“Historian Benson J. Lossing thought Yorkville the loveliest village of the upcountry, but left it after several days to travel southward. Instead of taking the road to Columbia, he went closer to the Catawba and to the Catawba Reservation. He found that the Catawbas were reduced to about 100 in number and predicted they would be extinct in a few years.” Travels of B.J. Lossing – 1849
The Yorkville Enquirer of July 17, 1879 reported – “Mr. Wm. Whyte, State Agent, paid the Catawba Indians last week a portion of the money appropriated by the state for their benefit. It was about $2. per person. He will pay the rest of the appropriation in November. The majority of these Indians are living on the reservation allowed them by the state, the others are employed at different places in the neighborhood.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Dec. 10, 1885 – “Some members of the 12th Reg. want to mark the graves of two Catawba Indians, John Harris and James Harris who fought through the late war as Confederate soldiers. Their conduct throughout the conflict was marked with great courage and fidelity. They entered the service as cooks, but afterward participated in active service. They were wounded several times but survived. John Harris was crippled by a wound received at Sharpsburg. Both men have died at their homes in the Catawba Nation, where they were intrude. It is suggested that members of Co. H. of the 12th Regiment should take steps to preserve the memories of these men in a suitable way with headstones.”
The Rock Hill Herald in an article from the Columbia Register reported on Jan. 13, 1887 – “There are 93 survivors of the Catawba Tribe of Indians in York County. The chief is Thomas Morrison. Two of their men, William Harrison and James Harrison, have been appointed to go to Columbia to look after the interest of the tribe. They have engaged attorney J.Q. Marshall. The Catawba’s live on an area of 750 acres but believe they have claims to 144,000.”
City Directories and History: The wide distribution of tourist pottery was conducted by the Catawba Nation for decades as were community gatherings where Chief Blue provided insights and history. Teacher and historian, Ms. Louise Pettus wrote: “William Richardson Davie Jr. wrote in 1892 that the finest private collection of Catawba relics “in the south, if not in America, is that of Dr. S. E. Babcock’s of Chester, S.C., who has many thousands of most rare specimens…” Davie said Babcock had numerous tempting offers but refused to part with his treasure.
The YV Enquirer reported on April 20, 1892 – “A human skeleton was dug out of an Indian mound on Col. George W. Brown’s river plantation last week. Dr. Strait examined it and said non of the bones are missing. A tomahawk was found in the same mound.” (Unknown location.)
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 25, 1893 – “Mr. A.E. Smith of Rock Hill has been reappointed agent for the Catawba Indians.”
The Herald on April 7, 1900 reported Mr. G.W. Boyd, Agent for the Catawba Indians has been engaged for some weeks to establish the boundaries of the Catawba Indian Reservation. It is thought that some adjoining landowners maybe encroaching on the Indians. Although it is purity certain that there is a record in the Clerks Office that will show the lines and distances of the reservation boundary, this record has not yet been found.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported Oct 27, 1905 via the Greenville News – “Several Indian women from the Catawba Reservation in York County have been in Greenville for two or three days, selling beadwork and baskets.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on April 1, 1907 – “J. D. Lesslie the Catawba Indian Agent received a letter from James Patterson in Sanford, Co. He states there are 27 Catawbas living in Colorado and they want their share of the state appropriation. However only those living on the reservation are entitled.”
The Fort Mill Times reported on Jan. 30, 1913 – “Fourteen members of the tribe of Catawba Indians, of York County, including Chief Harris, five other men, two women and six children are attending the corn exposition in Columbia.”
The Herald reported on March 1, 1916 – “A movement is underway by the Baptist to build a church for the Catawba Indians. The only church on the reservation is the one planted by the Mormons some years ago. A one acre site has been made available for a Baptist Church.”
The Herald reported on March 30, 1916 – “A group of ladies in the Baptist Churches of Rock Hill are working to aid Rev. F.T. Cox and his Indian congregation in building a church on the Catawba Reservation. Rev. Cox is Pastor of West End Baptist Church and is also in charge of the mission. They are seeking to raise $1,000.”
The Herald reported on Aug. 24, 1918 – “There will be preaching at the Baptist Mission at the Indian Reservation on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 by the Rev. J.C. Lawson, pastor of West End Baptist Church.”
“Chief Blue was born 15 August 1873 on the banks of the Catawba River. He was given the Indian name of “Patki” or “Big Bear.” His mother was Margaret George; his father was Samuel Blue. His father was an Englishman farmer who ran a grist mill between Fort Mill and Pineville.
Samuel Blue, named for his father, married when he was 14 years old and settled down on the reservation, never to leave. His wife, Minnie Hester George, gave birth to three children and then passed away. His second wife was Louise Hester Canty. They had 20 children. For many years Chief Blue struggled as a farmer to raise crops on the poorest land one could find in York County. He was known by many as the “Old Chief” or “Thunderbird.” Many days he would take time off from his work on the farm and travel many miles throughout South Carolina visiting schools and entertaining children.
Chief Blue never went to school but he became an elder in the Mormon Church and was president of the Catawba Indian branch of the Church for 40 years. He was elected chief of the tribe in 1934.
Born in a log hut, he died in a small, un-painted frame house a half-mile east of the scene of his birth.
Chief Blue’s wife, Louise Hester Canty Blue, the last full-blooded Catawba Indian of either sex, survived her husband about five years. She died in 1963 at age 80. Described as being more stoical than her “showman” husband, friendly and hospitable Mrs. Blue was Chief Blue’s second wife. Although the year of their marriage is uncertain, they had 20 children, six of whom are still living.
In 1950, Chief Blue and his wife were, in his own words, “sent west by the Mormon Church where they had a temple marriage and had our children sealed to us.” Less colorful than her “warrior” husband, Louisa Blue came into her own in later years of her life. She was known in the area for the beautiful pottery she made using the methods passed along by her people from generation to generation.”
(Information in part from: Chester County Heritage Book, Vol. I, Edt. by Collins – Knox, Published by the Chester Co Hist. Society – Jostens Printing, 1982)
*** NOTE THIS PAGE The enlargeable page herein tells of the plight of the Catawba Indians living with the Cherokee Nation in Haywood Co., N.C. The letter, addressed to David Hutchison in Dec. 31, 1842 by an attorney, Mr. W.H. Thomas, sheds light on the problems of the tribe shortly after signing their historic Catawba Land Lease in York County, S.C.
See Fort Mill Catawba Monument
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!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: