Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Dawn of Freedom: Mitchelville

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017

1. The Dawn of Freedom: Mitchelville Marker

Inscription.

The Dawn of Freedom: Mitchelville. . During the civil War, Union forces defeated the Confederates on Hilton Head Island at the Battle of Port Royal on November 7, 1861. Cannon fire from that battle heralded a dawn of freedom for millions of African slaves throughout the South. Thirty-two thousand were enslaved in and around Hilton Head Island. Many of these men, women and children escaped their plantations and headed to the Union lines on the island and in nearby Beaufort. The government labeled these people "contrabands:” not legally free but not forced to return to their masters. While legal emancipation did not come until 1863, the freedom seekers of Hilton Head Island worked to create their own community of political, social, religious, and economic freedom., In 1862, Gen. Ormsby M. Mitchell planned a town for former African Slaves on Hilton Head Island. General Mitchel died shortly after. The town, named in his honor, was built by men and women seeking freedom. Mitchelville had named streets and homes on ¼ acre lots. Residents participated in their local government, voting for representatives who enacted South Carolina's first mandatory school attendance law. The residents of Mitchelville contributed to the War's effort. After the War, many who left the town went on to positions in state and local government. Others passed on their commitment to education and civic participation to generations of African Americans of Gullah descent., (captions) , (bottom left) Map of Mitchelville, 1863 with modern roads shown., (top right) A foot print of old Mitchelville, this park commemorates the heritage of freedom in America and the rich culture of the people who endured., Plan for Mitchelville Freedom Park, For more information about the story of historic Mitchelville please visit www.MitchelvillePreservationProject.org., (bottom center) Gen. Ornsby M. Mitchel Image courtesy of the Library of Congress . This historical marker is in Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County South Carolina

During the civil War, Union forces defeated the Confederates on Hilton Head Island at the Battle of Port Royal on November 7, 1861. Cannon fire from that battle heralded a dawn of freedom for millions of African slaves throughout the South. Thirty-two thousand were enslaved in and around Hilton Head Island. Many of these men, women and children escaped their plantations and headed to the Union lines on the island and in nearby Beaufort. The government labeled these people "contrabands:” not legally free but not forced to return to their masters. While legal emancipation did not come until 1863, the freedom seekers of Hilton Head Island worked to create their own community of political, social, religious, and economic freedom.

In 1862, Gen. Ormsby M. Mitchell planned a town for former African Slaves on Hilton Head Island. General Mitchel died shortly after. The town, named in his honor, was built by men and women seeking freedom. Mitchelville had named streets and homes on ¼ acre lots. Residents participated in their local government, voting for representatives who enacted South Carolina's first mandatory school attendance

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law. The residents of Mitchelville contributed to the War's effort. After the War, many who left the town went on to positions in state and local government. Others passed on their commitment to education and civic participation to generations of African Americans of Gullah descent.

(captions)
(bottom left) Map of Mitchelville, 1863 with modern roads shown.

(top right) A foot print of old Mitchelville, this park commemorates the heritage of freedom in America and the rich culture of the people who endured.

Plan for Mitchelville Freedom Park

For more information about the story of historic Mitchelville please visit www.MitchelvillePreservationProject.org.

(bottom center) Gen. Ornsby M. Mitchel Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is November 7, 1861.

Location. 32° 14.199′ N, 80° 41.216′ W. Marker is on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. Marker can be reached from Beach City Road, 0.4 miles north of Dillon Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker located inside Fish Haul Creek Park within walking distance of the park's entrance. Touch for map

Mitchelville Freedom Park Pavilion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017

2. Mitchelville Freedom Park Pavilion

. Marker is at or near this postal address: 226 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island SC 29926, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Battle of Port Royal / William Fitzhugh and Black Sailors in the Union Navy (here, next to this marker); Black Troops on Hilton Head (here, next to this marker); Mitchelville Building Sites (within shouting distance of this marker); Mitchelville and Abolitionists (within shouting distance of this marker); Religion in Mitchelville/School in Mitchelville (within shouting distance of this marker); Working for Wages/Freedmen’s Bureau (within shouting distance of this marker); Reconnecting with Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherry Hill School (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hilton Head Island.

Regarding The Dawn of Freedom: Mitchelville. During the early years of the Civil War, and prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, the Town of Mitchelville was established for escaped slaves. Mitchelville is recognized as the first example of self government by former slaves.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. They are related to the Mitchelville Freedom Park Preservation Project.

Also see . . . Mitchelville Preservation Project. (Submitted on July 7, 2017.)

Marker Detail: Plan For Mitchelville Park image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Library of Congress, June 12, 2017

3. Marker Detail: Plan For Mitchelville Park

Marker Detail: Map of Mitchelville, 1863 Modern Rds Shown image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Library of Congress, June 12, 2017

4. Marker Detail: Map of Mitchelville, 1863 Modern Rds Shown

Sign located at entrance to the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017

5. Sign located at entrance to the park

View of Mitchelville Freedom Park Historical Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017

6. View of Mitchelville Freedom Park Historical Markers

Gen. Omsby Mitchel image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Library of Congress, June 12, 2017

7. Gen. Omsby Mitchel

Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 433 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on April 1, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 5, 6. submitted on July 6, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 7. submitted on April 1, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.