Written by Palmetto Bluff
Jul 09, 2020
At over 20,000 acres, and the oldest artifacts dating back to 10,000 B.C., it’s no surprise that Palmetto Bluff is steeped in history.
But did you know that many of the street names at Palmetto Bluff also include clues to our storied past?
Let’s start with Astbury Street.
Located off Old Palmetto Bluff road as you make your way into Wilson Village (just before the intersection at Mount Pelia Road), you’ll find Astbury Street – named for John Astbury (1688-1743), an English potter with ties to Palmetto Bluff.
New pottery styles and techniques of the 18th century arose from experimentation, technological improvements, and occasionally, intrigue. John Astbury’s rumored theft of trade secrets from two Dutch brothers (who had themselves been sued for allegedly stealing techniques and employees from another potter), led to his famous ware: brown vessels with white clay sprigs of birds, flowers, or other designs.
Fragments of an Astbury vessel were found at Walnut Grove (Pettigrew) Plantation at Palmetto Bluff.
