Editing Dark Corner Exhibit (section)

== BEGINNINGS ==

==== Cherokee land and trading ====
The earliest records of white European settlers in the area were trading goods with the Cherokee, before the Revolutionary War (note that it was illegal at that time to settle in the area, as it was in the Cherokee Territory). Goods traded included beads, knives, swords, and guns to the Cherokee, mostly in trade for fur skins (primarily deer). After the Revolutionary War, land grants were given in the area to veterans.

==== Ethnic origins ====
Scots-Irish: While there are many different individual national origins, a wave of Scots-Irish moved down the frontier from Pennsylvania through West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, into the area here. That wave led to the distinctive Appalachian culture across these areas which retained linguistic, musical, and other aspects of their heritage far longer than most.

The differences between this culture and the rest of South Carolina were significant, and helped shape deep divides that persist to this day.

==== Nullification ====
One difference mentioned on the wall is Nullification. The Nullification Crisis was a national issue caused by South Carolina trying to nullify a federal law (the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832), and Dark Corner residents opposed their state’s position.

==== Civil War and slavery ====
During the Civil War, the Dark Corner was divided. However, it did become a haven for Confederate deserters to hide out. In our collection of letters from Victoria Bailey, she references the deserters coming down out of the mountains and raiding homes for supplies.

While Dark Corner took no part in plantation culture, it is wrong to say it was broadly against slavery. In fact, the Limestone interviewees talked openly about the slaves held by Dark Corner residents, typically as household and farm laborers.

==== Women ====
Women held a starkly different role than the rest of the state. There were fewer restrictions on women; women played a significant role in family sustenance; women often ran the stills.