About This Archive
This database contains the names of hundreds of individuals enslaved by the Vanderhorst family and mentioned in plantation records from Kiawah Island and the South Carolina Lowcountry, dating from 1815 to 1880.
These names were extracted by hand from original sources—letters, labor contracts, diaries, and estate papers—most of which have never been digitized until now.
Each name or row in the table represents a single reference to a person in a particular document. In some cases, you may find one name mentioned across multiple sources.
These names are drawn from only a handful of documents, and I have many records remaining to add. If you would like to support this project and help make this table complete, please reach out via the About Me page.
How to Use the Table
Click Open Full Table → to see the data in a new tab.
- Search: Use the top bar to find names or keywords.
- Sort: Click on any column header—like “Date Written,” “Source,” or “Family Unit.”
- Filter: Narrow results by selecting a specific location, record type, or family group.
Index of Names
Why “Family Unit” Matters
This feature groups relatives together wherever possible. If a document mentions someone “with his wife and children,” they’ll be tagged as a unit—offering clues to kinship and connections across generations.
Note on Spelling and Transcription
Names are spelled as they appeared in the original records, even when spellings vary across documents. Alternate spellings or guesses are noted where possible. Corrections and clarifications are welcome.
Have a Story or Correction to Share?
If this archive helps you find an ancestor—or if you notice an error—please reach out. You can contact me via the About Me page.