Dearsley’s Creek

In late summer 1706, a joint force of French and Spanish troops attacked the Lowcountry intent on driving English colonists from its shores in a quest for imperial dominance in North America. This attack led by Frenchman, Monsieur LeFebvre, was meant to be a surprise but was thwarted by a New York privateer, Peter Stool, who encountered the fleet in St. Augustine and raced to Charles Town with a warning. When the enemy fleet arrived, Charles Town stood ready in defense.

The main enemy force came ashore here at what was known then as “Dearsley’s Creek” named for Col. George Dearsley a prominent figure and shipbuilder. The French and Spanish privateers burned Dearsley’s storehouse along with two vessels as the site was home to what would become known as Hobcaw Shipyard. This proved to be the most damage inflicted by the enemy as men from all around the countryside, including French Huguenots from Santee, rallied to defend the Lowcountry in an early signal of unity arising from what was a difficult and discordant time.