Lena Williams, a slave born and raised on Seaside Plantation (near Eddingsvill Beach) related (1) that in order to free the slaves, the Yankee army gathered up the slaves from a number of plantations and transported them to Beaufort and then laid waste to the properties.
At Beaufort however, no provision had been made to feed these people and extreme hunger and hardship prevailed.
Left to their own devices, a number of slave "marauders" then started to scavenge the sea islands for animals and food stuffs.
About 1862, two boats (bateauxs) about 20 feet long with simple sail and poles (no oars) attempted to land on Edingsville Beach in the midst of a storm.
The boats broached and spilled the occupants into the sea. These drowning victims washed up on the beach days later and were buried by a small tree on the side of Jeremy Inlet.
Jeremy Inlet just north of Edisto State Park
Reference:
(1) And I'm Glad.. An Oral History of Edisto Island (page 75)
by Nick Lindsay and Julia Cart
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