 During the Civil War, the town became a focal point for residents from the Lowcountry as a refugee destination during Union occupation of their towns.With the introduction of the cotton gin in the 1790s, the county's economic prospects increased as the importance of "King Cotton" grew, and slavery became an integral part of the economy.In 1800, 25% of all white families in the Upcountry owned slaves, but by 1820 nearly 40% were slaveholders.