The History of “The Little House”

Louise Miller Cohen’s great-grandfather, William Simmons, who was born in Beaufort, was a slave who herded cattle on the Barnwell Plantation. Later as a freed slave, he enlisted in Company B, 21st U.S. Colored Troops and served in the Civil War. At various times during his service, he was based on Morris Island and Fort Walker on Hilton Head Island. After the Civil War, he purchased land on Hilton Head Island -- the land on which “The Little House” now stands. William Simmons died in 1922 and his daughter Celia sold the land to a member of her family.

“The Little House” was built in 1930 for Mr. Simmons’ grandson, William “Duey” Simmons, whom Mr. Simmons had raised. Mr. Simmons’ granddaughter Georgianna, who was Duey’s sister, bought the land from one of her cousins. Georgianna raised Louise and when Georgianna died, Louise inherited the land and the house. Through the generosity of Louise Miller Cohen, this land is now the site of the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island.

“The Little House” has been painted, etched and photographed by various well- known artists including Walter Greer, Mira Scott, Amiri Farris, and Maddy Ivans, and its image and history have been included in numerous magazines and newspapers.