From the South Carolina Department of Archives and History
May 9 At Six oclock I recommenced my journey for Savanna...and proceeded to Colo. W. Washington's at Sandy Hill...
Sandy Hill Plantation, the country seat of Col. William Washington, lay 28 miles from Charleston and to the south of the road from Charleston to Parker's Ferry (roughly the route of present-day Highway 17). According to old maps and plats, the house stood about two miles south of modern-day Highway 17, between Ravenel and Jericho. William Washington, a cousin of George Washington, was born in Virginia and served in the northern campaign of 1776. In 1779, he was ordered to South Carolina, and in 1780, he engaged in combat with Col. Tarleton and his British forces at Rantowles Bridge near Sandy Hill Plantation (which he would later acquire through his marriage to Jane Reily Elliott). William Washington served as a legislator in the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth General Assemblies, and as a state senator in the Tenth through the Fifteenth Assemblies. He was a dedicated public servant in other capacities while a resident of South Carolina. His cousin, George, wrote of this visit to his kinsman, "My going to Colo. Washingtons is to be ascribed to motives of friendship and relationship..."
May 11 ...breakfasting at Judge Bees 12 miles from Sandy Hill...
Thomas Bee was a planter and Charleston lawyer. Bee has been described as "a planter of considerable opulence" and as a "furious Liberty Boy" because of his reputation as a lawyer. From 1775 to 1776, Bee served on the Council of Safety and as a representative to both the First and Second Provincial Congress and the First General Assembly. In 1776, he accepted a post as assistant judge of the Court of General Sessions and served as a representative to the Second General Assembly. In 1777, he was elected Speaker of the House, and in 1779, he was elected Lt. Governor. His career of public service continued on this busy course. In 1790 President Washing appointed him to a federal judgeship, which he held until his death in 1812 at the age of 73.
Thomas Bee's house was twelve miles past William Washington's Sandy Hill Plantation, about one and one-half miles before the site of Burnt Chapel near the crossroads of present-day Highway 64 and County Road 167 in Colleton County.
May 10 ...lodged at mr. Obrian Smiths 18 or 20 further on.
George Washington visited Duharra Plantation, which was the home of O'Brian Smith. According to tradition, Duharra lay to the north of present-day Highway 17 between Country Road 303 and County Road 119. Smith was a native of Ireland who came to South Carolina ca. 1784. In 1779, he inherited vast acreage from his uncle, James Parsons, and at a later date, he apparently received additional plantations from his aunt, Susannah Parsons. He served in the state legislature from 1805 to 1807 and was also a member of the United States Congress.
May 11 After an early breakfast at Mr. Smiths we road 20 Miles to a place called Pokitellico...
Pocataligo was an Indian town, which was used as a trading post by whites and Indians before the Yemassee War of 1715. Because of it location on the road from Charleston to Savannah, it continued to be an important locale. Fort Balfour, a British garrison, was established there during the Revolutionary War. Before the war, Van Bibber's Tavern at Pocataligo was a well-known stop on the road and tradition says that this tavern was the place where parishioners of Prince William Parish entertained Washington for dinner in 1791.
May 11 After dinner we proceeded 16 Miles farther to Judge Haywards w[h]ere we lodged...
White Hall Plantation was the country home of Thomas Heyward, Jr., whose Church Street town house Washing occupied while in Charleston. It lay on Hazzard Creek in what is now Jasper County. An avenue of massive oaks marks the site of the house, which stood on the marsh. White Hall house was destroyed by fire sometime after Washington's visit. The property is private.
May 12 By five oclock we set out from Judge Haywards and road to Purisburg 22 Miles to breakfast...
Purrysburg was George Washington's last stop in South Carolina. This town was established as one of the colonial townships prescribed by Gov. Johnson in 1730. Swiss Protestants led by Col. Jean Pierre Purry fled religious persecution in their country and journeyed to South Carolina to become the first participants in the proposed settlement of the backcountry of the colony. The settlers were given provisions and tools for one year and received acreage in the reserved township land, which was to remain tax-free for ten years. They were given a town lot on which to build a house as well. Officials of Savannah met Washington at Purrysburg, escorted him to an eight-oared barge, and rowed him down the Savannah River for twenty-five miles to his next destination, the city of Savannah.
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From the South Carolina Department of Archives and History