Reconstruction Era on Hilton Head Island
The Heritage Library has undertaken the task of documenting Hilton Head Island during the reconstruction period, described here as 1861 through 1890. We have chosen that period because it has been accepted that reconstruction began in the Sea Islands as soon as the Union forces invaded on November 7, 1861. That is when the confederate forces, landowners, and overseers fled the island, leaving many of the plantation slaves to fend for themselves. Shortly after that, many mainland slaves flooded the Sea Islands looking for protection by Mr. Lincoln’s soldiers, and it was apparent that the Union was going to have to somehow house and care for the people. On Hilton Head Island, we have extended the period of reconstruction to 1890, which was when much of the islands were purchased by wealthy northerners who built their hunting camps on the land.
Our research encompasses these areas of interest and a comprehensive timeline of the era:
People and Occupations on Hilton Head Island