THIS EVERYDAY LIFE

Well got called home this morning before making it to the slave museum. So packed up and bid my host a temporary farewell. I have every intention of revisiting Charleston and soon. Goodness so much history and it appears the residents are eager to share. Its funny, from all outward appearances the South Carolinians (Black and White) are really eager to retain their history as its pertains to the colonial era and later. This even extends to slavery. It appears that there is more colonial history as it pertains to slavery and even the period. But then I guess when you consider the differences ages it is understandable. The first British settlement occurred in 1670 or there about, Oglethorpe and his pilgrims did not even land in Savannah until 1733. So you see there was a lot of time for the area to have ample history. Thinking about it brought to mind the fact the British were not the first Europeans to settle there. As a matter of fact 500 Spaniards with 100 Africans slaves winded up the Pee Dee River and attempted a settlement. It seems disease and strife among the Spaniards were part of the settlement’s undoing, but the main cause was a rebellion by the slaves. Slaves rebelled and went off with the Indians. The Spanish subsequently left with 150 people, set sail to Florida (now St. Augustine) where they massacred a goodly number of French Protestants and there remained. So I guess you can say that the first non-Native people to settle South Carolina were Africans. No matter the racial “who first” lets leave it at South Carolina had more time to accumulate history. But on with my day’s happenings, considering the reason for my having to return home was really not that pressing, decided to stop in Savannah and just strolled through its Historic District. I can never get over the fact of its beauty. I don’t know what made Sherman spare that square mile section of the city that Oglethorpe mapped out but I for one am glad he did. People, today was so serene, only drawback was the motorized vehicles. Well it was so beautiful a day; wind blowing, temperature just right, nice sun and not a pigeon in sight. Came upon Wright square and the monuments to Oglethorpe and his running partner Tomochichi (sic) the Yamacraw (Native American) chieftain. Tomochichi played a very important role in the settlers’ survival in the, (so to speak), first few moments of the settlement’s establishment. The guy even convinced the Lower Creek entities that the settlers were honorable and their intentions were not hostile. Poor Tomochichi, if he only knew. If memory serves me correctly he joined Oglethorpe in a telling battle with the Spanish. He even journeyed to England and had an audience with the King. After he returned he was feted by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. It is safe to say that without his assistance the settlement would have died aborning. The guy died in his nineties, which is notable in itself, considering the contagious diseases the Europeans brought with them. Diseases I am quite sure he had no immunity against. His remains rest in Wright Square. Therein is his tombstone, which is a large granite boulder. It goes without saying that the state of Georgia owes Tomachichi a great debt of gratitude. But on the other hand I would venture that he is not so revered among the present Cherokee and Creek nations. Remember the Trail of Tears were just that, A Trail of Tears.