Colleton family and the early history of South Carolina and Barbados: 1646-1775

Abstract

The Colleton family has not been recognised as a dynastic entity in British colonial history of the 17th and 18th centuries. Elements of their individual roles have featured in political, economic and social histories. The combined contribution of the Colletons and their descendants to the history of Barbados and Carolina has remained neglected in the historiography of the First British Empire. This deficiency is striking in view of their close involvement with the evolution and demise of colonial rule in the New World, the significance of their associations and their influence on events. As E. E. Rich has argued, "the Colletons are to be grouped among the leading Restoration imperialists" yet a comprehensive study of their contribution as a whole remains unwritten. 1 Sir Lewis Namier touched briefly on the connection between Charles Garth, the last agent for South Carolina, and his founding Colleton ancestor. He also drew attention to the lack of a history of Garth and his antecedents.

The purpose of this thesis is to highlight the role of this single family in the history of British involvement in the Caribbean and the American mainland. It also corrects a number of identified inaccuracies, some of recent creation, which affect an analysis of their role. Their involvement spans ten generations in Barbados and at least six in South Carolina.