Hot and Hot Fish Club
Encyclopedia
The Hot and Hot Fish Club, also known as Hot and Hot Fish Club of All Saints Parish, was a gentlemen's club
in the 19th century in South Carolina
dedicated to epicurean pursuits: gourmet foods
, strong drinks
and festive times
. It started after the American Revolutionary War
(early 19th century) and ended during the American Civil War
(1864–65).
, ex-governor of South Carolina in the 19th century, writes at the beginning of the Rules and History of the Hot and Hot Fish Club booklet that he recalls as a boy of fifteen in 1816 that he would visit his older married sister (Elizabeth) in Murrell's Inlet
near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
. Her husband (John H. Tucker) was a sportsman that would hunt deer and fish in the nearby Waccamaw River
. When Allston visited he always enjoyed "club day", which was Friday during the summer months. On that day he would fish with Mr. Tucker.
The members of the Fish Club then, as Allston remembers, were
All these above were Allston's close friends. It was rumored that John Green could eat a peck of fish during this meal. He would put the fish into one side of his mouth and at the same time spit out the bones of the previous fish from the other side. The exaggerated rumor went on that all the while he would drink a quart of brandy!
He was known to say with a southern accent
:
Fish and rice
is very nice;
Pork and 'tater
Is much better.
and rice - besides the catch of the day! It was an elaborate potluck
, where each member would catch enough to contribute to the dinner and for his boat hands. Each member also was to bring some kind of side dish (i.e. bread, salad, pudding) for distribution among the other attending members. The fish caught for the day's event were bass
, sheephead
, hogfish
and varieties of panfish
.
The main meal for the day's social event was served sometime after 1 in the afternoon. At that time the President of the social club would raise a flag that signaled the fishing boats to come in. When the boats arrived they would survey the fish caught, discuss the variety, and give a description of the catch to the gathered crowd. The prized catch was the hogfish of North Carolina and Virginia.
They would use these fish caught for meals at the Fish Club that day. After the cleaning of the first set of fish caught, the fishing boats were put back into the nearby stream and continued fishing. They would arrive back then later, one by one, to deliver whatever choice fish they caught meanwhile. They were in turn cleaned and prepared for the main event meal that was commencing. Often the best fish came in last and those that knew this saved their palate
s for these later fish in the second course that were "hot and hot."
on the north end of "Drunken Jack", a stunted tree
island on Murrell's inlet at the southern area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
. The first club house was damaged during a storm, so was rebuilt on the mainland. Major Ward (member in 1816) had salt vats on a section of a "clam-bank" land area, where the second one was built. Once the new expanded club house opened up there were a set of new members added. At this time the future South Carolina governor, Robert Francis Withers Allston, had joined the club. John Walter Phillips was an honorary member.
A third "club-house" was at the residence of Dr. Post. The doctor later converted this area to a church. The Club was then set up in a temporary "wall tent" furnished by General J. W. Allston. Later a fourth permanent club house was built on the main land at the causeway owned by Dr. Hasell. Additional members then were Dr. William Magill, Dr. William A. Norris, and occasionally John Izard Middleton, Dr. Andrew, Dr. B.B. Smith, and John Ashe Alston. Several years later on September twenty-seventh 1822 this clubhouse was washed away. At this time a grant of about ten acres was given by Col. T. Pinckney, at "B. F. Dunkin's Midway plantation" (named because it was halfway between Horry county line and the tip of the peninsula). It was near a convenient crossing place between Wachesaw and Fraser's Point. Here a comfortable two room clubhouse was built by the members as the fifth and final permanent structure. It had a fireplace with an excellent chimney. Also the clubhouse had an attached ten-pin bowling alley, a billiard table, and a race course. The built-in kitchen was adequate to cook all the fish necessary for all the members on their yearly feasts. Joshua John Ward, son of Major Ward, donated a billiard table for entertainment.
Robert Francis Withers Allston became governor of South Carolina on the 21st of April in 1857. The Club, with about forty members, put on an elaborate dinner in his honor of becoming elected. It also happened to be his birthday!
1. Time and Place of Meeting
2. Admission of Members
3. Quorum
4. Officers
5. Duties of the President
6. Duties of the Vice President
7. Duties of Secretary and Treasurer
8. Duties of Members
9. Duty of Certain Members
10. Duty of each Member in Rotation
11. PRIZE RULE
12. Child
13. Marriage
14. State Office
15. Contribution
16. Discussions
17. Of Members absent from the Parish (passed, July 1860)
18. Changing Rules
}}
Gentlemen's club
A gentlemen's club is a members-only private club of a type originally set up by and for British upper class men in the eighteenth century, and popularised by English upper-middle class men and women in the late nineteenth century. Today, some are more open about the gender and social status of...
in the 19th century in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
dedicated to epicurean pursuits: gourmet foods
Gourmet
Gourmet is a cultural ideal associated with the culinary arts of fine food and drink, or haute cuisine, which is characterised by elaborate preparations and presentations of large meals of small, often quite rich courses...
, strong drinks
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
and festive times
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
. It started after the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
(early 19th century) and ended during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
(1864–65).
History
Robert Francis Withers AllstonRobert Francis Withers Allston
Robert Francis Withers Allston was the 67th Governor of South Carolina. He was born in All Saints Parish, South Carolina in 1801.He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1821....
, ex-governor of South Carolina in the 19th century, writes at the beginning of the Rules and History of the Hot and Hot Fish Club booklet that he recalls as a boy of fifteen in 1816 that he would visit his older married sister (Elizabeth) in Murrell's Inlet
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Murrells Inlet is a small fishing village in Horry County, South Carolina, United States that is considered to be the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina". The population was 5,519 at the 2000 census. It was once primarily a fishing village, but has grown substantially in modern time, along with the...
near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
. Her husband (John H. Tucker) was a sportsman that would hunt deer and fish in the nearby Waccamaw River
Waccamaw River
The Waccamaw River is a river, approximately 140 miles long, in southeastern North Carolina and eastern South Carolina in the United States. It drains an area of approximately 1110 square miles in the coastal plain along the eastern border between the two states into the Atlantic Ocean...
. When Allston visited he always enjoyed "club day", which was Friday during the summer months. On that day he would fish with Mr. Tucker.
The members of the Fish Club then, as Allston remembers, were
- Major Ward
- F. M. Weston
- Ben Allston
- Robert Withers
- Major W. A. Bull
- John H. Tucker and brother William
- J. Barrington Thomas
- John Green
All these above were Allston's close friends. It was rumored that John Green could eat a peck of fish during this meal. He would put the fish into one side of his mouth and at the same time spit out the bones of the previous fish from the other side. The exaggerated rumor went on that all the while he would drink a quart of brandy!
He was known to say with a southern accent
Southern American English
Southern American English is a group of dialects of the English language spoken throughout the Southern region of the United States, from Southern and Eastern Maryland, West Virginia and Kentucky to the Gulf Coast, and from the Atlantic coast to most of Texas and Oklahoma.The Southern dialects make...
:
Fish and rice
is very nice;
Pork and 'tater
Is much better.
Main Event
The main dinner consisted of beef, ham, local gameGame (food)
Game is any animal hunted for food or not normally domesticated. Game animals are also hunted for sport.The type and range of animals hunted for food varies in different parts of the world. This will be influenced by climate, animal diversity, local taste and locally accepted view about what can or...
and rice - besides the catch of the day! It was an elaborate potluck
Potluck
A potluck is a gathering of people where each person or group of people contributes a dish of food prepared by the person or the group of people, to be shared among the group...
, where each member would catch enough to contribute to the dinner and for his boat hands. Each member also was to bring some kind of side dish (i.e. bread, salad, pudding) for distribution among the other attending members. The fish caught for the day's event were bass
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
, sheephead
Sheepshead (fish)
The sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus, is a marine fish that grows to 30 in , but commonly reaches 10 to 20 in. It is deep and compressed in body shape, with 5 to 6 dark bars on the side of the body over a gray background. It has sharp dorsal spines. Its diet consists of oysters, clams, and...
, hogfish
Hogfish
The Hogfish is a species of fish that is a member of the wrasse, Labridae, family. The hogfish is one of the larger species of wrasses and is found in the western Atlantic Ocean with a range from Bermuda, south through the Caribbean Sea and northern Gulf of Mexico, continuing to the north coast of...
and varieties of panfish
Panfish
A panfish, also spelled pan-fish or pan fish, is an edible game fish that usually doesn't outgrow the size of a frying pan. The term is also commonly used by anglers to refer to any small catch that will fit in a pan, but is large enough to be legal. However its definition and usage varies with...
.
The main meal for the day's social event was served sometime after 1 in the afternoon. At that time the President of the social club would raise a flag that signaled the fishing boats to come in. When the boats arrived they would survey the fish caught, discuss the variety, and give a description of the catch to the gathered crowd. The prized catch was the hogfish of North Carolina and Virginia.
Fish cleaning
The boat hands that were elected to clean the fish had a procedure to follow. They wereThey would use these fish caught for meals at the Fish Club that day. After the cleaning of the first set of fish caught, the fishing boats were put back into the nearby stream and continued fishing. They would arrive back then later, one by one, to deliver whatever choice fish they caught meanwhile. They were in turn cleaned and prepared for the main event meal that was commencing. Often the best fish came in last and those that knew this saved their palate
Palate
The palate is the roof of the mouth in humans and other mammals. It separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. A similar structure is found in crocodilians, but, in most other tetrapods, the oral and nasal cavities are not truly separate. The palate is divided into two parts, the anterior...
s for these later fish in the second course that were "hot and hot."
Location
In 1816 the "club-house" was located within fifty feet of the inlet watersInlet
An inlet is a narrow body of water between islands or leading inland from a larger body of water, often leading to an enclosed body of water, such as a sound, bay, lagoon or marsh. In sea coasts an inlet usually refers to the actual connection between a bay and the ocean and is often called an...
on the north end of "Drunken Jack", a stunted tree
Stunt (botany)
In botany and agriculture, stunting describes a plant disease that results in dwarfing and loss of vigor. It may be caused by infectious or noninfectious means.-Infectious:A stunt caused by infectious means usually is too late to cure.* Nematodes...
island on Murrell's inlet at the southern area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
. The first club house was damaged during a storm, so was rebuilt on the mainland. Major Ward (member in 1816) had salt vats on a section of a "clam-bank" land area, where the second one was built. Once the new expanded club house opened up there were a set of new members added. At this time the future South Carolina governor, Robert Francis Withers Allston, had joined the club. John Walter Phillips was an honorary member.
- Dr. John D. Magill
- Dr. Edward T. Heriot
- Davison McDowell
- General Joseph Waties Allston
- Joshua John Ward (son of Major Ward)
- John G. North
- Capt. Thomas Petigru, U. S. N.
- Peter W. Fraser
- Robert Nesbit
- T. Pinckney Alston
- Thomas Howe
- John Hayes Allston
A third "club-house" was at the residence of Dr. Post. The doctor later converted this area to a church. The Club was then set up in a temporary "wall tent" furnished by General J. W. Allston. Later a fourth permanent club house was built on the main land at the causeway owned by Dr. Hasell. Additional members then were Dr. William Magill, Dr. William A. Norris, and occasionally John Izard Middleton, Dr. Andrew, Dr. B.B. Smith, and John Ashe Alston. Several years later on September twenty-seventh 1822 this clubhouse was washed away. At this time a grant of about ten acres was given by Col. T. Pinckney, at "B. F. Dunkin's Midway plantation" (named because it was halfway between Horry county line and the tip of the peninsula). It was near a convenient crossing place between Wachesaw and Fraser's Point. Here a comfortable two room clubhouse was built by the members as the fifth and final permanent structure. It had a fireplace with an excellent chimney. Also the clubhouse had an attached ten-pin bowling alley, a billiard table, and a race course. The built-in kitchen was adequate to cook all the fish necessary for all the members on their yearly feasts. Joshua John Ward, son of Major Ward, donated a billiard table for entertainment.
Members
It was in this fifth and last clubhouse that a set of Rules was developed by the members. The membership at that time was fifty dollars. The roll of living members that signed and adhered to a written set of rules developed in 1845 are below. The purpose of the Club was stated as being for "convival and social intercourse." The members that joined the Fish Club later after its founding in the early 19th century to the American Civil War were generally sons or relatives of the original members.- Dr. John D. Magill
- Col. F. W. Heriot
- Francis Weston
- W. Percival Vaux
- R. F. W. AllstonRobert Francis Withers AllstonRobert Francis Withers Allston was the 67th Governor of South Carolina. He was born in All Saints Parish, South Carolina in 1801.He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1821....
- Dr. Andrew Hasell
- Joshua W. La Bruce, Esq.
- John La Bruce, Esq.
- Col. T. Pinckney Alston
- Col. J. Motte Alston
- Dr. B. Burgh Smith
- Col. J. Harleston Read, Jr.
- Joshua Ward, Esq.
- Col. Charles Alston, Jr.
- Dr. John H. Tucker
- Wm. Hyrne Tucker, Esq.
- Plowden C. J. Weston, Esq.
- Dr. Wm. Joseph Magill
- Dr. Arthur B. Flagg
- Dr. Allard B. Flagg
- Joseph Alston, Jr. Esq.
- Robert H. Nesbit, Esq.
- William Allan Allston, Esq.
- Dr. William M. Post
- Col. J. Blythe Allston
- Capt. Mayham Ward
- Dr. Henry M. Tucker
- Col. Beni Allston
Robert Francis Withers Allston became governor of South Carolina on the 21st of April in 1857. The Club, with about forty members, put on an elaborate dinner in his honor of becoming elected. It also happened to be his birthday!
Rules
The written rules below were established in 1845 and signed by all members.1. Time and Place of Meeting
- The Fish Club was to meet at the Club House, at Midway seashore, each Friday starting at the first Friday in June. This was to continue each season through October.
2. Admission of Members
- A potentially new member was to be proposed to the existing members by the President and approved by a majority. The new member was to pay a membership feeSubscription business modelThe subscription business model is a business model where a customer must pay a subscription price to have access to the product/service. The model was pioneered by magazines and newspapers, but is now used by many businesses and websites....
of fifty dollars.
3. Quorum
- Two-thirds was established as a minimum quorumQuorumA quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that group...
.
4. Officers
- The President and Vice-President must be present at all meetings.
5. Duties of the President
- Each member in order of rotation was to act as President. He was to furnish a hamHamHam is a cut of meat from the thigh of the hind leg of certain animals, especiallypigs. Nearly all hams sold today are fully cooked or cured.-Etymology:...
and good rice. He also was to attend to the preparation of the dinner. It was to be on the table between 2 - 2:30 P.M. The President was to preserve order and select side dishes with the Vice President for games. Should the President be absent, then he must send his ham and rice for the dinner.
6. Duties of the Vice President
- The Vice Presiudent was to supply a special distribution dish and wine. He was also to supply the water and ice. He had to make sure the game dishGame (food)Game is any animal hunted for food or not normally domesticated. Game animals are also hunted for sport.The type and range of animals hunted for food varies in different parts of the world. This will be influenced by climate, animal diversity, local taste and locally accepted view about what can or...
was proper. He was also to announce if champagne was to be brought to the next dinner, so a member would know to bring wine or not the next time.
7. Duties of Secretary and Treasurer
- They shall keep records of the proceedingsMinutesMinutes, also known as protocols, are the instant written record of a meeting or hearing. They typically describe the events of the meeting, starting with a list of attendees, a statement of the issues considered by the participants, and related responses or decisions for the issues.Minutes may be...
, take charge of funds, do accounts receivableAccounts receivableAccounts receivable also known as Debtors, is money owed to a business by its clients and shown on its Balance Sheet as an asset...
and accounts payableAccounts payableAccounts payable is a file or account sub-ledger that records amounts that a person or company owes to suppliers, but has not paid yet , sometimes referred as trade payables. When an invoice is received, it is added to the file, and then removed when it is paid...
according to vote of the club members. The Treasurer was to also keep records of debts due.
8. Duties of Members
- Each member was to contribute at least one substantial dish for the club dinner and to bring no fewer than two knives and forks, two tumblers, two wine glassWine glassA wine glass is a type of glass stemware that is used to drink and taste wine. It is generally composed of three parts: the bowl, stem, and foot...
es, and two dinner platesPlate (dishware)A plate is a broad, concave, but mainly flat vessel on which food can be served. A plate can also be used for ceremonial or decorative purposes.-Materials:...
.
9. Duty of Certain Members
- An unmarried member was permitted to furnish a puddingPuddingPudding most often refers to a dessert, but it can also be a savory dish.In the United States, pudding characteristically denotes a sweet milk-based dessert similar in consistency to egg-based custards, though it may also refer to other types such as bread and rice pudding.In the United Kingdom and...
in lieu of the previous rule.
10. Duty of each Member in Rotation
- The member in rotation was to furnish sugar for the dinner for that season.
11. PRIZE RULE
- Should a member have twins, the other member in rotation must furnish a basket of champagne for the Club dinner. The names of the twins were to be announced after dinner by the President.
12. Child
- When a member adds a new child to his family, he is to furnish a basket of champagne for the dinner.
13. Marriage
- A newly-wed shall be complimented by each unmarried member with a basket of champagne for the dinner, in commemoration of the event.
14. State Office
- If a member is elected to a State office then he must furnish champagne for the Club.
15. Contribution
- Each member is to contribute annually five dollars for the contingent fund of the Club.
16. Discussions
- Any member can, through the President, call the Club to order. There can not be an appeal from the Chair at that meeting.
17. Of Members absent from the Parish (passed, July 1860)
- Any member intending to be absent for more than a year is to notify the Secretary or Treasurer. They then will not be liable for any pecuniary dues. By appealing to the Fish Club later, they can again resume their rights and privileges.
18. Changing Rules
- No alteration to the Rules could be made unless it was proposed in a previous meeting and the motion approved by a two-thirds vote in a subsequent meeting.
Sources
- "Booklet" of 20 pages, Rules and History of the Hot and Hot Fish Club of All Saints Parish (South Carolina), Evans & Cogswell, 1860, Plowden C. J. Weston, Esq (chairman)
}}
- Rogers, George C., The History of Georgetown County, South Carolina, University of South Carolina Press 1970, ISBN 0-87249-143-9