Martha Zierden found one at Willtown, near Charleston. To me it looks more
like a wood burning brand (ie. for burning his name on rice barrels maybe?)
than one for cattle. It is about 1x3" and the brand was the plantation owners
name (J.Stobo) rather than a unique symbol. Ask Martha what their
interpretation was though.
Cattle brands were recorded in Colonial records in SC in the 17th century. I
am separated from my library and can't give a complete reference. Sorry. I
am sure I have seen it reproduced--perhaps in Merren's volume of Colonial
Records ("The Colonial SC Scene"), or one of the Carroll volumes called
"Historical Collections of SC."
I know that Richard Brooks wrote a thesis (at Univ. of South
Carolina--history) and some spin off papers on Colonial cattle ranching
several years ago. I'm sure he discusses brands and notching, but don't
recall any discussion of the physical objects.
Good luck,
Carl Steen