Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-11-02
A FORT HILL IN EDGEFIELD
A Paper Read Before the Utopian
Society of Clarks Hill.

Society of Clarks Hill.
Fort Hill, asknown to the resi-
dents in western Edgefeld county,
! is about two miles southwest of
Clarks Hill, and one mile east of
the Savannah river.
The name Fort Hill is so closely
linked with the history of the
aborigines, the Indians, that l will
have to bring in something about
them before giving complete ac-
count of the now abandoned and
isolated fort.
1t was built about the time of
the Revolution by the white set
tiers, for the protection of them
selves and their families against
the Chicoras in Carolina, Ap-
pachees in Georgia, and the Chero-
KEGS of the mountain districts.
There were other inferior tribes of
Indians, though the above men
tionod were tbs principal ones
dreaded.
The reader must not think that
this fort once resem5led Fort Sum-
ter at Charleston, and other large
brick ones built during the civil
war, but it was just large enough,
I suppose, judging from the size of
the ruins, to have had capacity
for two hundred people.
1t was made by digging a hole
in the gronnd and setting posts up
around the edges, and upon these
were laid poles and dirt which
protected against the enemies az
row heads.
Like our modern forts, there were
a plenty Of port holes CUT in the
sides at convenient distances.
From the fort to the branch was a
covered ditch which gave to tho
thirsty a chance of getting water
without exposure to the enemy.
Not only was this fort safe
refuge during times of trouble, but
also great trading and bartering
station. Goods and trinkets, such
as pocket knives, firearms, red
flannel, ETC., were brought from
Charleston on pack horses by the
way of trail or path. Tne old
trail can now be seen in many
places; one part of it is what is
known as the "Mark Rock path
that leads from the public road in
front of DR.. T. J. McKie's resi-
dence to q mile or two this side of
the mouth of Stevens Creek.
Whence came the name of "Mark
Rock" tradition does not say, but
it is supposed, as tho name would
indicate, from the large rocks with
hieroglyphics cut on them.
Fort Hill is worth visiting and
would repay the curiosity hunter
and sight.seer. Down on the river
bottoms, which is at the foot of the
hill, can be found many old Indian
relics, such as pieces of pottery,
arrow heads, and occasionally a
tomahawk.
There evidently must have been
an Indian town near by, judging
from the many evidences of habi-
tations. The view of the "Three
Sisters"-mountains-in Georgia,
from Fort Hill is perfectly grand,
and there can also be seen Scott's
shoals with it's moss-covered rocks,
aud numerous little islands clothed
the year round with green grass.
One would think it strange, but
wild turkey tracks are yet seen in
and near tho old fort, although the
site has been cultivated in cotton
and corn for many years since the
Indians and whites abandoned it.
This can be easily accounted for:
AS the lands first settled became
worn out the people moved to
other more fertile spots, and in
time the fields they had abandon
ed were the haunts Of the wild
turkey and fox-a thicket of
bramhle and briar.
1t is b pity that Fort Hill does
not occupy aplace in our histories.
May it ever be remembered as
the spot of chief interest in Edge
field county.