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

Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery

By Mike Stroud, September 5, 2013

1. Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery Marker with modern paint scheme

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A Chapel of St. Luke's Parish, established May 23, 1767, built of wood shortly after 1786 under the direction of Captain John Stoney and Isaac Fripp, was consecrated in 1833. Members of the Barksdale, Baynard, Chaplin, Davant, Fripp, Kirk, Mathews, Pope, Stoney, and Webb families worshipped here. By 1868 the chapel was destroyed.

Erected 1973 by Hilton Head Island Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-12.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Landmarks • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 32° 12.118′ N, 80° 41.961′ W. Marker is in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. Marker is on William Hilton Parkway near Mathews Drive and William Hilton Parkway (Route 278), on the right when traveling south. Marker is near a driveway at the southbound merge of Mathews Drive (Folly Field) to US 278 (William Hilton Parkway). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hilton Head Island SC 29928, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this

Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery Marker, at Mathews Drive and William Hilton Parkway (U.S. 278) image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, September 5, 2013

2. Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery Marker, at Mathews Drive and William Hilton Parkway (U.S. 278)

marker, measured as the crow flies. In Memoriam (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Ambush (within shouting distance of this marker); Hilton Head Island Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); First African Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named First African Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Queen Chapel A.M.E. Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); African Methodist Episcopal Church Beginnings (approx. 1.8 miles away); Fort Sherman (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hilton Head Island.

Regarding Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery. During the American Revolution nearby Daufuskie Island split with the main of South Carolina and maintained its ties to England, from which the planters had gained a generous price for their main crop of indigo. This created tension with Patriots on Hilton Head; their derisive moniker for Daufuskie was "Little Bermuda," and the island's inhabitants. This mutual disdain occasionally erupted into violence, including the murder of Daufuskian Capt. Martinangel by a "Bloody Legion" from Hilton Head, who retaliated for his killing of Hilton Head planter Charles Davant.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Hilton Head Island, SC. In 1788, a small Episcopal

Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, March 2008

3. Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery Marker

church called the Zion Chapel of Ease was constructed for plantation owners. The old cemetery, located near the corner of William Hilton Parkway and Mathews Drive (Folly Field), is all that remains. Charles Davant, a prominent island planter during the Revolutionary War, is buried there. He was shot by Captain Martinangel of Daufuskie Island in 1781. [ "Reference Desk," Beaufort County Public Library - Hilton Head Island, Accessed May 19, 2007] (Submitted on April 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

By Mike Stroud, 2008

4. Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery Marker

Captain John Stoney, as mentioned in Marker image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, 2008

5. Captain John Stoney, as mentioned in Marker

" In Memoriam Captain John Stoney 1749- 1821, native of Ireland, soldier in the Revolution, planter on this island, a founder of the Episcopal Church on Hilton Head, the ancestor of the Stoneys of South Carolina.Also of his grandson, John Safford Stoney, eldest son of John and Elizabeth Gaillard Stoney, who who died in 1832 in his twenty fifth year. Their earthly remainswith those of James Stoney, son of Captaon John Stoney, who is commemorated by this tomb, rest where they were interred in unmarked graves at the northwestern extremity of this island. The tomb was removed to this place for safekeeping May 14,1959."

Wm. E. Baynard image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, March 2008

6. Wm. E. Baynard

oldest intact structure on Hilton Head Island, the Baynard Mausoleum, which was built in 1846.

Charles Davant, image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, 2008

7. Charles Davant,

" Pvt. SC Militia 1750 ~ 1781 On 22 October 1871, returning from a patrol with the Patriot Malitia, Charles Davant was mortally wounded from ambush near here by Captain Martinangel's Royal Militia from Daufuskie Island. He managed to ride his horse to his nearby plantation, Two Oaks, where he died. Captain John Leacraft's Bloody Legion avenged his death."

Revolutionary War Soldier image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, 2008

8. Revolutionary War Soldier

Charles Davant 1750 1781 Placed by Captain William Hilton Chapter DAR

Isaac Baldwin image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, 2008

9. Isaac Baldwin

Pvt SC Malitia Revolutionary War 1752 1826

James Davant and wife image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, 2008

10. James Davant and wife

Revolutionary Veteran Pvt S.C. Militia 1779 - 1782 1744 - 1803

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,802 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on July 3, 2018, by Lou Benfante of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on April 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.