A British Flag Flies Over South Carolina

Once again the British flag flies over South Carolina with great pride. How can this be? Surely it's a deception or mistake! Why would a British flag be flying so proudly and boldly over a fort in South Carolina? True at one time we were a Colony of the British crown. But this is the 20th century, and South Carolina is now part of the United States of America! The sight is surely amazing. There it flies, high and proud, over Old Fort Dorchester.

Only a few paces away, British troops march to the commands of Ensign Jeff Wells.

Click on the image for a photo gallery - 16 photos

No, you haven't traveled back in time, instead the past has come to you as living history. Totally committed to history, these people spend much of their free time sharing history with others. They don't simply study history. They make it part of their lives. They create realistic 18th century costumes and accessories. They break from their daily routines to actually "live" history while teaching others.

The first weekend in April (Event dates vary from year to year) a small group of whole families who are committed to learning and sharing our country's history assembled at Old Fort Dorchester. For more than 15 years as devoted volunteers they have shared a common bond, their love for and dedication to the understanding and sharing of history. Represented in this group are an ensign, a field physician, an Indian trader, an engineer, and a few infantry men, as well as their wives and children.


Jeff Wells looked thoughtful as he shared the story of the beginning of this group. In real life he is a park ranger in Tennessee - Fort Loudoun State Historic Area. His early encounters with living history groups lead him to value them. They offered a unique way to join the past and present. After his transfer to Loudoun in 1985, others eagerly approached him to develop a living history group. Here was a long awaited opportunity. They researched and formed a living history group to represent the Independent Company of South Carolina. In the mid 1700's, Tennessee was still the upper part of South Carolina. Fort Loudoun had been a fort on the upper frontier of South Carolina.

The groups' home base is Fort Loudoun in Tennessee where they are regular volunteers at the living history fort. A replica of Ft. Loudoun as it was from 1756 to 1760 is being reconstructed on the original site. The general public may visit the Fort most days from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Volunteers present living history programs regularly. Click "here" for a map and schedule.

On occasion the Independent Company of South Carolina travels beyond the fort and "lives" its history elsewhere. This first weekend of April they visited Old Dorchester South Carolina State Park to celebrate two important things. First, their company was originally formed here. As a result they come regularly to remember their place of origin and retrace the steps of their forefathers. Jeff fondly remarked that, of all the historic areas they visit Old Fort Dorchester is one of their favorites. Many people don't realize what the park represents. The little dirt road into the woods conceals so much history and knowledge. Prior to the Revolutionary War there was a thriving village of several hundred people on the site. This year marks the tricentennial of the founding of Dorchester in 1697, the second reason for the Independent Company's visit.

• Jeff Glass, 18th Century physician
• Charles Towle, 18th Century Indian trader
• Wes Stone, 18th Century engineer
• Tom Harper, 18th Century infantry man

Please note: Event dates vary from year to year