Catawba Indian Memorial
[South Side]:
1600
Erected to the
Catawba Indians
by
Sam'l Elliott White
and
John McKee Spratt
The latter is a descendant Thos. "Kanahwa" Spratt and the former a descendant of Wm. Elliott (a kinsman of Kanahwas) two of the first settlers in this portion of the Indian Land (1755-60).
1900
[East Side]:
Some of the Catawbas who served in the Confederate Army
Jeff Ayers - John Scott - Alex Timins - Bill Sanders - John Harris - Wm Canty - Billy George - Gilbert George - Jim Harris - Robt. Marsh - Bob Crawford - Nelson George - Peter Harris Jr. - John Brown - John Sanders - Epp Harris - Bob Head
[North Side]:
The Catawba Indians although a war-like nation were ever friends of the white settlers. They aided and fought with the Americans in the Revolution and the Confederates in the Civil War.
Tradition says they immigrated to this portion of South Carolina from Canada about 1600, numbering some 12,000.
Wars with the Cherokees, Shawnees, and other nations, together with the small-pox depleted their numbers greatly.
In 1764, the province of South Carolina allotted them 15 miles square in York and Lancaster Districts. About 1840 a new treaty was made, the state buying all their land, and afterwards laying them off 700 acres on the west bank of the Eswa Tavora (Catawba River) 6 miles south of Fort Mill. Where the remnant, about 75, now live receiving a small annuit from the state.
[West Side]:
Some noted Catawbas. King Hagler - Gen. New-River - Gen. Ayers - Gen. Jim Kegg - Col. David Harris - Major John Joe - Cap. Billy George - Lieut. Phillip Kegg - Sallie New-River - Pollie Ayers - Peter Harris
The latter being made an orphan by the small-pox scourge, was raised by Kanahwa. He receives a pension for services in the Revolution of 1776. At 70 years of age, he died at the Saratt Homestead and at his own request was buried in the family graveyard.
Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 160) and Academy Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
