Old lit and "Florida"

[Ron at]

In the old literature taxa are sometimes described as occurring in
"Florida".  It is well know that this often included present day coastal
Georgia.   What is apparently not well know is that south coastal South
Carolina was also part of this original "Florida".   Over the years I have
occasionally mentioned to people that SC was not only part of this Florida
but that it capital of this region was originally in South Carolina. That
has always been met with skepticism.  I have based this on a reference in
the local paper many years ago - but never had the exact reference.

Well, today in cleaning out a cubby hole in my desk I came across the
yellowed clipping on this from the local paper.  Per my usual ineptitude I
neglected to attach a date to clipping, but at least now I have recovered
the clipping and herein relate the pertinent information.  This is
important taxonomically for those who have or will investigate any of those
old taxa originally described from "Florida".

My clipping is short and is as follows.

    "It was Charlesfort -- older than Jamestown, St. Augustine or the Lost
Colony on the outer banks.  Last year, the University of South Carolina
archaeologists announced the discovery of French explorer Jean Ribault's
1562 settlement under the remains of a late 16th-century Spanish fort.
Since then, this island, best known as the birthing grounds of Marines, has
become an anthropological tourist attraction.  It draws nearly 1,800
visitors a year and spawned a recent public television special.
    "The significance of the discovery is only beginning to be noticed. In
a state with voluminous history, DePratter and South have rewritten one of
the first chapters to include that South Carolina was the early home of
both French and Spanish settlements.
    "Not only is South Carolina the site of the first French settlement on
the Atlantic coast, Santa Elena on Parris Island was the first capital of
the  Spanish territory of Florida.  At the time, Florida extended into what
is now South Carolina."

Ron Gatrelle