Ruth Miller and the Tales of Charleston

Ruth Miller is a tour guide here in Charleston, South Carolina. She is originally from New England, however, she ended up here in the Holy City surrounded by rich religious history. Miller has written several books about Charleston, including The Angel Oak Story and Touring the Tombstones.

Miller came to our class to talk to us about the rich religious history here in Charleston. Specifically, the religious history buried within the old 18th-century graveyards.

In order to understand the history within the graveyards, it is important that we know the history that influenced the graveyards and the city of Charleston.

Photo was taken by Natasha in class

Charleston was one of the first cities in all of the original thirteen colonies and was the richest. It flourished with different cultures and backgrounds that can still be felt in today's Charleston atmosphere.

On unique thing about early Charleston, where the laws pertaining to the freedom of religion. People came to the New World in order to escape religious persecution, and Charleston ended up being the best place for that. For example, Charleston actually recruited Jews “because the rest of the world [was] driving [them] out” based on their religious beliefs.

Miller expressed how Charleston “had absolute freedom of religion” and “no other colony had the freedom of religion, but this town.” Different laws were made to help provide a free environment for people of different religions.

One law claimed no one could harass another person for their opinions on religion, and a group of 7 or more could create a new religion if they so desired.

Not only did the idea of religious freedom bring in lots and lots of new people, but Miller stated that when “you offer freedom of religion and 1000 acres of land… that’s all you needed” to recruit people to come to Charleston.

Thanks to all this religious freedom and influence of cultures and people, we now have the beautiful city that we have today.