Growing up on the Combahee River: An American Story

Charlotte Murray's mother died after giving birth to her out of wedlock in Charlotte's grandparents' home along the Combahee River. She would have turned sixteen that February of 1957. After her death, Charlotte was raised at a cousin's house, on Sugar Hill and Hobonny-one of the most remote and isolated area in Beaufort County, sometimes called No Man's Land. For Charlotte, life was fun, sad, scary, and challenging. Not only was she essentially orphaned, but she had very few neighbors. With limited resources, Charlotte found joy in the beauty of nature: the river, moss trees, oaks and pine. Despite her challenging circumstances, Charlotte persevered and overcame her early obstacles. Her memoir will inspire and encourage others, showing that by the grace of God, anyone can succeed.