Historical Nuggets: Colleton County was named for Sir John Colleton (1608-1666). Although the county was first created in 1682, the area was primarily known by its parish names: St. Bartholomew, St. Paul, and St. George Dorchester. The Colleton District was formed in 1800 with a portion of what was then Colleton County being removed in 1897 to form what is today Dorchester County. The county seat Walterboro, Cottageville, and Edisto Beach are just a few of the cities and towns that make up the 1,056 square miles that fall inside the county lines. Prior to the Civil War, the area was known for its rice and cotton plantations. Many of plantations were purchased by Northerners after the Civil War for use as nature retreats and hunting preserves. Colleton County is home to the ACE Basin Nature Preserve bounded by the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers.
Population & Demographics: Per the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the county had a total population of 38,926 with 15,948 (41%) being African American. Heirs' property is an important issue for many African American families in Colleton County. The Center for Heirs' Property Preservation offers services to families in Colleton County and schedules Intake interviews in Walterboro for those who want to discuss their situations with a Center attorney. Please call the office to schedule an appointment for legal services or to sponsor a seminar.
To learn more about Colleton County visit http://www.sciway.net/cnty/dorchester.html or check out the resources shown below.
Colleton County Geneology Resources
Donate Now to the Center for Heirs' Property Preservation
