Page xiii →Notes on the Text

During the eighteenth century the words “Carolina” and “South Carolina” were used synonymously, particularly in Britain. North and South Carolina were formally made separate colonies in 1712; before and after the separation, “Carolina” generally referred in Britain to South Carolina, the wealthier of the two and, in its interaction with the British state, the more prominent. The term “Carolina traders,” for example, was used to denote merchants trading specifically to South Carolina.

After the Revolutionary War, Charles Town became Charleston. For authenticity, I have followed this change and use Charles Town when referring to the town before the Revolutionary War and use Charleston afterward.

Prices are given in pounds sterling unless otherwise stated. Throughout the period between about 1730 and the end of British control, one pound sterling was equivalent to about seven pounds in South Carolina currency (see John J. McCusker, Money and Exchange in Europe and America, 1600–1775: A Handbook).

To retain authenticity, spellings in quotations from primary sources have not been corrected unless essential to convey meaning. Italicization and underlining are from the original texts. Any words added to quotations appear in brackets. Page xiv →