When John Lawson travelled along the Santee River in 1709 (according to his account in the documents) what surprised him and what did he eat. He was shocked at the religious rituals of the Indians, and he very much enjoyed the shrimp. He was surprised that the natives spoke English and he survived on venison, mostly. He remarked about the constant growing season, the potable blackwater and the ravages of smallpox among the people. He ate “fat turkeys” until he was tired of them and turned then to possums. He was disappointed when the natives attacked his stockade, and he was forced to eat the bodies of his companions during the siege. He remarked on the broad plains (savannahs) of the region and ate the wild berries.

When John Lawson travelled along the Santee River in 1709 (according to his account in the documents) what surprised him and what did he eat. He was shocked at the religious rituals of the Indians, and he very much enjoyed the shrimp. He was surprised that the natives spoke English and he survived on venison, mostly. He remarked about the constant growing season, the potable blackwater and the ravages of smallpox among the people. He ate “fat turkeys” until he was tired of them and turned then to possums. He was disappointed when the natives attacked his stockade, and he was forced to eat the bodies of his companions during the siege. He remarked on the broad plains (savannahs) of the region and ate the wild berries.