Cindy Thames

As the richest of the thirteen colonies, with trade vital to the British economy, South Carolina was essential to the fight for independence. But its ruling class did not get on board until the people rose up, spurred by newspaper reports from New England—Boston in particular. This session aims to shed light on the relationships between Boston’s patriots and Charleston’s sons of liberty and their joint effort to push reluctant planters and merchants to back nonimportation, block trade with Britain, and ultimately support the war.