Summerton in Clarendon County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Harry Briggs

Photographed by C Summers, September 20, 2022

1. HARRY BRIGGS Marker

Inscription. Mr. Harry and Eliza Briggs, a family of strong faith, were one of the first families to sign the petition. Meetings were held in their homes as well as St Mark AME, and Liberty Hill AME. These gatherings were held in secrecy to find twenty parents who were willing to become plaintiffs and sign a legal complaint against segregation. Harry Briggs a Navy veteran; his oldest son Harry Briggs, Jr. names appeared first among black children whose parents brought suit. Because of the Briggs courageous efforts, the goal was reached and on May 16, 1950, Briggs vs. Elliott was filed. His family faced retaliations. After trying without success to support his family on a small farm, Harry Briggs Sr. packed up his family and moved to NY. The Briggs vs. Elliott case along with four other cases led to the 1954 landmark case Brown vs. Board of Education.

Erected 2022 by Summerton Community Action Group (SCAG).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1950.

Location. 33° 36.562′ N, 80° 21.499′ W. Marker is in Summerton,

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South Carolina, in Clarendon County. It is at the intersection of 4th Street and Larry King Highway, on the left when traveling north on 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1154 4th Street, Summerton SC 29148, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee

and in Santee Cooper Country.

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 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: Rev. J.A. De Laine (here, next to this marker); Levi Pearson Sr. (here, next to this marker); Scott’s Branch School/Briggs V. Elliot (within shouting distance of this marker); "Together Let Us Sweetly Live" (within shouting distance of this marker); Briggs Family House/Briggs V. Elliott

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(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Mark A.M.E. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elusive Francis Marion, 1780-1781 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Patriot Departs to Ride with Marion (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerton.

More about this marker. 5 Monuments located in Briggs vs Elliott Scotts Branch School Historical Park

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2023, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2023, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina. Photo 1. submitted on September 19, 2023, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?