ALCOA purchased Dataw Island in 1983, determined to build a premier residential community. Meticulous attention was given to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the island and its moss-draped live oaks, ponds, and saltwater marshes. This beauty and bounty continues to make the island a unique and special place to live.
Articles from this era address the period 1983 to the present.
Oak Island is a 32-acre natural beauty sitting next door to Dataw Island. Native Americans frequented the island about 1,000 years ago. Fast forward 800 years to the BB Sams / LR Sams plantation era, and it was an adventure spot for James Julius Sams and his brothers Horace and Donald. As Sea Island cotton took off as the “finest in the world,” BB Sams decided to build a system of dikes between Dataw Island, Oak Island, and the two marsh hummocks to the north (i.e., Pine Islands).
This week’s theme is HEIRLOOMS. The Dataw Historic Foundation is fortunate because the Sams descendants have entrusted us with several family heirlooms. This week features the story of two other items donated to the Foundation, a green silk taffeta Victorian gown and a shawl circa 1860. Ginny Hall-Apicella and BIll Riski recently presented the history of the dress to our Dataw Island residents.
Several years ago (2006 – 2009), DHF had some preservation work done to the brick wall around the Sams Family Cemetery near the plantation house tabby ruins. We discovered several buried pieces of marble, and the adventure began. This is the story of the final resting place of Sarah (Fripp) Sams (1789 – 1825), the first wife of Lewis Reeve Sams (1784 – 1856).
I told you recently about the tripartite plantation house of BB Sams and his wife Elizabeth (Fripp) Sams. These ruins are always the highlight of the DHF docents’ tours to residents and visitors. The other site of interest is the Sams Family Cemetery, a short distance from the ruins. I wrote about this 200-year-old cemetery on Datha Island just two years ago, and there has been an exciting development. Synthesizing the research Teresa (Winters) Bridges (Sams descendant) has done in the last two years with the results of the ground-penetrating radar survey performed in 2005, I can say with confidence that her ancestor John Sams (1769-1798) is buried here on Datha.
The people in this single image above span 184 years of Sams descendants; from today back to the working plantation days when B.B. Sams was growing Sea Island cotton here on Dataw Island.
This week’s theme is UNCERTAINTY. Take, for example, who is buried in the Cotton Dike Cemetery? This story begins in 2004 with an interview with two brothers, then wanders through monuments, ground-penetrating radar, a rededication ceremony, and the British territory of Saint Helena Island. It ends with the recent graveside service of Andrew Robinson. We are grateful to Andrew, his brothers, and his nephew for bringing a measure of certainty to our Cotton Dike cemetery.
From prehistoric times to present day, an island rich in history, mystery, and stunning natural beauty. Experience the beauty and history of Dataw Island, South Carolina in this exquisite, limited edition, historical, coffee table book. With over 200 images – from archaeological findings to Dataw’s ruins and its breathtaking natural vistas, you will enjoy and learn the depth of history that makes Dataw the special place that it is today.
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On Mar 4, 2019, John Colgan of the Dataw Historic Foundation presented highlights of the original development of Dataw Island by Alcoa. In the 1980’s, Alcoa South Carolina, a subsidiary…
This gallery contains the few pictures available of the ruins on Dataw soon after Kate Gleason bought the island in 1927. [gallery_bank source_type=”gallery” id=”22″ layout_type=”masonry_layout” alignment=”left” lightbox_type=”foo_box_free_edition” order_images_by=”sort_asc” sort_images_by=”sort_order” gallery_title=”show”…
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.
This paper was written long ago and never finished, but it’s interesting none the less. Every wonder how Island Circle East & West got their names? Did you know when you cross the entry bridge to Dataw you go over Curisha Creek? And guess where Pee Dee Point has its origins? In the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina!
These are just some of the interesting facts you’ll discover in the attached document. And if you can help clarify any of this, please contact any of your DHF board members.