Cohen’s Bluff

Cohen’s Bluff: According to tradition, two Jewish brothers with the surname Cohen built a store and warehouse just north of Matthew’s Bluff, finding the location more suitable for their operations. Those familiar with the area point out that although some sources claim Matthew’s Bluff was later renamed Cohen’s Bluff, they are not one in the same. Locals distinguish between the two locations, explaining, Matthew’s Bluff is accessible only by water whereas Cohen’s Bluff can be reached by land.

Matthew’s Bluff: Matthew’s Bluff, less than one mile from present-day Cohen’s Bluff, was among the earliest settlements in the area, with records mentioning it as early as the 1750’s. Located along the Savannah River, it played an important role in the region’s activities during the Revolutionary War. During the war, both Patriots and Loyalists were active in the vicinity of Matthew’s Bluff. The Pipe Creek Light Horse, a Patriot cavalry unit composed of men from areas that would become Allendale and Hampton Counties, established a camp at Matthew’s Bluff. In 1779, following the Patriot defeat at the Battle of Brier Creek in Georgia, retreating soldiers crossed the Savannah River, with their commander, General John Ashe, seeking refuge at Matthew’s Bluff. Sadly, many of the men drowned in the murky waters of the river.