Len Eisele

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Smalley, Andrea L., 1960-

Legacy Department

Department of History

Abstract

Sims from the years 1784 to 1820. I divided my project into three sections: Firstly, I examine the different characteristics of the Low County planter, the Up country yeoman farmer, and how the Sims family fit into the dichotomous nature of South Carolina culture; Secondly, I explore the Sims family role as the conduit for commerce for the farmers in their sphere of influence; Finally, I analyze the Sims’ role as a legal outlet for the community and how that related to their status as a ruling class. During the course of my research, I found the Sims family to represent a completely different class of Early Republic South Caroline society. They were a hybrid ruling class, possessing characteristics of both the Low Country elite and the Up Country yeoman farmer, while being separate from both. They played an integral role in the local economy and provided a legal outlet for the poor that they would not have had without them. This study shows the importance and idiosyncratic nature of the Up Country planter in South Caroline society during this era. Most of the historiographical research of this time period focuses on either the Low Country Elite or the Up Country yeomanry and their place in the overarching political and economic culture. My study illuminates the status and relevance of a neglected member of South Carolina society.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

22 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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