The Breeze February 2015

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The turbubulent past of a tranquil island. Part 2: Early History From: “A History of Spring Island Plantation”, by Agnes L. Baldwin, 1966 Published by: Spring Island Trust, 1996 Synopsis by: Randolph Stewart Many of the same extraordinary features that drew the earliest visitors to Spring Island are still bringing people here today: Majestic oak forests teeming with wildlife, saltwater estuaries with an abundance of seafood, and fresh water from dozens of natural springs, hence, the islands name. The first inhabitants called their island home as early as 10,000 B.C. Spanish explorers first toured the shores in 1521, the The first owner of the island, John Cochran, acquired the land in 1697, through a series of land grants totaling 5,000 acres. Cochran was an Indian trader, required to pay the Lord’s Proprietors 10 shillings a year. The island, he named Cochran’s Island, was strategically located across the Cheechessee Creek from three Indian towns, Alamahaw, Cheechessee and Okatie, in what was then known as Granville County. French followed in 1562, and the Scots in 1629. In all, seven flags have flown over Beaufort County to the present day. For nearly 500 years, Spring Island has played a prominent role in the events of this historic Lowcountry. The first indian trading post between Charleston and Savannah was established there in 1697. The first crop of the superb, long staple Sea Island Cotton was planted there by George Edwards in 1790. Since the turn of the century, sportsmen and adventurers the world over have sought out the island for its restorative climate and exceptional recreation opportunities. The Indians and settlers in the Port Royal area lived in constant fear of the Spanish garrisons, as the Spanish claimed all land from Port Royal southward, and wiped out a Scottish Presbyterian settlement in 1685. In April, 1715, the morning after a conference with the Indians to settle complaints, Cochran, his attorney, Thomas Nairn, Bray, Warner and John Wright were taken prisoners by the Yemassees. This began a war where 90 traders, planters, and their families were killed. John Cochran, his wife and four children; Mr. Bray, his wife and two children; and six more men and women, having found some friends among the 8
Indians, were spared for some days, but while attempting to make their escape they were retaken and put to death. The land, laid in complete waste, cattle and crops destroyed from the Indian Wars, went to his son, James Cochran (Elder). James spent most of his life acquiring land and defending it from Indians. He purchased tracts and grants near Will Town, Jehoshua Island, a Combahee River Island, land on St. Helena Island, Daufuskie Island, Callawassie Island and in Colleton County. He received the rank of Major in service of the King and was elected a member of the Commons House of Assembly from Colleton County that met in Charles Town. He died between 1719 and 1724, when James Cochran (Younger) became heir to his father’s properties in over 20 tracts totally 10,918 acres. In 1738 James (Younger) had a house built on Cochran’s Island employing “tabby brick” and tabby “chinking mortar. James was known to either be consuming a gallon of rum failing to avoid the smallpox or treating his fellow Assemblymen liberally to this refreshment. Following his death in 1739/40 Cochrans’s Island became the property of Mary Cochran Ash, his only niece. Mary remains a mystery, almost a myth, as there is only a “Gift Deed of slaves from her father, Richard Ash that we know she was born before 1736 and was still living in 1752 It is known that Mary Cochran Ash’s daughter, Mary Ash, her successor, spent her childhood in Paul’s Parish, and after her marriage to George Barksdale they moved to her island. She died soon after giving childbirth. The Island’s ownership then followed to her son George Edwards born in 1800. After George grew up the real property and a great fortune was made planting sea island cotton. It was during this time that the Tabby Mansion and outbuildings were built. By 1820 George owned 230 slaves; of these 130 were engaged in agriculture, and as he cleared Breeze History additional land, it was said that George Edwards made around $100,000 a year on his cotton. Upon his death the title to Spring Island remained in litigation for many years, it eventually going to his son, George Barksdale Edwards. During this time due to the litigation expenses and upcoming war , the land and slaves acquired by his family over 154 years, was wiped out. In 1872 Spring Island was sold to Elizabeth Inwood for $8,600, for the Federal levied taxes at the court house steps, prices being so depressed following the Civil War. When Elizabeth died the land went to her only son Trenholm Inwood, who would become the last descendant of Indian trader, John Cochran, to own the island. The property changed hands a number of times between 1895 and 1966 when Mr. & Mrs. Elisha Walker, Jr. purchased the land and once again Spring Island became the center of much activity. Walker is said to have spent upwards of a million dollars each year improving the island infrastructure. After their death in 1982 the Elisha Walker Trust and Gordon Mobley, Plantation Manager managed the Island. The island was made available for quail hunting through the guest list that was “closely held”. Groups of four hunters would visit the Island for $10,000 a week for hunting quail, deer and occasionally ducks and turkey. In 1990, with the vision of Developers and Environmentalists Jim Chaffin, Jim Light, and Dr. Peter LaMottte, 36 founders formed the Spring Island Trust. With the purchase the trust was dedicated to the protection of the islands natural environment and cultural history. The overall density of the Island was down-zoned from 5,500 units to 500 units to allow for the creation of over 1000 acres of nature preserve and open space. The bridge from Callawassie opened in 1991. Arnold Palmer played the first round of golf on The Old Tabby Links, which he designed with Ed Seay in 1992. Many more milestones lie ahead as Spring Island continues to grow and evolve as a residential community. It is interesting to conjecture what John Cochran, Indian Trader, would think of the Island, should he visit today. It is comforting to believe that he would find the same beauty, charm and abundance of flora and fauna that characterized his home more than 300 years ago. 9
Page 1 and 2: FEBRUARY 2015 1
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Page 5 and 6: Breeze CONTENTS Februrary 2015, vol
Page 7: As this is Black History Month we f
Page 11 and 12: The Valentine’s poem that lives f
Page 13 and 14: Part 2: Waterfowl If it looks like
Page 15 and 16: Horned Grebe This small water bird
Page 17 and 18: Lesser Scaup This diving duck prefe
Page 19 and 20: WE MAKE BIKING EASY We offer much m
Page 21 and 22: wearing shoes they got cut to shred
Page 23 and 24: THE WHALE AND FOUR BLIND MICE TRUE
Page 25 and 26: fully convinced by the similarities
Page 27 and 28: One might think the worst when faci
Page 29 and 30: Breeze Fellowship AFRICAN METHODIST
Page 31 and 32: Breeze Bulletin Board SUBSCRIPTIONS
Page 33 and 34: all factored into her program. But
Page 35 and 36: Evanovich, P.J. O’Rourke, and Ann
Page 37 and 38: Breeze Wine Within Reach created an
Page 39 and 40: Serving the Needs of Greater Blufft
Page 41 and 42: Having returned to school at the Wa
Page 43 and 44: For the things that make it home! 4
Page 45 and 46: MAY RIVER GRILL** - SEAFOOD CONTEMP
Page 47 and 48: 5 Sherrington Drive Bluffton, SC 29
Page 49 and 50: Making your dream golf home possibl
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