HISTORIC OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Subject: VILLAGE OF KEOWEE Version 1.0, 15-Dec-2002, H-03.txt **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/southcarolina/oconee.html **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at gcgenweb@bellsouth.net in Dec-2002 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at gcgenweb@bellsouth.net in Dec-2002 HISTORY WRITE-UP : Mary Cherry Doyle, Clemson, SC in Jan-1935 Dedicated To: Dr Edgar Clay Doyle FOREWORD In presenting these fragmentary facts that have come to my knowledge, it is my hope that they may prove helpful in preserv- ing the history of Oconee county for the youth of the land and all who are interested in the history of Oconee county for South Carolina. With knowledge there will follow a fuller appreciation of the great heritage that is ours. I wish to acknowledge a great debt of gratitude to Dr. J. Walter Daniel, an author- ity on Indians of the South. We are indebted to members of the Wizard of Tamassee Chapter S. C. D. A. R. and many other friends. MARY CHERRY DOYLE. January, 1935. VILLAGE OF KEOWEE The Cherokees were governed by seven mother towns of which Keowee was one, being the capitol of the eastern or lower Cherokees. These towns elected a king from cer- tain families, only the descent from the mother was counted. The chief was the leader in war, the king was the civil leader. Keowee town was located on the bank of the river of Keowee, opposite Fort Prince George. Keowee means the place of the mulberry. It was a much older town than Seneca; for we find that it was visited by Desoto and his company in 1539. The Spaniards described it as the poorest country for corn. It was thought not to have been in the season for the growing corn and that the inhabitants con- cealed from them their true supply. The Spaniards state that there was plenty of wild turkeys and that the chief gave to DeSoto two deer skins. The town was visited by Sir Alexander Cummings in the spring of 1730. He had traveled 3,000 miles across the Atlantic and 300 miles from Charleston to make, as he ex- pressed it, "Articles of Friendship and Commerce proposed by the Lord Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to the deputies of the Cherokee nation by South Carolina and his majesty's orders." He was told by the traders that he, the king's emissary, could not enter the council house as only the chiefs were allowed to enter, but this did not deter this bold Englishman who walked right in and placed his guns, sword and knives upon the table. No weapons were permitted here. The Indians were so amazed at his boldness that they fell down at his feet. They granted all of his requests, and it was here at Keowee that all details of the treaty were arranged. Eight of the most important chiefs accompanied Sir Alexander to England and were presented to George II who received them graciously. When the Indians arrayed themselves for the audience with his majesty, they were resplendent in paint, beads and feathers, but it was with the greatest difficulty that Sir Alexander persuaded them to add their blankets. They presented to the king their crown of eagle tails and scalps of their enemies. They remained four months in England. The village of Keowee extended from one mile above Sugaw Town on the Kulasage eight or ten miles in length to the Seneca. It was about two miles in width and was one continuous settlement, abounding in mounds, terraces, and monuments. There was a great council of headmen at Keowee and all but five in the upper and lower towns were urgent that they fall immediately upon the traders and settlers, but Old Hop and Little Carpenter prevented it. It was said that Demere gave Little Carpenter a keg of rum and for this he proclaimed Demere Commander of Keowee. Bartram, the botanist, wrote: "Keowee is the most charming situation and advantageous heights are formed so as to be impregnable, a fertile valley which at this season is enameled with fragrant strawberries, through which a beau- tiful river meanders, surrounded by misty blue hills." An interesting old Fort, opposite the Indian village of Keowee, has been appropriately marked and fittingly dedi- cated by the Fort Prince George Chapter S. C. D. A. R. After the battle of Eschoe on June 17, 1760, Montgomery was forced to retire to Fort Prince George. Sometime later, Gov. Lyttleton caused 37 Indian peace commissioners to be seized and imprisoned in one small room in this Fort. The Governor returned to Charleston because he thought the matter closed as the Indians had signed papers to that effect. It was then that Attakulla-kulla became so enraged that he let loose the fierce warrior, Oconostea, who laid seige to the Fort. The wily chief sent an Indian woman to Lieut. Cotymore to request that he come out and treat with him. When the Lieutenant appeared on the opposite bank of the river, a bridle was thrown over his head and he was shot and killed from ambush. The garrison then fell upon the Indian prisoners and killed every one of them. Montgomery succeeding in driving all the enemy from Ft. Prince George and immediately fell upon Keowee in a surprise attack, killing every man. His loss was light. The Keowee Trail was the most direct route from Charleston to the Indian settlements in Tennessee. Leaving Charleston, the trail passed through Dorchester, Four Hole Creek, Orangburg, Little Saluda to Gowdy's Fort at Ninety- Six, Coronaca, De Witt's Corners and Keowee. Many interesting relics have been found at the site of this old village; quantities of glass beads, arrow heads, etc. The council house was on a mound twenty feet above the rest of the village. From here the chiefs gave orders and the councils were held by head men of the tribe. The Indian burying ground can be seen on the plantation formerly owned by Mr. W. E. Nimmons. The Indians buried in shallov/ graves without ceremony. The chiefs were interred in wicker caskets. It was from Keowee that Cateechee, the Creek maiden who had been sold to the Cherokees, made her famous jour- ney to Ninety-Six to warn the settlers there of the Indian raid against them. Massachusetts boasts of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. South Carolina can well afford to boast of the night ride of Cateechee.