City Directories and History: “The village of Coosawhatchie grew up in the early eighteenth century around the Coosawhatchie River Bridge, which served the Charleston-Savannah Road. In February 1788 a bill was passed to construct a courthouse and “gaol” within one mile of Coosawhatchie Bridge. Thus, the county seat of Beaufort District was moved from Beaufort to Coosawhatchie. In 1790 William Thompson and Alexander Hammel, contractors for the courthouse, petitioned the State for the cost of sinking a well which had been bricked and secured “particularly for protection of the courthouse in case of fire.” The building was located two hundred yards from the river. On December 13, 1792, Thompson and Hammel reported that they had paid 490 pounds for the construction of public buildings at Coosawhatchie.
James Louis Petigru, who became a prominent Unionist, went to Coosawhatchie in 1812 to practice law. William J. Grayson, writing in his 1866 “Biographical Sketch of James Louis Petigru,” reports that there were a dozen shops or houses with one hundred inhabitants during the winter months at Coosawhatchie in 1812. By 1840 the county seat had been moved to Gillisonville because Coosawhatchie was unhealthful during the summer months.
General Robert E. Lee headquartered at Coosawhatchie when he was in command of the Lowcountry just prior to the Civil War. Lee erected earthwork fortifications throughout the area during his five-month stay.”
Information from: Historic Resources of the Lowcountry, The Lowcountry Council of Government, Cynthia C. Jenkins, Preservation Planner – Published, 1979
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!