South Carolina Colony

Charleston Harbor, South Carolina Colony

Founded by the Lords Proprietors

South Carolina, part of the original Province of Carolina, was founded in 1663 when King Charles II gave the land to eight noble men known as the Lords Proprietors. At the time, the province included both North Carolina and South Carolina. North and South Carolina became separate royal colonies in 1729.

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The French and Spanish Fought Over the Region

The Spanish and French vied over the rights to the coast of South Carolina in the 1500’s. In 1562, French soldiers unsuccessfully attempted to start a settlement on Parris Island off the coast of present-day South Carolina. In 1566, the Spanish built the colony of Santa Elena near the site of the original French settlement. Santa Elena was abandoned in 1576 after being attacked by Indians. Although the settlement was rebuilt, the Spanish concentrated their forces in Florida after British pirate Sir Francis Drake destroyed St. Augustine. The British would be the next to colonize the area.

Albemarle Point

In 1670, the first permanent English settlement in South Carolina was established at Albemarle Point. Many of the original settlers came from the Caribbean island of Barbados, including the new governor, William Sayle. A year before, in 1669, prospective Carolina settlers including John Locke wrote the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina, which served as an early form of government for the Carolina colony.

The Rise of Charleston

In 1680, the colony moved to Charles Town (later Charleston). Charles Town would quickly become the cultural and economic center of the southern colonies. Because of the influence of the Caribbean settlers, the colony’s original economy resembled the plantation colonies of the West Indies. It would become a major center for rice, tobacco and indigo production, and the colony’s plantation owners were among the wealthiest people in all the colonies. By the late 1700’s, African-American slaves represented the majority of the population in South Carolina, as the number of cotton plantations increased.

Click here to learn more about the History of Cotton in America | Click here to learn about slavery in the New World

Discussion Questions

  1. Who were the Lords Proprietors and why were they important to South Carolina?
  2. Why did the French and Spanish fail to keep their colonies in South Carolina?
  3. How did settlers from Barbados influence South Carolina’s economy?
  4. Why did Charleston become such an important city in the South?

Glossary

  • Lords Proprietors – Eight English noblemen who were granted land in Carolina by the king.
  • Royal Colony – A colony controlled directly by the king or queen of England.
  • Plantation – A large farm that grows cash crops like rice, tobacco, or cotton, often using enslaved labor.
  • Barbados – A Caribbean island where many early settlers of South Carolina came from.

Founded by the Lords Proprietors

South Carolina was part of the Province of Carolina, founded in 1663 when King Charles II gave land to eight noblemen called the Lords Proprietors. In 1729, North and South Carolina became separate royal colonies.

The French and Spanish Compete

In the 1500s, France and Spain fought over land in South Carolina. The French tried to start a colony on Parris Island in 1562, but it failed. The Spanish built a colony called Santa Elena in 1566, but it was attacked by Native Americans and later abandoned.

First English Settlement

The first successful English settlement in South Carolina was Albemarle Point in 1670. Many settlers came from Barbados, including the governor, William Sayle. In 1669, John Locke and others helped write the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina, which was used to help govern the colony.

The Rise of Charleston

In 1680, the colony moved to Charles Town (later Charleston), which became an important center for trade and culture. The economy was based on crops like rice, tobacco, and indigo. Many wealthy plantation owners lived there, and by the late 1700s, most of the population was made up of enslaved Africans working on plantations.
South Carolina Colony Activities