Hewatt, Alexander, An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volumes I and II (1779)
All who possess lands and negroes apply their chief attention to
the improvement of their fortune, regardless of the higher walks of science.
They commonly marry early in life, and of course are involved in domestic cares
and concerns before their minds have had time to ripen in knowledge and
judgment. In the progress of society they have not advanced beyond that period
in which men are distinguished more by their external than internal accomplishments.
Hence it happens, that beauty, figure, agility and strength form the principal
distinctions among them, especially in the country. Among English people they
are chiefly known by the number of their slaves, the value of their annual
produce, or the extent of their landed estate.
Fashion
For the most part they are lively and gay, adapting their dress to
the nature of the climate in which they live, and discover no small taste and
neatness in their outward appearance. Their intercourse and communication with
Britain being easy and frequent, all novelties in fashion, dress and ornament
are quickly introduced; and even the spirit of luxury and extravagance, too
common in England, was beginning to creep into Carolina.
Pastimes
Almost every family kept their chaises for a single horse, and
some of the principal planters of late years have imported fine horses and
splendid carriages from Britain. They discover no bad taste for the polite
arts, such as music, drawing, fencing and dancing; and it is acknowledged by
all, but especially by strangers, that the ladies in the province considerably
outshine the men. They are not only sensible, discreet and virtuous, but also
adorned with most of those polite and elegant accomplishments becoming their
sex. The Carolineans in general are affable and easy in their manners, and
exceedingly kind and hospitable to all strangers.
Average Age
There are few old men or women to be found in the province, which
is a sure sign of the unhealthiness of the climate. We cannot say that there
are many in the country that arrive at their sixtieth year, and several at
thirty bear the wrinkles, bald head and grey hairs of old
Wealth and Class
As every person by diligence and application may earn a
comfortable liveli. hood, there are few poor people in the province, except the
idle or unfortunate. Nor is the number of rich people great ; most of them
being in what we call easy and independent circumstances. It has been remark ed,
that there are more persons possessed of between five and ten thousand pounds sterling
in the province, than are to be found anywhere among the same number of people.
In respect of rank, all men regarded their neighbour as their
equal, and a noble spirit of benevolence pervaded the society. In point of
industry the town was like a beehive, and there were none that reaped not
advantages more or less from the flourishing state of trade and commerce. Pride
and ambition had not as yet crept into this community ; but the province was
fast advancing to that state of power and opulence, when some distinctions
among men necessarily take place. their way
Lifestyle, Food and Drink
With respect to the manner of living in Charlestown, it is nearly
the same as in England; and many of living circumstances concur to render it
neither very difficult nor expensive to furnish plentiful tables. They have tea
from England, and coffee, chocolate and sugar from the West Indies, in plenty.
Butter is good, especially at that season when the fields are cleared of rice,
and the cows are admitted into them ; and it is so plentiful that they export a
good deal of it to the Leeward Islands.
The province produces some flour for bread ; but it being of an
inferior quality, the inhabitants chiefly make use of that imported from New
York and Philadelphia. In the market there is plenty of beef, pork, veal,
poultry and venison, and a great variety of wild-fowls and salt-water fish. The
mutton from the low lands is not so good as that from the hills in the interior
parts, but as the back country is now well settled, it is hoped that the market
in time will be likewise well supplied with mutton from it. They have also a
variety of the finest fruits and vegetables in their season.
Their principal drink is punch, or grog, which is composed of rum
well diluted with water. With respect to wine, Madeira is not only best suited
to the climate, in which it im proves by heat and age, but also most commonly used
by the people in general, though French, Spa nish and Portuguese wines are
likewise presented at the tables of the most opulent citizens. Besides these,
they have porter and beer from England, and cyder and perry from the northern
colonies.
Where rum is cheap, excess in the use of it will not be uncommon,
especially among the lower class of people ; but the gentlemen in general are
sober, industrious and temperate. In short, the people are not only blessed with
plenty, but with a disposition to share it among friends and neighbours ; and
many will bear me witness, when I say, that travellers could scarcely go into
any city where they could meet with a society of people more agreeable,
intelligent and hospitable than that at Charlestown.
....
Pastimes
Those planters who had arrived at easy or affluent circumstances
employed overseers ; and having little to do but to ride round their fields now
and then, to see that their affairs were not neglected, or their slaves abused,
indulge themselves in rural amusements, such as racing, mustering, hunting, fishing,
or social entertainments. For the gun and dog the country affords some game, such
as small partridges, woodcocks, rabbits, & c. but few of the planters are
fond of that kind of diversion. To chace the fox or the deer is their favourite
amusement, and they are forward and bold riders, and make their way through the
woods and thickets with astonishing speed. The horses of the country, though
hardy and serviceable animals, make little figure ; and therefore, to improve
the breed, many have been of late years imported from England. The planters
being fond of fine horses, have been at great pains to raise them, so that they
now have plenty of an excellent kind, both for the carriage and the turf.
