FOREWORD It is our purpose to publish a series of school histories of South Carolina, under the titles First History, School History, and History of South Carolina. The First History will be a short, simple, connected story of life on the soil now embraced in the State of South Carolina, including an account of the aborigines. The School History will give some account of the most interesting and important events in the life of the peoples who have occupied this territory, not necessarily in order of time, nor giving dates and details with fullness, but presenting the matters for consideration in a topical way, with brief discussion as an aid to a better understanding of their significance. Finally the general History will take up the story from the first attempt at settlement by Europeans and follow it in chronological order, with such completeness and adequacy as will be possible in a volume of six or eight hundred pages. This general History is intended for use not only as a text-book for the most advanced students in our schools and colleges, but also to supply a teacher's edition, including the matter in both the First History and School History and furnishing the necessary fullness of information from which teachers in instructing less advanced students may enlarge on the briefer statements of the other two volumes. It is hoped by this means, and an early beginning in the study of our State history, that our youth may soon be brought to a better knowledge of our own annals, while opportunity will be offered to outside readers to inform themselves, with some degree of thoroughness and at little cost of time, as to the character of the people of South Carolina and their proper place in history. It is with much pleasure that I place here an expression, which I intend shall be as enduring as the volume it relates to, of my gratitude for the help received in the preparation and the publication of this School History of South Carolina. I have had assistance of many kinds from many persons; but two gentlemen, eminently qualified, rendered invaluable aid and deserve special mention in this connection-Dr. J. W. Babcock and Dr. Stanhope Sams-who have not only responded with unfailing courtesy to my calls upon them, but have been as zealous and assiduous in the task of getting out the book as if they themselves were the responsible authors, and it would be a great injustice to have this work appear anywhere at any time dissociated from their names. JOHN J. DARGAN Stateburg, S. C. |