Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Tabernacle Baptist Church
⎯⎯⎯
Robert Smalls
Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 13, 2010
1. Robert Smalls side of marker
Robert Smalls. Born a slave in Beaufort in 1839, Robert Smalls lived to serve as a Congressman of the United States. In 1862 he commandeered and delivered to Union forces the Confederate gunboat "Planter," on which he was a crewman. His career as a freedman included service as a delegate to the 1868 and 1895 State Constitutional Conventions, election to the S.C. House and Senate, and 9 years in Congress. He died in 1915 and is buried here.
Erected 1980 by Beaufort County Council. (Marker Number 7-14.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • Heroes • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.
Location. 32° 25.959′ N, 80° 40.34′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry and on the Sea Islands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beaufort Female Benevolent Society (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); United When the Impossible Suddenly Became Possible (about 500 feet away); Beth Israel Synagogue (about 500 feet away); A City Transformed (about 500 feet away); Discovering the Reconstruction Era in Beaufort County, South Carolina (about 500 feet away); City Meat Market & Firehouse (about 500 feet away); The William Levin Building (about 500 feet away); Beaufort Arsenal (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.
Regarding Tabernacle Baptist Church / Robert Smalls. Smalls made his daring escape. He piloted the ship past the five Confederate forts which guarded the harbor, including Fort Sumter.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Tabernacle Baptist Church and Steamship Planter
Also see . . . Robert Smalls. In the fall of 1861, Smalls was made helmsman of the "Planter", an armed Confederate military transport. (Submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 13, 2010
2. Tabernacle Baptist Church side of marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
3. Tabernacle Baptist Church and Marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
4. Tabernacle Baptist Church at 911 Craven Street, Beaufort
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
5. Smalls Grave site at Tabernacle Baptist Church
Photographed by Wikipedia
6. Robert Smalls
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
7. Robert Smalls Memorial
Robert Smalls
" My race needs no special defence,
for the past history of them in
this country proves them to be
the equal of any people antwhere.
All they need is an equal chance
in the battle of life."
Robert Smalls. Nov. 1, 1895
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 21, 2008
8. ROBERT SMALLS Marker...32 years ago this day
was commissioned by Beaufort County Council
Unveiled 2-21-76
Marion Talmage Ethredge, Artist
Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 22, 2009
9. Close up of Robert Smalls Memorial
Naval Historical Center
10. Steamer "Planter"
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, September 15, 2007
11. U.S. Army Vessel MG Robert Smalls (LSV-8) with bow ramp extended
named in honor of Robert Smalls (Civil War hero, rights activist, Congressional Representative, and major general in the South Carolina Militia), the ship is the U.S. Army's largest water vessel, commissioned 15 September 2007 in Baltimore, MD.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, September 15, 2007
12. MG Robert Smalls (stern view) in Batltimore's Inner Harbor
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, September 15, 2007
13. MG Robert Smalls commissinoning ceremony, 15 Sep 2007
Dignitaries on dais include Congressmen Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and James Clyburn (D-SC, House Majority Whip) - left-center; and Kitt Alexander (long-time promoter of the Smalls commemoration) - 2nd from right.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
14. Robert Smalls Marker
Marker in its original paint scheme.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
15. Tabernacle Baptist Church side of marker
Marker in its original paint scheme.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,730 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9. submitted on December 22, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 10. submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 11, 12, 13. submitted on June 21, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 14, 15. submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
