1781 – American Revolution

The St. Augustine exiles arrived in Philadelphia. Edward Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Thomas Pinckney, and their families rented a brick mansion in Germantown. The Pinckney brothers were met by their cousin, Charles. Over the next few months Charles became friends with Pierce Butler, leader of his Charleston militia unit. Both men would later play major roles during the Constitutional Congress six years later.

TOP: Charles Cotesworth Pinckney; Thomas Pinckney (brothers) BOTTOM: Edward Rutledge; Charles Pinckney (their cousin)

1822-Denmark Vesey Rebellion

Four more slaves were executed associated with the Vesey Rebellion.

• Jack McNeil: One of the youngest killed, perhaps still in his teens.
• Tom Scott: A member of the A.M. E. Church.
• Caesar Smith: He possessed a sword and was a member of the A.M. E. Church.
• Jacob Stagg: A housepainter, Stagg claimed “he was tired of paying wages” to his master.  He also claimed to have fashioned a sword out of a scythe.

1835 – Slavery

 Overnight, a mob raided the Charleston post office to prevent the circulation of abolitionist pamphlets that had arrived by ship from the north.

The pamphlets were burned by 8 p.m. the next evening opposite the main guard house, 3000 persons being present. The effigies of Arthur Tappan, Dr. Cox and W.L. Garrison were at the same time suspended. A 9 o’clock a balloon was let off, and the effigies were consumed by the neck, with the offensive documents at their feet. 

1937-Jenkins Orphanage. Deaths

Rev. Daniel Jenkins

Rev. Daniel Joseph Jenkins died, eleven days after he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He was seventy-five years old and had been the head of the Orphan Aid Society for forty-five years. Ironically, both of the bands were away on tour in New York and Boston and could not return to Charleston in time for the funeral.

1967- Martin Luther King Speaks In Charleston

Dr. King gives a speech before a packed house at Charleston County Hall.

Left: King’s Car Pulls Up To County Hall. Right: King Delivers Speech

County Hall, at 1000 King Street, was originally built as a cotton mill in 1902 and later converted to a community auditorium. Some of the entertainment acts who appeared were:

• Tommy Dorsey
• Count Basie
• Elvis Presley
• James Brown
• The Beach Boys
• Bob Dylan
• Herman’s Hermits
• The Doors
• Badfinger
• Buffalo Springfield
• Ozzy Osbourne

The Hall also served as host to dances, graduations, sporting events, and even welcomed such American icons as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Harlem Globetrotters. The Hall became one of the most popular venues for professional wrestling from the 1960s well into the 1980s.

Currently, the Hall is the Palace Apartments.

Palace Apartments, 1000 King Street