My wife went to the barrier islands of Charleston annually for most of her childhood and young adult life. Each visit consisted of at least one day in Charleston for shopping. (The shopping might be what stunted my appreciation for the city. ) After shopping, there was always a great seafood meal. Did I mention the Shrimp & Grits? With her vast experience with Charleston, she has become a go-to expert on all things Charleston with our friends who are just discovering the city.

With her help, I hope to share some advice, insight, information, and of course a few pictures. Not knowing your perception of Charleston, I am certain you will learn something new in the next few minutes. I promise to fight my instinct to overindulge in details.

History

Charleston is the oldest city in one of the original thirteen colonies. The city has survived two wars and has the scars to prove it. We highly recommend taking a historical tour of the city. You will learn about its formation, the roles it played in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, its early economy in agriculture and slavery, and its cultural status throughout the years.

Architecture

Shopping

Shopping in Charleston is as diverse as the colors of it’s houses. If you are looking for a “girls weekend” of shopping, this is your place.

City Market (click link for website)

The market is a wonderful place of entrepreneurship, hard work, and success in the world of mostly handmade products. Most vendors arrive each morning to unload and present their products, be available to share their stories and how their products are made, and then pack everything up in the evening. You will find many Charelston-specific items like paintings, books, and jewlery. Other items are usually handmade, like the famous sweetgrass baskets. The market is in the center of downtown and full of visitors after 10 a.m., so get there between 8 and 10 if you don’t like crowds.

Farmers Market (click link for website)

On Saturdays from mid-April thru November, you can find more than fruits and vegetables here. Of course there is plenty of in-season produce, but there are also furniture makers, food vendors, artisans, and maybe a dog treat or two.

Other Vendors

Here are a few vendors that we buy from and are happy with their products and service.

Dacuba’s (click link for website)

Located on N Market Street across from the market, this is a must on every trip we make to Charleston, and that is a lot of trips. Their designs are great and their service is excellent. Michael and team will greet you with a smile and listen to your interests before showing you some options that fit your style and budget. And by service, we mean more than selling. Michael repairs jewelry and many times makes the phone call personally when the work is complete.

Basket Weavers

There are basket weavers inside and outside the market but they are in other areas of Charleston as well (usually less expensive). We purchased from these two artisans, and highly recommend their work. They are usually on the sidewalk near the Four Corners of Law.

Fulton Lane Inn (click link for website)

Growing up, my wife stayed in Isle of Palms when visiting the Charleston area. During our last two trips, we wanted to stay in downtown Charleston. We have found a hidden treasure in Fulton Lane Inn. It’s location is amazing. It’s parking is next to the hotel in a surface lot with spots held for hotel guests. It’s staff is very courteous and accommodating. And the rooms, they are spacious (high ceilings too), clean, wonderful colors, and well furnished. All of this with a historic feel and hidden away in downtown. (Again, I am not related to anyone there, that I know of, and am not getting compensation for this review, but I will grab an extra free bottle of water next to the front door, on our next visit.)

John lived on 300 acres that were adjacent and north of, what is believed to be, his wife’s (Mary) family, the McClellands. Here are some houses currently on the former McClelland farm.

The only known structure that is likely left from the McClellands is this Spring House. As you can see, a few modern amenities have been added such as electricity.

John died about 1767, based on tax records but the exact date, cause of death, and burial place are unknown. Mary’s 1770 death is recorded in the records of the Upper West Conococheague Creek Presbyterian Church (UWCCPC). Her burial place is not recorded but is likely in the McClelland Family Cemetery. The family cemetery is on the McClelland farm and, unfortunately, went into disrepair and disappeared somewhere under a field of corn. I did visit the old UWCCPC cemetery located a few miles from the farms. I have included pictures of a few tombstones of the McCoys. The McCoy family is theorized by some family history researchers to be Mary’s family. Their farm was close to both the Winton and McClelland farms.

The only known offspring of John and Mary is William Winton. After his parents passed, William moved to the Shade Gap area which about 30 miles northwest from where he grew up. Williams tract of land is not very accessible as the current owners seem to be hesitant to receive guests. However, William sold the tract and left for Virginia about 1780. Later, the new owners donated a small portion of the land for St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

On the way back from Shade Gap, we went through the community of Burnt Cabins. Yes, there is a story behind the name. I learned of the story years ago when researching the general history of the area. I have been interested in visiting ever since. So, here is the story.

As you know, the colonial government made many treaties with the regional Indian tribes. While lines were drawn and promises made to respect boundaries between Indian land and Colonial land, the reality is that there was no stopping the Scots-Irish from settling further and further west.

As tensions grew and attacks became more numerous, the Colonial government tried to appease the Indians by a demonstration of goodwill. They offered to burn Scots-Irish cabins located in Indian land. The occupants were given notice to vacate and the cabins were burned.

Early in my research, a geographical reference to where John and Mary settled was the West Branch Conococheague Creek. I still can’t pronounce it correctly. Here are a few pictures of the creek.

This was an informative and rewarding trip. We met many friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful people. I hope to work with them in the future as I continue to search for clues and answers.