“C” is for Coming, Affra Harleston (circa 1651-1698)

“C” is for Coming, Affra Harleston (circa 1651-1698). Pioneer of early South Carolina. The Harleston family's property had been so ravaged by the English Civil War that two of the family’s children, Charles and Affra, left for South Carolina in 1669. Affra came on the Carolina as an indentured servant with a two year obligation to her sponsor. When she was free from her indenture, Affra married John Coming and they founded a substantial plantation, Comingtee on the Cooper River; acquired their own servants; and deeded part of their land claim at Oyster Point for the construction of what is now Charleston. Affra, who survived her husband by four years, built a house in Charleston at the intersection of Wentworth and Phillips Streets and donated seventeen acres to St. Philip's Church in Charleston. Affra Harleston Coming died in 1698.