Small earthquakes are surprisingly common on the coastal plain of South Carolina with shocks having been recorded since 1698. At around 7 p.m. in Charleston the latest of these was felt, lasting 20-25 seconds but causing little damage. The quake was also felt in parts of Georgia. In August 1886, Charleston would suffer its largest ever earthquake losing two-thirds of its buildings and more than 120 citizens. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1861 (Boston: Crosby, Nichols, Lee and Company, 1860), 407.