Charleston’s Early Hillsborough Cemetery May Have Been Rediscovered in West Ashley

Charleston’s Historical Gem Rediscovered in West Ashley

In a remarkable turn of events, the city of Charleston is buzzing with excitement as a long-lost piece of its history may have been uncovered right in West Ashley. Local historians are optimistic that they might have rediscovered the Early Hillsborough Cemetery, which is believed to date back to the very founding of Charles Towne, a crucial moment in South Carolina’s past.

A Glimpse into the Past

Real estate agent Charlie Smith, a member of the West Ashley Historians group, is leading the enthusiastic charge to locate this historic site. The cemetery is thought to be situated among Magnolia Road, St. Andrews Boulevard, and Sycamore Avenue. If confirmed, it could serve as the final resting place for Col. William Sayle, the first governor of the colony and several other notable figures from the early days of Charleston.

“There’s a tremendous amount of prejudice about anything having any historical value outside the peninsula,” Smith remarked. “But I really think this will surprise a lot of people once we discover how far back it really goes.”

Tracing the Roots

The Early Hillsborough Cemetery once belonged to the Proprietors Plantation, a vital estate established in 1670 by the Lords Proprietors of South Carolina. Smith explains how over the years, this land transitioned from owner to owner, eventually splintering into several properties, with crucial maps now lost to history.

“There was supposed to be a four-acre site and a 16-acre site conveyed to Gov. Sayle, who died in 1671,” Smith detailed. “However, there wasn’t any record of where those two tracts were. The four-acre site, we assumed, was the church and the graveyard.” He also pointed out that Charles Hill, who lived from 1672-1734, expressed a desire to be buried within that cemetery.

The Historical Importance

Incredibly, the cemetery might predate other known burial sites in the region. “The first person buried in the Lining Island cemetery was probably in 1801, but Hillsborough Plantation cemetery could hold the remains of John Lining, the Hills, and the Godfreys — all of whom were deputies to several early Lords Proprietors,” said Smith. “Three governors died on that property before 1680. Where else would you bury them?”

Archaeological Discoveries on the Horizon

Back in 1971, an archaeology study around Charles Towne Landing revealed the regrettable news that the historian couldn’t find the church or the cemetery. Nevertheless, Smith’s determination led to the discovery of an 1788 map that showed a tiny cross marking what could be a cemetery, aligning perfectly with another map from 1826.

Recently, the West Ashley Historians took exciting initial steps to further investigate the site, completing ground-penetrating radar studies in the fall of 2023. The findings were promising, with evidence of four potential graves already found. With the city’s permission, these local historians are collaborating with archaeologists from Drayton Hall to conduct a more thorough investigation.

Looking Forward

While the team is still sifting through initial findings, Smith shared that they have discovered “all kinds of stuff.” This ongoing archaeological endeavor holds promise not just for understanding local history but could lead to DNA analysis of the remains found.

“If we find these people are from the first year of the settlement of Charles Towne, that’s incredibly significant,” he added. There’s a palpable sense of hope within the community about finally establishing connections to this ancient history.

As Charleston continues to uncover its fascinating past, the potential rediscovery of Early Hillsborough Cemetery might just connect multiple generations of residents to their roots. “It would be cool to finally have that connection,” Smith concluded. “I think half of Charleston would have the same connections, too.”