South Carolina from A to Z

“R” is for Richardson, John Peter, III (1831-1899). Governor.

“P” is for Perry, Matthew J. Jr. (1921-2011). Lawyer, jurist, civil rights activist.

“M” is for McColl, Hugh Leon, Jr. (b. 1935). Bank executive. Banking is a family tradition for McColl. His great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and brothers were all bankers.

“L” is for Lever, Asbury Francis (1875-1940). Congressman. Lever’s role in the passage of several important pieces of legislation that made him a major figure in pre-New Deal federal agricultural policy.

“J” is for Johnston, Oiln DeWitt Talmadge (1896-1995). Governor, U.S. senator.

“H” is for Haskell, Alexander Cheves (1839-1910). Soldier, legislator, businessman.

“G” is for Girardeau, John LaFayette (1825-1898). Clergyman, educator.

“F” is for Fort Sumter. Named after South Carolina Revolutionary War hero, Thomas Sumter, construction began on Fort Sumter in 1829.

“E” is for Elmore, Franklin Harper (1799-1850). Congressman, banker, U.S. senator.

“D” is for Deveaux, Andrew IV (1758-1812). Loyalist. With the outbreak of the American Revolution, Deveaux formed a band of Loyalist ruffians that disrupted patriot meetings in Beaufort.

“C” is for Casey, Claude (1912-1999). Musician, songwriter.

“B” is for Beaufort (Beaufort County, 2020 population 12, 917). Beaufort is the second-oldest town in South Carolina and was named for Henry Somerset, the second duke of Beaufort.

“A” is for Archdale, John (1642-1717). Proprietor, governor.

“W” is for White, John Blake (1781-1859). Playwright, painter.

“S” is for Santa Elena. Founded in 1566 by Pedro Menéndez de Avilé on present-day Parris Island, Santa Elena was the northernmost settlement in the Spanish province of La Florida.

“R’ is for Richardson, John Peter (1801-1864). Congressman, governor.

“P” is for Perry, James Margrave (1894-1964). Attorney. “Miss Jim” Perry was the first woman admitted to the South Carolina Bar and a distinguished lawyer and civic leader for forty years.

“M” is for McBee, Vardry (1775-1864). Industrialist. By 1860 Vardry McBee was the largest landholder in Greenville District.

“L” is for Lettered Olive. State shell. The lettered olive was declared the official state shell in 1984.

“J” is for Johnston, Henrietta de Beaulieu Dering (ca. 1674-1729). Portrait painter. Pastels by Henrietta Dering Johnston are housed in private collections and museums in Ireland and the United States.

“H” is for Hash. Hearty meals have been cooked in large, cast-iron pots since the Middle Ages. Variations are endless. In South Carolina, hash takes the place of honor held by Brunswick stew in other southern states.

"G” is for Gilman, Samuel Foster (1791-1858). Clergyman. Samuel Foster Gillman’s tireless efforts helped establish Unitarianism as a viable religion in South Carolina and the American South.

“F” is for Fort San Felipe. Built is 1566, Fort San Felipe was the first fort that Spaniards constructed in the town of Santa Elena on present-day Parris Island.

“E” is for Ellison, William (ca. 1790-1861). Free Black entrepreneur. Ellison manufactured his own “Ellison Gin,” selling them to customers as far west as Mississippi.

“D” is for DeSaussure, William Ford (1792-1879). U.S. senator.