Charleston's Colonial Character

How does one go about describing Charleston, South Carolina? It has a long history, because Charles Town was founded in 1670. It's name changed to Charleston in 1783. And somehow, it's managed to honor and preserve much of that history.

Settlers to the area did not find an easy life at first. Spain and France both contested England's claim to the region, and periodically launched sea or land attacks. Native Americans in the area resented the colonists' expansion and also proved a threat. At one time, part of the city was walled for protection.

Charleston slave market

Various ethic groups came to Charleston, and it grew into a trading town. People from as far away as the North Carolina mountains journeyed there to conduct major business.Such a large number of Jews came into the city that it became home to the biggest Jewish community in North America by the beginning of the 1800's. The large number of slaves brought into the port also added to the diversity. Charleston had become the largest and wealthiest city south of Philadelphia. It was the fourth largest port, coming after Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.

Landowners in the Lowcountry experimented with growing tea, silkworms, and rice, as well as more traditional crops. Indigo, the plant used to make blue dye, was an even greater commercial success. As Charleston became an economic center, it also became a social and cultural center. For example, the first theater in America was built there in 1736.

Despite a strong elitist thread running though the city, Charleston earned a reputation for fine dining, Southern hospitality, and friendliness. This is still evident today.

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Strawberries

If you went back in history prior to the 18th century, you wouldn't find the strawberry as we know it today. The garden variety of strawberries were cultivated in Brittany, France, in the 1700's. Wild strawberries could be found earlier, but they were used mainly for medicinal purposes.

Strawberries are a hardy plant, and they will survive in many conditions. However, when they are bearing, they do require extra moisture. They will also propagate themselves with runners.

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of manganese. There haven't been extensive studies of their health benefits, but eating them seems to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower hypertension, lower LDL cholesterol levels, fight inflammation, and have cancer fighting properties.

May and June is strawberry season across much of the United States. You can enjoy their natural sweetness knowing that they are also a healthy snack.
            

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Cannons

A cannon is a piece of artillery that launches a projectile, but these pieces can vary greatly. Like gunpowder, they were first invented in China, where early ones were handheld. Ming Dynasty ships had bronze cannons mounted on them.The first ones used in Europe came in the 11th century in Iberia. During the Middle Ages, the cannon became more standardized.

The weapon also changed naval battles during the Renaissance Period, when they outfitted ships. After rifling became commonplace (see earlier blog on the Kentucky Rifle for more about rifling), the cannon also became more accurate and deadlier. 

Early in the War for American Independence, the British had laid siege to Boston. Henry Knox, a 25-year old Patriot officer and former book seller suggested that cannons might make the

difference, so George Washington sent him to the recently captured fort at Ticonderoga, New York, to get the 59 cannons and bring them to Boston. Due to the harsh weather, it wasn't an easy task. Knox and his men moved the heavy artillery 300 miles in 56 days using oxen and ice sledges. On January 25, 1776, he arrived outside of Boston. It took even longer for the gunpowder for the cannons to arrive. The British withdrew their forces and sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on March 17.

Cannons were used extensively by both sides in the American Civil War. In World War I, most of the combat fatalities came from such artillery, and they continued to be widely used in World War II. Only the modern development of missiles have caused a decline.

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The Crow's Nest

The crow's nest on a ship is the lookout point on the top part of the main mast. It gave the best vantage point to spot other ships, problems, or land. It began as a basket or barrel lashed to the tallest mast but later became part of the ship's design.

According to legend, the term came from Viking sailors, who often had crows or ravens in a cage near the upper part of a mast. When visibility was poor, sailors released a bird, and the navigator watched where it flew. A course was plotted accordingly, because the crow would always head towards the nearest land. However, no evidence has been found that this is true, and others think the term comes from the fact that the structure resembles a crow's nest.

Since the crow's nest is so high up, light, agile sailors, often little more than a boy, were sent up to it. Because the movement of the ship is amplified at that height, the climb might lead to severe seasickness. Under some circumstances, being sent to the crow's nest could be considered a form of punishment.

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The Great Commandment and Commission

There's quite a connection between the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Jesus gave us the Great Commandment when a lawyer among the Pharisees asked Him which was the great commandment in the law, hoping to trip Him up. Jesus told him loving God was the greatest but that the second was like it, because we should love others as ourselves.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Matthew 22:37-38).

The Great Commission came at the end of His time on earth, just before he ascended into heaven. Here, He told us to go out and make disciples.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20).

If we love God and love others, we will want to share the gospel

message with them. When we don't, we're really acting selfishly.

Some subconsciously think, if they're going to heaven, then that's all that matters, but that's just not true. If we are belong to Christ, then what matters to Him will matter to us. When we love as He commanded us, the other things in our lives will fall into place. We really don't need to worry about anything else, if we get this right, then we will be following all the other commandments.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40).

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Bookstore Signings

It's getting harder and harder for authors to hold book signings at bookstores. Over half of the bookstores no longer allow them. I must admit I don't understand this. It seems to me the event would be beneficial to both the author and the bookstore. 

The excuse usually given is that their store is too small. This is just an excuse, because I can sign books with just a chair, and I've held signings in extremely small spaces, where they worked just fine. The Christian bookstores in Ahoskie, NC, and Suffolk, VA, would not consider such a promotion. The same is true for libraries. The librarian at Ahoskie Public Library said she didn't have the space for a signing, but Oakboro Branch Library is holding one, and it's much smaller.

I went to Barnes & Noble in Greenville, NC, Monday evening, and few people came. The assistant manager said that this was usually their slowest time and suggested I reschedule for a Saturday. He said they would do some publicity then, which they hadn't done this time. However, the event coordinator I had to go through would not hear of another opportunity. She wouldn't even listen to my publisher about it. In fact, I got the feeling she scheduled my signing for a time she knew would be dismal, perhaps looking for reasons to show that Barnes & Noble should no longer hold signings.

It's all rather discouraging, but I expected there would be ups and downs. Although some of my efforts haven't worked out, many more have. I'm still having fun with the whole process, and can't wait to see what other adventures I have.

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Wash Stands

Before indoor plumbing, washing and bathing was done differently than today. In fact, people didn't take tub baths very often, and rarely in the colder months. They usually washed up with a pitcher and basin, which would become known as a sponge bath. Because of this, a washstand (also known as a dry sink, although this could be in the kitchen too) was an important piece of bedroom furniture.

The type of washstand  varied. They ranged from a small stand just big enough to hold the pitcher and basin to a chest of drawers, often with a towel rack attached. Some even had a mirror. Other small varieties had a circle cut out in the top, where the basin could be inserted.

Of course, not everyone had the luxury of a washstand. In many

cabins, bathing was done with a bucket of water when it wasn't convenient to go to a stream. Even after city dwellers had the luxury of bathrooms in their houses, many rural dwellers continued in the old ways. 


Today these washstands are collectors items. If you're lucky enough to have one handed down in your family, then you have something that will only increase in value as the years go by.

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