Among South Carolina’s historical treasures, Dorchester, South Carolina stands out for its authentic glimpse into the past. This abandoned settlement, once a hub of activity and dreams, now serves as a reminder of how communities evolve and sometimes disappear entirely.
County: Province of South Carolina
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 32° 56′ 53 N, 80° 10′ 11 W
Elevation: Not available
Time Zone: Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
Established: 1696
Disestablished: 1751
Comments: According to local history, dorchester was a town in the Province of South Carolina. Situated on the Ashley River about 18 miles (29 km) from Charleston, it was founded in February 1696 by the followers of Reverend Joseph Lord from Dorchester, Massachusetts, who gave it the same name as the town from which they had emigrated (which was in turn named after the English town Dorchester).
Remains: The ghost town’s physical remnants the ruins of the Old White Meeting House and its cemetery are owned and maintained by its successor congregation, Summerville Presbyterian Church.
Current Status: Modern maps show the location is dorchester was abandoned in 1751.
Remarks: The rise and fall of Dorchester mirrors the boom-and-bust cycles that characterized much of South Carolina’s early development. Its story continues to resonate with those interested in understanding the challenges of frontier life.
The Founding of Dorchester: A Puritan Settlement in Colonial South Carolina
Dorchester, South Carolina stands as one of the state’s most historically significant ghost towns, with origins dating back to the late 17th century. The settlement was established in 1696 by a group of Congregationalist Puritans who migrated from Dorchester, Massachusetts, seeking to expand their religious community and establish a new outpost in the southern colonies. This migration represented one of the earliest organized religious settlements in what would later become South Carolina.
The history of Dorchester begins on October 20, 1695, when Joseph Lord, Increase Sumner, and William Pratt were ‘dismissed’ (formally transferred) from the First Church at Dorchester in Massachusetts for ‘ye gathering of a church for ye South Carolina.’ Two days later, on October 22, 1695, Joseph Lord was ordained as pastor of this newly formed church, which was specifically gathered for the purpose of establishing a religious settlement in South Carolina. The congregation, consisting of eight founding members, entered into ‘a most solem Covenant to sett up the ordinances of Jesus Christ’ in their new home.
The Dorchester colonists set sail from Boston on December 14, 1695, enduring a relatively quick passage of just 14 days before safely landing in Carolina on December 20th. The first communion service held by this congregation in South Carolina took place on February 2, 1696, marking the formal establishment of their religious community in the new territory.
The site chosen for the settlement was strategically located on the Ashley River, approximately 18 miles upstream from Charles Town (present-day Charleston). This location was on land that had originally been granted to John Smith in 1676, a man of considerable estate who had arrived in Carolina in 1675 with special recommendation from Sir Anthony Ashley, the Earl of Shaftsbury. The 1,800-acre tract, known locally as ‘Boo-shoo,’ was re-granted to the Dorchester settlers in 1696.
The settlers deliberately named their new community after their hometown in Massachusetts, which itself had been named after Dorchester, England, creating a lineage of settlements that reflected their cultural and religious heritage. True to their Puritan values, the colonists built their church first, establishing it as the central institution around which the town would develop.
Development and Prosperity: Dorchester as a Colonial Trade Center
Following its establishment, Dorchester quickly developed into an important inland trade center. The town’s location on the Ashley River was particularly advantageous, as it marked the beginning of the river’s navigable portion. Boats drawing up to six feet of water could travel between Dorchester and Charles Town, facilitating the transportation of goods such as deer skins and rice to the coastal seaport.
The town was meticulously planned in an orderly fashion, reflecting the Puritan values of its founders. It consisted of 116 quarter-acre lots arranged between parallel and perpendicular streets. The main thoroughfare was named ‘High Street,’ following the traditional naming convention of small British towns. An open area, or common, was designated in the center of the town to serve as a marketplace.
In 1723, the colonial legislature approved the establishment of weekly markets in Dorchester, to be held every Tuesday and Saturday on the common. This formalization of the town’s commercial activities further enhanced its role as a regional trade hub. Fifty-acre farm lots lined the riverbank, and the settlement featured a wharf, boat-building facilities, and a bridge across the Ashley River, all of which contributed to its economic vitality.
By 1770, Dorchester had grown into a substantial village with approximately 40 homes, a school, a library, monthly fairs, and a significant Congregationalist church. A fort was constructed overlooking a strategic bend in the Ashley River, providing protection for the settlement and control over river traffic.
The town’s population reached 3,815 by 1748, though it is important to note that 88 percent of these residents were enslaved people, reflecting the plantation economy that had developed in the region. This demographic reality underscores the complex social and economic structures that characterized colonial South Carolina, where enslaved labor was integral to agricultural production and trade.
Between 1757 and 1760, a tabby fort containing a gunpowder magazine was constructed by enslaved workers. Tabby, a distinctive building material made from a mixture of oyster shells, lime, and sand, was commonly used in coastal areas of the southeastern United States. The fort’s walls stood 8 feet at their highest point and were between 2 feet and 2 feet 10 inches thick at the base, enclosing a rectangular area of more than 10,000 square feet. This fortification represented a significant investment in the town’s defense and security, particularly as tensions with Native American tribes and European powers increased in the mid-18th century.
The St. George’s Anglican Church, built in 1719, became another prominent feature of the town. In 1751, a bell tower was added to the church, which would later become one of the few structures to survive the town’s eventual abandonment. The church and its cemetery were located in what was once the center of the village, serving as the spiritual and social heart of the community.
Decline and Abandonment: The Revolutionary War and Its Aftermath
Despite its initial prosperity, Dorchester began to experience a decline in population before the Revolutionary War. Many residents moved away from the swampy riverbank to the cooler and healthier climate of nearby Summerville, located on higher ground. Additionally, a significant number of settlers relocated to Georgia, where more land was available for cultivation and settlement.
The outbreak of the American Revolutionary War marked a turning point in Dorchester’s history. The town’s strategic location and its fortifications made it an important military site during the conflict. At the beginning of the war, Dorchester served as a fortified post for American forces. The fort became a rendezvous point for local militia units, who either camped in tents on the common or were billeted in the town’s largest buildings.
For a brief period, the garrison at Dorchester was commanded by Francis Marion, who would later gain fame as the ‘Swamp Fox’ for his guerrilla tactics against British forces in the South Carolina lowcountry. Marion’s connection to Dorchester adds another layer of historical significance to the site, linking it to one of the most celebrated figures of the American Revolution in the Southern theater.
When Charleston fell to the British in 1780, Dorchester also came under British control. The occupying forces held the fort until 1781, when they departed from the area. Upon their withdrawal, the British burned much of the town and drove away most of its remaining residents, dealing a devastating blow to the settlement from which it would never recover.
By 1788, Dorchester had been effectively abandoned, transforming from a once-thriving community into a ghost town in less than a decade. As the town was abandoned, the nearby settlement of Summerville grew in prominence, with many of the bricks from Dorchester’s structures being salvaged and reused in the construction of buildings in Summerville.
By the early 19th century, little remained of the formerly bustling town except for ruins of homes and other structures. The Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886, whose epicenter was less than a mile from Dorchester, destroyed even these ruins, leaving only the old church tower, its graveyard, and the walls of the fort as visible reminders of the settlement that once stood there.
Preservation and Legacy: Dorchester as a Historic Site
Following its abandonment, the site of Dorchester was gradually reclaimed by nature, with brush and trees covering the ruins of the former settlement. This state of neglect continued until the 1920s, when the ‘Colonial Dames of America’ began efforts to clear brush away from the fort, initiating the first steps toward preserving this important historical site.
Although the town of Dorchester had long since disappeared, its name lived on in the parish in which it was located, which continued to be referred to as St. George’s Dorchester. This name was subsequently adopted for Dorchester County when it was formed from parts of Colleton and Berkeley counties in 1897, ensuring that the memory of the settlement would be preserved in the region’s geography.
In the mid-20th century, more formal preservation efforts began. In 1960, 20.56 acres of the original town site were leased from Westvaco Corporation, and an additional 0.94 acres were donated by the Protestant Episcopal Church. In 1969, another 76.86 acres were acquired from Westvaco, followed by an additional 247 acres in 1982, significantly expanding the protected area.
Today, the site is preserved as the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, managed by the South Carolina State Park Service. It is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places for its historical and archaeological significance. The site features one of the best-preserved examples of a tabby fortification in North America, as well as the brick bell tower of St. George’s Church, which continues to stand as a silent sentinel over the graveyard in what was once the center of the village.
Beneath the surface lie the remains of the village in an archaeological record that spans much of South Carolina’s early history. The site contains one of the most complete archaeological records of colonial America anywhere, offering valuable insights into the daily lives, economic activities, and material culture of the settlement’s inhabitants.
Archaeological work is ongoing at Colonial Dorchester, with programs offered throughout the year that give visitors an up-close experience of the excavation and discovery process. These efforts continue to uncover artifacts and structural remains that enhance our understanding of life in this colonial settlement.
The St. George Parish Cemetery, located near the St. George bell tower, contains the graves of many of the town’s original inhabitants and their descendants, providing a tangible connection to the individuals who once called Dorchester home. Colonial demonstrations are also held throughout the year, allowing visitors to experience aspects of daily life in colonial South Carolina.
Historical Significance and Contemporary Relevance
Dorchester holds significant historical importance for several reasons. As one of the earliest planned settlements in South Carolina, it provides valuable insights into colonial town planning and development. The town’s religious origins as a Congregationalist settlement also highlight the role of religious communities in the colonization of North America and the diversity of religious expression in the colonial South, which is often primarily associated with the Anglican Church.
The town’s role during the Revolutionary War, including its occupation by both American and British forces, connects it to the broader narrative of the American struggle for independence. The fact that Francis Marion, the ‘Swamp Fox,’ briefly commanded the garrison at Dorchester adds another layer of significance to its Revolutionary War history.
From an archaeological perspective, Dorchester is exceptionally valuable because it was abandoned relatively early and was not built over in subsequent centuries. This has preserved a wealth of archaeological evidence that provides insights into colonial life, trade patterns, architectural styles, and material culture. The site’s archaeological record spans from the late 17th century through the Revolutionary period, offering a comprehensive view of colonial development in the South Carolina lowcountry.
The preservation of the tabby fort at Dorchester is particularly significant, as it represents one of the best-preserved examples of this distinctive regional construction technique. Tabby, with its use of local materials including oyster shells, exemplifies the adaptation of building practices to the available resources of the coastal environment.
Today, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site serves as an educational resource, allowing visitors to connect with South Carolina’s colonial past and understand the complex social, economic, and political forces that shaped the region’s development. The site’s ongoing archaeological work continues to yield new discoveries and insights, making it a living laboratory for historical research.
As a ghost town, Dorchester reminds us of the impermanence of human settlements and the ways in which historical events, economic changes, and environmental factors can lead to the abandonment of once-thriving communities. Its story is a testament to the resilience of historical memory, as the town’s name and legacy continue to be preserved even centuries after its physical structures have largely disappeared.
Sources:
1. ‘Dorchester, South Carolina’s Abandoned Town.’ Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/dorchester-south-carolina-s-abandoned-town
2. ‘A History of Dorchester, South Carolina.’ Carolana. https://www.carolana.com/SC/Towns/Dorchester_SC.html
3. ‘Colonial Dorchester History And Interpretation.’ South Carolina Parks Official Site. https://southcarolinaparks.com/colonial-dorchester/history-and-interpretation
4. ‘Do More History.’ Dorchester County, SC website. https://www.dorchestercountysc.gov/our-county/do
5. ‘The Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site.’ Slippery Rock Gazette. https://www.slipperyrockgazette.net/index.cfm/pageId/964
