monday, march 16, 2009
free coloreds of South Carolina
In 1860 South Carolina was legislating laws that would reverse the free colored status. Thus, South Carolina was attempting by law to remove the rights and previliages of the free coloreds and by law to return them to the institution of slavery. During this time the free colored poplation was being harassed by the south carolina police, many becamed frightened and returned to their former slave masters; to escape prosecution and harassment from the police.
For a glimpse in 1860 South Carolina, read this article, which takes place in Charleston South Carolina, then you will begin to overstand the problems in the 1860 free colored, in the 1860 census.

On Borrowed Ground Free African-American
Life in Charleston, South Carolina -1810-1861
http://etext.virginia.edu/journal/eh./eh/36/poole.l.html