
ĭuring the Revolutionary War the island has very few records of events, other than its use as a safe recovery space for American soldiers and their families. Gibbs died at a young age, and it is assumed that her father, Robert Gibbs, maintained her portion of the island. Both portions were to be passed down until the third generation, when they would become considered fee simple ownerships. In his will he left the southwestern portion of the island to his granddaughter Mary Gibbs, and the northeastern portion to his granddaughter Elizabeth Vanderhorst. Stanyarne built an estate that was valued highly, falling into a category of value that only 19% of the properties of South Carolina qualified for. The island was primarily used for cattle farming prior to the Civil War. Stanyarne then purchased the remaining half of the island from the family of Captain Davis.



The half left to his will was passed through family members until John Stanyarne acquired the property. On November 1, 1701, Captain Raynor sold half of the island to Captain William Davis, and left the other half in his will for his granddaughter. In 1699, former pirate Captain George Raynor gained possession of Kiawah Island. In the year 1670, the cassique of the Kiawah led English colonists to settle at Charlestowne Landing. Kiawah was named for the Kiawah Indians who were led by their head chieftain or cassique. The Bass Pond Site and Arnoldus Vander Horst House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Census Tract 21.04, located on the island, has a per capita income of $168,369, the highest in South Carolina. The proper pronunciation is sometimes considered difficult: the following reference provides an example pronunciation of Kiawah Island. Alternative spellings and variants of the name itself include "Kiawa", "Kittiwar" (in DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy), and "Kittiwah" (in George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess). The island is part of the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Kiawah Island's population was 1,626, up from 1,163 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, with spacious villas, beaches, large and acclaimed golf courses, and other attractions. Located 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina, it is primarily a private beach and golf resort.

Kiawah is a sea island, or barrier island, on the Atlantic coast of the United States.
