Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-02-20


er ordinance of this year appoints Nathan
icl Greene. Country Waiter for Beaufort. V
How few ofthe bames mentioned above
have come down to recent times! they
were not only residents, but must have
been prominent men at that time ; yet
we have no record of their vocations ); it
is, more than probable, however, that
most of them were engaged in mercantile
pursuits. One thug is very clear, that
the commerce of the place was not incon-
siderable Else, why these frequent en-
actments2
The names of those engaged in trade
and commerce previous to the revolution
ary war have not come down to us. The
earliest date l find in sadly mutilated
book of accou IS current. is 1883. 1t is
probable that some of the mercantile
firms therein named, were engaged in
Charleston and elsewhere no doubt
some in foreign countries, the residence Of
not one being entered. Some. of them
however are readily recognized as Beau
fort merchants. Among these | will name,
Smiths, DeSaussure & Darrell, l7S4,-
John NJ. Verdier, 1874, DesSausuret Yer
dier & Co. 1856. The last mentioned were
still in business as late as l79G. One OF
this firm was the father of the late ven.
cradle and much esteemed James X.
Verdier, NJ. D. who, but few months
since, passed to his final rest, after long,
useful and yirtuous life. A native OF Hill
ton Head Island, he had dwelt in Beau
fort and its vicinity more than four score
years. He was eminently .uccessful as a
physician, having commenced his profess
sional career IN 1917, when the yellow and
country ievers in their most virulent forums
prevailed epidemicaly here, and not less
than one sixth of the white popu alton
were carried off. His father, above mem
toned, was an energetic and enterprlsinS
merchant. He was the son ofa Hugueno'
refugee to England, to whom the Hing
had given a commission in one of the
regiments ordered to the West, Idies Al
ter service rendered there, he came tc
the province of Carolina, bringing hi
commission with him. This commission
have seen frequently, and is probably
still extaut but was too rare curiosity
to be recovered by the possessor upon hl'
return to Beaufort after the late war. 1t
had approached much nearer he North
Pole than had ever been contemplated by
his Britannia majesty.
For the more successful conduct Of hi,
business, Mr.. Verdier had fine brig
built at Hilton Head, which made sever
al voyages across the Atlantic brineins
not only cargoes OF merchandise for thel
large and extensive trade; then carried OF
on both sides Of Bay street; but much oftf
household furniture of himself and hi:
friends. He then lived where Mr.. MayC
now reside, the public scales occupying
The wharf immediately in front, the re
mains ofwhich are still visible. The pres
cnt residence of John Franz, Esq, wa:
built for him by Converse & Fish, north
ern mechanics, whose skill and industry
secured them constant employment. Th.
curious will be pleased to know that ii
ioors are Of mahogany and much of th'
finishing material was broughG from Grcd
Britain. The record before me mentions
also the "Catharine" and the ''Thomas
as ships in the service of Mcs>rs. DeSaus
sure Verdier & Co. The principal ex
ports were Indigo and Rice. Of the lat
ter cargo was shipped directly to Co
penhagcn in brig which had discharged
here cargo of salt directly from th'
Danish West Indies
Messrs. Gordon & Smith were likewist
engaged in mercantile pursuits at an ear
ly day. They had built, for themselves
the house now occupied by II. G. Homes
Esq. as a residence; aud the one adja'
cent to it. NIessrs. Bold & .,hodes; ant
the late Robert Means Esq, who subse'
qucntly became wealthy planter, an,
the owner of the fine tact at the South
ern point Of Paris Island, were similarI!
engaged at somewhat later period
Their descendants are well known, anC
descrvediy esteemed among US.
As a matter Of historical record,
should mention that slaves from tn
coast of Africa were also brought direct!
to this Port, and sold on account Of tn
master of the vessel. These minnie dc
tails will interest but few; so ! will dcie
a notice of the trade Of later :,cars for an
other occasion.
*Sir John Yeamans came in 1871, fioH
Barbadoes, with small colony. "Wiil
these were introduced the first and for
considerable time, the only slaves tha
were in Carolina.