Clarendon County Genealogy
- Formed 1855
- Parent district Sumter
- County seat Manning
- Neighbors Berkeley, Calhoun, Florence, Orangeburg, Sumter, Williamsburg
Clarendon County was formed in 1855 (Sumter). The county seat is Manning. Neighboring counties include Berkeley, Calhoun, Florence, Orangeburg, Sumter, Williamsburg.
Use the research panels below for modern starting points—government contacts, census, vital records, cemeteries—and read the legacy narrative for local history notes and older link collections (some updated).
Clarendon County was formed in 1785, but then became a part of the Sumter District in 1800. Later it was split from the Sumter District in 1857. The county was named for Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon (1609-1674). The Earl of Clarendon was one of the Lords Proprietors of the Carolina Colony. The county seat is Manning.
The county saw several Revolutionary War skirmishes, including one at Fort Watson, where an old indian mound had been fortified. The British soldiers were forced to relinquish their position.
This county is said to be where General Francis Marion earned the nickname "Swamp Fox".
The site again saw turmoil during the Civil War when several plantations were burning by Union Troops. In the 1950s Clarendon County's schools were sued over racial segregation in what was to be one of the cases leading to the Supreme Courts move against racial segregation. That case was Briggs vs. Elliot.
Clarendon County SCGenweb site
Clarendon County Courthouse
P.O. Box 486
County Courthouse
Manning, SC 29102
Census
- 1790 Federal Census transcription - Camden District
- 1820 Federal Census Transcription - Sumter district
- 1880 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of images named by page number
Military Records
- Company I, 23rd Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers
- Company I, 25th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers
- Company C, 9th Infranty Regiment
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Clarendon County:
- Alcolu
- Bloomville
- Davis Crossroads
- Davis Station
- Foreston
- Gable
- Goat Island Resort
- Jordan
- Manning (County Seat)
- New Zion
- Oak Dale
- Oakdale
- Paxville
- Sardinia
- Summerton
- Turbeville
- Union Crossroads
- Wilson
- Workman
History notes
Clarendon County's documentary trail follows South Carolina's district-to-county evolution. When searching before county formation, check parent districts and neighboring counties for deeds, estates, and tax lists.
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules (and some state/colonial substitutes) are foundational for Clarendon County household reconstruction. Start with every decade the family should appear, then correlate with land and probate.
Vital records
South Carolina statewide vital registration is comparatively late. For many Clarendon County families you will rely on a mix of county probate, church registers, Bible records, newspapers, and delayed birth certificates—not only a single “vital records office” file.
Cemeteries
Cemetery surveys for Clarendon County appear in published books, Find a Grave, USGenWeb archives, and local historical society vertical files. Always note whether a reading is complete or partial.
Courthouse & contacts
Clarendon County Courthouse
Manning, South Carolina
https://www.clarendoncountygov.org/