Name Robert Sanford | ||
Robert Sanford was an English explorer of the Province of Carolina in the 18th century on behalf of the eight Lords Proprietor of the Province of Carolina. He followed Captain William Hilton in the search for sites on the Carolina coast for establishing English settlements after the charter of 1663. Both Sanford and Hilton’s expeditions were based in Barbados, and Sanford was patronized by English planters in Barbados, including James Drax.
Contents
Youth and Early Career
Sanford was born in England before 1642 and he and his brother, William, moved to Barbados as children around 1642, and Sanford stated he was ignorant of English ways in a pamphlet he wrote called Suriname Justice. His uncle was Major Nathaniel Kingsland, settler of Barbados. In 1661-1662 Robert ran afoul of Governor William Willoughby and William Byam, his deputy, and was manacled, fined and exiled from Suriname without trial. Byam accused Sanford that under the cover of a mission to recover runaway slaves he threatened to go to St Vincent with the soldiers and native-born Americans. Sanford accused Byam and his associate, George Marten, of crimes against the rights of the settlers as Englishmen, and of "atheism, license, and abuse of due process". His allies at this time included Samuel Farmer, one time Speaker of the Assembly of Barbados.
In 1664, Sanford's uncle, Nathaniel Kingsland, leased Sanford his Suriname plantation for five years. In November of 1664, he was created agent and secretary for Clarindon County, Carolina for Lord Proprietor Sir John Colleton.
Exploration of Carolina Coast
As an explorer following William Hilton, Robert Sanford was responsible for the first footing expedition from the Caribbean to the Carolinas. Hilton’s voyage took place in 1663, and Sanford in 1666. Both explored the Port Royal area, and Sanford gave the name of one of the Lords Proprietors, Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, to the Ashley River on his exploration in 1666. Hilton and Sanford both praised the area for it fertility and suitability, Sanford saying, “[W]ee doe assure Our selves that a Colony of English here planted, with a moderate support in their Infant tendency, would in a very short time improve themselves to a perfect Common Wealth … which for its Scite and produccons would be of more advantage to … [England and] the King … the any (wee may say all) his other Dominions in America”.
In his 1666 expedition, Sandford was sent to explore the Carolina coast. He met with Kiowa Chief Shadoo and a Cusabo chief on Edisto Island who guided him to Port Royal and who introduced him to the chief there. Proceeding to St. Helena Island, Sandford was presented with a nephew of the chief there to be taught the English language and customs on July 7, 1666. In return he left Dr. Henry Woodward with the St. Helena chief to study the language and customs of the Native Americans there. Sanford's voyage included 17 members other than himself, including Captain George Cary, Lieutenant Samuel Hardy, Lieutenant Joseph Woory, Ensign Henry Brayne, Ensign Richard Abrahall, Mr. Thomas Giles
Later Years
Barbados Governor Willoughby banished Sanford from Barbados in 1668. He may have moved to the Carolinas, but not necessarily to settle there.