Near Andrews in Williamsburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Early Settlers
⎯⎯⎯
Potatoe Ferry
Photographed by Cindy Bullard, February 18, 2010
1. Early Settlers / Potatoe Ferry Marker (front)
Early Settlers. Among the first settlers of Williamsburg County, members of the Witherspoon family sailed from Belfast to Charleston in 1734, arriving about December 1. With a year's provisions, they embarked on an open-boat voyage. Traveling up the Black River, the settlers came ashore near here and lived in Samuel Commander's barn while constructing their "dirt houses."
Potatoe Ferry. By 1775, Potatoe Ferry was operating on the Black River about Ό mile downstream from here. During the Revolution, Brigadier General Francis Marion employed the ferry to transport troops on a planned expedition against British forces in Georgetown. In 1810, Bishop Francis Asbury, pioneer of American Methodism, crossed the river here during his travels.
Erected 1989 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Three Rivers Historical Society. (Marker Number 45-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher, and the South Carolina, Williamsburg County, Three Rivers Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 1, 1963.
Location. 33° 29.685′ N, 79° 32.447′
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Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. 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 10 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Georgetown County National Guard Memorial (approx. 3.3 miles away); Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church (approx. 4½ miles away); Williamsburg High School (approx. 5.9 miles away); Chubby Checker Home (approx. 7.2 miles away); Oak Grove Methodist Church (approx. 8.6 miles away); Prince George Winyah Parish / Prince Fredericks Parish (approx. 9.1 miles away); Black Mingo Presbyterian Meeting House (approx. 9.4 miles away); Skirmish at Sampit Bridge (approx. 10.2 miles away); Sampit Methodist Church (approx. 10.2 miles away); Black Mingo Willtown / Black Mingo Baptist Church (approx. 10.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Andrews.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Dissenter Meeting House and Cemetery (was approx. 5.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Cindy Bullard, February 18, 2010
2. Early Settlers / Potatoe Ferry Marker (reverse)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,735 times since then and 78 times this year. Last updated on March 2, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 24, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
