The American Fight for Independence:
Charleston, 1775-1783
Charleston, the seaport city was rich with trade and was the fifth largest city in Colonial America.
Tired of “taxation without representation” that included the Stamp Act, Townshend Revenue Acts, and
the Tea Act, Charlestonians and other colonists had begun to feel that Great Britain’s policies were
overbearing. Because of the Tea Act citizens confiscated tea and stored it in the Exchange and
Custom House. In 1774 representatives from all over the colony came to the Exchange to elect
delegates to the First Continental Congress, the group responsible for drafting the Declaration of
Independence. The five elected delegates (all Charlestonians) traveled to Philadelphia and included;
Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, and Edward Rutledge. All
efforts at reconciliation failed with Great Britain and South Carolina declared its independence from
the crown on the steps of the Exchange.
Charlestonians were to provide the new nation with its first victory. Fort Sullivan on Sullivan’s Island
was hastily built of palmetto tree logs in preparation of the attack. The fort commander was Colonel
William Moultrie. Legend has it that the soft palmetto logs absorbed rather ran cracked when
assaulted by the British warships cannons saving the fort. Having witnessed the first great victory of
the American Revolution, Charlestown was spared from further attack for three years. The fort was
named Fort Moultrie for the battle commander William Moultrie.
The Siege of Charlestown began on April 13th 1780 and lasted forty two days. Bombs and artillery
descended upon the city bringing fires and death. Finally the people of Charlestown asked to
surrender. The defeat would be the worst Continental defeat of the war and the third largest
surrender in American history. Charlestown was occupied for two years or the remainder of the
Revolutionary War. Most Charlestonians remained loyal to the cause of the Revolution, such as
Francis Marion, better known as the “Swamp Fox”. South Carolina through all its battles lost more
men in the Revolutionary War than any other state. After the British retreated in December 1782, the
city’s name was officially changed from Charlestown to Charleston.
Let us celebrate the sacrifices that our forefathers overcame in this beautiful city laden with historical
treasures and home to many heroic Patriots of the Revolution. Below are some of our
recommendations on having a magnificent and unforgettable visit in Charleston.
Fort Moultrie National Park
1214 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island
Phone: 843.883.3123
Daily, 9am-5pm
Admissions: $5 per family, $3 per adult, $1 per senior (62+), under 16 free
In 1776 near the beginning of the war British war ships attacked Fort Sullivan. The fort walls were
built out of soft palmetto logs that did not crack under the bombardment but rather absorbed the
blows from the cannons. This was the first decisive Patriot victory and Charlestown was saved from
capture.
Heyward-Washington House
87 Church Street, Charleston
Phone: 843.722.0354
M-Sa 10am-5pm; Su 1-5pm
Admission: $9 adults, $4 ages 3 to 12
Built in 1772, this was the home of Thomas Heyward Jr., a signer of the Declaration of
Independence. The house was rented for George Washington on his trip to Charleston in 1791. The
exquisite formal garden is comprised of plants available to Charlestonians during that period.
Furnished with magnificent Charleston-made furniture, the collection includes the priceless Holmes
bookcase, considered the finest example of American-made furniture in existence today. The house
is in the neighborhood used by Dubose Heyward as the setting for his book "Porgy" and is a National
Historic Landmark.
Old Powder Magazine
79 Cumberland Street, Charleston
Phone: 843.722.9350
Thursday - Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: Adults $2, Ages 6-12 $1, Under 5 free
The Powder Magazine is the oldest public building in the Carolinas and the only remaining building
from the era of the Lords Proprietors. Built in 1712, it was the storage area for thousands of pounds
of gunpowder used in the defense of the city in the early Colonial period and American Revolution.
Now restored, the magazine is a National Historic Landmark with exhibits on the fascinating history
of early Colonial Charlestown.
Old Exchange & Provost
122 East Bay St. at Broad St., Charleston
Phone: 843.727.2165
Daily, 9am-5pm
Admission: Adults $7, ages 7-12 $3.50, age 6 and under free.
Built between 1767 and 1771, and served as the city’s exchange and custom house. A mass
meeting to protest the British tax on tea was held there on 3 December 1773, and the South Carolina
delegates to the First Continental Congress were elected here 1774. The Provost Dungeon was
used as a prison by the British during the Revolution. Animatronic characters enhance the tour of this
Historic Landmark. George Washington was entertained here on May 2nd 1791.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
3550 Hwy 61, Charleston
Phone: 843.571.1266
Middleton Place
4300 Hwy 61, Charleston
Phone: 843.556.6020
(See Listing under Fun & Recreation)
Drayton Hall
3380 Hwy 61, Charleston
Phone: 843.766.0188
St. Michaels Episcopal Church & Graveyard
Corner of Meeting & Broad Streets, Charleston
Open daily for touring, free.
The oldest church edifice in the City of Charleston stands on the site of the Anglican Church built
south of Virginia. The church retains its original design and has a Tiffany window in the chancel. The
18th-century English clock and ring of eight bells is thought to be the oldest functioning Colonial tower
clock in the country. Buried here are two signers of the Constitution; John Rutledge (also a member
of The First Continental Congress) and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Archives show that George
Washington attended the church in 1791.
St. Phillips Church Graveyard
142 Church Street, Charleston
Open daily for touring, free.
Buried here are revolutionaries, politicians, confederates and artists. Among then are Col. William
Rhett, known as the "Scourge of the Pirates," charged with bringing the murderous Blackbeard and
Stede Bonnet to justice. Gen. Moultrie, the great defender of Charleston against the British, is here.
Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Pinckney, a signer of the
Constitution, and John C. Calhoun, a US senator and vice president of the US also are interred here.
Also buried here is Christopher Gadsden. Because of his hatred for British rule, he asked to be
buried in an unmarked grave so that his remains could never be desecrated.
Liberty Tree Marker
80 Alexander Street, Charleston.
The marker in front of the building was placed by the Sons of the American Revolution to
commemorate the live oak tree that used to be at this location. This tree became known as The
Liberty Tree where colonial independence was first advocated by Christopher Gadsden in 1766.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
1254 Long Point Road
Mt. Pleasant
Phone: 843.881.5516
Open daily 9-5
Archaeological remains of brick foundations and an unfurnished 1820s tidewater cottage are the last
protected remnants of Snee Farm, the country estate of Charles Pinckney, a drafter and signer of the
Constitution. This is a National Park site with interpretive exhibits of the framing of the U.S.
Constitution, the life of Charles Pinckney, South Carolina Lowcountry plantation life, and the
contributions of African-Americans to the United States during the nation's formative years.
Charleston Strolls Walking Tour
Departs from the Mills House Hotel (corner of Meeting & Queen)
Mon-Sat 10:00am
Phone: 843.766.2080
Why not let a professional guide show you around? Since 1979, Charleston's first and finest walking
tour. 300 years of history comes to life on the Charleston Stroll. Meander quaint alleys where steeples
tower overhead. Encounter stately mansions. Join Charleston’s finest guides on this leisurely 2 hour
Stroll. Group, private and school tours by arrangement and reservations are recommended.
Charleston, 1775-1783
Charleston, the seaport city was rich with trade and was the fifth largest city in Colonial America.
Tired of “taxation without representation” that included the Stamp Act, Townshend Revenue Acts, and
the Tea Act, Charlestonians and other colonists had begun to feel that Great Britain’s policies were
overbearing. Because of the Tea Act citizens confiscated tea and stored it in the Exchange and
Custom House. In 1774 representatives from all over the colony came to the Exchange to elect
delegates to the First Continental Congress, the group responsible for drafting the Declaration of
Independence. The five elected delegates (all Charlestonians) traveled to Philadelphia and included;
Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, and Edward Rutledge. All
efforts at reconciliation failed with Great Britain and South Carolina declared its independence from
the crown on the steps of the Exchange.
Charlestonians were to provide the new nation with its first victory. Fort Sullivan on Sullivan’s Island
was hastily built of palmetto tree logs in preparation of the attack. The fort commander was Colonel
William Moultrie. Legend has it that the soft palmetto logs absorbed rather ran cracked when
assaulted by the British warships cannons saving the fort. Having witnessed the first great victory of
the American Revolution, Charlestown was spared from further attack for three years. The fort was
named Fort Moultrie for the battle commander William Moultrie.
The Siege of Charlestown began on April 13th 1780 and lasted forty two days. Bombs and artillery
descended upon the city bringing fires and death. Finally the people of Charlestown asked to
surrender. The defeat would be the worst Continental defeat of the war and the third largest
surrender in American history. Charlestown was occupied for two years or the remainder of the
Revolutionary War. Most Charlestonians remained loyal to the cause of the Revolution, such as
Francis Marion, better known as the “Swamp Fox”. South Carolina through all its battles lost more
men in the Revolutionary War than any other state. After the British retreated in December 1782, the
city’s name was officially changed from Charlestown to Charleston.
Let us celebrate the sacrifices that our forefathers overcame in this beautiful city laden with historical
treasures and home to many heroic Patriots of the Revolution. Below are some of our
recommendations on having a magnificent and unforgettable visit in Charleston.
Fort Moultrie National Park
1214 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island
Phone: 843.883.3123
Daily, 9am-5pm
Admissions: $5 per family, $3 per adult, $1 per senior (62+), under 16 free
In 1776 near the beginning of the war British war ships attacked Fort Sullivan. The fort walls were
built out of soft palmetto logs that did not crack under the bombardment but rather absorbed the
blows from the cannons. This was the first decisive Patriot victory and Charlestown was saved from
capture.
Heyward-Washington House
87 Church Street, Charleston
Phone: 843.722.0354
M-Sa 10am-5pm; Su 1-5pm
Admission: $9 adults, $4 ages 3 to 12
Built in 1772, this was the home of Thomas Heyward Jr., a signer of the Declaration of
Independence. The house was rented for George Washington on his trip to Charleston in 1791. The
exquisite formal garden is comprised of plants available to Charlestonians during that period.
Furnished with magnificent Charleston-made furniture, the collection includes the priceless Holmes
bookcase, considered the finest example of American-made furniture in existence today. The house
is in the neighborhood used by Dubose Heyward as the setting for his book "Porgy" and is a National
Historic Landmark.
Old Powder Magazine
79 Cumberland Street, Charleston
Phone: 843.722.9350
Thursday - Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: Adults $2, Ages 6-12 $1, Under 5 free
The Powder Magazine is the oldest public building in the Carolinas and the only remaining building
from the era of the Lords Proprietors. Built in 1712, it was the storage area for thousands of pounds
of gunpowder used in the defense of the city in the early Colonial period and American Revolution.
Now restored, the magazine is a National Historic Landmark with exhibits on the fascinating history
of early Colonial Charlestown.
Old Exchange & Provost
122 East Bay St. at Broad St., Charleston
Phone: 843.727.2165
Daily, 9am-5pm
Admission: Adults $7, ages 7-12 $3.50, age 6 and under free.
Built between 1767 and 1771, and served as the city’s exchange and custom house. A mass
meeting to protest the British tax on tea was held there on 3 December 1773, and the South Carolina
delegates to the First Continental Congress were elected here 1774. The Provost Dungeon was
used as a prison by the British during the Revolution. Animatronic characters enhance the tour of this
Historic Landmark. George Washington was entertained here on May 2nd 1791.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
3550 Hwy 61, Charleston
Phone: 843.571.1266
Middleton Place
4300 Hwy 61, Charleston
Phone: 843.556.6020
(See Listing under Fun & Recreation)
Drayton Hall
3380 Hwy 61, Charleston
Phone: 843.766.0188
St. Michaels Episcopal Church & Graveyard
Corner of Meeting & Broad Streets, Charleston
Open daily for touring, free.
The oldest church edifice in the City of Charleston stands on the site of the Anglican Church built
south of Virginia. The church retains its original design and has a Tiffany window in the chancel. The
18th-century English clock and ring of eight bells is thought to be the oldest functioning Colonial tower
clock in the country. Buried here are two signers of the Constitution; John Rutledge (also a member
of The First Continental Congress) and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Archives show that George
Washington attended the church in 1791.
St. Phillips Church Graveyard
142 Church Street, Charleston
Open daily for touring, free.
Buried here are revolutionaries, politicians, confederates and artists. Among then are Col. William
Rhett, known as the "Scourge of the Pirates," charged with bringing the murderous Blackbeard and
Stede Bonnet to justice. Gen. Moultrie, the great defender of Charleston against the British, is here.
Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Pinckney, a signer of the
Constitution, and John C. Calhoun, a US senator and vice president of the US also are interred here.
Also buried here is Christopher Gadsden. Because of his hatred for British rule, he asked to be
buried in an unmarked grave so that his remains could never be desecrated.
Liberty Tree Marker
80 Alexander Street, Charleston.
The marker in front of the building was placed by the Sons of the American Revolution to
commemorate the live oak tree that used to be at this location. This tree became known as The
Liberty Tree where colonial independence was first advocated by Christopher Gadsden in 1766.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
1254 Long Point Road
Mt. Pleasant
Phone: 843.881.5516
Open daily 9-5
Archaeological remains of brick foundations and an unfurnished 1820s tidewater cottage are the last
protected remnants of Snee Farm, the country estate of Charles Pinckney, a drafter and signer of the
Constitution. This is a National Park site with interpretive exhibits of the framing of the U.S.
Constitution, the life of Charles Pinckney, South Carolina Lowcountry plantation life, and the
contributions of African-Americans to the United States during the nation's formative years.
Charleston Strolls Walking Tour
Departs from the Mills House Hotel (corner of Meeting & Queen)
Mon-Sat 10:00am
Phone: 843.766.2080
Why not let a professional guide show you around? Since 1979, Charleston's first and finest walking
tour. 300 years of history comes to life on the Charleston Stroll. Meander quaint alleys where steeples
tower overhead. Encounter stately mansions. Join Charleston’s finest guides on this leisurely 2 hour
Stroll. Group, private and school tours by arrangement and reservations are recommended.
