Brass Ankles
Encyclopedia
The Brass Ankles of South Carolina
were a "tri-racial isolate" group that lived in the area of Orangeburg County, Berkeley County
, and Charleston County
in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. They were a mixture of African, Native American, and European descent. Although they were of mixed blood, their death certificates stated white, negro or Croatan
. Most census records had them listed as mulatto
. Some of their surnames were Jackson, Chavis, Bunch, Driggers, Sweat, Williams, Russell and Goins. The Brass Ankles eventually absorbed into other groups such as the Beaver Creek Indians
, Lumbee Indians, and other races. A section of Orangeburg County near Holly Hill
, called Crane Pond, contained a large number of these people. The term has generally been considered as derogatory in nature, but not severely so. The Crane Pond community still exists. There are many stories about the origins of these people and no one consensus has been reached, even among themselves.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
were a "tri-racial isolate" group that lived in the area of Orangeburg County, Berkeley County
Berkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat is Moncks Corner....
, and Charleston County
Charleston County, South Carolina
Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South...
in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. They were a mixture of African, Native American, and European descent. Although they were of mixed blood, their death certificates stated white, negro or Croatan
Croatan
The Croatan were a small Native American group living in the coastal areas of what is now North Carolina. They may have been a branch of the larger Roanoke people or allied with them....
. Most census records had them listed as mulatto
Mulatto
Mulatto denotes a person with one white parent and one black parent, or more broadly, a person of mixed black and white ancestry. Contemporary usage of the term varies greatly, and the broader sense of the term makes its application rather subjective, as not all people of mixed white and black...
. Some of their surnames were Jackson, Chavis, Bunch, Driggers, Sweat, Williams, Russell and Goins. The Brass Ankles eventually absorbed into other groups such as the Beaver Creek Indians
Beaver Creek Indians
The Beaver Creek Indians are a unrecognized tribe located in South Carolina which achieved state recognition on January 27, 2006. It is seeking federal recognition. The tribe was formed as a non-profit organization in 1998....
, Lumbee Indians, and other races. A section of Orangeburg County near Holly Hill
Holly Hill, South Carolina
Holly Hill is a town in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,281 at the 2000 census. Prior to 1910 it was located in the northwest portion of Saint James Goose Creek Township, Berkeley County.-Geography:...
, called Crane Pond, contained a large number of these people. The term has generally been considered as derogatory in nature, but not severely so. The Crane Pond community still exists. There are many stories about the origins of these people and no one consensus has been reached, even among themselves.