Five Baronies were established in what is now Berkeley County: Fairlawn, Wadboo, Cypress, Whiskinboo and Rephoe.

Some other tracts of land were granted also:

• In 1677, Captain Richard received 150 acres in Goose Creek
• In 1677, John Maverick received 340 in Goose Creek and on the Cooper River
• In 1680, Bernard Shchenckhingh received 700 acres, Edward Middleton received 1000 acres and George Gourden received 300 acres
• In 1696, John Filben received 150 acres

In 1670, Lord Ashley established Charles Town with an organized fleet of settlers.

Berkeley Counties first settlers were mainly English. Barbadians of English descent settled the Goose Creek area. They were a powerful political faction know as "the Goose Creek Men". Also settling the Goose Creek area were French Huguenots. They settled the Orange Quarter on the Eastern Branch of the Cooper River at Jamestown known as "French Santee" at St. John's Berkeley and later in St. Stephen's Parish.

There were many immigrants to Berkeley County including Dutch, Germans, Scots and Irish. The first slaves were brought to Berkeley County by the Barbadians. Soon the slave population outnumbered the white residents three to one.

Berkeley County the Second Time Around

In 1882 Berkeley County was re-established with Mount Pleasant as it's county seat. In 1893, Moncks Corner was designated as the County Seat.

Establishment of Some of Berkeley Counties Towns

• Jamestown on the Santee River was founded in 1705.
• Childsbury on the Cooper River was founded in 1709.
• Cainhoy on the Wando River was founded before 1735.
• The Village of Moncks Corner was founded about 1754.
• Bonneau was establish in 1935.
• The City of Goose Creek was established in 1961 but the area has been called Goose Creek since the 1600's.

Agriculture in Berkeley County

Before the Revolutionary War, livestock was raised extensively. Trade of soft white deerskins, dressed by the indians, was important during the early colonial period. Brickmaking was also important during this period especially along the Cooper River where the Carolina grey brick was made at Medway, Parnassus and other plantations.

Rice and Indigo were important crops to Berkeley County. Rice was a great source of wealth and at one time was so valuable that it was used as legal tender. Indigo lasted only until 1800, except for small amounts grown for domestic consumption.