“Pawley’s Island Historic District – the Inn was constructed by an African American slave artisan…”
City Directories and History: The historic Pelican Inn – P.C. J. Weston House, was built in ca. 1858.
Pawleys Island, Georgetown County, has long been the summer home of the plantation owners on the mainland and today is still a popular resort. This four-mile-long island takes its name from the owner, Thomas George Pawley (born December 16, 1699), who married Mary Allston in 1719. Pawley was also the person who gave the land upon which the present All Saints (Episcopal) Church, Waccamaw, now stands.
The structure is credited to African American, slave artisan, Renty Tucker.
It is here on Pawley’s Island that one may encounter what is, perhaps, South Carolina’s most famous ghost, The Gray Man. This ghost never scares or frightens anyone, for he appears as just another stroller on the beach. It is only when he disappears that one realizes that the gray and faceless figure was unreal. The Gray Man appears just before destructive hurricanes strike. It is not known who he is the ghost of, but tradition has it that he has appeared before the hurricanes of 1822, 1893, 1916, 1954 and 1955. Seemingly, his appearances are to warn the inhabitants; and those who believe this are able to leave in time, thereby avoiding loss of life and property. Now that this State has an official flower, tree, gem, and rock, perhaps it should also have an official ghost. The Gray Man is hereby nominated.
(Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC)
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