SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

THE GULLAH PEOPLE

By
Shelbi Mcmillan

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

Sandy Island is located
about three miles west
of Atlantic Ocean, and
surrounded by the
Waccamaw River on the
east, the Pee Dee River
on the West, Bull Creek
on the North, and
Thoroughfare Creek on
the South.

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

There were various plantations
along the Waccamaw River for
instance, Pipe Down, Taylor Hill,
Blain, Laurel Hill, The Oaks, Oak
Lawn, Oak Hampton, Sandy
Knowe and Ruinsville.

This area had the second largest

rice culture in history called the
Waccamaw Gold which was
exported to Europe(Pyatt).

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

Sandy Island is isolated and

undeveloped. Although the
island has many trails it
currently has one General Store
and one paved road.
Sandy Island is a 12,000 acre
island with unique wetlands,
wildlife, plants and centuries
old moss trees. The state
retained the Nature
Conservancy to manage the
Island.
The state of South Carolina
owns most of the Island and
less than 25 percent is privately
owned(Pyatt).

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

There are visible areas
on the this unique
wetland of old tree
moss and Cladina
evansii (Deer Moss).
It may to used today to
produce realistic trees
by architects.

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

The are many species
living on the Sandy Island.
Some animal located in
Mount Rena are the
eagle, osprey, bear, deer,
turkey along with the rare
cockaded woodpecker.
There are pine trees
marked on Mt. Arena
which are a resting place
for the Red-cockaded
Woodpecker.

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

Sandy Island had three
settlements which are
Mt. Arena, Annie Village
and Georgia Hill. The
Gullah people reside in
Mt. Arena along with the
school, playground, and
church which is two
hundred yards north
Annie Village(Pyatt).

Phillip Washington, a
former slave,
accumulated enough
money to buy 382 acres
of land in 1882 from Eliza
Herriott the widow of a
plantation owner. This
enhanced self sufficiency
and independence
leading towards a rich
and deep history of the
Gullah people(Pyatt).

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

For 3oo
hundred years
the Gullah
people have
resided on the
island
maintaining
their culture
handed down
from prior
generations.

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

Sandy Island is one of
the last remaining
islands that has not
fallen to development
by developers. There
are no bridges yet
wildlife is abundant
including some rare
species. The People of
Sandy Island are
content with this
natural isolated
setting.

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

Sandy Islands Old School House

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

The old school stands in its
original location. This is where
students were prepared well
before going on to high school
at Howard High in Georgetown
or Whittemore High in
Conway. Students were taken
by Prince Washington, the
states only school boat, to the
mainland to attend
school(Pratt).

One of the former students

that attended the old
school is now a judge in
Georgetown, about
fifteen miles south of the
island.
Community member voice
that the old school
building would make a
enlightening Gullah
Cultural and Heritage
Center.

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

The is part of the old
school building play
ground that youth in
the community unitize
for recreational
activities.

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

The Gullah people have
always had a very deep
and abiding faith
believing in Gods
Principles within the
Holy Bible. They would
walk to church in what
they called their
Sunday go to meeting
clothes stepping
proudly.

The institution of
marriage was scared
and cherished by the
Gullah people. They
believe in accepting
their responsibilities
and obligations which is
evident through their
daily lives and
character.

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

Their goals and objectives to

improve life and promote success.

Attitude- is conducive to
accomplishments. (ACE)
Conduct- is not
detrimental to progress.
Environment- even in
isolation is ideal and
protected them from
negative outside
influences. (Pyatt)

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

SANDY ISLAND EXPERIENCE

The Gullah people look
forward to homecomings when family
members come back to
celebrate on Sandy
Island in which you may
find three and four
generations of a family,
listening to story being
told and feasting on
cultural foods.

Sites
Pyatt, Thomas (2005) The Gullah People Of Sandy
Island.
Pyatt, Thomas (2007) Tours de Sandy Island.
Retrieved from
http://www.toursdesandyisland.com/history.htm.