Dataw Island Chain of Title (1682 – 1983)
The following Chain of Title lists all of the documented owners of Dataw Island from 1682 up through the purchase of Dataw Island by ALCOA South Carolina, Inc. in 1983.
Bill Riski is a retired USAF Officer and systems engineer. His hobbies include history, photography, writing, and travel. Maintaining this website is a labor of love for the Dataw Historic Foundation in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, where he and his wife now live.
Miss Kate Gleason: Women Multi-millionaire Builder Interested in SC Sea Island Development, 1930
This short news article by Chlotilde R. Martin in 1930 for The News and Courier, Charleston, SC captures the public’s fascination with this dynamic woman. “For three years the people of Beaufort have watched the doings of Miss Kate Gleason with curiosity. If there were no other reason except that one of the world’s multi-millionaires had come to live among them, that fact would be sufficient to hold their interest. But…”
Joseph Augustine Sams (1856 – 1939); Reflections by His Daughter
“Having passed the half century mark, I now can look back with more complete understanding and appreciation for the noble, kind, generous, understanding gentleman of the old school whom through the graciousness of Heaven I have the privilege of calling my father.”
Written by Mrs. Travis Johnson (Katie Lucia Sams), great great granddaughter of William and Elizabeth Sams.
The Sams Family of South Carolina; South Carolina Historical Magazine 1963
This two-part article from the South Carolina Historical Magazine is one of the finest genealogical sources on the Sams Family. It was published in 1963 and authored by two of William Sams’ gggranddaughters. It begins,
“Bonham Sams, II, the progenitor of the Sams family of South Carolina, was baptized 2 February, 1663, in St. Mary’s Parish Church, North Petherton Parish, County of Somerset, England, as “Bonham Sam, son of Thomas Sam” and his wife, Mary Bagge, also of this parish. He was the third generation of his family known to have worshiped here in the faith of the Established Church of England. In St. Mary’s ancient church- yard are buried his parents, also his grandparents—Bonham Samme, I, and his wife, Mary Shutte.
Bonham Sams, II, was the only one of his father’s sons to leave for the New World. His brothers, Thomas, Edward, Daniel, William, and Roger, are buried in England; and from available records it appears that
the male line of descent died out in England by 1735.”
Kate Gleason’s Adventures in a Man’s Job – 1928
Kate Gleason’s Adventures in a Man’s Job, This American Magazine, by Helen Christine Bennett, 1928. “She wished she had been born a boy, so she decided to do a man’s work—and this is the story of Kate Gleason’s adventures in a man’s job.”
Restoration and Old Dathaw Island, Beaufort Gazette, Feb 23, 1928 by N.L. Willet
Reporter N.L. Willet begins her article thusly, “Restoration work appeals to my soul and in the doing of it, I am having the time of my life.” So said Miss Kate Gleason of Rochester, New York (and of Beaufort) to Miss Elizabeth Sanders of Montclair, N. J., and myself, who were her guests for the day, as we were all sitting on the top of the cabin of the “Blanche.” This short article goes on to outline the dreams of Miss Kate Gleason for Dataw (today’s spelling) Island some 90 years ago.
After the Civil War
This is a copy of the wall display you see when visiting our History & Learning Center on Dataw Island.
A New Era
ALCOA purchased Dataw Island in 1983, determined to build a premier residential community. This is a copy of the wall display you see when visiting our History & Learning Center on Dataw Island.
The Sams Era Part 2
This is a copy of the wall display you see when visiting our History & Learning Center on Dataw Island.
The Sams Era Part 1
This is a copy of the wall display you see when visiting our History & Learning Center on Dataw Island.
The Proprietary Period
This is a copy of the wall display you see when visiting our History & Learning Center on Dataw Island.
Native American Life
This is a copy of the wall display you see when visiting our History & Learning Center on Dataw Island.