| Total population |
|---|
| Unknown |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Orangeburg County and surrounding counties, eastern United States |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Predominantly Baptist |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Louisiana Creole people, Lumbee Indians, Beaver Creek Indians, African American |
The Brass Ankles of South Carolina were a "tri-racial isolate" group that lived in the area of Orangeburg County, Berkeley County, and Charleston County in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. They were a combination of African, European and Native American descent.
Although they were of mixed blood, their death certificates generally classified them as one of white, negro or Croatan. Most census records classified people of the group as mulatto. Some of their surnames were Jackson, Chavis, Bunch, Driggers, Sweat, Williams, Russell and Goins. Some of the Brass Ankles eventually absorbed into other groups, such as whites, the Beaver Creek Indians, Lumbee Indians, and other ethnicities.
Numerous people of mixed race have lived in a section of Orangeburg County near Holly Hill, called Crane Pond. The term has generally been considered as derogatory in nature, because by some accounts, "brass ankles" referred to those of mixed ancestry who tried to "pass" as white.[1] The Crane Pond community still exists. Reflecting their diverse ancestors, there are many stories about the origins of these people.
Some people formerly classified as "brass ankles" are members of tribes recognized by the state of South Carolina in 2005. For several decades, census surveys had no classification for Indians, so they were classified as other ethnicities or mulatto.[1]