In 1707, South Carolina set up a reservation for the Yamasee Indians near the area now known as Point South. At first, the relationship between the colonists and the Yamasee tribe was friendly, but soon deteriorated, culminating in the Yamasee War of 1715.

During the colonial era, South Carolina had a diverse economy that included rice and indigo production, trade in deer skins, raising of livestock, and naval production.