courts, Judge Drayton, the last days of royalty in South Carolina, the Council of Safety, St. David's Society, defense of Charlestown, General Green and Cornwallis, depredations of Tories (on Poke Swamp, Jeffrey's, Black, and Lynche's Creeks), county boundary lines, Ezra Pugh, Samuel Wilds, and much more. "Where printed or documentary matter of permanent interest and value could be given in full as recorded, the object has been to present it literally in its original form, rather than in the language of the Author." Numerous lists of names, transcripts of letters (and a variety of other original documents), and an index to full-names, places and subjects add to the value of this excellent work.