Internet Archiveopen access

History of Edgefield County from the earliest settlement to 1897

Class.F£77

Boole.. 'EgC4

HISTORY

OF

EDGEFIELD COUNTY

FROM THE EARLIESTSETTLEMENTS

TO

- 1897 -

BIOGRAPHICAL AND ANKCDOTICAL; WITH SKETCHES OF THP: SEMINOLE WAR; NULLIFICATION; SECESSION; RECON- STRUCTION; CHURCHES AND LITERATURE; WITH ROLLS OF ALL THE COMPANIES FROM EDGEFIELD IN THE WAR OF SECESSION; WAR WITH MEX- ICO AND WITH THE SEMINOLE INDIANS.

BY

JOHN A. CHAPMAN, A. M,

Author of SECOND PART OF ANXAI.S OF NEWBERRV; SCHOOL HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ETC.

^fovMll'

NEWBERRY, S. C.

ELBERT H. AULL, PUBLISHER AND PRINTER. 1S97.

Entered accordiug to Act of Congress iu the year 1S97,

By JOHN A. CHAPMAN,

In the office of the Librarian of Cougrejs,

At Washington, D. C.

INTRODUCTION.

The author of this book is a native of Edgefield District, born before it was shorn of its fair proportions, as it was in 1S17, before a part was cut off to form the County of Aiken, and long before it was further divided to form Saluda County. He was born within three miles of Saluda River on the old Charleston and Ninety-Six Road, which, in Revolutionary times, was one of the main highways leading from the low countr}' and the Congarees to Ninety-Six. The place is now in Saluda Count}'.

From his boj'hood the author was a great reader and student of history. Nothing pleased him better than to get hold of some good book telling of the deeds of other times, and stories of Marion and his men, and others of that heroic age. Unfor- tunately, books that told the history of that period were too few; but he had Weems' Life of Washington and of Marion, and a book of American Biographies published in 1830, all of which were well suited to cultivate a taste for history and make the reader long for more.

With such a training in earh^ life it is not surprising that, as he grew older, he read everything that could throw light upon the early history of his State and the formation of the Union and the rights and duties of the States in the Union. In writing this book he has faithfully sought and drawn from every source of information available. All books, of which he could get hold, giving information of the first settlers and their struggles, he has used; and individuals and friends in all parts of the Counties of Edgefield and Saluda, and .some outside, have freely and gladly helped him in his work. To these, one and all, he gives his grateful and heartfelt thanks. One dear friend, who loaned him many old books, and who assisted him greatly otiierwise. has only recently, 1S96, left this stage of life for a better, William G. Whilden.

Met: of Edgefield and Saluda, and 3'ou children of Edgefield elsewhere, the author has done his best. This book now be- longs to you and to your posterity; and the author cannot per- mit himself to believe that you will turn coldly from it because you may think that it has some errors and defects. Of one truth 3-ou may be sure, that it is absolutely impartial in its treatment of men and their deeds. Can you desire more?

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

I.

FIRST SETTLEMENT.

Before the year 1785, Edgefield County was a part of Ninety- Six District, which then included a very extensive territory iu the upper part of the State. By the Act of the IvCgislature of that year, March 12, 1785, Ninety-Six was divided into the Counties, afterwards called Districts, of Edgefield, Abbeville, Newberry, Laurens, Union, and Spartanburg. Augusta, as we shall see, was founded in the 3'ear 1736, and a very active and important trading post had been in existence already for some years at the place on the Savannah where Hamburg was afterwards built. Previous to its occupation b}^ white people the greater part of the territory was in the possession of the numerous and w^ar-like tribe of Indians, known as the Chero- kees. The Southern part, lying on the Savannah River, was used by other tribes. Savannah, Creek, &c, as hunting grounds. Of these Indians, their habits, manners, customs, and traditions, it is not necessary at this time, to write, as our purpose is to give a history of Edgefield as it has been since its occupancy by Europeans and their descendants.

ROVING TRADERS.

For many years before there was any permanent settlement the whole upper country was traversed by roving traders, who bought skins and furs from the natives and made large profits by the trade. Beavers, buffaloes, bears, and other animals, whose skins were very valuable, as well as wolves, catamounts, and wild cats, were quite as plentiful as squirrels and rabbits are now. There were also many wild deer, and at one time the exportation of skins from the State, or colony, ran up as high as to two hundred and fifty thousand a year. As far back as the year 1690, some time before the English settlers on the Ashley knew that there was such a people in existence as the Cherokees, a man named Daugherty, a trader from Vir- ginia, lived amongst them for purposes of traffic. From his

6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD,

time many adventurers, in search of trade and fortune, fre- quented all the towns and war-paths of the nation. This trade, for some years, was very profitable, for the Indians knew little or nothing of the value of their goods, and for a few showy trinkets, and gems of small value, the trader on the Savannah, or the Catawba, could procure peltries which he could sell in Charleston for many times their cost.

One of the first settlers of the upper country, Anthony Park, who lived to a very advanced age in the adjoining County of Newberry, travelled in 1758, several hundred miles among the Indians to the west of the Alleghany Mountains. And even then he found several w^hite men who said they had lived among the natives as traders twenty years; some forty or fifty, and one as many as sixty years. One of these traders had up- wards of seventy decendants then living in the nation. These traders were mostly Scotch or Irish. These men, however, were not settlers, in the proper sense of the word, although they had lived for so many j^ears in the nation. They were only transient persons; pioneers of the true settlers, living in the wilderness for the purpose of traffic, — a love of adventure, and a desire to be rid of the restraints of civilized life. The territory of Edgefield was traversed, time and again, by these adventurers, as it lay in the direct line of route from Charles- ton and the Bdistos to the rich, game-abounding country about Ninety-Six and the country above.

From the best information obtainable, we find that the ear- liest permanent settlements within the limits of Edgefield County were made about the 3^ear 1748. Ninety-Six was set- tled about that tini^. In May, 1750, a party of Monangahela Indians, led by a Cherokee guide, passed down the Savannah to attack the Euchees, who were friends of the English. These Euchees lived about two miles belovv' Silver Bluff. The Mo- nongahelas were defeated and fled, the Euchees pursuing. They passed through the pine woods about ten miles from Vv'^here Hamburg now is, movirig in a direct line for the then weak settlement of Ninety-Six. The pursuit was so close that the fleeing Indians Avere compelled to throw away their guns, blankets, and plunder. They avoided Ninety-Six and did not stop running until thej- reached the Cherokee towns. We find that one year later. May 7, 1751, Mrs. Mary Gould, called b}-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 7

Captain John Fairchild Mrs. Cloud, living on Little Saluda River, was severely wounded by two Savannah Indians, who killed her husband and children and a young man who was sleeping on the floor. These murders were committed treach- erously, the savages having entered the house in a peaceable manner and having been kindly entertained by Gould and his wife. Several distressed families in that neighborhood then deserted their homes and retreated down the country to the Congarees to avoid the Indians. In August of the same year Capt. Fairchild informed the Governor, James Glen, that he had ranged with his company as high up as Ninety-Six, and had built near that place a fort of puncheon logs for the pro- tection of the people of that settlement. That fort was built on the north banks of John's Creek, where a flourishing civil- ized settlement was founded cotemporaneous with the first ever planted in any part of Ninety-Six District.

In May, 1751, Captain Francis, of Ninety-Six, urged upon Governor Glen to take into consideration the dangers to which the people there and on the Saluda were exposed from the in- cursions of the Northern Indians and the French. In July of the same year Captain Francis again wrote to the Governor, urging the necessity of building a fort, and of sending up a company of Rangers for the protection of the people. The fort was built in August b)^ Captain Fairchild. At this time the Indians were committing considerable depradations. In- deed, from 1749, soon after the first permanent settlements were made in the District, to the close of Col. Grant's cam- paign in 1 761, there was not a family in all this part of Caro- lina that was not exposed to serious danger from the inroads and attacks of the savages.

In the summer of 1753, Gov. Glen invited all the leading men of the nation to meet him in Charleston and hold a gen- eral conference for the settlement of difficulties. At this time some Savannah Indians were held as prisoners by the Governor for depradations committed on the whites, and Little Carpen- ter, a leading Chief of the Cherokees, said although he did not defend the Savannahs, yet, "if they are punished the path will be made bloody, and no white man will be able to come to our countr}'. " "You," he says to the Governor, "and those about you will be safe; but many a straggling white man will

8 HISTORY OF EEGEFIELD.

lose his life." The conference was long and closed apparently all right, as there were expressions of good will from both sides. But the good will was more apparent than real. A trader, named McDaniel, who had come down wath the Chiefs, refused to return with them, because, he said, "it would be certain death for any trader to do so while the Savannahs were held as prisoners." We hear of these Indians again before they reach the end of their journey. They returned by the pathway, or trail, that led to the Congarees and to Saluda Old Town. On the Little Saluda lived Stephen Holston. His home was not far from the trail. By the time the Indians had reached tlie Little Saluda they had run short of provisions. The escort of ten soldiers, sent by the Governor, had left them at the Congarees, and there was no white man with them ex- cept perhaps the trader Butler, who had long been in their coun- try. The Indians, forty in all, stopped at Holston's, surrounded the house and demanded a supply of provisions. Holston, himself, was absent, but Mrs. Holston readily supplied their wants, but in spite of her kindness they continued to show a restless dissatisfaction which it was impossible for her to appease. When night came on two of them insisted upon being permitted to sleep upon the floor of the house. This, after some hesitation, she permitted. About midnight, when .she and her servants were fast asleep, those outside surrounded the house, and the two, who had been lying on the floor, opened the doors, and the whole party rushed in, whooping and yelling and firing off their guns. Mrs. Holston was ter- ribly frightened, and finding that they were about to force open the door of her room, she seized her baby, jumped from the window to the ground and ran. She did not cease running until she came to the house of a neighbor several miles distant. The Indians did not pursue her, as they were not in a very blood-thirsty humor, but only sullen and discontented. They contented themselves with robbing the house of all the pewter plates and dishes, tea cups and a kettle. They took also thirty bushels of corn, and two valuable mares from the stables. When Holston returned home he found his property gone beyond hope of recovery. He laid his complaint before the Governor and petitioned for indemnit}-; but whether his peti- tion was ever granted does not appear.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 9

The reader will notice that amongst Mrs. Holston's losses mention is made of pewter plates and dishes. There are not a great many persons now living in Edgefield whose memory goes far enough back to remember when pewter plates and dishes were displaced by the introduction of delph ware. But it has not been so very long; nor has it been so very long since the old fashioned flax wdieel and distaff were in common use. The present writer remembers sitting at table and eating off pewter plates, many and many times; and the heavy pewter dishes, or bowls, or basins, in which food was placed upon the table. All were thick and heavy. I remember also seeing a strolling manufacturer, with molds, who made thin light plates and dishes. These, however, were not nearly so good and durable as the old fashioned thick and heavy ones, though they were much nicer to look upon. When delph ware first came into use I found it exceedinglj' difficult to hold my fork to its place whenever I tried to cut a piece of meat on my plate. It would slip and run away. With a pewter plate there was no such trouble. The fork had firm holding ground as I could always make one, or both its tines, stick into the metal of the plate deep enough to hold. I have betrayed myself again — forks had only two prongs then. They were not split spoons, nor as well adapted to carrrying food to the mouth as those in use to-day.

BUILDING FORT KEOWEE.

A fort on the borders of the nation, or in the nation, had long been desired by the traders and settlers, and even by some of the best disposed Indians themselves. As early, even, as 1734, the importance of such a fort had been recognized in Charleston: but its erection had been put olT, from time to time. And the colonists, instead of building the fort them- selves, had petitioned the Parliament of Great Britian to build it. After ^-ears of delav the province was compelled to do the work at its own expense, and the Council directed that land be purchased from the Indians, and that the fort be erected as near as possible to the Indian town of Keovvee. Ac- cordingly Governor Glen, in the fall of 1753, visited the country of the Lower Cherokees, bought a quantity of land, and built the fort at Keowee. It was claimed that by this purchase the En- glish acquired the territory now embraced in the Districts of

lO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

Abbeville, Edgefield, Laurens, Union, Spartanburg, New- berry, Chester, Fairfield, Richland, and York. Whether this claim is just or not, it is certainly true that from this time the settlements began rapidly to extend. But be this as it may, the building of the fort, which was called Fort Prince George, purchased only a brief peace for the nation and short-lived confidence on the border. Massacres soon began again, and the savages were as restless and annoying as before.

CONFERENCE AT SALUDA OLD TOWN.

Governor Glen again invited the Chiefs to meet him in con- ference in Charlestown. They refused to go to Chariest own, basing their refusal, they said, on the fear of the fatal sickness which they had before contracted there, and which they might again contract. They agreed, however, to meet at some place between the nation and Charlestown. The meeting took place at Saluda Old Town in the summer of 1755.

Of what was actually done at this conference we know but little; but an enthusiastic admirer of the Governor, a man named Moses Thompson, writing to him in January, 1756, says: "I cannot forget my impressions of your paternal care of South Carolina since you came among us. First, your journey to Ninety-Six, to settle a peace with the Cherokees; and thence to Savannah to make peace with the Creeks. Second, your long journey to the Cherokee Nation to build a fort. Third, your journey to Saluda, in the heat of summer, to settle a second peace with the Cherokees in troublous times; which act crowns all the rest; for I verily believe there never was such a firm peace made with any Indians before, and all resulting in the advancement of the indigo manufacture. And likewise your great care of our back-settlers; for when I was Major under j^our Excellency; I cannot forget 3'our care by 3^our in- structions to me on several occasions; besides your private letters to me to inform your Excellency of any event, that proper steps might be taken for our safety. I think your suc- cessor will have nothing to do but to walk in 3'our footsteps; for you have paved the plainest road that can be taken, which, I think, will keep your memory in the minds of the people when you are dead and gone."

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. II

II.

SETTLERS OF VARIOUS NATIONALITIES.

Edgefield, like other parts of the middle sections of the State, was settled by people representing the various nationalities of Europe — English, Scotch, Irish, Welch, German, Dutch, and French — English predominating so greatly as to make the English language the language of the country; though several others are spoken in the United States in different sections and are the every day language of the people, especially German, Swedish, and French. I^ike other parts of the upper country, Edgefield received many settlers from the North, from Penn- sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; and also perhaps some few from colonies farther North. Some also came from Georgia, as in the early days of that Colony, there were laws prohibiting the sale and use of rum and other ardent spirits, and also the introduction of African slaves. Many Georgia settlers, not liking these laws, moved over into Caro- Hna where the use of both was allowed. No matter from what region they came, nor of what nationality, they were a hardy, brave, energetic, industrious, adventurous set of men, such as pioneers must always be.

CULBREATHS, HAZELS, &C. Among the earliest settlers on the Saluda side of Edgefield, was a Scotch family, or perhaps there were several families, who settled in the year 1756 about four miles south of where Cliappell's Ferry now is, and near where afterwards was or- ganized and built by them the Baptist Church of Chestnut Hill. This church, by the way, was named Chestnut Hill because it was built on a hill-side near where grew many chest- nut trees, some very large. This growth was found nowhere _ else in the neighborhood. This settlement was called Scot- land, and is still known and recognized by that name by some of the older citizens, though the descendants of the Culbreaths, the original settlers, are no longer there. Joseph Culbreath was born in Scotland, near Plymouth, in 1747, and was brought over to Edgefield by his father, Edward Culbreath, who settled there in 1756. Edward Culbreath, the father, lived only one year after coming to this country, dying in 1 757. He left four sons surviving him, Joseph, John, Daniel, and Edward. These

12 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

all lived to be over seventy years of age. Luke Ciilbreath, the grandson of Joseph (his father was John whom I remember well), was eighty-four j-ears of age in May, 1891, and has lived sixtj'-two years at his present home near Pleasant I^ane, ten miles north of Edgefield C. .H. There were once many Cul- breaths in "Scotland," but now there are none in that region of country and the name is almost extinct in Edgefield. James Y. Culbreath is a la\\yer at Newberry. He is a direct de- .scendant of Edward Culbreath, the founder of the colon}- at "Scotland." His father was William, a brother to Euke Culbreath, above mentioned.

There was a family named Hazel, Scotch also, who came with Edward Culbreath to seek new homes in a new world. The head of the family was Harry Hazel. Some of that fam- ily are still living in that part of the country not far from the original place of settlement.

Passing down Saluda, not far from "Scotland," and near Saluda Old Town, is an old .settlement, now owned, that is part of it, by Johnson Hagood, and is cultivated as a grass farm, that is, the low grounds bordering on the river. The other part, which includes the original homestead, is owned b}- J. Y. Culbreath, and others, of Newberry. It was here at this old homestead where Capt. William Butler, of the Revo- lution, found his wife, Behethland Foote Moore. This place was settled a few years after the settlement at "Scotland," by Mr. Savage from Virginia, who had married the widow Moore, the mother of several children, William, Geo»'ge, and Beheth- land.

ABNEYS, &C.

A little out from Saluda, and a mile or two below "Scot- land," and on the old Ninety-Six Road, we find that land was granted to William Abn^y, February 14th, 1772, sixteen years after the Culbreaths came. William Abney settled and lived upon the land thus granted until his death. Some of his de- scendants, at least some of the Abneys, lived upon the place in the old house as long as it was a homestead — not a great many 3-ears since. William Abney \vas the ancestor of John R. Abney, a la\vyer now living in New York City, and of Ben Ab'.iey, elected to the State Legislature from Richland Count v.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 3

His home is in Columbia. Pie also is a lawyer. Xear William 'Abney settled Samuel Abney, a brother, I think, to whom land was granted February 19th, 1772. Michael Abnej' was in the same neighborhood. Land was granted to him October 3rd, 1 771 . Lower down Saluda, just below Higgius' Ferry and lying on the river, land was granted to Dannett Abney, June i-|.th, 1768. From him descended O. L. Schumpert, Esq., sometime mem- ber of the Legislature, aftenvards Solicitor of the Circuit in which he resides. His home is at Xewberr}-. Dannett Abney met with a tragic fate during the Revolutionarj^ war. He was butchered in his wife's arms by Cunningham and his men in that celebrated raid of 1781, the sole object of which seemed murderous revenge. To Xathaniel Abne}' on the river, b'ing just above and adjoining Dannett's, on both sides of the road leading to the ferr\-, lands were granted October 5th, 1763, and September 20th, 1766.

The.se Abneys all came from Virginia to this State. The family is Norman-English, Norman- French. The name was originally D'Aubigne, and was changed to the present form four or five hundred years ago — about the middle of the fif- teenth century.

Isabella Madison, the wife of Nathaniel Abney, was a great and wise woman, ruling her household of children and servants with a firm but gentle hand, wisely and well. Twelve children were the fruit of this union. Their youngest son, Azariah Abney, lived and died on the original homestead, and it is still in the family, owned in 1891 by Joel Abney, a grandson of Azariah. Dr. M. \V. Abney, of Edgefield, was descended from thi!^ pair through his mother, Martha Wills, who was a granddaughter of Nathaniel Abney. Isabella Abney Boj'kin, daughter of Dr. M. W. Abney — died in 1 889— was as queenly and wise as her great ancestress.

Nathaniel Abney was capt?in of a militia company under Major Andrew Williamson at Ninety-Six, November 15th, 177.5, but what part he took after the war was fairly begun, and after the Declaration of Independence, does not appear. But he was on the side of Independence.

These Abneys all obtained grants of land before the Revo- lutionary war; but there were several others, not yet mentioned, to whom lands were granted after the war. John Abney, Febru-

14 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

ar}^ 5th, 1798; Paul Abney, February 5th, 1798; Samuel Ab-

ney, January 7th, 1811. As large as this family was at the

beginning of the century, and for some years afterwards, there

are but few persons who now bear the name in Edgefield

County. I should have mentioned just above, that the Rev.

Mark Abney, so well known at Edgefield and in the county;

the good, the pious Christian and useful Baptist preacher, was

also a descendant, a grandson, of Nathaniel Abney and Isabella

Madison.

TOWLSES, CARSONS, &C.

The Tovvleses, ver)' active and brave Whigs, were, I think, settlers about the year 1760 above "Scotland," in the Half Way Swamp country. Between them and Ned Turner, in fact between them and almost all Tories, burned the fire of implacable hatred. The Chappells were also in the same neighborhood. About Saluda Old Town were the Carsons, brave and true Whigs. Old Mr. James Carson used to tell an anecdote of one of the family, his father, I think, very much like one related by Kennedy of his hero in the story of Horse Shoe Robinson. He said that one day riding alone he stopped his horse at a small creek, or stream of running water, to let him drink. While his horse was drinking, Mr. Carson, not dreaming of danger so near, naturally let his head fall for- ward in a thoughtful, meditative manner. When the horse was through drinking and raised his head to go forward the road was found to be full of Tories, ready and waiting and completely' blocking the way. Mr. Carson's first impulse was to turn and flee the way he had come, but, glancing back- wards, he found the road barred in his rear also. Without a moment's hesitation he rode forward, extended his hand to the leader of the band and said that he was very glad to meet them; that he had given up the Whig cause as a failure and had concluded to take the other side. He affiliated with them and so entirely disarmed their suspicions that they soon ceased to watch him closely and in a little while he made his escape.

I do not know the exact time when many of these settlers, Carsons, Towleses, Butlers (not Gen. Butler's family), Scurrys, Andersons, and others, not far from Saluda, Scotland, and the Island Ford, came into the country; but it was from 1756 to 1766, during which period the great wave of immigration

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 15

rolled down South from Penns37lvania, Virginia, and North Carolina into South Carolina; when sometimes the number amounted to as many as a thousand families a year, with all their movables and horses and cattle.

FERRIES— SALUDA.

Ill the year 1770, a ferry was established at Saluda Old Town, from the lands of Charles Carson on the south side of Saluda, to the opposite shore at the lands of William Turner. The ferry was vested in Charles Carson, his Executors, Ad- ministrators, and Assigns. By the same Act a road was or- dered to be made and laid out from the south side of the ferry to the nearest and most contiguous part of the road lately laid out and established by the name of Kelly's Road.

Anderson's Ferry over Saluda was established December 19th, 1795. This, I believe, is the same as the Island Ford Ferry. At Abney's Ford and vested in Nathaniel Abney and Francis Higgins, December 19th, 1795. After some years this ferry was rechartered and vested in Francis Higgins alone, and I believe it is still known as Higgins' Ferry, though sometimes called Kinard's.

There was a ferry at Chappell's before the Revolutionary^ war — kept by the Chappells. On December 21st, 1792, a bridge was authorized to be built by Thomas Chappell, in whom the right of taking tolls was vested. I do not think the bridge was ever built, as a ferry at that place was rechartered, December 20th, 1800. And again in 182 1, and vested in Charles Chapman. But in a few years it became Chappell's Ferry, which name it held for many years. Recently a bridge has been built, wdiich is to be free. About the year 1845, Mr. John Chappell built a single span covered bridge at that place. The investment was not profitable and the bridge before many years washed away, and the ferry was reopened.

Previous to the year 1765, the Government of South Caro- lina had given the upper countr}^ very little attention, little more, indeed, than was found necessary to regulate trade with the Indians. The Governor and Council could do little more. In 1765 an Act was passed to establish a ferry from New Windsor to Augusta. New Windsor vv^as where Hamburg now is. The place must liave been named New Windsor by

1 6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

John Stuart, Agent for Indian Affairs, as the ferr}- was vested

in him.

By the same Act a ferry was established from the ierry of

Moses Kirkland to the opposite shore on Saludy River — "Sa-

ludy", so spelled in the old printed Act. This same Moses

Kirkland became somewhat celebrated in after 3'ears as Agent

of the British and Tories, acting in concert with John Stuart

in rousing the Cherokees to attack the border settlements at

the same time the attack on Fort Moultrie was made.

B}^ the Act of 176S a road was established from Orangeburg to Saluda and thence to Bush and Rayburn's Creeks — and also for making and establishing a public ferry over Saludy River, and vesting the same in Samuel Kelly and John Mill house. The road thus ordered to be made from Orangeburg to Saluda is surely the same known as Kelly's Road, with which the road leading from Carson's Ferry at Saluda Old Town was to join at the most contiguous part.

Again in 1770 a ferry was established over Saluda River at the lands of Robert Cunningham — and another ferr}- over Sa- vannah River, opposite to Augusta in Georgia.

The reader will notice that these roads and ferries were all made and established before the Revolutionary war. Others were opened soon after the war, notice of which will be made. STEWART SETTLEMENT.

Just below Dannett Abne3''s, on Saluda River, was the Stewart settlement, notorious in local annals for devoted at- tachment to the Royal cause during the Revolution, and for their warm personal friendship for Ned Turner and Bill Cun- ningham. Their homestead was at or near the mouth of Tosty Creek, a small stream emptying into the Saluda, and called Tosty, or Tosta, by the natives. This settlement began as early as 1760, or about that time.

Mr. John Stuart, of New Windsor, on the Savannah River (whether connected with the Stewarts above named I do not know), was an officer of the Crown, wholly devoted to the Royal interest, and to him, for some )'ears prev.'ous to the be- ginning of the war, had been committed the management of Indian affairs in upper Carolina. Under these circumstances he felt bound to exert his* influence to attach the Indians to the Royal interest. Yery earl}- in the contest he retired to

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 7

West Florida, and from that province employed his brother Henry, a Mr. Cameron, and some others, to penetrate into the Cherokee country. A plan was settled by him in concert with the King's Governors, and other Royal servants, to land a. British army in West Florida, to proceed with it to the Western frontiers, and from there, in concert with the Tories and Indians, to fall on the friends of the Revolution at the same time the attack should be made on the sea coast. Moses Kirkland was employed to proceed to Boston to concert with Gen. Gage, who then commanded there, the necessary means for accomplishing this design. The plan failed by the capture of Kirkland and the ship which was conveying him to Boston. The affair had made such progress, however, that the Chero- kees began their massacres two days after the British fleet made the attack on Sullivan s Island. Of that war with the Cherokees, and of the part Edgefield people bore in it, some- thing more will be said after awhile.

I introduced Mr. John Stuart here, under the impression that he might possibly be connected with the Stewarts of Tosty Creek, as they, too, were devoted friends to the Royal cause. In my boyhood I knew Alexander Stewart well. His home was at the old family homestead near the Saluda, where the family first settled. I have frequently heard it said that he kept and cherished fondly, as a precious memento of olden times, a British officer's old red coat, and epaulettes, which had been worn by an ancestor, or kinsman, in the Revolutionary war. I never saw these things, but I have no doubt of the truth of the facts stated.

l8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

III.

PERRYS, COLEMANS, TROTTERS, &C.

There were other early settlers in that part of Edgefield bordering on Big Saluda and Persimmon Creek, not yet men- tioned. These were the Perrys, Colemans, Trotters, Berrys, Nunns, Summerses, Rileys, and McCartys, to say nothing as yet of the Brookses.

As the settlements in Abbeville began about the same time with those on the Saluda side of Edgefield, we will make a little excursion into that county. Both counties being parts of the original District of Ninety-Six their histories are neces- sarily very intimately connected. In the year 1756, the same 3^ear in which the Culbreaths came to "Scotland," Patrick Calhoun, with four families of his friends, settled on Long Cane in Abbeville. Before he came there were only two fam- ilies, one named Gowdy, the other Edwards, in that extremity of the country. After 1763 the population increased rapidly.

INCONVENIENCES OF THE SETTLERS.

At this period of time the settlers in all parts of Ninety-Six District labored under very great inconveniences in regard to the administration of justice. Some of the new comers were not law-abiding, but quite the contrar5\ Some men were without families — mere adventurers, who had thrown off the restraints of civilized life, and felt as though they were amenable to no law except their own wills.

During the war with thp Cherokees, which broke out in 1759, several settlements' were broken up and property of various kinds was abandoned. After this var was over the evils generated thereb}^ continued for some time. There were no courts for the trial of violators of law held outside of Charleston until the 5"ear 1770. The only legal authority in all Ninety-Six District was that of Justice of the Peace ap- pointed by the Governor. In this unpleasant condition of affairs it is no wonder that well- disposed citizens were moved to take the administration of law and justice into their own hands. And this, although altogether justifiable at first, in-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. T^

variably leads to abuses. In this emergency arose the Society known as Regulators. These Regulators, in the year 1764, under the leadership of some of the best men in Ninety-Six District, such as Thomas Woodward, Joseph Kirkland, and Barnaby Pope, organized themselves and signed an instrument of writing in which they bound themselves to make common cause in pursuing and arresting all horse thieves and other criminals. Horse stealing was a very common offence; and the offenders when caught were tried by the Regulators and, if found guilty, were punished by whipping on the bare back, with many or few stripes, according to the number of their misdeeds. These provoked the horse thieves and their friends to lake active measures to counteract the proceedings of the Regulators. Nearly all the inhabitants of the District took part on one side or the other. Those opposed to the measures of the Regulators made such representations to Lord Charles Montague, then Governor, that he took measures for their suppression. With this end in view he conferred a high commission on a man named Scovill, a man whom his neigh- bors, especially the Regulators, thought very unfit for the office. As though the District were in a -^tate of rebellion, he erected the Royal standard and called upon the Regulators to submit. He arrested two of them and .sent them to Charles- town, where they were imprisoned. The parties formed op- posing camps prepared for war, but each one hesitated to begin the fra}'. They finally agreed to break up camp, go home, and that each party petition the Governor for redress of grievances. This was done, and the result was the passing of the Circuit Court law, which established Courts at Ninety-Six, Orangeburg, and Camden. A sullen peace was made, but the ill feeling between the parties did not die out. A few years afterwards, when the troubles with the mother country began, the Scovillites became Tories and the Regulators and their friends Whigs.

CHANGES IN THE NAMES OF PLACES:

It is curious to note the changes that have taken place in the names of some places since the country was first occupied by the whites. Hamburg was originally Savannah Town, taking its name from the native Savannahs. It was an im-

20 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

portaiit trading station, and about the 5'ear 1730 Fort Moore was erected near it for its better protection. After that period the place was usually referred to as Fort Moore. In the year 1747, a ferry over the Savannah River was established at the garrison of Fort Moore in New Windsor — rechartered, as al- ready mentioned, in 1765, from New Windsor to Augusta, Ga. For some years Savannah Town, or Fort Moore, was a very important trading station, the Indians, themselv-es, cutting a trail from their upper towns dowai the east bank of the Savan- nah to that place. After Augusta was founded in 1736, the trade was drawn off; Savannah Town was deserted, and Au- gusta soon became a large town, with many houses and people, and a busy trading mart. This cit}' is the first example on the Continent of the rapid growth of a Western village into a populous town.

Many years afterwards an enterprising Hollander, named Shultz, of whom a sketch will be given further on, built the city of Hamburg as a rival to Augusta. For a long time it was an active busy place doing a large trade. It was the terminus of the South Carolina Rail Road, which con- nected it with Charleston. At the time of its completion this was the longest rail road in the world. Hamburg was a for- midable rival to Augusta, but its glory has long since de- parted. Some time during the year 1862, or 1863, I rode through it with a friend in a bugg3% and it was then the most lonely, desolate looking place I had ever seen. What it is now I know not. I have never seen it since, except from the windows of the rail road coach as I passed down the road. Hamburg died, but Augusta still grows and has never faltered nor halted on its way of progress from the year of its founding until now.

OPENING OF PUBLIC ROAD. '

In the year 1770 a public road was opened and established from Orangeburg Bridge to Indian Head; one from Indian Head to the road which leads from the Ridge to Augusta ; one from the Ridge Road to lyOng Cane Creek; one from I,ong Cane to Great Rocky Creek; one from Great Rocky Creek to Mountain Creek, near Coffee Town; and one from Robert Goudy's at Ninety-Six to the Ridge, and from thencc to the

HISTORY OF KDGEFIKLD. 21

road that leads from Indian Head to Long Cane. The student of Edgefield history will see from the establishment of these roads, and also of the ferries across the Saluda and Savannah Rivers, that the progress of the settlements and the increase of population was quite rapid. Twenty years had made a wonderful change. But the same rapid evolution of life has been going on without cessation from that day to this. I re- member when Chicago was a village in a marsh. I remember Fremont's expedition across the Rocky Mountains when his men were compelled to kill and eat their starving mules to keep themselves from starving. I remember when the West beyond the Mississippi was a region almost as little known as the interior of Africa is now. San Francisco was not; Texas was not, save as an unexplored Mexican province, the home oi countless buffaloes and wild horses. We here have stood almost still, but the wave of population has rolled steadily westward, across mountains and rivers; building great cities as it moved, and making iron and steel roads for travel, until it has met the far Pacific in the West. Do the waves of Ocean stop the movement? Nay! Japan is quickened and awakes to a new life, feeling an electric shock from the land across the Sea.

CHRISTIAN PRIBER.

We have seen that although there were occasional wrongs done by both whites and Indians, yet it is probable that there would have been no general war between the English settlers and the natives of the upper country had it not been for the intrigues of the French. At an early daj^ the French had oc- cupied the northern portions of the Continent; they had passed westward through the Great Eakes; had found the upper part of the Mississippi; had explored that river to its mouth; had founded the city of New Orleans; had built a chain of forts from its mouth to its upper waters, and now aspired to the oc- cupation of the larger part of the Cootinent by hemming in the English and confining them to the slope on the Atlantic lying east of the Alleghany Mountains. To be successful in this grand scheme, it was necessary that they should foment dis- cord and keep up an endless war between the English and the native Indians. In these efforts they were only too successful, though the ultimate result was loss to themselves, and the sur-

22 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

render, after many years of bloody and useless war, of all their northern possessions to the English. I^ouisiana, an immense tract of countr}^, comprising their southern and western pos- sessions, was purchas^d from the Emperor Napoleon by Mr. Jefferson in 1803. One of the greatest, most artful, and most successful intriguers the French ever sent amongst the Chero- kees was a man named Christian Priber, a German Jesuit in the service of France. He was sent amongst them as early as the year 1736, the year of the founding of Augusta. Although a man of great learning and intelligence; a Hebrew, Greek, and Latin scholar, yet he made himself, to all intents and pur- poses, an Indian. He married an Indian woman of great beauty and intelligence; painted himself as a son of the wilder- ness, and so completely identified himself with the natives that his most intimate friends could scarcely have distinguished him from the people with whom he lived. He entirely won their confidence and impressed their minds with feelings of hatred and contempt for the English, representing them as rapacious, greedy, and dishonest. Priber's object seems to have been the founding of a great Indian Empire, composed of the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and other tribes. Had he lived it is problematical whether lie could have succeeded or not, but his career was cut short by his captivity and death. About the year 1741, business called him to Mobile, which was then a French towm, near the head of navigation on the Tallapoosa, the English traders among the Creeks, suspecting the object of his journey, went in a body to the town of Tooka- Jiatchka, where he was lodging, and arrested him. They car- ried him to Frederica; delivered him to Gov. Oglethorpe, who put him in prision, where he soon afterwards died. But his mfluence did not die with him. He had filled the minds of the natives with distrust of the English, which never ceased to rankle in their hearts and alwa5's prevented a firm and settled peace. In the meantime, also, the use of rum had lowered and degraded their manhood, and the small-pox, carried up from Charlestown in a pack-horse train of goods, had further demoralized them by carrying off many in death, and disfigur- ing for life many of the survivors. All these evil influences combined produced a state of ill feeling in the nation, which was never entirely allayed, and finally culminated in the great

HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 23

war of 1760-61, at the conclusion of which the Cherokees parted with a large portion of their lands, and retired higher up the countr}', near and among the mountains. This war is usu- ally known as Grant's war. Colonel Grant was a Scotchman, a colonel in the regular British service, and had general com- mand of the forces engaged — the troops raised by the Province of South Carolina, as well as his own regiment, — though the South Carolina regiment was under the immediate command of Col. Middleton. fX.^^

In this war first appear the names of Andrew Pickens and of others of Ninety-Six District; and Francis Marion, of the low country, who served with distinction and found it a good training school for service in that great war which was to fol- low not many 3'ears thereafter. Andrew Pickens was a native of Pennsyh'ania, and had moved to Ninety-Six District only a few years before the outbreak of this war.

24 HISTORY OF EEGEFIELD.

IV.

OBSTRUCTING WATER COURSES.

In the early days of Edgefield fish of various kinds were so abundant, and furnished so much food for the people and of such excellent quality, that their preservation was considered a matter of prime importance. Owing to the increase of popu- lation it b2:ame necessary to build mills for the grinding of corn into meal to supply the people with bread, and also saw- mills for the cutting of timber into plank for building pur- poses. This was before the days of steam, and dams across the streams became necessary in order to utilize the water power. These dams, of course, obstructed the free passage of fish, and especially shad, which in the early days of the colony, at certain seasons, were very numerous in all the larger streams nearly up to their sources. Here was a conflict of interests. The mills were necessary for the grinding of corn and also for the sawing of lumber, and the fish were a necessary article of food. The complaints of the people whose supply of fish was, in a great measure, cut off by the dams, became so earnest and troublesome, that the matter was made a subject of legislative investigation, and resulted in the passage of a Fish Sluice Law, March 26th, 1784. It was enacted that all owners of all dams, or other obstructions, on Broad, Saludy, Pacolet, Tyger, and Enoree Rivers, and Steven's Creek, should, within six montbs alter the passage of this Act, build slopes, or make openings in their dams or obstructions, so that the fish at all times might freely pass up or down said rivers; in default whereof the per- son offending, shall on conviction, forfeit the sum of forty shillings for every day such obstruction should continue. But the necessity of having good mills was so great that it con- quered the supposed necessity of having a good supply of fish and the law at length became obsolete and died a natural death — I think it never was repealed. But the right to catch shad in Saluda, and the profit resulting therefrom, were not aban- doned without severe struggles to retain them; the last and most determined of which occurred in 1824. In that year a company of twenty men living near Saluda, in the districts of

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 25

Abbeville and Laurens— none from Edgefield, it appears — assembled at Svvansey's Ferry, with a boat ready to float down the river, with all necessary tools and implements for cufing away the dam at Lorick's Mills — now owned by James Her- bert— which obstructed the free passage of fish. The law could not operate itself, and as the people in the neighborhood of the dam did not seem disposed to enforce it, and as they lived too far remote from the obstruction and from the Court House of the District in which the obstruction lay, they pre- ferred to cairy out the provisions of the law in short form, the due aad ancient form being entirely too inconvenient. This dam had been built, partly or entirely, at the expense of the State under the auspices of Col. Blanding, as part of his great scheme of making the Saluda a navigable stream. The canal, which was dug in furtherance of the scheme, has never en- tirely filled up yet, and is still to be seen. It was dug on the Newberry side of the river. The dam was very strongly built, with heavy pens of rock below it to buttress and secure it. Showing some respect for the Statute a small, narrow gap had been left open, but not deep enough for the purpose required by the law. When the party arrived at the Sv-ene of action and saw the strength of the dam and considered the magnitude of the work they would have to do if they accomplished their purpose, their ardor was considerably dashed. However, they concluded that it would not do to return home without having done something, and so they bravely set to work and toiled arduously for three days. In that time they opened a passage six feet wide and considerably deeper than the original one. Concluding this to be sufficient for the end designed, they de- sisted and returned home. Numerous spectators had gathered on both sides to witness the proceedings, but no one offered any opposition. A short time afterwan's the breach was effectually closed, and the dam made stronger than ever before. No effort was ever again made to remove the obstruction.

EDUCATION.

Education has never been neglected in Edgefield by the peo- ple nor by the State. Doubtless there has been individual neglect, and there still is, notwithstanding the universal free school svstem. At all times since the first settlements were

26 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

made there have been many good schools in the county, and it has always been possible for those persons who desired a good education to get it. On this subject I can write know- ingly, for I am a native of Edgefield County. All the educa- tion I ever received at school was received in the County, at schools taught by teachers natives of the County, with the ex- ception of three, and only two of the three were from other States, — one from Maine, who married and lived in the County the balance of his life — living at this time, 1891, I believe; the other was from North Carolina; and, I fear, the least compe- tent of all to teach what he professed. One was a native of York County, a brother of Gen. D. H. Hill. One of my teachers was Charles K. Johnson, a son of Rev. William B. Johnson, of Edgefield, founder of the Johnson Female Institute at Anderson. Charles K. Johnson was a graduate of Yale College; a ripe scholar — a man for w^iom I felt a reverence as great as it is possible for a boy to feel towards any young man. "To me, whatever he may have been to others, he never spoke a harsh word, but was always as mild and gentle as possible. I shall always bear him in grateful remembrance and think of him as the type of the perfect gentleman. What he was in the ■world I know not, I never knew; so I can onl}^ think of him, and it does me good to think of him as all that was noble. From him I learned the mysteries of English and of Latin grammar, and learned to read a little Ivatin. In the war against the Seminole Indians, he was a volunteer and served a three months term in Florida. He afterwards went to New Orleans, in which city he died. In those days when I was a pupil of Mr. Johnson's, short- breasted, long-tailed, swallow- tailed blue coats were in fashion, with bright, brasj buttons on the breast and skirt. I can never forget how much I admired the appearance of Mr. Johnson and his friend George Addison, who was also a pupil, as they walked off together after school was over for the day. The tip ends of the long skirts of their ■coats touched the calves of their legs, and they were both tall young men. It was at this school that I first saw Preston S. Brooks, James C. Brooks, Thomas Butler, Butler Thompson, Bart Blocker, Thomas Bird, John R. Weaver, George Blocker, W. ly. Jennings, George Bell, Mahlon Padgett, two or three Tomkinses, W. W. Adams, and many others, some of whom

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 2^

tave long since gone to the land of the leal, and some still linger here.

As it was in the section where I was born and reared so I have reason to believe it was in all parts of Edgefield. The opportunity to acquire a common school education, if no more, was always there, even from the first. Some parents willfully neglected the opportunities and advantages before them and permitted their children to grow up in ignorance. I knew one family where the children grew up with very little knowledge of books and whose manners were rather uncouth and unre- fined; but who, so far as money was concerned, were prosper- ous and well to do. Indeed, it was the love of money, the desire to accumulate, that caused the parents in this case to neglect the education of their children. Money was preferred to letters. Are there not some such cases yet? Not onl}^ were there schools in all parts of the county where reading, writing, and arithmetic were taught, and where these were, perhaps, the highest branches, with a course of lyindley Mur- ray; but there were academies of a higher order in different parts of the State and county, in which a better education could be obtained. The same Legislature which divided Ninety-Six District into several smaller counties, chartered a college to be erected at Ninety-Six, and also other colleges at several other places in the State. On March lytli, 1785, five days after the passage of the Act for the division of Ninety Six-District, an Act was passed for erecting and establishing a College at Winns- borough, in the District of Camden; a college in or near the city of Charlestown; and a college at Ninety-Six, in the Dis- trict of Ninety-Six, in the State of South Carolina. Similar Acts had been passed before the Revolution, and some w^ere passed even during that stormy period. Nor was the State ever backward in appropriating money for Common School pur- poses. The appropriations were always liberal; amply suffi- cient, as w^as supposed, to meet all the exigencies of the case; that is, the education in the common English branches, of all who were not able to educate themselves. The public school system, as we have it now, is a creature of modern introduc- tion, and the State pays, per annum, for each child so edu- cated about two dollars. Under the old system each child, edacated by the funds appropriated for that purpose, cost never

28 HISTORV OF EDGEFIKLD.

less than four dollars per year, aud sometimes as much as ten in Edgefield. I do not wish to condemn our present school system, but it does not, and cannot, in the very nature of things, give an education worthy of the name. However, if one is thirsty and cannot have a full draught of water it is better to have a spoonful than none. For our present pur- pose it is enough to say that the cause of education has never been neglected in Edgefield. A county which has produced and reared such men as Maxiraillian EaBorde, A. P. Butler, P. M. Butler, the Bacons, Brookses, Charles K. Johnson, and many others, and Which has been the home of the Hammonds, Chancellor Wardlaw, Carroll, Griffin, Spann, Moragne, Mc- Duffie, General Gary, and others, whose names I cannot now call to mind, has no cause to be ashamed of itself. Of the living, as the Tillmans, Senator Butler, the pen of the historian should not write much; but as public men and serv^ants have we any reason to be ashamed of them?

The Edgefield Village Academy was incorporated December 1 8th, 1824, though the village itself was not an incorporated town until 1830. The Academy was established and in suc- cessful operation some years before it was incorporated. James J. Caldwell, of Newberry, afterwards Chancellor, taught there in 18 19. The village was made the county seat in 1791 and the first court was held there early in 1792. Certain escheated property was to vest in the village and the Society Academies to the amount of ten thousand dollars. In Decem- ber, 18 1 5, thirty-seven thousand dollars were appropriated by the State for general educational purposes, of which Edgefield received its due proportion. It was also enacted at the .same time, that not less than that amount should be the annual ap- propriation. An inspection of the Acts of the Legislature will show that the State was never indifferent to the education of its children.

Professor La BDrJe received his early education at the Edge- field Village Academy, and thus writes of it: "Among ray early teachers was Robert L. Armstrong, who taught for four years in the Edgefield Village Academy. He was from York District in our State, and a graduate of our College. He was remarkable for his industry and strict discipline. The Academy prospered under his direction — students poured

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 29

in from the contiguous districts, and not a few from Geor- gia."

At this time, 1891, there are graded schools in operation in the town of Edgefield, in which several hundred children, both black and white, receive instruction in the ordinary English branches at the public expense. Besides the public schools, which have proven insufficient for complete educational pur- poses, there are open, for eight or nine months in the year, not less than twenty good schools in which the pupils paN' for their tuition.

30 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

THE BUTLER FAMILY.

Passing out from Saluda to the neighborhood of Big Creek, near where Butler Church, Methodist, now stands, we find the old homestead of the Butler family. Capt. James Butler, the founder of the family in Edgefield, came from Prince William County, Virginia, a few years before the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, bringing with him his family.

FROM A. p. BUTI^ER'S FAMII^Y BIBLE.

The following entries are taken from an old Bible which James Butler had at his death':

William Butler, son of James Butler and Mary his wife (before marriage a Miss Simpson), was born December 17th, 1759-

James Butler, son of James Butler and Mary his wife, was born March 2nd, 1761.

Thomas Butler, son of James Butler and Mary his wife, was born November 4th, 1763.

Nancy Butler, daughter of James Butler and Mary his wife, was born September 27th, 1765.

Elizabeth Butler, daughter of James Butler and Mary his wife, was born 17th December, 1766.

Sampson Butler, the son of the above, was born February i8th, 1769.

Note. — What is found on this page was written b}' my grandfather before or during his imprisonment in Charleston.

The names of the two sens, Stanmoreand Mason Butler, are from some cause omitted.

In another place in the Bible is this: Gen William Butler was born in Loudon County, Virginia, in 1759.

William Butler married Behethland Foote Moore June 3d, 1784.

Behethland Foote Moore was born near the Maryland line in Virginia, December 28th, 1764.

Mr. William P. Butler, in some notes that he gave me of the Butler Family, says: "We have no knowledge of Capt. James Butler prior to his emigrating from Virginia between 1680 and

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 31

and 1720." This is quite a mistake, as his sou William was born in Virginia in 1759. He says also that: "Miss Sarah But- ler, sister of Capt. James Butler, killed on Cloud's Creek, by Cunningham's band of tories, married first Capt. Smallwood Smith, by whom she had two children, recollected Jacob B. Smith and Sarah Butler Smith, wife of Ryden G. Mays."

Elsewhere it is stated that Sarah Butler married Jacob Smith of Mount Willing.

The following is a copy from a manuscript written b}' Hon, A. P. Butler:

FAMILY MEMOIR.

General William Butler, the subject of this memoir, was born in Prince William County, Virginia, in 1759. His father. Captain James Butler, removed with his family to South Caro- lina and settled in the District of Ninety-Six a few years before the Revolution. They were destined to take their full share in the storni}^ times that w^ere approaching. Captain Butler, before he had time to attend his private affairs, was called upon to engage in the public concerns oi the country. He served in the Snow Camp Expedition under General Richard- son and was under General Williamson in his expedition against the Cherokee Indians. In 1779, upon the call of General Lincoln, who had assumed command of the Southern forces, he repaired to his camp near Augusta, Ga. , but was taken sick and was unable to follow the army in the subse- quent campaign.

From this period few events of Revolutionar}- interest oc- curred in the upper part of the State until after the fall of Charleston. The capitulation of the forces in the city and the dispersion or retreat of the small detached corps, which had kept the field during the siege, was regarded by the Royal commander as a restoration of British authority, and both civil and militar}- organizations were engaged to maintain it. The inhabitants of the State were called upon to swear alle- giance to the British authority and to take British protection. The village of Ninetj'-Six was designated as a place for the surrounding country to appear for the purpose. The proc- lamation was thought to be delusive and many persons appeared on the day without fully understanding its import.

32 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

Among these was Capt. James Butler, who, when informed of what was demanded of him, positively refused to conform to the terms of the proclamation. The British officers in com- mand immediately put him in irons and threw him in Ninety- Six jail, from whence he was transferred to Charleston where he was confined in the provost for eighteen months. Upon his release, towards the last of the year 1781, from this severe and lengthened imprisonment he returned once more to his home, where he was fated to remain hut three weeks bsfore he was called on to seal with his life his devotion to the cause in which he had already suffered so much. The incidents of the bloody tragedy in which he died can be paralelled only in the annals of civil strife.

From the beginning of the contest with the mother country a difference of sentiment had existed in the State on this sub- ject. South Carolina had been a pet province of the Crown. The grievances complained of by the commercial colonies were unfelt by her, and a strong conservative feeling pervaded a large class of her people. This feeling wai= strongest in the up country where the inhabitants took arms from the begin- ning upon either side of the quarrel, and the contest conducted by irregular troops assumed a savage guerilla character, in which, says General Greene, the inhabitants pursued each other like wild beasts.

A marauding party of Loyalists had made an incursion in the neighborhood of Mount Willing, near which Capt. Butler lived, carrying off considerable booty, and a band of Whigs being formed for their pursuit, he was called upon to take com- mand of the expedition. At first he positively refused to go at all, saying that his hardships and privations already en- dured, and his recent return to his home ought to exempt him from such an undertaking. But his son, James Butler, one of the party, refusing to continue of the expedition unless his father assumed its direction, Captain Butler yielded to the appeal and consented to go as an adviser, the actual command being in Captain Turner. The Loyalists were overtaken, dispersed at Farra's Spring, in Lexington District, and the horses and cat- tle they had taken recaptured. Upon the return of the Whig party they stopped at Cloud's Creek and encamped, refusing to mo\-e onwards or to adopt the ordinary precaution against

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 33,

surprise, notwithstanding the urgent remonstrances of Captain Butler. It was not known then who were the lyoyalists they had been pursuing, but the next morning demonstrated the wisdom of his advice. They proved to have been connected with a larger band, and about sunrise, the band amounting to some three hundred men, under the lead of William Cunning- ham, approached and attacked the camp. Taken by surprise and utterly disorganized, the little party of Whigs, about thirty in number, rallied and took shelter in an unfinished log house without doors or windows. They were fired upon by Cunningham's party, and a demand for surrender per- emptoril}^ made. Its terms were enquired by the Whigs and the response of the Tories was that they were unconditional, but that they would receive a communication from them.

Smallwood Smith was selected for the office; Cunningham's first inquiry was who are of 3'our party? On hearing that young James Butler, the son w^ho had been engaged in the affair in which Radclilf was killed was among them, he , deter- mined to give no terms that would exempt this young man from his sword. Cunningham was well acquainted with the father, Capt. Butler, having served with him in the expedition against the Indians, to which allusion has already been made. It is said he had rather a partiality for him and would have entertained terms of capitulation with the party had it not been for the presence of the son.

Capt. James Butler sent Cunningham a special message that if he would spare his son he would make an unconditional surrender of himself. The young man, however, learning Cunningham's animosity to himself and entertaining the im- pression that his father or he would be sacrificed in the event of any surrender, determined to run all the hazards of a con- test of arms, and exclaiming that he would settle the terms of capitulation, commenced the contest by firing his rifle and killing a Tory by the name of Stewart. It is said that nego- tiation had been commenced to save the officers and sacrifice the privates. But be this as it may, this demonstration of courage concluded the parley, and young Butler, but 19 years old, received a mortal wound while kneeling to pick his flint for a second discharge. The gallant but expiring boy called his father, who had gone upon the expedition unarmed in his

34 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

character as adviser, to his side, handed him his rifle; and told him there were yet a few balls in his pouch. The father took the gun and discharged it until the ami^unition was exhausted. But the death of the young man produced a panic in the little party contending against such hopeless odds, and an uncondi- tional surrender was the result.

They were placed upon a ladder placed as a bench and heard the terrific order given to put them to the unsparing sword of retaliation and revenge, but two of the number escaped; the rest were slaughtered where they stood. Capt. James Butler caught up a pitchfork and defended himself until his right hand was severed by a sabre stroke.

The tragedy did not terminate here. A detachment of Tories, under the cominand of Prescott, a subordinate leader, was left to meet any burying party that might be sent to inter the mangled victims, and especially to meet the subject of our memoir, then a Captain of Rangers, who, it was expected, would hasten to the spot. But William Butler was too far from the sad scene to be present even at the funeral ceremo- nial. Women performed the melancholy rites. Mrs. Sarah Smith, a sister of James Butler, the elder, (his widow at the time being in a state of confinement) was summoned to the scene. Her brother's body was recognised by his hand being severed, but the rest could not be identified by their relatives. James Butler, the younger, was supposed to be identified. A large pit was dug, into which the unburied bodies were indiscrimi- nately placed; but a separate g^ave was prepared by the direc- tion of Mrs. Smith, in which the remains of the Butlers, father and son, were deposited and over which an humble monument with filial piety has since been erected.

WILLIAM BUTLER.

When Lincoln issued his procl-mation from his camp near Augusta, William Butler repaired to his standard as a lieuten- ant of militia. The American leader's purpose was the inva- sion and reclamation of Georgia. Leaving a corps of observa- tion at Purysburg, under Moultrie, he had scarcely crossed the Savannah River higher up when his sagacious adversary, Prevost, finding the way to Charleston open, made a brilliant dash for the capture of that city, and had nearl}^ succeeded.

HISTORY OT EDGEtlEtD. 35

\VhtTi "he crossed the Savannah the citj' was without defences. and Lincoln beHeving the movement but a feint, delayed to» pursue him; but Moultrie, throwing himself in his path, met him at Tulifiny and Coosa whatchie, and by a defensive retreat delayed his advance until field works sufficient to withstand a\t assault could be thrown up for the defence of the city.

The approach of Lincoln's force, as well as Governor Rut- ledge with militia from Orangeburg, forbade regular ap- proaches, and Prevost commenced his retreat by way of the islands to Savannah. The militia from the up country were then discharged, but William Butler, who had been of the de- tachment engaged in the action of Stono, remained and at- tached hiniself to Pulaski's Legion, in which he remained during the campaign of 1779. He was with the gallant Pole' until his death at the siege of Savannah, and always spoke of, him as a bold, dashing dragoon officer. (He complimente?d his memory by naming one of his grandson's after him. )

During the captivity of his father in Charleston all the re- sponsibilities of family obligations devolved upon William Butler. It was at that time, too, the time immediately suc- ceeding the fall of Charleston, that that brilliant race of par- tisan leaders, whose achievements threw so much of romance over the war at the South, sprang into existence. And when General Greene took command of the Southern army in 1780, the depression which had followed the fall of Charleston dis- appeared entirely from public sentiment and South Carolina was once more the most warlike State of the Confederacy.

General Greene's movement upon Ninety-Six is a matter of history. At that time William Butler was ser\'ing under Gen- eral Pickens on the Carolina side of the Savannah River near Augusta. He was at the siege of Augusta, and after the fall of that place, having been detailed by General Pickens to attend Colonel Lee to Ninety-Six, then also besieged, he was present at the interview between Greene and Lee, upon Lee's arrival, in the which the latter suggested the attack upon the stockade. General Butler always expressed himself with em- phasis in .speaking of this interview, repeating the words of Lee, that "the spring must be taken." Greene replied: "How can it be done without a general assault?" Lee re- sponded: "Allow me to take the stockade on the opposite side

'36 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

and my guns wil] then drive them from the water. ' ' The

stockade was then taken and the garrison deprived of the use

of the spring, an operation which it has been conceded by

aiiiUtary critics if accomplished at an earher period of the siege

would have resulted in the fall of the place before it could have

been relieved. As it was, Cruger, commanding the garrison,

managed to prolong his defence by sinking wells in the star

redoubt. Terms of capitulation had been proposed which

'Greene refused, believing he could still take the place by

, pushing the sap against the star redoubt under Kosciusko's

- directions. The approach of Lord Rawdon with the relieving

'iorce blasted his hopes.

A corps was detached to meet Rawdon while an assault wpon an incomplete breach was hazarded. Some skirmishing between Rawdon' s advance guard and this corps took place jiear Saluda Old Town, in which some were killed and , several wounded. A young lieutenant from Virginia by the name of Wade was shot, and as he fell from his saddle, with a genuine trooper's care for his steed, forgetting himself, exclaimed to his comrades: "Don't let my horsi fall into the hands of the enemy." He was carried to the house of Samuel Savage and finally recovered. The Americans fell back -and the combatants had not long swept by when a young •. dragoon officer with a white plume and the cockade of the Whigs in his hat, and accompanied by an orderly, rode up to Mr. Savage's and learned from his step-daughter, who had just rcl:v.rned from the vicinity of Ninety-Six, that the siege was raised and Greene in full retreat had crossed Saluda at the Island ford, with L,ee's legion bringing up the rear. The young officer v/as William Butler, and this was his first meeting v/ith the lady whom he subsequently married. He had been detached from the army of Ninety-Six upon some . separate service under General Plenderson, from v.'hom he .derived his first commission as captain in 1781. He at once determined to join the retreating arm}', and being told that ;±wo stragglers from Rawdon 's force were down in Savage's low grounds, taking the plantation horses, he took them pris- oners, mounted one of 'theni behind himself and the other l>ehind his orderly, swam Saluda near what is now called Boaz- ..man's Ferry^ and joined I^ee about ten miles from the Island

HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 37/

ford on the Newberry side. He had learned from the prisoners that Rawdon had rushed forward a strong light corps, em- bracing both cavalry and infantry, in hot pursuit of the Amer- icans. When William Butler came up with Lee he informed him of the pursuit, and the information came none too soon. Lee had halted his command and was lying on his saddle- - blanket, making a pillow of his saddle. His prompt direction, to Armstrong, one of his captains, was: "Form your troops in the rear and fight while we run." The legion was barelj' again on the march w^hen the enemy appeared; but Armstrong- made the required demonstrations with such gallantry and con- fidence that the enemy, apprehending an engagement with it stronger force, paused for reinforcements and Lee was enabled to put himself in close communication with the main body, which was then halted at Bushes Creek.

After this time William Butler was a partisan, sometimes serving as second in command under Ryan, and sometimes in the same position under Watson — both partisan leaders of local distinction. At a subsequent period he raised and commanded a company of mounted Rangers, under a commission from General Pickens, confirmed l)y the Gov- ernor of the State. While serving under Watson he was engaged in an expedition against a band of Tories, who had organized themselves on Edisto. The expedition rendezvou.sed. at the Ridge, Edgefield District. Michael Watson, the leadier., was a determined and resentful man, and consulted too much the counsels which these feelings suggested. When they met the Tories at Dean's Swamp the latter were stronger than had been expected, and though partly taken in ambush and the- Tories occupying a strong position he disdained a retreat. The Whigs had fallen back at the first fire with symptoms of panic and a faltering response to the order to charge. But few obeyed with the stern alacrity they were wont to welcome it. Many obeyed not at all. Again driven back, the stern old war- rior shouted his rally and ordered his men to stand to their duty. But about fifteen came up to the call. They had originally gone into the fight against superior numbers, and the Tories strongly posted in the swamp, which position they still main- tained. Watson was mortally wounded by a ball through the hip while loading his rifle behind a tree. William Butler then.

38 HISTORY OF KDGKFIELD.

assumed the command, giving his lieutenancy to John Corley, and, the danger of the party requiring a resort to desperate measures, placed him in rear with an order to cut down the first man that gave way. It happened that Joseph Corley, among others, was about to give way, which would have lefc the small remnant of the Whigs to certain destruction. John Corley, true to his instructions, with drawn sword menaced his brother with instant death unless he returned to his post. Joseph did return and behaved well afterwards.

Vardell had been killed, and before his breath left him he begged his comrades not to let his body fall into the hands of the Tories. The wounded Wat'^on, lying between the con- tending parties, had made a similar appeal, specially to Wil- liam Butler: "Billy, do not let them take me."

The Whigs made one more charge and carrying off their comrades retreated, but found time to bury poor Vardell under a clay root and cover him with tlieir swords. At some little distance from the scene of conflict they took refuge in a wooden outhouse, being pursued, but circumspectly, by the Tories. Watson, severely wounded, and the sudden ap- prehension of d.ath, still maintained a military resolution. A woman happened to be in the house in which they entered whose infant, some three weeks old, was in a dwelling some distance off. Watson insisted she should be detained; that their weakened condition required concealment and she might betray them. They foimd, means, however, to get informa- tion of their perilous situation to Orangeburg, and Captain, subsequent!}' General Rumph, hastened to their relief. Under his escort Watson was carried upon a litter in a dying con- dition to Orangeburg where he expired and was buried. Wil- liam Butler superintended the military honors of his funeral.

While serving with Ryan the subject of our memoir was engaged in another expedition against the Tories in Orange- burg District. They were in force near the Court House. A number of Tories, finding their condition desperate, deserted to the Whigs, and Ryan, distrusting them, placed them in front with instructions to his men to shoot them if they proved false. In the fight which ensued his chief was again disabled and William Butler assumed the command. The Tories were de- feated.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 3^

In 1782 Cunningham made a second incursion into the Ninety-Six District. Perfectly familiar with the country in his youth, possessed of great sagacity, fertility in military ex- pedients and endowed with all the physical qualities so essen- tial to the partizan, he was no mean adversary to contend with. A favorite manoeuvre with him was to divide his command upon the march into small detachments, to be concentrated by different routes near the point at which the blow was aimed. In this manner he had concentrated his force at Caradine's ford on Saluda. William Butler then was commanding a company of Rangers under the authority of General Pickens and, with a portion of his company marched to meet him. With a view to ascertain the enemy's position he resorted to a ruse. Ap- proaching the residence of Joseph Cunningham, near the junc- tion of Little Saluda with Big Saluda, he sent forward his brother, Thomas Butler, with Abner Corley to the house at night. Thomas Butler was an excellent mimic and, imitating the voice of one of William Cunningham's men, called Nibletts, asked from without where our friend Cunningham was. The wife of Joseph Cunningham replied that he had crossed at Caradine's ford. With that information William Butler him- self rode up to the house and mounting Joseph Cunningham on a horse compelled him to guide the party across the ford.

They crossed the ford at 12 o'clock at night and next morn- ing halted in a peach orchard near Bauknight's Ferry. The horses were unbridled but with the saddles on feeding upon peas out of a canoe when a grey mare, which Cunningham was known to have taken out of the neighborhood, was ob- served passing back, having escaped from his camp. This incident disclosed in some measure the state of affairs, and the Rangers received the orders to march. The Rangers num- bered some thirty and Cunningham's men about twenty. The bloody scene of Cloud's Creek animated any encounter between Butler and Cunningham with more of the feelings of the duello than the battle-field. Approaching the Tory position unob- served, John Corley was detailed with eight men to gain their rear and upon a concerted signal to commence the attack, while the main body advanced under cover of a hedge. The Tories were drying their blankets by their camp fires; Cunningham, himself, was at a little distance off from his band. As it after-

40 HISTORY OF EEGEFIKLD.

wards appeared, Butler's person being at one time exposed in advancing before the signal was given, he was observed by the Tories, but taken for their leader, for there was a striking per- sonal resemblance between the two men.

Corley's furious assault, himself foremost in the charge, was the first intimation to the Tories that their exasperated foes were at hand. Cunningham was promptly at his post, but, taken by surprise and attacked by superior numbers, thought only of safety. Having no time to saddle his horse, but with partizan quickness seizing his holsters sprang to his seat, while Butler, singling him out, dashed in pursuit. Both men were remarkably fine riders and tradition has preserved the names of the horses they rode. Cunningham was mounted on a mare which had become celebrated in the service as "Silver Heels," while Butler rode a horse called "Ranter." As Butler carried only a sabre and Cunningham only pistols that liad been ren- dered useless by the rain of the night before, for he snapped them repeatedl}' over his shoulders at his adversary as he fled, life or death hung upon the speed of the horses. As long as the chase was in the woods "Ranter" maintained his own, but when he struck an open trail in which the superior strides of Cunningham's thoroughbred could tell, turning in his seat and patting with triumph and confidence the noble animal that bore him, he tauntingly exclaimed, "I am safe," and dashing rap- idly away from his adversary', he escaped by himself swim- ming the Saluda near lyorick's ferry. When William Butler returned from the pursuit of Cunningham he found a portion of his command assembled at the Tory camp under circum- stances which gave him great concern. Turner, one of his prisoners, had been deliberately shot through the h2\l aft^r he had surrendered. When Butler sternly rebuked the act wScy- sin, who had done the deed, justified himself by reciting an outrage the unfortunate Tory had inflicted upon his mother. The verdict of the corps was in Seysin's favor and no court martial was held upon him. There was certainly strong pal- liating circumstances in the case. The Tory had stripped Mrs. Seysin to the waist and tying her had severely whipped her to force her to disclose where a party of Whigs, among whom was her son, were.

A pursuit of Cunningham's men was ordered for the pur-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 41

pose of capturing or dispersing them, and some were overtaken while crossing the river. Butler, finding his men disposed to fire upon them, ordered De Loach, who was raising his rifle, to desist. Sherwood Corley was then in the river, had snapped his pistol at the retreating party, not heeding the order, he deliberately primed it afresh while in the water and killed a Tory named Davis while he w'as ascending the Edgefield bank. The result of this action was the dispersion of Cunningham's famous band. He, him.self, retired to Cuba where he died, being prevented from returning to his native State after the war by a prescriptive proclamation of the authoritives. He was awarded something like an ovation by the British. Goudy, a gallant partizan of the Revolution, visited Cuba after the war on account of his health. Cunningham, in the true spirit of hospitality, called upon him with an invitation to dinner. Whether Goudy accepted the invitation or not we cannot say;, but Cunningham told him that on one- occasion he had ridden up with an escort at his back to a house near Ninety-Six, in which Goudy and others were playing cards, with a view to ascertaining if William Butler was among them. "Why did 3^ou not fire upon us?" asked Goudy. "I had no temptation to kill you," said Cunningham, "but if Billy Butler had been there you would have had the floor flooded with blood."

From this time until after the close of the war, William But- ler continued at the head of the Rangers, under command of General Pickens, and was considered his favorite captain. He had, however, very little duty other than patrol to perform. His company of Rangers was not discharged until 1784, more than a year after the peace.

With the resumption of the pursuits of civil life, the sol- dier's thoughts reverted to the 3'ounggirl of Saluda with whom his meeting during Green's retreat from Ninety-Six has already been mentioned, Nor had she forgotten the young oflicer of the cocade and plume, for when the household re- jected him, (the stepfather forbade him to vusit her), she told him to come, she would see him. They were married the 3d of June, 1784.

Miss Behethland Foot Moore, whom William Butler had thus selected as the partner of his life, was a woman of strong, and in many respects remarkable traits of character. She al-

42 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

ways exercised great influence with her husband and he relied much upon her judgment and advice. He seemed to have in- spired her with a deep feeling, almost amounting to a fascina- tion; of itself a high tribute to his memory.

In 1 794 William Butler was elected by the Legislature of South Carolina Sheriff of Ninety-Six District. He discharged few of the ministerial duties, however, leaving them to his brothers, Thomas and Stanmore, who were his deputies; but he always conducted the military escort of the Judge coming into the District and presided as High Sheriff during the sit- ting of the Court.

The sheriff of that day was an officer of distinction and was generally detailed upon offices of honor. William Butler, as Sheriff of Ninety-Six, received General Washington when upon the Southern tour, from the authorities of Georgia, and conducted him by the Pine House to the Ridge, which was near the termination of his territorial jurisdiction At the Ridge, General Hampton, then sheriff of what was called Camden District, received and conducted him by Granby, through Cam- den and thence to Charlotte, North Carolina, where the authorities of that State received the illustrious patriot. (There is certainly an error here. Washington passed through the District in 1791).

In 1796 General Pickens resigned the office of Major- General of the upper division of vSouth Carolina militia and through his recommendation Willi uu Butler was elected by the State Legislature to fill the vacancy. In 1800 General Butler became a candidate for Congress against Robert Goodloe Har- per, the incumbent from the Ninety-Six District. Mr. Harper had been elected as a Republican, but from conscientious motives joined the Federalists and supported what was pecu- liarly unpopular at the South — Jay's Treaty. This raised opposition to him at home and General Butler was selected as the opposition candidate, his old commander, John Ryan, mov- ing the nomination. He succeeded in the election and took his seat in 1801.

When the resolution, charging General Wilkinson with com- plicity with Burr, in his attributed treason, was moved and adopted in the House of Representatives, the occasion gave rise to great sensation. A discussion took place upon the floor as

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 43

to the chairman of the Committee of Investigation. A ballot was called for by Wilkinson's friends, the motion was overlaid and the duty of making the appointment devolved upon the Speaker. He appointed General Butler. Wilkinson made some offensive remarks. Something of this kind, that he was not only to be tried by a militia general, but that he was con- demned before he was tried. This being reported to General Butler he resigned his position on the committee. Roger Bacon being appointed to succeed him and unfriendly commu- nications w^ere made between him and Wilkinson. They were, however, fully reconciled.

In 1813 General Butler resigned his seat in Congress, dis- tinctly in preference to Mr. Calhoun, saying to him, "You can meet Mr. R.andolph in debate, I cannot." His admiration for Randolph was very high, and notwithstanding they differed in opinion as to the war of 181 2, they still continued to entertain friendly relations. Butler once spent some time with him at his house by invitation in returning from Congress.

In 1814 General Butler was called bj^ Gen. Alston, in a very complimentary Order, on record in Washington, to command the troops of South Carolina at Charleston.

President Madison had, in 18 12, offered him the commission of brigadier general in the United States service, but he de- clined it, saying he was a major general at home.

General Jackson was appointed to command the forces at New Orleans, while General Butler was to command in Charles- ton. They had been comrades in early life and Jackson sent him word that they were both called militia generals, but he knew whichever was attacked would do his duty. General Pickens desired to prescribe the mode of defence of Charleston. His plan was to allow the enemy to land and fight them in the streets from behind barricades. Butler's response to him, when he assumed the command, was that he expected to consult the dictates of his own judgment, and they should meet them in the water. An incursion was made upon one of the islands for the purpose of supplying provisions to the fleet off the coast, and a slight affair occurred in which Captain Dent of the navy was principally engaged. The incursion was repelled. This was the only engagement with the enemy of any portion of General Butler's command. It had fallen to the lot of his

44 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

friend Jackson to vindicate the ability of militia generals. The war terminated with the battle of New Orleans and General Butler became a private citizen.

From this period to the close of his life he confined himself principally to the business of his farm. During the time he was in Congress his seat was twice contested, first by Dr. Scriven, a man of high character, and afterwards by Edmund Bacon, a man of mark. The last contest gave rise to the unfortunate issue known as the "old and new parties of Edgefield." It was bitter and led to many painful controversies. Mr. Bacon not only became reconciled with, but was afterwards a warm friend of General Butler's and frequently entertained him with a hos- pitality that would scarcely be recognized at the present day.

General Butler was a member of the convention held in Charleston in 1787 to consider the adoption of the Federal Con- stitution, and with General Sumter and others, whose names are to be found on the journal, voted against it. He was sub- sequently a member of the convention which framed our pres- ent State Constitution. (Constitution previous to 1868).

General Butler's brothers were Thomas, who was regarded a man of military talent; Sampson, who was Sheriff" of Edge- field, and for many years represented that district in the State lyCgislature ; Stanmore, who was a captain in the United States army during the time a war was expected with France, and was Clerk of the Court of Edgefield when he died; and James, who was killed in the Rev^olution, as already described. He had two sisters, Nancy and Elizabeth. The first married Elisha Brooks, who was a lieutenant in the Revolution; the latter mar- ried Zachariah Brooks, who was also a lieutenant in the Revo- lution and subsequently a colonel of State cavalry.

He had eight children. James was Sheriff of Edgefield and a colonel of State cavalry at his death. George Butler was a lawyer, and during the war of 18 12 served as major in the regular army. William was a physician and was a surgeon in the army at New Orleans. He also served one term as Rep- resentative in Congress. Frank Butler was a lawyer. Pierce M. Butler was an officer in the regular army; was President of the Bank of the State; was Governor of South Carolina, and fell at the battle of Cherubusco at the head of the Palmetto Regiment.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 45

Emmala, the only daughter, was married to General Waddy Thompson, who was a lawyer, a member of Congress and Min- ister to Mexico. Leontine died young.

Andrew Pickens Butler, the sole survivor, has been a lawyer, a Judge, and is now the senior United States Senator from South Carolina. (Judge A. P. Butler died May 25, 1857. ^ biographical notice of him is given elsewhere in this book).

General Butler was a handsome man, about six feet high, a good shot with a rifle, and excellent in woodcraft and horse- manship. His fondness for horses amounted to a passion, and he would have none but the finest blood upon his place. He considered it a defect in his soi.s not to ride well, and was in the habit of making them break his colts until, upon one occa- sion when a "Dare Devil" filly was to be mounted and two of the boys, Pickens and Pierce, were drawing lots to see who should do it. Mrs. Butler could stand it no longer. She inter- posed, telling her husband that they were her children as well as his, and if the horses were to be broken, put the servants at it. He yielded, carelessly remarking, "it would not hurt them to get thrown, the ground was plowed."

At one time he was engaged upon the Turf and ran his horses generally with success; but upon one occasion a demand was made upon him for a stake which he was unable to put up. Under the demand, however, he put up his family serv^ant, Will. He won the race and it was his last. Returning home he told his wife what he had done and gave her a positive pledge, which he kept, never to run another race or to play another card. General Butler was a man of strong impres- sions and of great self-reliance. Though his connection with most of the events narrated was a subordinate one, he always had his own and decided opinions. He had not literary attain- ments, but in the school of experience he was a scholar that stood high. One strong peculiarity marked his character — an aversion to long letters and long speeches. He always spoke of John Rutledge as the best speaker he had ever heard; com- mending him chiefly for his brevity. He, himself, seldom wrote over a page, and that laconic and dispatchful. Plis sherifif 's books, now in the possession of Hon. A. P. Butler, is a model of official neatness.

In his domestic relations he was absolute; making his sons

46 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD.

entirely subservient to his commands. His wife was devoted to him.

William Butler died in September, 182 1, and was buried at the family burial ground at Big Creek, in Edgefield District. He died with remarkable calmness. While he has left little that is remembered, save through tradition, he was a man of mark in his day.

Peace be to his ashes.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 47

VI.

MUSTER ROLL— BROOKS' COMPANY.

General Butler's sister, Elizabeth, became the wife of Zach- ary Smith Brooks, I^ieutenant during the Revolution and after- wards Coloiiel of State Cavalry. As it may possibly be of in- terest to some persons now living, I give here the muster roll of a company of cavalry commanded by Col. Bruoks while he was still only a captain. I greatly regret that there is no date to the paper, but it is very old. Some of the names I cannot decipher and some are erased :

List of Capt. Zachary Smith Brooks' Company.

Zachariah Smith Brooks, Captain; Robert Christie, First Lieutenant; George Pope, Second Lieutenant; Joel Abne}^ Cornet; John Abney, Secretary; John Abney, First Sergeant; Hardy Matthews, Second Sergeant; Wade Carson, Bugler.

Cullen Lark, Azariah Abney, WilHam Kennedy, Vincent White, Micajah Matthews, Jesse Hart, Joshua Burgess, Sam- uel Abney, Andrew Brown, Peterson Boram, John Blalock^ w^

Monte Towles, Nathan Spragins, Willis Boram, Henry Eth- ridge, Elijah Pope, Joseph Buffington, John Barnes, William Norris, John Cunningham, Stephen Norris, John Deshass, Na- than Norris, John H. Powell, Thomas Reynolds, Jones Willis, Thomas Mellon, Simeon Smith, William Nunn, Richard Esk- ridge, William Stuart, William Jay, C. Yeheets, Pointer.

I deeply regret that there is no date to this paper; but judging from the names I find and from the quality of the paper itself, it must be full eighty, or ninety, or perhaps a hundred years old. The George Pope, whose name I find as second lieuten- ant, was a brother of Sampson Pope, grandfather of Judge Y. J. Pope and Sampson Pope, of Newberry. Robert Christie, first lieutenant, was, I think, father of Simeon Christie, some time Sheriff of Edgefield District. Joel Abney, cornet, lived on Saluda River, near Higgins' Ferry, and was the father of Pope and Joel, and the Rev. Mark Abney, who was so well known at Edgefield some years ago. He was the father also of two daughters, Charlotte, who never married, and Elmina,who first married a Dr. Belden. When I first remember seeing her

48 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

she was a widow. She afterwards married a Methodist minis- ter named Rush. She became a widow again and died in 1889 or 1890, at an advanced age. She was helpless and bedridden for several j-ears before her death. Azariah Abney was a brother of Joel and lived near him. They married sisters — Joel, Elizabeth Pope, and Azariah, Mary — who were sisters of George and Sampson Pope. Wade Carson was of that same family of Carsons, some of whom are living now not far south of Saluda River; and one, Rev. James Carson, is a Baptist preacher. There were three John Abneys; one was the father of Dr. M. W. Abney, whose home was at Edgefield, and who died there about the year 1886. Some of the descendants of the others are still living in that section. Of the descendants of Hardy Matthews I know nothing, and cannot write with certainty, though the name Matthews is still known in Edge- field, and a citizen of Newberry, E. P. Matthews, went from Edgefield and having found"great attractions in that county, married and remained there. And, in the year 1S91, Mr. Budd C. Matthews, grandson of a worthy citizen, followed the example of E. P. and married in Newberry and deserted the land of his birth.

The names of Boram, Spragins, Buffington, Hart, Cham- pion, Deshass, Nunn, Eskridge, and perhaps some others on this roll, have disappeared from that part of Edgefield. Of the descendants of Captain Smith Brooks, the most celebrated and best known is the Hon. Preston S. Brooks, who served his country and State, commanding a company of volunteers during the war with Mexico. He was afterwards elected to the Con- gress of the United States — was expelled from the House for caning Mr. Sumner, and was immediately re-elected. Some of the Willises and others, still live in the same section, not far frcm their ancestral homes.

STORY OF GEORGE AND SAMPSON POPE.

I have heard a story of the brothers George and vSampsou Pope, that may interest the readers of this book. They were both neighbors of Gen. Butler, and Sampson was v.'armly and devotedly attached to him. At some time, it appears, that George was so unfortunate as to become very angry with Butler. . In his anger and resentment he spoke very harshly

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 49-

of him, which gave great offense to Sampson. He felt so em- bittered by the abusive language George had heaped upon his friend Gen. Butler, that it seemed to him they could no longer live in the same neighborhood together. So he presented George with a fine horse and a purse of five hundred dollars and requested him to leave the District and go West, which he did. Many years afterwards an acquaintance from Edgefield travelling in Alabama, in search of new lands upon which to settle, accidentally came across him, remained all night, per- haps longer with him; found him prosperous, if not rich; very comfortably situated, and an influential local Methodist preacher.

Of the sons of Sampson Pope, George was^ elected Clerk of the Court of Edgefield, and died while in office. He was very popular, and more than merely popular, he w^as beloved by the people. Thomas H. made his home in Newberry — was a dis- tinguished lawyer — was elected to the Legislature from that county. One of his sons was, in 1891, Attorney General of the State. Afterwards Associate Justice, and one was Clerk of the Sena'te; they both having been previously members of the Legislature. One son, Thomas H., became a Baptist preacher. He was an earnest and good man. He died young, and his body rests in Rosemont Cemetery in the town of Newberry. I was writing "Within the Vail" and in the act of penning the following lines when I was startled by the appearance of a funeral procession passing with the body of Rev. Thomas H. Pope to the grave. I dropped my pencil and paper and joined the procession:

"The insect of to-day, Whose little life is ended in a week. Is as immortal as the god-like man; — It lives, grows old, and dies within a week; — Three score and ten, the limit of man's life, Is to eternity of equal date. ' '

There are some other names on that roll of whom I never knew anything. The very names are now strange in that sec- tion of the countrv.

50 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

ZACHARY SMITH BROOKS.

Capt. Zachary Smith Brooks I remember seeing often in my youth and early manhood. Zoar Methodist church, Per- simmon Creek, as it was then called, was one to which I frequently went in my youth. Col. Brooks was a regular attendant. For many years, if my memory is not at fault here, his was the only carriage in all that part of the country, and the only one seen at that meeting house. It then seemed to me to be a very grand sort of life to be able to ride to church in a two horse carriage with a servant driving. And then when the carriage stopped to have him to let the steps down and help the master out! I remember the horses were bay, with nicked tails, as was the fashion in those days. I believe the first time I ever shook hands with Col. Brooks was at a Bap- tist camp meeting at or near Mt. Enon. Carriages and bug- gies became quite common in that community after awhile and the good old fashion of riding horseback to church gradually gave way, though it is not entirely abandoned yet. Horseback riding has its advantages — it gave young folks such splendid opportunities of cutting one another out, which, I dare say, the girls enjoyed, but some of the boys, especially those who were cut out, did not.

In the same general region of country, not far from Persim- mon Creek, settled Crawford Perry and the Merchants, whose names are still well known in that community. The Barneses also came in at an early day. There was also a Captain John Hamilton and his brother Edward. These, however, did not come to Edgefield until after the Revolutionary War. Of this I am not right sure. Captain Hamilton was an officer in the British army, serving under his brother Col. Hamilton, who commanded a regiment in the left wing of the army at the Battle of Camden and aided greatly in the defeat of the Amer- icans. These Hamiltons were Scotch, but they had been liv- ing in South Carolina — Eee, in his memoirs, says Norfolk, "Virginia — engaged in mercantile pursuits before the war, but, unfortunately, took the wrong side in the contest, as many good men did. At their death they left very little property. I know of no descendants.

i

HISTOIiV OF EDGEFIEI<D. $1

JOURNEY OF WASHINGTON.

When Washington, in May, 1791, passed through Soutk CaroHna from Augusta to CoUimbia, the newly chosen capital of the State, his journey lay through the lower part of Edge- field. Of this journey Washington says: "I,eft Augusta about 6 o'clock Saturda}^ May 21st, and taking leave of the governor and the principal gentlemen of the place at the bridge over the Savannah River, where they assembled for the purpose, I pro- ceeded in company with Colonels Hampton and Taylor and Mr. lyithgour, a committee from Columbia, (who had come on to meet and conduct me to that place), and a Mr. Jameson, from the village of Granb}^ on my route. Dined at a house about twenty miles from Augusta, and lodged at one Odem's abovit twenty miles further." The next day, Sunday, he rode about twenty miles to breakfast. Observe, that the Father of his country did not hesitate to travel on Sunday: but he foun- dered his horse and was compelled, in consequence, to remain in Columbia through Tuesday, the 24th, a day longer than he had intended. Of this route Washington says: "The whole road from Augusta to Columbia is a pine barren of the worst sort, being hilly as well as poor. This circumstance, added to the distant length of the stages, want of water and the heat of the day, foundered one of my horses very badly." His route lay by the Pine House and the Ridgs. At every place along the road where he could be seen he was met by many citizens who were anxious to see and do honor to the great man. At one of these places he was seen by Mr. Crawford Perry, who lived at the time not far from the place now know as Perry's Cross Roads.

I think there is some land along that route the owners of which would not be pleased to have it now spoken of as a "pine barren of the worst sort."

ABNEY MEETING HOUSE.

Before I take a final leave of the Saluda near Higgin's Ferry, I may as well mention that a church, or house of worship, free to the use of all denominations of Christians, was once built on the road about a mile from the ferry, near Joel Abne3^'s, and was known as the Abney Meeting House. All vestige and trace of it vanished from the earth long ago. In this meeting

52 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

House the eccentric Lorenzo Dow, on his journey northwards, once preached. He also preached at Newberry Court House the next day or evening, on the same journey. I have in ray possessson the original subscription list with the names and amounts to be paid by each one. The money was to be paid to the Trustees on the first day of January, 1803. There are twenty-three names on the list of which seven are Abneys. Francis Higgins subscribed ten dollars; William Irby five dol- lars; David Parkins five; and William Kennedy three dollars. The whole amount subscribed was $156.00. Elias Boatner subscribed two dollars. These names, Irby, Parkins, Ken- nedy and Boatner, though not strange to the country, vanished from that section long ago. At what meeting house the people of that section worshiped before the building of this house I do not know. Evidently they must have had some place, for too many years had elapsed since the first settle- ments were planted there for the people to be without divine worship and religious instruction. Without churches and school houses no people can be considered truly civilized, and these always go wherever English speaking people go.

Before proceeding any further with this history I must beg my readers, — if my accounts of the early history and traditions of some sections are fuller and more complete than they are of others, — to believe that of those particular sections I have been able to obtain a greater amount of information, and not that I have any special liking or partiality for those sections. I wish to give a fair and impartial history of the whole county; but wha; I do not know, or cannot learn, I cannot write.

HISTORY OF KDGEFIKLD.

VII.

ROADS AND FERRIES AFTER THE REVOLUTION.

By an Act of the Legislature, passed 22nd of March, 17S6, a Ferry was established at Parkins' Ford on the Saluda River at the mouth of Bush River; one over the Savannah River by the name of Lemar's Ferry, in Edgefield County; one at a place called Snow Hill, in the County of Edgefield, on the Savannah River, to the land opppsite thereto, in the State of Georgia; and a road was ordered to be laid out and made the nearest and best w"ay from Friday's Ferry on the Congaree, where Columbia now is, to the Ridge between the north and south forks of the Edisto— thence by the nearest and best way to the established ferry on the Savannah River opposite to Augusta; and also another road from the said ferry to Bevin's Bridge, on Horse Creek; from thence by the best and most direct way into the road leading from Fort Moore, (now Ham- burg) to the White Ponds. This was partly the route of Washington. In 1788 a public road was established from Anderson's Ferry, on Great Saluda , to Mr. Enoch Grigsby's, and from thence to Captain Butler's, and from thence to inter- sect the road leading from Juniper to Orangeburg; also a ferry on Saluda, at the mouth of Rocky Creek, where the district line crosses; — and a road on the south side of the river was established from a place known as Weaver's Old Field to the said Waters' Ferry; and a ferry having been established in 1786 and vested in Philemon Waters, but no road leading thereto, laid out, a road was established and ordered to be laid out from, or near the W^idow West's on the Ninety-Six Road, to the said Philemon Waters' Ferry, and Jacob Pope, Nathan Milton and William Boram were commissioners for laying out said road. In the same year, 1788, a road was ordered to be opened, by and under the direction of the Courts of the Counties of Abbeville and Edgefield, twenty-five feet wide, and leading the nearest and best way from Whitehall in the County of Abbeville to proceed near Samuel Anderson's in Cuffee- town, from thence to Charles Williams' on Turkey Cieek, from thence to John Furman's on the Beaver Dam, from thence

54 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

to Charles Martin's on Home's Creek, from thence to Seth Howard's on Chaver's Creek, and from thence, in the most convenient way, to the warehouse opposite the town of Au- gusta,— and that Seth Howard, Robert Anderson, John Thur- man, James Hargrove and Fields Pardue be the commissioners for opening the said road.

I am thus particular in noticing the opening of roads and the establishing of ferries, because these show so clearly the needs and wants of the people and their progress in improvements. For the same reason we will take note of the building of rail- roads and telegraph lines, and of all other public institutions which illustrate and meet the demands of the age.

MOUNT WILLING, S. C.

The History of Edgefield, says a frien.' — J. C. Edwards — who has given me great assistance in the preparation of this work, is grouped around four important centres. Mount Wil- ling, Old Cambridge, or Ninety-Six, Edgefield Court House and Hamburg.

Henry Mayson, who lived near Good Hope Baptist Church for many years and died during the year 1891, at about eighty years of age, was born at Ninety-Six. His father's house, in which he was born, is the only building of that old time now left standing there. After the decay of Cambridge Mr. May- son removed to Hamburg, where he engaged in the mercantile business in company with the late Colonel Thomas G. Bacon,

CATLETT CONNOR.

Catlett Connor, a very celebrated character in that day, and who was elected to the State Senate over Eldred Simkins, afterwards member of Congress and one of the most eminent men in the State, lived near Ninety-Six in the house, the resi- dence in 1891, of Hon. Calvin W. Kinard. This Mr. Connor was a blacksmith, a man of intelligence and of great force of charac- ter. Being considerably ambitious and jealous of the influence of the Butler and Simkins families in the county, and thinking that they were getting rather more offices than they were fairly entitled to, wrote and published a pamphlet against them. He was ably seconded by Mr. Matthew Jones of Ridge Spring, father of General James Jones, Captain I^evvis Jones of Edge-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIEIvD. 55

field, and Major Edward Jones of Trenton; and the father-in- law of General Paul Quattlebaum of Lexington; Major Till- man Watson of Ridge Spring, and the Honorable William Gregg, the founder of Graniteville. Party feeling ran very high, so high, indeed, that Mr. Matthew Jones and Colonel Smith Brooks had a fight about the election at Mount Willing in which, it is said, that Colonel Brooks got the worst of it. Connor's gin house, said to be the first one built in Edgefield County, was still standing in the winter of 1890-91, and may be standing yet.

TOWNSHIPS OF MOBLEY, NORRIS, &C.

That part of Edgefield now constituting the townships of Mobley, Norris, Rhinehart and Huiett, used to hold their bat- talion muster at Mount Willing. At the beginning of the Revolutionary^ War this section was, perhaps, more thickly settled than any other part of the county. The original set- tlers came mostly, not from the lower counties of the State, but from Virginia and the Middle States. Many of them were noted for their independence and public spirit. Just before the breaking out of the war of Independence, there was not, perhaps, a happier, more prosperous, contented and independent people on the face of the earth, than the people of middle Carolina were — than the people of Edgefield were. The Indians were gone; much of the soil was fertile; game abounded in the forests and fish in all the branches, creeks and rivers. Taxes were light; so light, indeed, that the burden of taxation was not felt at all. He who was not able to live well and to grow rich was, indeed, one of nature's weaklings. It was, or might have been, equal to the poet's dream of life in Arcadia. The young men wooed and won the fair daughters of the pioneers who lived on the fertile shores of Cloud's Creek and Eittle Saluda, and built home nests of their own as cheerful and happy as the very birds that enliv- ened the forests around with their many and varied songs. But clouds came over the happy scene.

After the State threw off its allegiance to Great Britain, which was several months before the Declaration of Indepen- dence, by the General Congress at Philadelphia, it was neces- sar>' to have elections to fill all county offices, and also to elect

56 HISTORY OF EEGEFIELD.

members to the General Assembly. That election was held during the summer of 1776. Colonel Robert Cunningham was a candidate for election to the House of Representatives for the District of Ninety-Six. Cunningham was an avowed lyoyalist, and sent his relative, William Cunningham, afterwards the celebrated Bloody Bill, over to Mount Willing to look after the interests of that place. While the voting was in progress an unfortunate row occurred between the Whigs and the Loy- alists, in which Cunningham and many others, on both sides, were beaten nearly to death. I think Cunningham was elected. Two years afterwards, in 177S, he was elected to the State Senate over Colonel James Williams, who was afterwards killed at the battle of King's Mountain.

1775.

But I must not omit to mention some events that occurred during the year before the Declaration of Independence. In this year, 1775, William Henry Drayton and Rev. William Tennant were sent by the Governor and Council of Safet}" into the upper parts of the State to conciliate the inhabitants and bring them to unite with the people of the low country in resistance to the arbitrar}- measures of Great Britain. In their progress through the up-country we find that Mr. Drayton had appointed a meeting to take place at the Ridge on Friday, the first day of September, 1775; but learning that Moses Kirk- land had, without lawful authority, assembled men in arms in the district, and it being evident that, to his treachery against the Colony, he intended to add crimes of a deeper dye and, by force of arms, to violate the public peace, he declared that it was inexpedient for the meeting to be held, lest it should furnish occasion for bloodshed. He also declared that all persons following Kirkland and assembling in arms without authority, should be deemed public enemies, to be suppressed by the sword. This is the same Kirkland whose home was on Saluda, and who was captured while on his way to Boston to concert measures with General Gage for a general uprising of the Cherokees at the same time the attack should be made on Charleston by General Clinton. The British fleet was repulsed; the Indians made war as agreed, but the war ended in their total defeat and ruin.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 57

From a letter from \Yilliam Tennant to the Council of Safety in Charleston, September ist, 1775, we learn that he was then on the south side of Saluda, and that Mr. Draj-ton had just gone on to Augusta. This letter was dated at L,ong Cane, in Ninety-Six District. Three volunteer companies were formed to repel the Indians and to keep the Tories in check. One under Major Terry; another under Colonel Pickens; and an- other under Captain James McCall. There was great terror felt by the well disposed inhabitants of the District.

On the i6th of September, 1775, a treat}?- of neutrality was formed between William Henr}^ Draj-ton and Colonel Fletchall, and on the 21st Mr. Drayton wrote to Colonel Robert Cun- ningham, asking him if he considered himself included as a party to that treaty. Colonel Cunningham replied that he did not consider himself included as a party.

The following is taken from Gibbes' Documentary History of the American Revolution:

A report of the militia and volunteers on dut}' in the forti- fied camp at Ninet3'-Six on Sunday, the 19th of November, 1775, under the command of Major Andrew Williamson, by order of the Honorable the Provincial Congress:

NUMBER OF COMPANIES, COMMANDING OFFICERS, OFFI- CERS, SERGEANTS, AND PRIVATES

George Reed — i officer, 2 sergeants, 22 privates. Andrew Pickens — 2 officers, 3 sergeants, 35 privates. Aaron Smith — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 12 prix'ates. Benjamin Tutt — 3 officers, 2 sergeants. 29 privates. Andrew Hamilton — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 18 privates. Thomas Langdon — 2 officers, i sergeant, 9 privates. Adam C. Jones — 2 officers, 2 sergeants, 22 privates. Matthew Berand — 3 officers, no sergeant, 10 privates. Charles Williams — i officer, 2 sergeants, 8 privates. Francis Logan — 2 officers, i sergeant, 15 privates. Alexander Noble — 2 officers, no sergeant, 2 privates. John Anderson — 2 officers, i sergeant, 8 privates. James Williams — 2 officers, 2 sergeants, 24 privates. Robert McCreery — 3 officers, 2 sergeaats, 25 privates. John Rodgers — 3 officers, 2 .sergeants, 15 privates. Jacob Colson — 2 officers, i sergeant, 15 privates.

58 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

Hugh Middleton — i officer, no sergeant, 2 privates.

Francis Singuefield — 2 officers, no sergeant, 15 privates.

James McCall — 3 officers, 3 sergeants, 48 privates.

David Hunter — 2 officers, 2 sergeants, 15 privates.

John Erwin — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 21 privates.

Robert Anderson — 2 officers, 1 sergeant, 15 privates.

Nathaniel Abney — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 18 privates.

William Wilson — 2 officers, i sergeant, 13 privates.

Jos. Hamilton's Artillery — i officer, no sergeant, 16 privates.

Total: 25 companies, 55 officers, 36 sergeants, 432 privates.

N. B. — It is supposed that Major Mayson and his thirty- seven Rangers ought to be added to this return. William Abney, brother of Nathaniel Abney, was one of his officers.

These men were besieged in a fortified camp at Ninety-Six by Joseph Robinson, Patrick Cunningham, and Richard Pearis, and a strong force of Loyalists under their command. There was some fighting between the parties, and some loss was sus- tained by both sides. The men under Major Williamson were compelled to dig for water within their fort, as they were en- tirely cut off from a supply otherwise.

On the 22nd of November, 1775, a cessation of hostilities was agreed upon, a copy of which is here given with a letter from Major Mayson to Colonel Thomson enclosing a copy, and also giving an account of the affair; also a letter from Major Williamson to Mr. Drayton, giving an account of the siege, action, and treaty at Ninety-Six.

The following is taken from Glbb^s' Documentary History:

Agreement for a cessation of arms between Major Joseph Robinson, commander of a body of his majesty's militia, now under arms for himself and the troops under his command, of the one part; and Major Andrew Williamson and Major James Mayson, commanders of the fort at Ninety-Six for themselves and the troops therein under the direction of the Provincial Congress :

ist. That hostilities shall immediately cease on both sides.

2nd. That Major Williamson and Major Mayson shall march their men out of the fort and deliver up their swivels.

3rd. That the fort shall be destroyed flat without damaging the houses therein, under the inspection of Captain Patrick Cunningham and John Bowie, Esq., and the well filled up.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 59

4th. That the differences between the people of this District and others, disagreeing about the present public measures, shall be submitted to his Kxcellency, our Governor, and the Council of Safety, and for that purpose that each party shall send dispatches to their superiors — that the dispatches shall be sent unsealed and the messenger of each party shall pass un- molested.

5th. That Major Robinson shall withdraw his men over Saluda, and there keep them embodied, or disperse them as he pleaseth until his Excellency's orders be known.

6th. That no person of either party shall, in the mean time, be molested by the other party, either in going home or other- wise.

7th. Should any reinforcements arrive to Major Williamson or Major Mayson, they also shall be bound by this cessation. 8th. That twenty days shall be allowed for the return of the messengers.

9tli. That all prisoners taken by either party since the sec- ond day of this instant shall be immediately set at liberty.

In witness whereof, the parties to these articles have set their hands and seals at Ninety-Six this twenty-second day of November, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and in the sixteenth year of his Majesty's reign.

JOSEPH ROBINSON. A. WM. SON. JAMES MAYSON. Present:

Patrick Cunningham. Richard Pearis. Andrew Pickens. John Bowie.

MAJOR MAYSON TO COLONEL THOMPSON.

Ninety-Six, November 24th, 1775. I now enclose you a copy of the cessation of arms agreed upon by Major Williamson and myself the day before yester- day, by which you will be able to judge of the terms we are to abide by on both sides. The persons chosen to represent the matter before the Provincial Congress are Major Williamson, John Bowie, and myself, on the behalf of the associators for

6o HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

this Province; and Major Robinson, Captains Cunningham and Bowman, on behalf of the King. We who are appointed are to meet here on Monday next, the 27th inst., in order to pro- ceed to town to settle this disagreeable business. I shall now give you a small narrative of our battle. On Saturday last, about A o'clock in the afternoon, we received intelligence that all the people assembled in arms over Saluda River, had marched over, and encamped about four and a half miles from our camps, in number about two thousand. We had, at most, not more than five hundred men. At first consultation with Major Williamson, we agreed to march and meet the opposite party and give them battle; but, upon consideration, we thought it most prudent to march all our men to Colonel Savages' old field, near Ninety-Six, as our numbers were small, compared with the other party, and to fortify the same with the rails thereabouts. We arrived there about day break, and in about two hours a square of one hundred and eighty- five yards was fortified in such a manner as to keep off the enemy; but before three da3'S had expired our men began to be outrageous for want of bread and water, and we had not above sixteen pounds of gun-powder left. On Tuesday last, in the afternoon, the enemy held out a flag of truce and sent into our fort a messenger with a letter from Major Robinson to myself, which was the first beginning of this treaty. We have only one man dead since this battle, and eleven wounded; some will be mortal by the doctor's opinion. The enemy say the}' had but one man dead, who is a Captain lyUper, and about the same number wounded as ours; by the best information thc}^ have buried at least twenty -seven men, and have as many wounded. I am certain I saw three fall at the first fire from our side. The swivels are to be delivered up this evening to us, although inserted m the articles of cessation as given by us up, as agreed to b}' the head men of the other party.

JAS. MAYSON.

Major Williamson to Mr. Drayton, giving an account of the siege, action, and treaty at Ninety-six:

White Hall, Nov. 25th, 1775. To the Honorable William Henry Drayton, Esq.:

Sir: — Your letter by order of Congress, dated the 9th inst.,

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 6l

on the 14th, by the Express, and am happy to find my past conduct met the approbation of your Honor and the Congress. It shall always be my study to discharge my duty and the trust reposed in me by that respectable body. Before I re- ceived your letter I had reinforced Fort Charlotte with fifty- two militia and supplied them with provisions, and have since given orders for their continuing there one month longer; I have also furnished Captain Caldwell with iron for the carri- ages to mount the guns.

I should have had the honor of transmitting you an account of my situation before now, but could obtain no certain intelli- gence from the opposite party, until the seventeenth instant in the night, (notwithstanding I had used all possible endeavors and some expense to obtain some knowledge of their strength and designs,) when I learned their numbers amounted to at least fifteen hundred men, and understood that it was chiefly owing to an affidavit made by Captain Richard Pearis, that so many men were embodied — a copy whereof I now enclose you, as also a copy of the oaths they imposed on those who hap- pened to fall into their hands, all of whom they disarmed, ex- cept such as were willing to join their party.

On the eighteenth, in the evening, I received certain infor- mation that they were crossing Saluda River on their march towards us, and then was joined by Major Mayson, with twenty-seven Rangers. I immediately ordered the men under arms, and took the resolution of marching to meet them, and demanding their intentions, and if they were determined to come to action, to be ready before them, and on acquainting the officers and men thereof, found them all cheerful and wil- ling to proceed, but afterwards reflecting on the fatal conse- quences should we have been defeated, proposed in a council of war, consisting of Major Mayson and all the captains, to march from the camp near Ninety-Six into the cleared ground of Colonel Savage's plantation, where we could use our artil- lery with advantage, and there fortify our camp till we should receive more certain information of their strength (being in immediate expectation of being joined b}' Colonel Thompson and the Rangers at least, and also some men from the lower part of this regiment and Augusta,) which was unanimously approved of, and early next morning we marched to Ninety-Six

62 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

with all our provision and baggage, and in about three hours erected a kind of fortification of old fence rails joined to a barn and some out-houses, which, before we had quite completed, they had surrounded us with a large body of men with drums and colors. I then sent out an officer to demand their inten- tion, who, on his return, reported that Major Robinson and Mr. Patrick Cunningham refused to have any conference but with the commanding officers. I then sent out Major Mayson and Mr. Bowie, whom they and Mr. Evan Mclyaurin met be tween their men and the fort in sight of both, and after about fif- teen minutes conference they returned and reported that they insisted on our immediately delivering up our arms to them and dispersing; which were the only terms they were determined to grant us, and that at parting they told them to keep our people within the fort, which was the only place where they could be safe; and immediately they took two of our people just by the fort, before my face, whom I gave orders to retake, and a warm engagement ensued, which continued with very little intermission from three o'clock in the afternoon of Sun- day until Tuesday sunset, when they hung out a white flag trom the jail and called to us that they wanted to speak to the commanding officers. I replied if they wanted to send an officer or any message they should be safe. On which they sent a messenger carrying a lighted candle and a letter from Major Robinson, directed to Colonel Mayson, demanding of us as before, to deliver up our arms and disperse, giving us one hour's time to return an answer; to which Major Mayson and mj'self jointly answered that we were determined never to re- sign our arms, and in about two hours Mr. Bowie, who carried our answer, returned with a letter making the same demand, and with him Patrick Cunnin^'-ham, whom I met about fifty } ards from the gate, where we conversed for some [time, and then he came with us into the fort, where, after some time, we agreed to have a conference on the morrow, at eight o'clock. Accordingly, on Wednesday morning Major Mayson, Captain Pickens, Mr. Bowie and myself met with Major Robinson, Messrs. Patrick Cunningham, Evan McLaurin and Richard Pearis, and agreed to the cessation of hostilities now inclosed you, which was lucky for us, as we had not above thirty pounds of powder, except what little the men had in their

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 63

horns; but no scarcity appeared, as no person knew our stock but one gentleman and myself. We had thirty-eight barrels of flour with four live beeves in the fort, and got very good water the third da 5', after digging upwards of forty feet, so that if we had had a sufficiency of powder we could have stood a siege for a considerable time. It will appear to your Honor by the articles that we gave up the swivels; but that was not intended either by them or us, for after the articles were agreed on and were ready for signing, their people, to the number of between three and four hundred, surrounded the house where we were and swore if the swdvels were not given up they would abide by no articles, on which the gentlemen of the opposite party declared upon their honor that if we would suffer it to be so inserted in the agreement they would return them, which they have done, and I have this day sent them to Fort Charlotte.

I am sorry to acquaint 3'our Honor that some small differ- ence arose between Major Mayson and me about the command of the militia, but flatter myself the ser\dce has not suffered thereb}'. To prevent any bad consequences I agreed that if he would come to camp I would receive orders from him for the militia and volunteers, and give them myself until a gen- tleman should arrive who would command us both, but when I received your letter >vith orders from the Congress, I thought myself no longer bound by that agreement, especially when he told me he was ordered to attend the Congress; I beg to be understood that I don't wish for command, but would wil- lingly be of any ser\'ice to my country that I possibly could.

I am obliged in justice to the officers and men on this expe- dition to declare that their behavior greatly exceeded the most sanguine expectation. They did not, during a siege of near three days without water, either murmur or complain, and cheerfully stood at their posts during three nights without any fire, nor was there any symptoms of fear to be seen among them. Our loss was very small, owing chiefly to blinds of fence rails and straw with some beeves' hides, erected in the night behind the men who would other\vise have been exposed to the fire of the enemy. We had only thirteen men wounded, one of whom is since dead, most of the rest very slightly. The loss of the opposite party is said to be consid- erable.

64 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD,

I have the honor to be, sir, j-our Honor's most obedient, and very humble servant, A. Wm. Son.

This is the affair describing which, a resident in Savannah, Ga. , to a gentleman in London thus writes:

"A Colonel Williamson, with twelve hundred men, first arriving, took possession of a stockade fort, where he was instantly besieged by Cunningham with his party. Williamson having remained confined for two days in the fort, destitute of provisions and water, was forced to sally with his men on the third day. But they were attacked by Cunningham in the attempt and totally dispersed. The Committee men made so good use of their heels that only twenty-five men were killed in the flight, for fight there was none."

HISTORY OF EDGKFIEI.D. 65

Vlll.

In the Spring of 1776 George Mason collected a small com- pany of men and marched with them to assist in the defense of Charlestown. He had the misfortune to lose a leg at the bat- tle of Fort Moultrie, June 28th, 1776. Mr. Mason lived to be an old man and met his death by being drowned in Red Bank Creek while under the influence of rum or whiskey.

From the unsuccessful attempt on Fort Moultrie in 1776, to the Fall of Charlestown in 1 780, matters were generally quiet in this part of Edgefield and the country was prosperous. How- ever, in 1779, Benjamin Bell raised a company, composed of both Whigs and Loyalists, and joined Gen. Williamson in his expedition against the Cherokees, The Indians, in a spirit of derision, were accustomed to speak of General Williamson as a cow driver. William.son retorted by calling them cattle. Cap- tain Bell was killed in this expedition and I have been in- formed that some of his descendants think to this day that he was killed in the up-country while looking after his cows. Hon. John M. Bell, of Aiken, and the Daniels and Edwardses, are worthy descendants of this brave and worthy pioneer. A short time before his death he had been digging for silver on the south fork of Little Saluda, and his comrades, after their return from the expedition against the Cherokees, called it Mine Creek, which name it still bears.

After the Fall of Charlestown and the surrender of Lincoln's army. General Williamson, feeling that it was useless to strug- gle longer, submitted to the British authority, and took what is known as British protection. Very many good men did the same; among the number were Major May son and Colonel Pickens and Le Roy Hammond. Their condition was simply that of paroled prisoners, the same as that of the soldiers and garrisons in Charlestown. When called upon to take up arms by the British authorities, against their countrymen, many good Whigs refused and immediately took the field in the cause of independence, regarding the call to arms by the Bri- tish as a violation of their parole, which it was. General Wil- liamson, still regarding the Whig cause as entirely hopeless.

66 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

did not join them. For this his memory has always rested under a shadow, and some have called him a traitor — the Benedict Arnold of the South. This judgment is evidently entirely too harsh. He never betrayed any trust. He never sought any position for the purpose of betraying it. So far as I have been able to discover he never did anything worse than weakly yielding to what he thought was irresistible pressure. He never took up arms against the State. He disbanded his command and retired to his home. Ramsay, in his History of South Carolina, says nothing of any treason — nor does Mills, in his Statistics. Mills puts him in his list of eminent men of the upper country, and says nothing of his treason. It is true, however, that his act of submission gave great offense and was a serious disappointment to many of his subordinate officers, some of whoni«left the State. For the time they were help- less and the State was overrun. With all due deference ta great names and to the opinions of other historians of the State^ I submit that the proposition made by Governor Rutledge and his Council of Safety to General Prevost to surrender the city and State and hold them neutral during the war, was about as shameful and disgraceful as any proposal well could be; and equally as bad morally as General Williamson's course. It is said that this was a mere ruse. General Moultrie and the sol- diers did not so regard it.

In this particular part of Edgefield that now includes the townships of Mobley, Norris, Rhinehart and Huiett, the Whigs were in the majority, but the Tories had the assistance of the British, which gave them confidence and the ascendency for some time. Four companies of Whigs were raised and organ- ized in these townships: One on Mine Creek, commanded by Captain Solomon Pope, who lived on what is now known as the Jennings Place, about one mile south of Red Bank church; one on Cloud's Creek, commanded by Captain Mike Watson. The present Rhinehart township was very thinly settled at that time, but the men took a very active part in the war. Captain James Butler, one of the heroes of Edgefield, lived in that township on the place now owned (1891) by Dr. John W. Kennerly. The Tory company was commanded by Captain Neely Carghill and they lived mostly in the region between the Eittle and the Big Saludas. This was the country

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 67

of Moses Kirkland and the Stewarts, though the Stewarts lived a little higher up. Captain Butler, with his company^ was attached to the regiment of Colonel Le Roy Hammond of the Savannah side. The Tories under Carghill were subject to the orders of Colonel Robert Cunningham. Captain Pope's and Captain Watson's companies of Whigs also formed part of Le Roy Hammond's regiment.

SIEGE OF NINETY-SIX,

In the spring of 1 781, when General Greene invested the fort at Ninety-Six, there was a general gathering of Whigs to his assistance, and of the Tories to re-enforce Colonel Cruger, the commander of the fort. Cruger himself was a Tory from New York, and all his garrison of five hundred men were Tories, two hundred from New York and three hundred from South Carolina, mostly from Ninety-Six District. The Tories under Carghill went up early in the spring to the assistance of Cruger. The Whig companies were ordered up in May.

General Greene, after besieging the fort for several days, hearing of the approach of Lord Rawdon with re-enforcements, was compelled either to raise the siege and retire or to en- deavor to carry the place by assault. Could he have waited a few days longer, the place w^ould have been his, but Lord Rawdon was too near; he could not wait. The assault was de- termined upon, but failed, and General Greene was compelled to retreat. He was pursued by Lord Rawdon across the Saluda and until he had crossed the Enoree. At that point Lord Rawdon ceased the pursuit, returned, and recrossed the Saluda, and sent word to Cruger to abandon Ninety-Six and go eastward, south of the Edisto, while he himself passed down south of the Saluda. General Greene, after crossing the Enoree, camped for a few days near Broad River. While he w^as here occurred that romantic episodj ^f the war, the send- ing of Emily Geiger with dispatches to General Sumte*", who was I'nen on the Wateree. It would please me to tell i at story liere, but I am writing the history of Edgefield, and have already related it in the Annals of Newberry, and also i.-- the hi .orj'- of the State. Edgefield has its romances, the sto- ries of which will be told in due season.

After Cruger left Ninety-Six, while passing down the coun-

68 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELI^.

try, he permitted Carghill's men to visit their homes, and they on their way passed the house of Captain Solomon Pope, where they found three of Pope's men, Aaron Wever, Joe Allen, and Fred Sissan, whom they made prisoners. Having no place of •confinement after the loss of Ninety-Six, they took them into a swamp near by on Mine Creek and put them to death. Captain Pope immediately called his company together, has- tened to Mount Willing and called on Captain Butler for as- sistance. With their united forces they met the troops under Carghill in the fork of Cloud's Creek and lyittle Saluda, where a bloody fight ensued, in which Carghill's men were completely exterminated. It is said that about half of them were killed after they had surrendered, so great was the exasperation of the Whigs at their conduct in murdering Pope's men a short time before. Only one man v\^as left alive, Henry Etheredge, and he was saved by the interposition of Clark Spraggins, they being closely connected by marriage. Henry Ktheredge lived to be over four-score years of age and died on Little Saluda in November, 1840. Captain Mike Watson followed the retreating Cruger as far as Orangeburg, where, or near which place, he was killed by the Tories in a severe skirmish. After his death Bud Eskridge, a brave but rather rash man, was placed in command.

TORY MARAUDERS.

Early in the fall of 1781 Pope and Lieutenant William But- ler joined General Greene, who was then in the lower part of the State, leaving the militia in this part of Edgefield under the command of Cajotain Bud Eskridge. Soon afterwards a ' marauding party of Tories came up from Lexington into the neighborhood near Mount Willing, and carried off a consider- able amount of booty. The Whigs immediately assembled for pursuit. They wanted Captain James Butler, father of Lieu- tenant William Butler, who was with General Greene's army at the time, to take command. But he begged to be excused, on the ground that the hardships he had so recently undergone had rendered him unfit to take command of such an expedi- tion. He had only recently been released from prison in Char-, leston, where he had been closely confined ever since the British occupation of Ninety-Six, for having refused to take

HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 69

the oath of allegiance and accept British protection. The men were willing to excuse him, but his son James, who was quite a youth, refused to go with the party unless his father com- manded. Captain Butler consented to go, but refused to take camniand, and would only go as an adviser. They pursued the Royalists, overtook them at Farrar's Spring, in lycxington, defeated and dispersed them, and recaptured the horses and cattle which they had carried away. On their return home elated with their success, contrary to the advice of Captain Butler, who urged them to push on without delay, they stopped at a tavern on Cloud's Creek kept by a Mr. Turner, to remain all night, thinking themselves safe from pursuit. Over confi- dent and under the influence of liquor, they neglected to take the necessary precaution to post sentinels to guard against surprise.

The party of Tories, whom they had just defeated, formed part of Cunningham's band of raiders, then on their way through the up country on their last revengeful foray. This our party did not know, but they were soon aroused to a knowledge of the fact. The first intimation they had of the approach of Cunningham was given by Turner's daughter, who told young James Butler of his approach from the direc- tion of Charlestown' with several hundred men. There were in fact about three hundred. The house in which the Whigs had taken refuge was quickly surrounded by Cunningham, who demanded an unconditional surrender. He said, how- ever, that he was willing to receive a communication from them. Smallwood Smith was selected by the Whigs to con- duct the parley. When he presented himself Cunningham's first demand was: "Who are of your party?" When informed that young James Butler was one, he determined to give no quarter. The conflict then began by James Butler killing a man named Stewart. Butler himself was soon killed, and the whole party shortly afterwards surrendered. It is said that, after the surrender in a formal meeting of the Tory officers, Cunningham advised and ordered the massacre of the whole party. It was then that Captain James Butler caught up a pitchfork, which happened to be lying near, and defended him self until his right hand was cut off and he was shot dead. One man, Bartley Bledsoe, was spared as a compensation shown

JO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

to Henry Etheredge a few months before. Mrs. Sarah Smith, sister of Captain James Butler, with other women, wives, mothers, and sisters of the slain, went the next day with their negro servants, dug graves, and buried the dead as decently as possible. Lot, a negro that belonged to Smallwood Smith, told Mr. Edwards long afterwards, that he helped to bury th'.ee men, and that he saw a Tory strutting around, wearing a coat of his master's that had been badly cut with swords.

This butchery occurred during that celebrated raid of Cun- ningham's as far up as Hays' Station, in Laurens County, which he seemed to have made for the sole purpose of glutting a ferocious desire for revenge and getting one last copious drink of blood. Such must have been the purpose, for it was impossible for the expedition to dj any good towards re-estab- lishing the British authority.

CUNNINGHAM S RAID.

After this affair Cunningham, on his way up Saluda, devas- tated the property of the Whigs as far as he was able. He burned the property of Dannett Abiiey, who was sick at the time and unable to make his escape, and slew him in his wife's arms. He crossed Saluda with his men at Saluda Old Town or Anderson's, and passed through the upper part of what is now Newberry County, on his way to the Caldwell Settlement and Hays' Station. In the upper part of Newberry he encoun- tered a party of twenty men under Captain William Turner, who had fortified themselves as well as they were able in a strong log house. These men he slew after they had surren- dered, and after he had pledged his word to spare their lives. At Hays' Station, where there was a general massacre of all taken, Cunningham himself used his sword so unsparingly that his right arm became so weak and weary that he was scarcely able to raise his sword. This was nearly the last of his butch- eries and the end of this raid.

The present writer remembers seeing in his boyhood the charred remains of Dannett Abney's corn burned by Cunning- ham. He made a clean sweep of everything combustible on the place. On Cunningham's way back to Charlestown his party encountered, not far from Saluda Old Town, Oliver Towles, famous, as the Tories alleged, for stealing their cattle.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 71

■They hung him with a thong cut from the rawhide of a Tory's cow, so that he might meet his doom from that which he was so fond of hfting. A kind of grim humor not very humorous to all the parties concerned. Parties under Pickens, I,e Roy Hammond, Butler, and others, started in pursuit. Seven fresh parties also started. Cunningham's party was broken up — his men were scattered and dispersed, many of them killed. Cun- ningham escaped, his fine horse carrying him safely through all dangers to Charlestown. Twenty-three days after reach- ing the city. Ringtail died, ridden to death, and his master wept like a child. Bloody Bill as he was, over the dead body of his poor friend. He buried him with military honors.

72 HISTORY OP EEGEFIELD.

IX.

CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.

As might naturally be expected, this part of Edgefield was in a very deplorable condition at this time and soon after the close of the war. A great deal of property had been wantonly destroyed — houses' had been burned — negroes stolen and car- ried away, and nearly half the men had either been killed or died of disease while in camp. I doubt whether any part of the State, or of the United States, suffered more from the strife between Whig and Tory than did this particulr section of Edgefield, the history of which we are just now trying to sketch. Cunningham w^as a man of strong will and of fine in- tellectual power, and, aided by such men as Ned Turner and the Stewarts, and Carghill and others, who lived on and near the Saludas, and, contenling against such men as the Towleses, Butlers, Corleys, Edwardses, Brookses, Smiths and others of equal will and courage, the strife too often degenerated into one of mere personal animosity and bitterness. Men, in these intense, concentrated strifes, too often cease to contend for the original cause of quarrel, and fight and devour each other ani- mated by a spirit of pure personal hatred.

Soon after the Whigs got the upper hand in this section they arrested Rev. Mr. Norris, of Cloud's Creek, for preaching the doctrine of non-resistance, and lodged him in jail at Ninety- Six. The imprisonment he, of course, bore with great patience, as it was a good opportunity to exemplify in practice what he taught so earnestly in preaching. After the war was over the State behaved with great magnanimity and forbearance to- wards all Tories and mal-contents. In many instances, and to large amounts, property, that had been confiscated and was already in possession of the State, was restored to the owners on condition of the payment of a fine of lo per cent. Cruger, on the discharge of his men, many of whom were natives and citizens of Ninety-Six District, advised them to remain in the State and return to their old homes. Many of them did so, and some came to this part of Edgefield where they lived as good citizens, leaving large and respectable families when they

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 73

died. Many also came over from the Catawba and Broad River sections of the State. Prominent among these were William and Abram Ferguson, brothers of Colonel Ferguson, who was defeated and slain at King's Mountain. These men lie buried at Denny's, just across the road in front of the store. They once owned the Mickler and Denny plantations.

In the year 1791, Washington, on his return North from his Southern tour, passed through this part of Edgefield. He visited Ridge Spring and shook hands with all who came for- ward to greet him — indeed, with the most of the ancestors of those who are living there nov/.

GREAT DEMORALIZATION.

In the early part of the century there was great demoraliza- tion in this part of Edgefield, as well as in other parts of the District and the country. The great besetting sin was the too free use of whiskey or rum; and to this may be added their usual accompaniments, card-playing, profanity and the disre- gard of the Sabbath. Many persons now living can remember when there was a grog-shop at every cross road, and sometimes between, when the cross roads were too far apart. Sometime, in the early part of the century, M. L. Weems wrote and pub- lished a history of Edgefield, in which he gives some account of the very deplorable state of morals then existing. He calls Edgefield a Pandemonium, which, being literally interpreted, means, I suppose, a home of all the devils. I hope it is some better now, and that some, at least, of the devils have been cast out. This book of Mr. Weems' I have never seen, but, judging from his Life of Washington, which I have read, and which I have now in my library, I am inclined to think that Mr. Weems was somewhat lavish in the use of glowing adjec- tives and strong language.

The state of morals was no doubt bad enough in all con- science, it always is for that matter. About the year 1809, a great reformation and revival of religion took place. It is said that in that year no less than sixteen hundred persons in Edge- field joined the church under the preaching of the celebrated Lorenzo Dow. In 181 1 was the great earthquake, the greatest ever known in this State, with the exception of the one in 1886. Perhaps that also helped to deepen and render more firm the

74 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

religious convictions of the people; for, certainly, it is a little startling and well calculated to impress us with the instability of all earthly things to feel the solid earth beneath our feet rise and fall and roar and quiver like the unstable waves of the sea.

SETTLERS FROM MARYLAND.

In or about the year 1805, a considerable number of persons came from Maryland and settled not far from the Saluda. James Bonham and Jared Edwards were among the number. Edwards first came to South Carolina as a soldier in the Mary- land line under General Gates and was in the battle of Camden when Gates was defeated, August 16, 1780. Not long after he came to Edgefield he married Rebecca Bell, youngest daughter of Captain Benjamin Bell, who was killed in the campaign against the Cherokees in 1779. From this union sprang the present large family of Edwardses.

James Bonham married Sophia Smith of Mount Willing, a lady of rare intelligence and culture and noted for her extra- ordinarily fine manners. Governor Milledge L. Bonham was their youngest son.

During the war of 181 2 the State was never invaded and, consequently, there were no conflicts of armed forces on land, though troops were raised and sent to the coast for defence. The troops were commanded by Major General William But- ler. His son, George Butler, was commissioned colonel in the regular United States Army. I have heard it related that he was at home engaged in laying a brick walk from the door of the dwelling house to the kitchen door for his mother's benefit, when a courier rode up and handed him his commission in the army. He .'Sprang to his feet and, reading his commission, he swore he would work no more that day. Samuel Mays was brigadier general.

Before this time there had not been much migration from Edgefield to the West; but the defeat of the Indians by Gen- eral Jackson and the driving of them further towards the setting sun, opened up vast fertile regions for the occupancy of the white man, of which opportunity many in Edgefield were not slow to avail themselves.

About the year 1820 the Legislature made an appropriation

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 75

of ten thousand dollars to Mrs. Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson. This appropriation caused great dissatis- faction in Edgefield and gave offense to many voters and tax payers. They construed it as an unlawful use of public money, as aiding in keeping afloat a decaying aristocracy, and not as a reward, a gift, a public testimonial, for the great services ren- dered to the whole country by her illustrious father, and en- tirely inadequate to those services. The opposition to the measure was led by Catlett Connor, a man of energy and intel- ligence, who denounced the appropriation in the strongest terms, and those members of the Legislature who had voted for it. A. P. Butler was one of them, and his popularity received a severe wound, but he bided his time and entirely recovered and reinstated himself in the affections of the people. He retained his popularity to the close of his life.

Colonel Ryden Grigsby, a brave soldier, died in 1825. He had represented the District in the Legislature. His daughter became the wife of Captain Jonathan Wever, a man of great wealth, who lived three or four miles north of where the town of Johnston now is. The only son of the marriage was the somewhat celebrated John R. Wever. He became brigadier- general of militia and a member of the Legislature. He was a man of free and easy manners and lavish in the use of his money. He was wealthy and lived as though he was seized, and possessed of the River Pactolus, the waters of which flowed full of gold, and the sands at the bottom were not common sands but diamonds and gold dust and silver. His property slipped through his hands; the stream of Pactolus ran dry; and from being a man of great wealth, he descended to very hum^ ble circumstances in life and died poor.

Rev. John Manly married a daughter of Zebulon Rudolph, of Red Bank, about the j^ear 1825, and remained in Edgefield a good many years. The mention of Rudolph recalls to my memory an old Edgefield tradition that the celebrated Marshal Ney of France, the bravest of the brave, was a Rudolph, born on Red Bank, in Edgefield District, and that his name was Michael Rudolph; that, in his youth he went to France; en- listed in the army; soon became noted for his bravery; was made corporal, sergeant, lieutenant. At that period, in the history of France when promotion once began it was rapid,

76 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

and before many years he rose to the highest rank in the army, that of Marshal of France. It is really wonderful how such traditions begin, and how they hold their own, once started. There is, however, this much of truth in the story to build upon. Ney's name w^as Michael. Alison in his History of Eu- rope, and Ney's biographers, name the place of his birth, his education, his father, his enlistment, his rise from the ranks, &c. It is impossible for him to have been Michael Rudolph of Red Bank in Edgefield. But perhaps not, after all, for the Rudolphs of Edgefield were of noble German or Alsace origin.

There is a tradition also, that Jefferson Davis was a native of Edgefield. This is a mistake. He was born in Kentucky — his mother a native of South- Carolina. But Edgefield can claim, as a well known and well established fact, that Lieuten- ant General James Eongstreet, the right hand of Eee during the great war of Secession, was born in that district. The place of his birth is known as the "old Dent place," and is near the line of Aiken and Edgefield, a few hundred yards north of the north prong of a small stream known as Fox Creek, some seven or eight miles from Augusta, and about four miles east of the Savannah River. It is a rough, rugged spot, and has no house there now.

In the good old days there lived on Mine Creek an indus- trious man named Travis. His wife bore him no children and she was frequently begging her neighbors to make her a pres- ent of one; but the neighbors did not feel like parting from one of their own in this way. At last, however, her impor- tunate prayer was gratified in a way she had not anticipated. Going out one morning to the cow pen as usual to milk her cows, she found hanging on the bars a little bundle carefully done up, which on examination she found containing a fine baby boy. She adopted him at once and named him Bar Travis from the place where he was found. He grew up a fine, healthy boy; became an active, energetic man, an honor to those who had adopted and reared him. In due time he married and finally settled a place one mile north of Bethlehem church — a place lately the home of Hon, W. J. Ready. It was here that Colonel William B. Travis, the commander and hero of the Alamo, was born in 1809. The grave of Bar Travis is still to be seen. William B. Travis emigrated to Alabama and from

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 77

that State went to take part in the Revolution in Texas and was there murdered in the Alamo, March 6, 1836, by order of General Santa Anna, with all the other defenders of the place. Among them was the celebrated David Crockett, of Tennessee, and Colonel Bonham and Colonel Bowie. "Remember the Alamo!" was the war-cry of General Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto, where his great victory was gained and Santa Anna taken prisoner. A biographical sketch of Colonel Travis will be given further on and I hope to be able to say a little more about the others also.

During nullification times Press Bland was quite a prominent and influential character in Edgefield, though he never held any office nor aspired to any. He was a strong nullifier, and being a man of considerable wealth and strong will his influ- ence was very decided and submissionists found no favor in his ej'es. He left several daughters who were much esteemed. I have heard it related of Mr. Bland that he would sometimes on horseback, booted and spurred, visit Aiken, which in his day was a small railroad village. When ready to leave, inspired bj^ the potent influence of John Barley Corn, he would mount his horse and ride through the town singing at the top of his voice :

Baruwell District, Aiken town;

O Lord in mercy do look down!

The land is poor, the people too;

If they don't steal what will they do?

During the war with the Seminole Indians in Florida, on the call for men from this State, Da\'id Denn}- raised a large com- pany, of which he was elected captain, and took part in the campaign of 1836. Captain Denny was a brave and true man, and those who knew him well bear him in honorable and kindly remembrance. There were also the Huietts living in the same section of countrv. Colonel John Huiett was major during the service of the South Carolina Volunteers in the war in Florida. He was afterwards elected to the Legislature. He died in Augusta, Ga. His brother, George D. Huiett, I have heard mentioned as one of the best men that ever lived in Edgefield. He was industrious, honest ?.nd pious. If I am not mistaken he ser\xd a term of six months as an officer in the Second Reg- iment of State troops commanded by Colonel William Fort,

yS HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

attached to the Brigade of General Walker, stationed at Poco- taligo in 1863-64. He died a few years ago — (I write this September, 1891,) on the place where he was born in Huiett township.

Very few volunteers went from the lower battalion of the Tenth Regiment, South Carolina militia, to the war with Mex- ico. They were mostly from the neighborhood of Ninety-Six and the Court House. A Roll will be given of all these, with the casualties, as well as of all who entered the Confederate service from the Count3\

Colonel Reuben Bouknight, a man of much promise and of rather more than ordinary ability, was elected to the Legisla- ture from this section. He died at the early age of thirty-six. Captain B. I. Bauknight, of Emory Chapel, is a son of his, and a daughter was married to E. J. Goggans, of Newberry, who, after marriage, deserted Newberry and made his home at Mount Willing and the neighborhood, where he was living at the close of the year 1891 — living 1894.

We will now pass on into the neighborhood of the Ridge and Cloud's Creek. Cloud's Creek, which bears the name of a man who once lived there, is a lovely stream. Its source is a half dozen small creeks which rise in the Ridge. They unite, form- ing Cloud's Creek; flow on through Rhinehart and finally mingle with the turbid waters of Little Saluda. Cloud's Creek has long been noted, and is yet noted for its quarries of fine granite and millstones. This part of the Ridge is now Norris Township. Before the year 1850, very few men in this sec- tion were aspirants for office or sought popular favor. About that time James Cameron, a man of wealth and intelligence, became a candidate for the Legislature. He was not elected, and soon afterwards he sold his land, upon which he had built a fine house and made a beautiful home, and went west. The place is now owned by Dr. H. M. Folk. A few years after- wards Wade Holstien was elected, but his own affairs required his exclusive attention, he retired from public life. Moses N. Holstien is a son of his. Major Tillman Watson was a grand- son of Captain Mike Watson of the Revolution, of whom a biographical sketch will be found in this volume. He married Elizabeth Jones, a daughter of Mr. Matthew Jones, who lived near by. Major Watson was not a man oi. much education or

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 79

reading; but he was an honest and true man; of good natural ability, and had the respect and confidence of his neighbors and of all who knew him. He was once elected to the State Senate over Colonel James Carroll, one of the ablest lawyers of the Edgefield Bar and afterwards Chancellor. A good many stories illustrating the ignorance of Mr. Watson and showing his unfitne; s for public life, were told about this time. Here is one not at all to his discredit as an honest man, how^ever much it might show that he was not well posted in public affairs. When State Senator he was asked what he thought of the Kansas- Nebraska Bill, which was then under discussion in the Congress of the United States. He at once replied: '"Why, sir, if it is a just bill it should be paid." Mr. Watson was possessed of abundant wealth and being childless, he left it all to the children of his brothers and sisters.

8o HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

X.

DR. J. C. READY.

I do not know any more appropriate time and place than the present to introduce a brief notice of Dr. John C. Ready, a physician of talent and of extensive practice, who lived for many years in Edgefield County and who died at his home on the Ridge in 1870 or 1871. Dr. Ready was born in Chester District in 1802. If I mistake not, I have been told that after taking his degree in medicine he practiced for awhile in New- berry District, but I may be mistaken in this. The first time I ever saw Dr. Ready was in Edgefield County, not far from the Saluda River at the muster ground of the Yellow Jacket Volunteer Company, during the nullification excitement — the year I do not remember. The doctor was then unmarried; a new comer into the county, and, being a good talker, of good education and of fine intelligence and ambitious of distinction, he was called upon to make a speech. There was a barbecue on hand, and, without doubt, a good supply of the ardent to stimulate the patriotism of the people, which was already glow- ing with considerable heat, burning in opposition to the high protective tariff measures of Congress. But in spite of our op- position; in spite of nullification, a high protective tariff has been imposed upon certain classes of goods from that day to this, and I suppose will be to the end, for it is the natural dis- position of those who have the power to rob and oppress the weak. In fact, it may be laid down as a law, fixed and unal- terable, that the weak have no rights that the strong are bound to respect. We see this principle, or law, established and exemplified through all animate and inanimate nature. Wherever there is life the strong and vigorous organization overshadows, oppresses, and destroys the weak. The strong man, the strong party, the strong nation, is only acting in ac- cordance with fixed, unalterable law when robbing and de- stroying the weak. But a protective tariff that makes one in- dustry pay for the support of another, more than the legiti- mate earnings of that other, is robbery all the same. Al- though it is robbery, yet what will we have? It is manifest

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 8 1

that laws were not made, and cannot be, for the strict adminis- tration and securing of positive and absolute justice. How can the ends of justice be attained by law^ when no man is just? After all, it is not justice that is desired, but order, which is far more important.

"Order is heaven's first law, be this confest, Some are, and must be, greater than the rest."

Yes, it is order that is the great desideratum, not justice. After all, again, the tyrant of to-day; the oppressor is no hap- pier nor better off than the oppressed. The autocrat of all the Russias is a poor -unfortunate wretch, whose nights and days are dreams of terror. The wretchedest exile in Siberia is not more unhapp5' than he. And, again, how can we have justice in this world, when no man wants it, but wants, instead, to get the upper hand of somebody else. After all, again, the oppressor is no happier nor better off than the oppressed. Say that he gets all he wants; let him pile up his millions; he can- not take them out of this world. They are of the earth and must remain on the earth. But he dies and goes to hell, and when he gets there he curses himself for being such a damned fool while here. Even then, though, he would not change himself, but his condition, for he can have no idea of any hap- piness, of any joy in life, except that which comes from self- love and the gratification of all selfish desires and purposes. If he ever hears or thinks of heaven, of a place, or State, where men are happy and not wretched like himself, he only thinks of those who are there as having been wiser and sharper than he, and as having made a better bargain with somebody. That his surroundings are himself, and that heaven and hell grow out of the persons who are in them, is a thought that it is impossible for him to entertain. But a tariff for protection, that fosters one industry at the expense of another, is robbery for all that, and everyone who receives any benefit from it is a robber to that extent. Yes, it is order that the world wants, not justice, not right; and let the robbery be done in due and ancient form and no complaint should ever be made — that is, ought not to be made. Though complaints will be made. There are always some restless, dissatisfied persons who cannot see, who will not see, rather, that order, the good order and welfare of society, requires that things should always remain

82 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

as they are and never be disturbed. Robbery is robbery never- theless, and protective tariff comes under that category.

It was on this theme that the doctor was holding forth the first time I ever saw him. What he said I cannot remember, but it was in opposition to the tariff. He was a good speaker, and a very good practicing physician, but he was entirely unfit to be a surgeon, on account of a weakness and unsteadiness of nerve. I saw him once try to remove a small object from one of the nostrils of a child. His hand shook and trembled so much that it was impossible for him to insert the forceps into the nostril, and he had to give it up and send the child away. The object was soon afterwards removed by some one by the simple process of pushing it back into the mouth.

During the great religious revival that swept over the coun- try from 1830 to 1836, Dr. Ready became converted under the preaching of Barnes, Hodges, and Worthington; joined the church, and was himself quite a zealous Baptist preacher for awhile. He married Miss Eliza Rook, of Daurens County, an estimable and excellent lady. After marriage he settled at Mount Enon and built him a good house where he lived for a number of years, prospering and accumulating property. He then sold his property and removed to the Ridge. His son William J. Ready and some others of his children were born at Mount Enon. I remember William as a boy, but do not think I ever saw him after his father moved to the Ridge.

He, too, is gone, after an honorable career; having been an officer in service during the War of Secession, and afterwards elected to the House of Representatives -and State Senator. His estimable widow, in a few months after his death, also de- parted this life.

THAT YELLOW JACKET COMPANY.

I think this company should have more notice than the men- tion of its name, as it was certainly one of the most unique institutions of the kind that ever was devised. It was a rifle company and met on the old Ninety-Six Road, at the Sum- mers' Place, not far from Perry's Cross Roads, and near a plan- tation belonging to Colonel Smith Brooks. It was at this place that I first saw Colonel Brooks and heard him say something to the people about having been an old Revolutionary soldier.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 83

This was during the period of the nullification excitement. The uniform of the Yellow Jacket Company was certainly one of the funniest ever devised by the ingenuity of man; but it had one exceeding great virtue — there was no excess of drapery about it. It was hand}'. The company wa? called the Yellow Jacket Company because the uniform was of a yel- lowish hue, nankeen or copperas, and cotton at that. The coat was a roundabout jacket, with the funniest little frizzled up duck's tail that I ever saw to a jacket, somewhat like that which race jockey boys have to their coats. The people I saw there, even all the boys that were wath me that day when I heard Dr. Ready speak are all gone. My elder brother, Giles, was there. He was killed at the Battle of Buena Vista, in Mexico, wdien General Taylor gained his great victory that made him President of the United States. My uncle Daniel Abney was there — gone long ago. James Black, gone more than forty 3'ears ago. Mike lyong — gone. I do not remember that I saw George Spearman that day. He is living yet. His mother was a Nunn — first married Abney — the grandfather of A. P. Coleman, who lives near the old cro.ss-road — when a widow' married Spearman, the father of George and Nancy, who are both now living. Nancy Spearman married Lewis Sample, the father of Frank and Sam. His widow lived and died near the place on which she was born, which was within a few hundred yards of the Yellow Jacket muster ground. At this same barbecue, of which I have been telling, I remember seeing Alexander Stewart, a scion of that Tory family of the Revolution, the same who preserved as sacred relics the red coat and other things worn by some of his people during that time. Aleck Stewart was himself of rather unsavory reputa- tion, but I received treatment from him that day that warmed my heart towards him and kindled a grateful feeling that never has died out and never can. I was a very bashful and diffi- dent boy, and have always been a very bashful and diffident man, though my friends might not know it, and might not believe it should I tell them, but it is true, neverthele.ss. Alex- ander Stewart seeing my diffidence and backwardness, took me up to the table, waited upon me and gave me whatever I wanted, and as much as I wanted to eat. I have never forgot- ten it. I am afraid of boys. It seems to me, sometimes, that

84 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

a great many boys try to be smart, and make themselves too smart. They are not all so. Some are too diffident and back- ward, and in such cases if you can give a little kindly en- couragement, be it ever so little, you do a world of good and make to yourselves lasting friends. Girls always receive at- tention, it is their due; but boys often fail to receive the small sweet courtesies, when they would be of great and lasting benefit to them.

A FIGHT AT EDGEFIELD.

As I am now writing of events that occurred in the midst of Nullification times, the Yellow Jacket Company, being a red- hot nullification rifle company, I may as well relate an inci- dent that occurred at Edgefield Court House, in which a 3^oung Irishman or Scotchman, named Archibald Armstrong, who, I think, was a member of the company, was an interested party. One public day at Edgefield, whether Court -week or Sale-day, not now remembered, Armstrong was there, a jolly, rollicking young giant, ready for a fight or a trolic. In that day and time at Edgefield Court House one did not have to go far to find either a fight or a frolic. I am glad to say it is now a seat of culture and refinement. The crowd that day was de- cidedly a nullification crowd, and decidedly in earnest, as Edge- field crowds, in town or count}% always are. There may have been some anti-nullifiers or submissionists there, but if there were any they found it necessary to lay low and keep dark. This crowd, seeing that Armstrong was a stranger, and some of them taking it into their heads that he was a submissionist, picked a quarrel with him and soon got into a fight. They put one of their best men forward, but after a few rounds he was used up and rendered unfit for further service. They tried him with another, and another, but he still remained master of the field and the situation. He then told them to come on one at a time and he would tan out the whole crowd if they wished; but they had enough, and no other one was found willing to tackle him. Armstrong had a friend present whom they all knew and respected; but until he spoke they did not know he was Armstrong's friend, as he had remained very quiet and was looking on to see fair play. He told them that Armstrong was as good and true a nullifier as any of them; that he knew

HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 85

hiin well and could vouch for him. This friend was James Boulware, of Big Creek, whom I knew well in my boyhood and early manhood. He moved to Alabama, and long- after- wards I met him once at Edgefield Court House when he had passed the meridian of life; but he stood straight as an arrow and his step w^as firm. His beard was white, as white as snow, whiter than my own is now, and hung down upon his breast. His eyes were bright, his face was ruddy and full of health, and I thought him the finest looking man I had ever seen. Mr. William P. Butler of Edgefield, when I saw him last, a long while ago, was a very handsome man, but Mr. Boulware was larger, and there was a strength and vigor in his appear- ance, that impressed me so much that I still bear him in mind as the finest looking man I have ever yet seen. His brother, Humphrey Boulware, was Sheriff of Edgefield for some years. His grandmother was a Rutherford, of the patriotic family of Colonel Rutherford of the Revolution. She sleeps her last sleep at Red Bank Baptist Church, of which she was a member.

86 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

XI.

A REMARKABLE PHENOMENON.

Just before the great and decisive act of Secession, in the Fall of iS6o, as I have been told it was, but my memory would place it a year or two earlier, in 1859, I think. I did not wit- ness the phenomenon, but was told of it the next morning. I was absent from home in I^aurens County, and the display oc- curred after the usual hour of retiring to sleep. It was a won- derful display of the Aurora Borealis. "I awoke," says my informant, "with a great thirst, being a little boy at the time, when my mother, of blessed memory, took me to the piazza to get some water. The whole element appeared to be a solid sheet of blood, and the reflection from the sky caused a pale yellow light to shine upon the earth. Many others saw it, and some say they heard music also. The old men called them 'war lights,' and said such things occurred to their fathers just before the Revolution." I did not see this magnificent disylay of the heavenly light, but remember hearing it spoken of as ominous of coming trouble. Comets were once so re- garded and eclipses of the sun, and all unusual and remarka- able displays of natural phenomena. Indeed, a great display of the Aurora Borealis is enough to strike any beholder with feelings of awe, and the unlearned with terror. It is a phe- nomenon which the most learned and scientific men of the age have never been able to explain satisfactorily. It is too hard for science. It seems to be one of those unexplainable phe- nomena. Similar phenomena occurred about ten years later, beginning in August and continuing almost nightly, until far into the spring following. Some of the auroras were exceed- ingly beautiful, rising in the northeast in great pillars of red- dish light, passing westward across the pole and sinking in the northwest. As for the music, I know not whether any was heard then, but that music is sometimes heard in the atmos- phere above us without any visible producing cause, I know; but whether it be an echo from music at a distance, or whether it be strains descending from supernal sources, I do not know. One day at the burial of a child in Rosemont Cemetery, New-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 87

berr}^ officiating minister Rev. W. D. Kirkland, of the Metho- dist Church, I heard distinctly a strain of music, coming, it seemed to me, from far above, yet floating around and near. It might have been — I know not which — a response to the hymn just sung at the grave, or a welcome from angelic choirs to the soul of the child. Be its source what it may, I heard it. Some years afterwards a friend told me that riding by the same cemetery one evening near sunset, when everything was quiet and still around, he heard similar strains floating in the air far above him. Is it superstition to believe that there is another and a better world very near to this, and that some- times, whether by eye or by ear, or by some other sense, we may have perception of its nearness?

SECESSION AT MOUNT WILLING.

When the State seceded, December 20th, 1S60, the cannon of rejoicing that were fired at Hamburg were heard as far as Mount Willing, and even beyond. The cannon fired at Char- leston, during the bombardment of that city by the F'ederals, were heard very nearlj^ as far as Ninety-Six; but they were of much larger calibre than those at Hamburg. A few days after the passage of the Ordinance of Secession, the lower battalion of the Tenth Regiment was assembled at Mount Willing and a company of volunteers was formed to go into service. David Denny, the same man who commanded a company during the Seminole war, was elected captain. This da}^ will always be remembered in the history of that battalion. A beautiful flag, attached to a rope stretched from the top of the storehouse to the limb of a large oak, was waving in the air. The ladies, carried away by the enthusiasm of the time, waved their hand- kerchiefs and cheered their friends and relatives as they vol- unteered; while the band kept up a continual strain of music; and the militia officers paraded and swore at a fearful rate, as fully as terribly as ever our army did in Flanders. Aunt Fannie Smith, a free colored woman, who sold ginger-cakes and beer at musters, did a great business that day. Thomas L. Smith was the Colonel of the Tenth Regiment of militia. When a hundred men had enlisted and enrolled themselves. Miss I,izzie Dozier, who, after the close of the war, married Cap- tain Charlton, presented them their flag. J. C. McElroy re-

88 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

ceived it and assured the ladies that he would carry it from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, if necessary. He did his best during the war. He carried it beyond the Potomac, and his heroic dust now lic-s beneath the soil, or mingled with it, of one of the famous battle fields of Maryland. Several other companies were formed and went to the front. The names, as far as it is possible to procure them, of all, both officers and men, who went from the county, with the casualties, will be given before I close.

It is impossible in this book, nor does it come within its scope, to give a history of the War of Secession; but some in- cidents and anecdotes will doubtless be given before the work is done. Many brave deeds were performed, many lives were lost, and many cripples were made during that great contest; but the only question finally settled and decided was the rela- tive strength and power of endurance of the parties. The great political question as to the relations existing between the States was left precisely in static quo ante bellum. Slavery? That was a mere accident or incident of the quarrel, and not the question — not a question at issue between the parties. The real question at issue was: Whether a State, once independent, having formed a union with other independent States, could sever that union at will. We affirmed; they denied. The other side fought for the union, solely and simply, under any conditions. We fought for the freedom and independence of the States as States, without regard to any particular forms of government, whether Democratic, Republican, or Aristocratic. We were Greeks; they were Romans, who fought for empire. And as Rome conquered Greece in ancient days, so, in modern times, the Empire has conquered and the Greek States have perished. Let us see to it that Greek culture, Greek art, Greek thought, and Greek poetry, and Greek inspiration, have not perished, though the States have. In time we may re- conquer the empire, as Greece through her letters at last con- quered Rome.

Mr. Lincoln cared no more for the freedom of the negro than Mr. Davis did. His Emancipation Proclamation, which has been so much lauded by his admirers, was issued only as a war measure, in the hope that it would weaken the defences of the South by exciting insurrections, insubordination, and en-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 89

couraging runaways from the Southern fields. It expressly excepted from its operation all States and parts of States not in rebellion against the government of the United States, and slaves in all such States and parts of States were to remain in slavery because their masters were loyal.

Men went to the froi.t full of enthusiasm, leaving wives and children at home. In a little while it was impossible to go to church, or to any gathering of people, without seeing wounded soldiers at home on furlough, with arm in a sling or limping on crutches. Every mail brought news of a neighbor or a friend being wounded or killed in battle. The most distin- guished officers that were killed from the section of country embraced in the lower battalion of the Tenth Regiment, were Lieutenants J. R. Bouknight, W. J. Denny, J. M. Daniel, Levi Crouch, W. A. Rutland, and Hiram Holstein; Captain Norris and Major John Crowder. These were all brave and patriotic men. No doubt there were many brave deeds done b}^ private soldiers, as well as by the officers, that ought to be recorded; and the pen of this scribe would move gladly and swiftl}^ in recording them, but no record was made of them at the time, and they have passed into the sum of all, lost, but not lost, as a drop of water in the sea.

Old soldiers still often speak of the unrivalled fun and cour- age of Loss Padget, a youth of twent}', who was killed in Vir- ginia just before the surrender of Lee's army. The men now living who were most prominent in the war from the lower battalion, are Captain P. B. Waters, now a lawyer at Edge- field; James Mitchell, A. P. West, A. P. Bouknight, James Boatwright, Henry Vanzandt, S. L. Ready, and Colonel E. J. Goggans.

This war gave freedom to the negroes, but it settled no question of right or wrong. It did not even settle the right or wrong of slaver}-. It only settled the question whether it should be or not be — that is the question. If African slavery was wrong, it was wrong whether triumphant or not. That it was ..wrong, and a very great wrong, I never doubted from the time I was old enough to read and to think for myself. But I was a slave holder until the close of the war, and would be one even now, I suppose, if the institution had continued till to-dav undisturbed. We did not fight for slavery, in it-

90 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

self considered — that was a mere side issue — as lyincoln and others never fought against it per se, but only as a means of hurting us. We fought for the States as States; for the right to pursue our own course, our own policy, to manage our own affairs, undisturbed and uninterfered with. We were Greeks, animated by the old horoic spirit of Greece, that led us to fix our aflFectiou upon our own State, and make it first and fore- most, the glory of the world. The northern sentiment was Roman, with Lincoln as the head and chief exponent. That sentiment regarded the States as nothing, save as integral parts of the empire which centered at Washington, as the Ro- man Empire did at Rome. This question the war did not set- tle, and could not. It settled no question except the relative strength of the parties to the contest. Rebellion! He who uses that word as applicable to the people of the South is him- self a tyrant or an ignoramus. We are a conquered people. Is it possible for a conquered people to love that power which conquered them? Is it possible for us to love a union which is forced upon us? We may acquiesce; we may faithfully do our duty as subject citizens; but that love, which ought to animate the heart and soul of every true citizen, must be wanting. The true union is free and not forced. I feel now as I have always felt, that the strongest bond of union possible to be devised, is for each and every State to have the acceded right and to be at perfect liberty to leave the union, with or without cause, when- ev^er it might choose to do so. If the United States in i860, or 1 86 1, had said to South Carolina: "Well, you have left us; all right. You think you can get along without us; we know that we can do very well without you. Go in peace; let us live in peace." If this had been the ruling sentiment of the United States, South Carolina would have become the laugh- ing vStock of the world, and would soon have been knocking at the door for readmission into the Union. Suppose that now any State had the conceded right to leave the Union at once, if it saw proper, the State, of course, bearing its proper and proportionate share of the existing public debt. What could the State ! ope to gain by it? Nothing short of madness could induce any State to do it. But when the Union is one of force, when the chain that binds the States is one of iron or of steel, fast riveted, and not the golden fetter of good will and

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 9I

love and good fellowship, it galls and hurts, no matter how lightly and loosely and easily it may hang upon the limbs. It is a fetter imposed by force, and from that very fact becomes hateful, because the wearer knows that whenever the will of the master requires, it may be drawn so tight as to crush and destroy all freedom of motion. But I cannot doubt that a Divine Providence is in all human affairs, and that, in the War of Secession, God permitted the South to be beaten because slavery existed there, and that He wanted to destroy.

Soon after the war desperate white men, some of -whom, it is said, had belonged to the Federal army, got in the Saluda country, and, there and elsewhere, committed robberies and other desperate deeds, that would do honor to the brigands of Spain, or Italy, or the James Brothers, or to the celebrated John A. Murrell. Major Hodge and a man named Thomas were leaders of these desperadoes. Thomas I saw once at a party, a social gathering in Edgeiield County, in 1865, and again in my own bookstore in Newberry in the year 1866. He had bargained with a tobacconist from North Carolina, for the purchase of a wagon load of tobacco, with the wagon and :eam, to be delivered at a certain specified time and place; and they came into the store together to draw up the contract or agree- ment in writing. Soon after the tobacconist heard some rumors in regard to the reputation of Thomas and he did not appear and deliver the tobacco, &c. , at the time and place agreed — probabl}' from fear of being robbed and murdered. It was rumored afterwards that Thomas was hanged for some crime, and that Hodge was captured and hanged by the Fed- eral garrison at Augusta. This period of lawlessness lasted, perhaps longer than it would have done if the government of the State had not passed entirel}^ out of the hands of the native white men, citizens, as one of the results of the war. David Graham, a full-blooded negro, who lived near Red Bank, was elected to the I^egislature several times during the period from 1868. And nearly all the representatives and county officers were negroes.

MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL.

Let us now notice some of the ministers of the gospel and teachers of the youth of this part of Edgefield. Rev. Henry

92 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

Herlong was a native of Orangeburg, though his home for man}^ years was in Edgefield near the Little Saluda River. He was a good farmer as well as a good preacher and good man. He was a Methodist preacher, but, I believe, never an itiner- ant. He was the founder of Emory Chapel. I learned some- thing from him once about the mixture of soils and earths, which is worth remembering. Just below the public road and on the east or right bank of Little Saluda, he had a small piece of bottom land so crawfishy that it was worthless and unpro- ductive. In course of time red clay from a hillside in the road washed down upon it in considerable quantities, and the qual- ity of the soil became entirely changed and produced heavy crops of corn. He then made further experiments and found the red clay upon such places to be most excellent manure. Mr. Herlong was the father of Rev. Vastine Herlong, whom I used to see frequently and to know well. Spann's was named in honor of Rev. Henry Spann. Revs. Michael Rauch, Paul Derrick, Emanuel Caughman, and A. M. Eindler have all, at different times, preached the Word to the Lutheran churches in this part of Edgefield. Their names will probably again appear in a sketch of the Lutheran Church.

Revs. Mark Abney,",George Bell, A. P. Norris, and Abner Asbil were all acceptable ministers amongst the Baptists here. Mark Abney and George Bell, this writer, many j'ears ago, knew well. Mr. Bell was a 3'oung man grown at Mount Enon School in 1835, when the writer was a little boy. Being near- sighted or having some defect in his e3'es, he wore glasses, which we little fellows thought very singular. He became a very excellent business man, as well as acceptable preacher and good citizen.

At the time of the ministrations of the Revs. Herlong and Spann in this part of Edgefield, the people called Methodists were not very numerous; but they were, and are, so active and aggressive, and withal, so sympathetic, that they have in- creased greatly in numbers.

EDUCATION.

I have already written .something on the subject of educa- tion, but it is never out of order to give additional information, as the schoolmaster certainly occupies one of the most useful

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 93

and responsible positions in the world. There have been some very excellent teachers in the Lower Battalion. David Pugh, a graduate of Cambridge University, in England, taught for nian}^ years a large school near Mount Willing. Dr. John Barrett, another highly cultivated Englishman, spent a great part of his life as a teacher. Many of the prominent men of Edgefield for several generations , were students of theirs. It was the custom in those days for schoolmasters to work, like other people, the year round and all day, Saturday excepted. Now it is not thought necessary. Possibly ours is the better plan. It was quite common also in those days for educated men and women from the North to seek and find situations here as teachers. It is not so common now. The change in our domestic institutions has produced of necessity a very great change in our home life as well. At this time we have Train- ing Schools for teachers, and many men, women and girls take pride in fitting themselves for doing the most perfect work possible, and our schools are taught mostly by trained teach- ers, "native and to the manner torn." This is as it should be.

WATSON, BATES AND OTHERS.

Colonel Sam Watson was one of the most prominent charac- ters of this section from 1850 to i860. He lived where his son P. B. Watson now resides. He accumulated a very handsome property and died in 1873, about 57 years of age, leaving a large and respectable family. Captain Tom Bates was another prominent man at this time. His home was near the beautiful town of Batesburg, in fact, the place was named in honor of his family. Captain Bates married a daughter of Wade Hol- stien. He was quite wealthy. Alonzo Bates is his only son. William Padgett was also a worthy and prominent citizen of this section. He never sought nor held any public position. Indeed it may be said of the Padgetts that they are remark- able for their love of private life, William Padgett's wife was Margaret Denn}', sister of Colonel David Denny, of whom men- tion has already been made. He was quite wealthy before the war but at its close he was not rich. For honesty, industry, and general integrity of character he had few superiors. Rev. Mah- lon D. Padgett, of Mount Willing, and Mr. David Padgett, of the Ridge, are his sons. One of the loveliest characters I ever

94 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

knew was Mr. Mahlon Padgett, whose home is near Trenton — hale and erect at the age of four score years — a man with a small body but a large head and large heart. I knew him first at school in the year 1S35. We were students together in the same class in English Grammar, of which Rev. George Bell was also a member. Mahlon is still living and I hope that I ma)' meet him again. The last time I ever saw him was at Edgefield Court House, many years ago, during or just before the war, I do not now remember.

Mount Willing can boast of the largest and smallest man in the county. Wesley Corley, the large man, is sixty-five years old and weighs 350 pounds. Lewis Suddath is about sixty, and weighs about 45 or 50 pounds. I have seen Mr. Suddath several times — the last time was, I think, in the year 1885 or 1886, at O'Neall's church in Edgefield, near his home. Mr. Corley 1 have never seen.

DIVISION OF THE DISTRICT.

Many years ago the question of the division of the District was frequently discussed, being thought by many to be too large. The idea then was to cut off the Tenth Regiment. Hon. George D. Tillman, then a young, ambitious man — he has since lost his youth but not his ambition — took a leading part in the movement. The District has since been divided, but not in the way then desired. Beech Island, including Ham- burg, has been cut off and joined to a part of Barnwell, mak- ing the new County of Aiken. The old desire for division on this side seems to have evaporated. It may be, too, that the election of such good citizens from this side to the Legislature, as D. B. Peurifoy, Rev. C. P. Boozer, J. B. Suddath", W. J. Ready, has done much to cure the dissatisfaction.

Since this was written the District has been divided, and now we have Saluda County.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 95

XII.

MOUNT WILLING-ORIGIN OF THE NAME

Jacob Smith first settled Mount Willing. He had the old English custom of giving names to every farm and separate place he owned. He lived first at the place now (1891) occu- pied by Mr. Frank Boyd, which he called Flat Grove. His house was riear the creek, near the old Smith and Bonham grave-yard. This place was very sickh' at that time, which caused Mr. Smith to remove to a place which he called Wine Hall, where Mr. William Myrick now lives. Just before the Revolutionary War Mr. Smith built a tavern in the woods on the east side of Richland Creek. Soon afterwards a large number of men met at the tavern to see about opening some roads through the country. When they were through with the business of the meeting and all had agreed upon the loca- tion of the roads to be cut — the same, bj' the way, that cross there now — the Chairman or President of the meeting called out: "Let's Mount!" to which was replied: "Willing!" Mr. Smith, who was present, caught the words, and gave the place the name of Mount Willing, which name it has borne ever since. Jacob Smith married Sarah Butler, an aunt of General William Butler. Cunningham, while on his great raid, stopped there in order to refresh his men and also to put Smith to death, but a Tor}^ begged Cunningham to allow Mr. Smith a few moments to pray, which request was granted. The Tory then ran to the house of Russell Wilson, who lived only a short distance from the store, north, and got Mrs. Carghile to help intercede for his life. Mrs. Carghile was Wilson's sister, and the wddow of Captain Neely Carghile, who had been lately killed by the Whigs. She told Cunningham of Smith's great kindness to the widows and orphans of the murdered Tories, which saved his life. Jacob Smith was a man of great wealth, and many are the stories told of his liberality to the distressed families of both Whigs and Tories during the Revolution. He died in 1805 at about seventy years of age, and was buried at Flat Grove. Mr. Smith left a son, Luke, and a daughter, Sophia. Luke married Elizabeth

96 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

lyoman, by whom he had two children, Jacob B. Smith and the exemplary wife of Dr. Rhyden G. Mays. Sophia married Captain James Bonhani, a young widower from Maryland. Captain Bonham lived near Red Bank and died in 1815, at the age of thirty-nine. His oldest daughter, Sallie, married John Lipscomb; Julia married Dr. Bowie. His oldest son, Malachi, emigrated to Texas; James also went there, and was one of the victims of the massacre at the Alamo. Milledge was the youngest, and was regarded as a very pious youth; in fact, he used to preach sometimes. He read law; was a successful practitioner; was made Solicitor of his circuit, his home being at Edgefield; was a member of Congress when the State se- ceded; became Brigadier-General in the Confederate service; took an active part and rendered efficient service at the first battle of Manassas or Bull Run; was elected Governor succeed- ing Pickens, and held that oSice for two years during the war. After the war he held different public positions, and died in the service of the State. Mrs. Bonham, his mother, lived with him at the court house during the last years of her life. She was a lady of extraordinary merit. When she died the Gov- ernor had her buried by the side of his father at Flat Grove.

General William Butler had another aunt, Susan Butler, who married Enoch Grigsby. Mr. Grigsby lived near Mount Willing on the plantation occupied in 1891 by Dr. linger. He left one son, Colonel Rhyden Grigsby, and four daughters. One of these daughters married Captain Jonathan Wever; one General Samuel Mays, of Big Saluda; one Lod Hill, who lived near Richardsonville in the Revolution; Thomas Butler, a brother of General Butler, married another. Lod Hill left two sons, Theophilus and Henry; and a daughter, who mar- ried Captain Bryant Dean, the father of Colonel A. B. Dean and Captain Theophilus Dean. Henry Hill was the father of Dr. Lovett Hill, of Ward, and the grandfather of John B. Hill, School Commissioner in 1891. Did he not also have a son named James? Theophilus Hill was the father of Lod Hill and Rhyden Hill, who are now dead; and also of Henry Hill, of Johnston; Dr. Walter Hill, of the court house; James R. Hill, of Richardsonville; Ben Hill, Dyson's; and a son Thomas, who was killed in the War of Secession. Captain Offie Dean, just mentioned, was living in 1891 at Mount Enon,

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 97

in the house built by Dr. J. C. Read}-. Manj' j^ears ago Cap- tain Dean was tax collector for the District, and may also have held other positions.

Colonel Rhyden Grigsby and Colonel Simpson Wilson mar- ried sisters, the Misses Mann'ng. Their brother, I,uke, a very celebrated characte - in his day, is said to have killed three men in South Carolina, for which he was tried and found guilty of murder, but was reprieved each time. He finally went to Alabama, and there having killed a man, he was tried, found guilt}' of murder, and suffered the extreme penalty of the law. Colonel Grigsby died of consumption and his sons removed to Alabama. A Mr. Herbert, and John and Thomas Waters married hi daughters.

MAD BILL ABNEY.

Colonel Wilson and his son-in-law, Mark McKann, removed to Florida. Colonel Wilson was very wealthy, and had John Crouder and Mad Bill Abney employed to help superintend his business. Crouder went with him to Florida, but Abney remained at Mount Willing, then owned by Wilson, with a large number of negroes. The 3'ellow fever raged in Florida from 1830 to 1832, with fatal effect. McKann and all his family died of it. Colonel Wilson sent Crouder back to ar- range one of his plantations, .so that he could move his family back to Edgefield. C/ouder, immediately after his return, married Ellen Edwards, and just one month after his marriage died of yellow fever. The next fall his widow gave birth to a son, who was called John A. Crouder. More will be said of him after awhile. Crouder, Wilson, and McKann died in the year 1S32. Colonel Wilson died in Florida, and his family all returned to Edgefield.

In the fall of 1S32 Abney married the widow Stevens, a daughter of Colonel Wilson. A young gentleman from New- berry married another at the same time. Mrs. Stevens, who Avas famous for her beauty, had gone to Florida, where her husband died, leaving her a widow with three little girls. A dashing young colonel, who wore a gaudy uniform, made her an offer of marriage; but she told him if a lady like herself, with three little daughters, ever married again, she ought to try and get a man like Mr. Abney, who knew how to make

98 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

corn and potatoes. Mr. Abney heard of the remark and after- wards courted and married her. It is said that when the time of the marriage came on and Mr. Abney went to the house to be married, his modesty overcame him in the 5'ard and he could proceed no further. He found it impossible to go into the house. His mother-in-law discovering his predicament, and sympathizing with him in h's embarrassment, wa^.ked out to him and said very kindly: "Come in, Billy, ^he girls are waiting." This relieved him of his embarrassment. Mr. Abney afterwards sold the Mount Willing place to Jacob B. Smith, a grandson of the original settler, and removed to Alabama, where he prospered and all went well with him. The epithet of "Mad Bill" was applied '.o him on account of the grumness of his countenance, and not on account of any harshness, nor violence, nor irritability of temper. Ihis William Abney was a son of Azariah Abney and grandson of Captain Nathaniel Atnay and Isabella Madison, who came from Virginia about the year 1761. I never saw Mad Bill, nor his brother Hardy. I was at their father's house at the funeral of their sister. Miss Elizabeth Abney, but I do not remember seeing them there. The funeral sermon was preached by Dr. John Bolger, a great Baptist preacher at thai time, living on Turkey or Mountain Creek, or somewhere in that region of country. Dr. Bolger was a connection of the family, he having married a w'.dow Wills, a sister of Azariah Abney, and who was also my own great-grandmother. Dr. Bolger w?s English by birth, and came to this country in his youth or boyhood. He raised a family here in Edgefield, but after his death they all moved away and, I think. Dr. Bolger has no descendants now living in Edgefield. Newberry's much respected citizen, Warren G. Peterson, is a nephew of Mad Bill Abney. So is Joel Abne}', of Saluda.

Jacob B. Smith married Matilda Youngblood, of Edgefield village. He was elected Colonel of the Tenth Regiment of South Carolina Militia, and also to the Legislature. He died in 1853, when only a little over fifty years of age. After his death the Mount passed into the possession of strangers, after having been owned bj- some of the family for nearly a hundred years.

Feeling a deep interest in the welfare of my old comrades of

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 99

Company D, Nineteenth South Carolina Volunteers, I have learned, from inquiry, that Billy Reese, a litter-bearer, who-, helped to carry me off the field when I was wounded, and I^ieutenant J. W. Denny, who became Captain of the company before the close, have died since the war. Sam. Edwards, Bas Peterson, James Crouch, and John G-egory, who was also a litter-bearer, were living in 1891. There were others whose names I cannot now recall. Sam. Edwards was wounded twice at Atlanta and taken j^risoner. One of his legs was am-- putated. My brother, Sergeant Thomas Chapman, w'.io him-- self was mortally wourded at Atlanta, sent word to Sam. Ed- ward's father that Sam. was mortally wounded; but he sur- vived and remained in prison at Camp Chase, Ohio, until re- leased in -he summer of 1865. J. D. Smith Livingston lives at Newberry.

JOHN A. CROUDER.

John A. C^'ouder helped to raise and organize Company D of the Nineteenth Regiment. He first belonged to a companj' commanded by Robert Meriwether, which went against Fort Sumter and then to Virginia. When the time of his enlistment expired he returned home and assisted Ira Cromley to raise Compan}^ D. Cromley was elected Captain; Crouder, ist Lieu- tenant; E. B. F'orrest, 2nd; and Isaac Edwards, 3rd. After a few months, Cromley, Forrest, and Edwan's,''who were too old for service, resigned and retired, and Crouder was pro- moted to be Captain. When the regiment was reorganized at Corinth, Miss. , Crouder was elected Major, which position he held until his death, March 12th, 1863, from the effects of a wound received at the battle of Murfieesboro, Tennessee. His. sword is now in the possession of his kinsman, John Crouder Edwards, who also bears his name — "and these," says Mr. Edwards, "are about all the evidence that any such man ever existed." I understand that John Crouder Edwards is a bachelor — not personally acquainted with him. He ought ta marry and transmit the sword of his dead kinsman, who was a brave and honorable man, to his son, and son's son of coming; generations, as a precious relic of the horoic, though dark days of the War of Secession.

Thomas G. Clemson, son-in-law of John C. Calhoun, once

lOO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

lived iu Coleman Township, near Red Bank. Mr. Calhoun often visited Mrs. Clerason, and while on these visits it was that I had the good fortune to see Mr. Calhoun several times; and also Mr. Clenison. It was during the time that Mr. Cal- houn's Dahlonega gold mines were at their best. Mr. Clem- son was telling how rich the mines were, and by way of illus- tration he took off an old fur cap which he was wearing, and said that on one occasion he brought up from the mine in which they were digging five hundred dollars worth of gold in that cap. After Mr. Calhoun's death in 1850, Mr. Clemson sold his farm in Edgefield to Colonel Alfred Deering, and moved to Pendleton. By will, Mr. Clemson gave to the State a portion of that property in Pendleton for the purpose of establishing an Agricultural College, which has been named Clemson College in honor of the founder.

William Gregg, the builder of Graniteville, was a native of West Virginia, and came to Edgefield when he was about twenty years old. He married Marina Jones, of Ridge Spring. His brother-in-law, General James Jones, and Colonel John Bauskett had built a cotton factory at Vaucluse and tried to run and operate it with slave labor. Their success was not great, the laborers not having the requisite skill and expert- ness. Mr. Gregg concluded to use white laborers at Granite- ville, and succeeded in his enterprise.

In 1858, Mr. Gregg and Colonel James Carroll, afterwards one of the chancellors of the State, opposed each other for the State Senate. The contest was very warm and spirited, and resulted in the election of Mr. Carroll. About this time there was some blockade running — importing negroes from Africa — an importation which had a few friends, and very few in Edge- field, but which gave great offence to many persons. This writer saw one young fellow belonging to a man who was liv- ing near Richardsonville, but who was preparing to move into Georgia, who was said to have been brought from Africa. He had not learned to speak English. It is said, but with how much truth I do not know, that Mr. William Spires, of Ham- burg, who was then Sheriff, had charge of the District of Edgefield for the introduction of Africans.

HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. loi

DR. WILLIAM MOBLEY.

In 1854, Dr. William Mobley was elected to the Legislature. His grandfather, Jeremiah Mobley, came to Edgefield just after the Revolutionary War from North Carolina, and settled near Fruit Hill. His father, John Mobley, married lyucretia Simkins. They left three sons, William, Eldred, and John. William was born in 1809. He first married Harriet Goode, of Centre Springs. She died soon. He then married Susan- nah Neal, daughter of Hugh Neal, a wealth}- gentleman of Irish descent. Dr. Mobley was a deacon of Red Bank Church for a long time. He was a man of verj^ fine appearance, pleas- ing manner, and remarkable for his kindness to all classes of persons; traits of character which made him verj^ popular both as neighbor and physician. He was first elected to the Legis- lature in 1854, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Mr. John C. Allen, of Fruit Hill. He was re-elected several times, and was a member at the time of his death in October, 1866.

I02 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

XIII.

WESTSIDE.

Let us give our attention for awhile to that part of Edge- field known as the Westside, lying on the Savannah.

The history of Edgefield on the side bordering on the Sa- vannah, especially in the upper portion, is perhaps not so full <of stirring incidents as some other sections of the county, but no part can properly be said to be without the material of which history is made. Man is the same in all ages and every- where, and wherever man is, he is making history — history which, indeed, may never be written, but which, if written, might be found full of absorbing and eternal interest. The record of the events now transpiring in any one day in South Carolina, would furnish a history, the darker pages of which -would make the angels weep. We are always doing those acts, the record of which constitutes history. Some years are much more pregnant and fruitful in material than others; and some sections more than others; but no year, no day, and no section is entirely barren of material.

Since the earliest times the Savannah side of Edgefield has been tributary to Augusta, Ga. , and its rival towns, Harris- burg and Springfield, on the Georgia side, with Campbell ton opposite and a little above on the Carolina side. These vil- lages, in the earlier times, were rivals, and owing to the grow- ing wealth of the surrounding country, where, besides the traffic in pelts, hides, and other Indian products, tobacco soon became a staple product. In those primitive days the making of tobacco hogsheads in Augusta formed a considerable indus- try. These were very different from the tobacco hogsheads of recent times, and were necessarily made very much stronger then than now, as these receptacles of the tobacco crop were also the vehicles by means of which it was conveyed to market. This was effected by attaching a pair of extemporized shafts to each head of the hogshead, converting it into a huge roller, to which an animal was attached by these shafts, and the crop thus rolled to market.

As these rival villages were all at the head of navigation on

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. I03

the Savannah, and all situated at the falls formed by the gran- ite formation, which traverses a greater portion of the two States, each seemed to possess equal chances ot reaping the benefit of such natural advantages, and possibly becoming the chief infant city of these growing provinces.

Campbellton must have enjoyed the advantage of being the chief market town of Westside, Edgefield, as several roads and Indian trails centred at that point. Even at this time, 1892, the remains of an old trail leading up the Carolina bank of the Savannah are plainly visible. This trail came up the river to Stevens' Creek, which it crossed at a shoal near its confluence — later at a point a short distance above, known as the free ferry — both long since abandoned. After crossing Stevens' Creek it ascended to the ridge, which, by a succes- cession of abrupt and brol:en hills, forms an uneven back-bone of lands about five miles in width, which divides these two streams for a considerable distance north, when it gradually subsides into a more even, but still hilly portion, marked by a pine belt twenty miles above. This trail describes almost a straight line to a point on the river known as Fort Hill, about tw^o miles below the crossing known as Scott's Ferry, and where is still to be seen the remains of an old but diminutive earth- work, which served as a means* of protection against the savages for trappers and traders, who either inhabited or visited this remote region. This ancient and almost obliterated structure stands upon a projecting point of ridge at the foot of the hills, and overlooking the river and the intervening low- lands bordering on it. While the soil is for the most part thin and rocky, the bottoms are quite fertile, and produce, even now, fine crops with fair cultivation.

As Campbellton declined in glory and wealth, and the neces- sity for a market on this side the river grew, Hamburg, the offspring of the enterprise and industry of an energetic and eccentric German named Shultz, came up out of the marshes and swamps scarcely two miles below. By the indomitable pluck and push of this remarkable man, aided by the advan- tages of locality, Hamburg, at one time, was no mean rival of Augusta, who had at this time swallowed up Springfield and Utterly eclipsed Harrisburg in the cotton and grocery trade of all upper Carolina.

I04 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

With the opening of the famous Augusta canal, which effectually killed the river trade, navigation by pole boats on the upper Savannah being both difficult and dangerous over the shoals below the locks at the head of the canal, and by the building not many years after of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad, Hamburg was doomed. Soon after the beginning of this decline, the South Carolina Railroad, which till then ter- minated at Hamburg, purchased a site for depots in Augusta, and extended its track across the river, thus sealing the fate of Hamburg, and giving great gain and new life to her rival. Yet, notwithstanding these fatal blows to the prosperity of Henry Shultz's hopes and lifework, Hamburg continued, even after the close of the Confederate War, to do a small cotton business. Reconstruction, \vith its hells and horrors, crushed out the last lingering hopes in the hearts of the property holders, and reached its climax in the now historic riot of '76, which culminated in the death of one of Edgefield's brightest and best boys, the young, the gallant, and fearless Thos. Mc- Kie Meriwether, who fell at the foot of the pier of the Colum- bia and Augusta bridge on that dark day.

Campbellton, Edgefield, and even the State of South Caro- lina, is adorned by another name made bright by the gallant deeds of its bearer, wdio l^d his home there, or at a place called New Richmond hardby, and who occupies a prominent place in the history of our State — Ee Roy Hammond, or, as he was better known. Captain Ee Roy Hammond, whose descend- ants still own the lands of New Richmond, and have figured in the civil as well as the militar}^ annals of Edgefield. Else- where in this book will be found a biographical sketch of Ee Roy Hammond, with some account of his Revolutionary ser- vices.

Between Campbellton and the mouth of Stevens' Creek about five miles above Campbellton, were extensive and profit- able shad fisheries, which gave employment and afforded reve- nue to the land holders on either side of the river. So abun- dant was the catch in the shad season that eight large roe shad would scarcely fetch a dollar, and in consequence a great por- tion of the season's catch was pickled and sent away to other markets. Round fish, such as suckers and red-horses, were a drug, and furnished food for hogs. Such was the providence

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. I05

of the early settlers of this rich and teeming portion of Edge- field.

Ascending the river over a broken and hilly country poorly adapted to agriculture, 3^et occupied by men who in the face of these adverse circumstances have been successful and prosper- ous farmers; and crossing Stevens' Creek, a more level and more productive countr}- comes into view. As population in- creased and the products of the soil became more abundant, other and more convenient avenues of trade became necessary. About the year 1840, Delaughter, an enterprising citizen of the fork, conceived the idea of building a covered bridge across the creek two miles above its mouth, and obtained a charter for a new road, which afforded improved facilities for reaching market, but never realized his hopes of gaining wealth from tolls collected. This property soon passed into the hands of Colonel John Bauskett, a distinguished lawyer of the Edgefield bar, and who also owned a verj- considerable landed estate in the fork between the creek and river, and was long after known as Bauskett' s bridge. This bridge went to deca}^ and was never rebuilt, and necessarily caused the abandonment of the road. lyong before the building of this bridge a road had been established by way of a ford at a shoal two miles higher up the creek, at which two brothers, George and Allen Ander- son, had erected a grist mill, which, for a long series of j-ears, furnished grist for a large portion of the neighboring country. These worth}- men were most exemplary citizens, and have handed down a name for honesty, sobriety, and truth unex- celled by any and equalled by few names which now or have ever adorned the annals of this portion of Edgefield.

After passing out of the hands of the Andersons, this mill property fell into the hands of Captain Robt. Meriwether, a member of another quite prominent family, which figures in the history of Georgia, as well as in that of this State. He it was that gave material aid in establishing a school at Curryton, a village five miles from the mill, and named in honor of Joel Curry, who donated the lands, and otherwise aided in estab- lishing two academies, male and femsle, the former under the management of a distinguished teacher, James IvCslie.

This Captain Meriwether, when quite 3'oung, went as a soldier to the Seminole War, and after his' return established

Io6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

himself as a successful planter in Marlinstown, whence he re- moved to the Ware place in the fork, only going to Curryton to educate his children and build up a school. In company with Dr. Hugh A. Shaw, who was another founder and trustee of the Curryton Schcols, and a popular and successful practi- tioner of medicine in that community, he remodeled and re- built the Anderson mill at considerable cost, but which still stands as a work of the energy, enterpr'se, and industry of these two men.

While writing of Captain Meriwether, it may be mentioned that he was the first who rai.sed a companj^ and went to Char- leston after Secession and aided with Gregg's regiment, of which his company formed a part, in the reduction of Fort Sumter. He aftei vvards went to Virginia with that famous regiment, and returned home after ihe eripiration of the term of enlistment (six months) to form another company. Later on he re-entered the sei /ice and surrendered as Major of the Reserves.

Mortified at defeat, he resolved never to pay tribute to the victors; he sold out his possessions and with his family sailed to Brazil, where he, at last accounts, was still living, and en- gaged with his sons in coffee growing.

There is a wagon road running through Edgefield to Ham- burg and Augusta called the Martintown road. Some short distance above the old Collier place on this road many years ago there stood almost in the edge of the road the remains of an old rock wall, evidently the foundation and forming the cellar of a barn or store house, probably the latter, which I suppose was the centre of Martintown, and possibly the home of the Martins of the Revolution (there were eight brothers), the eldest of whom, William Martin, was Captain of Artillery, and was killed at the siege of Augusta. Quite a number, perhaps forty years ago, a family — at least two brothers, Robert and Charles — an elder brother, George, having previ- ously died, left the neighborhood of Horn's Creek Church and went to Florida. Five or six miles lower down Horn's Creek, near the Josia Sanborn place, there is an old plantation called the Martin place, but I can trace them no further back. The trading post located near Hamburg was probably just above and at over about Campbelltown, which is about opposite

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. I07

Hanisburg on the Georgia side, and once the rival of Augusta. Ev^en within the past decade many Indian rehcs have been picked up about the site of old Campbellovvn, owned now, I believe, by the Hammonds, descendants of Colonel he Roy Hammond of Revolutionary fame, who lived there also. The trail heretofore alluded to is doubtless the one mentioned as extending up the river on the Carolina side lo another trading post, called Fort Hill, at which point, I have been told, the Savannah could be forded at low water, and where 1 here was a ferry or other crossing for the inhabitants of Geo/gia who desired to avail themselves of this trade centre.

The author and compiler of l.his history inquired of Dr. McKie about Robert M. McKie, of Tennessee; to this inquiry he replied: "In tracing this family which came from the South of Sco<"land and seLtled in "Virginia, probably no g^'eat way from Charlottesville, and afterwards to Horse Creek, below Ham- burg, in this Slate, it has always be^n the ruH lo ask how it is spelled. If 'McKie' be the way, further inquiry may be made, other vvise not. Some of this family removed to Ala- bama, some to Mississippi, and possibly afterwards to Texas, but none to Tennessee that we know of. The Revolutionary ancestor left Horse Creek and went to Augusta with his family for protection during hostilities, while he, Daniel Mc- Kie, was in the field with the partisans of his section. The tradition is that he was a fearless fighter, though once cap- tured by the Tories and condemned to die on the gallows ex- temporized bj^ placing a grape vine over a swinging limb on a neighboring tree and around his neck, mounted on his horse, which was to be whipped out from under him. Fortunately, another gang came up with one in authority who knew the prisoner, and ordered him cut down and released. They had been friends before hostilities. After the cessation of hostili- ties this patriot left Augusta and settled on Stevens' Creek, five miles west of Martintown, where some of his descendants still live." You will excuse this mention, as the family has since filled a very humble place in the history of Edgefield , being tillers of the soil, fond of retirement — almost to seclu- sion— and never seeking place or preferment, and often shun- ning both. The name is little known beyond the limits of their immediate neighborhood. Thomas J. McKie, M. D.,

I08 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

was surgeon of the Tenth Regiment South Carolina Volun- teers. True, these lands are, and have been, in their posses- sion during three generations; but that seems to be a peculiar characteristic with the inhabitants of this strip of countr3^ The Craftons have been here for generations, the Meriwethers, the Nixons, and the Middletons, with others, have held their forefathers' lands with a tenacity' and fixedness not observed in other sections. The Nixons have a most honorable record. The father came here and settled near Clark's Hill (named from a blacksmith who had a shop and a tract of land just be- low), the site of the depot now bearing that name. Mr. Thomas Nixon, called Esquire Nixon, was a public spirited citizen, as well as a useful one. He began here as a school teacher and farmer. Was a superintendent of public works and represented Edgefield District in the Legislature. He died in the prime of life, having contracted, as was then sup- posed, a fever from a brother-in-law who had recentl}^ returned from Charleston, where yellow fever was then epidemic — suf- fering a similar affection.

When war with Mexico was declared, and the famous Pal- metto Regiment was being made up, two of Thomas Nixon's sons, Jefferson P. and Thomas, volunteered along with Wm. . E. Middleton, son of Major John Middleton, and Joseph Meri- wether, since Auditor for Edgefield County, and son of Thos. Meriwether, one of the founders of Bethlehem Baptist Church, joined Captain Preston S. Brooks' company, which formed part of that regiment. Thomas died at or near Vera Cruz. Jefferson P. went through to the City of Mexico, distinguish- ing himself for gallantry on many fields, and especially at Chapultepec, where he behaved with such conspicuous bravery as to gain promotion, and after returning to his home, where the Hon. G. D. Tillman now lives, a silver pitcher, suitably engraved, was given him as an acknowledgment of the high appreciation accorded him by his fellow-citizens to his deeds of glory.

The Tillman famil5% the name of which occupies so conspicu- ous a place in State records of to-daj', does not belong properly to this locality. The father of the two prominent representa- tives of the family to-day lived on Chavis' Creek, on the old Stage road leading from Edgefield Court House to Hamburg.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. IO9

G. D. Tillman, the Congressman, now living at Clark's Hill, came here after his marriage to Miss Margaret Jones, a lady of wealth, whose parents resided two miles above Clark's Hill and owned extensive tracts of land and numerous slaves.

Middleton, a name familiar to the history of the country, is also linked intimately with the annals of the west side of Edge- field. It has been suggested that the land tenure idea which has prevailed so uniformly in this locality is due to the fact that its settlers came chiefly from Maryland and Virginia strongly imbued with ideas which cling to their descendants. The Middletons illustrated this. Hugh Middleton came here from Maryland and bought large bodies of land, and small ones as well — the custom in those days being to exchange lands for cattle. A man with small holdings and desirous of "going west," would trade forty, eighty, or more acres of land, which he cared not to occupy, for a cow and calf, which he would take with him. Thus he, Mr. Middleton, widely extended his possessions, having much cattle and a goodly number, nearly a hundred slaves.

He settled near the Savannah River, three miles southwest from Clark's Hill depot, where his remains now lie buried. Mention is made of him in the history of the country and par- ticularly how he defeated a body of the enemy at Briar Creek. His son John, Major Middleton, was also a distinguished man of this community. He in early life went to the African coast and brought back a number of natives, some of whom lived out their days in the possession of his sons. He suffered ship- wreck on the home voyage during which he took a distaste to rice, upon which he lived for a long while, and could never after be induced to eat rice. He was a most upright and honest man; his decision of a matter between neighbors was received without question. He also represented his people in the Legislature. He died at a ripe old age, about 84, honored and respected b}^ all.

At one time the Wares were large landholders of this section. Captain Robert Ware had a then elegant residence near Wood- lawn, say four hundred yards distant, on an eminence, perhaps the highest in this section, where he must have lived in ease and elegance if not in luxury. Large orchards, brick walks, a distillery and other evidences of wealth and prosperity, were

no HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

noticeable not many years ago. This family, the males of it at least, have died out and none here now bear the name.

John Pur}-, the founder of the fern.- across the Savannah, a mile below the present railroad bridge of the A. & K. Rail- road, who lived on the opposite side of the river, was quite a landholder in Edgefield. The importance of this highway may be better appreciated when we learn that it opened a thorough- fare by a shorter and more practical route to Augusta. Early in the histon,- of our country it became the accepted line to the head of na\-igation on the Savannah for all the northern and western portion of our State, and a large section of Western North Carolina, besides many droves of horses, mules and, hogs, from Kentucky and Tennessee, seeking a market in that portion of the country tributary to Augusta. So heavy was this trade and travel at one time that in the busy season of the year, the Fall months, a string of wagons a quarter of a mile in length might be seen on the river bank waiting their time to cross. In this line of wagons might be found representatives of Ken- tucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and every district in the northern and western portions of our own State. Then it was that Augusta supplied with salt, sugar, coffee, rice and almost every other article of commerce, this vast interior section: and it was transferred in road wagons, much of it finding its way by this 'Ferry. At one time the mails were transported by means of stages over this Pun.-'s fern.- route on to Willington. in Abbe\-ille District, near to which the distinguished McDuffie had his Cherr}- Hill house. The opening of the Delaughter bridge across Stevens' Creek, at a point two or three miles above its mouth, was the means of turning a large portion of this traffic to Hamburg, which was then a great cotton mart, besides supplying its full quota of groceries to the up-countr}-, and correspondingly lessening the trade of Augusta, which the opening of the Canal soon restored to her. The completion of the A. & K. Road, after the building of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad, has directed this trade to other points, almost entirely broken up wagon travel and necessarih* making the once important highway— so important to Augusta's pros- perity indeed, that the authorities in Augusta at one time thought it worth while to lease and free this ferry, a neighbor- hood convenience. This property is still in the family.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. Ill

In looking over old land papers many strange and since for- gotten names appear. Besides this the now almost obliterated remains of old settlements are to be seen in many out of the way places all over this section of Edgefield. The names of Crookshank, Gardner, Stringer, Baker, Thomas, Boyd, Mc- Daniel, (who kept a grog shop less than two hundred feet away from this spot), Gftfves, Carron, a Baptist preacher, Loya, another Baptist preacher, and many others once lived here.

About three miles south of Martintown and about two miles east of Stevens' Creek is a spot in the midst of a dense wood known as the Methodist meeting house.

On the dirt road, two miles below Clark's Hill depot, and one mile below Clark's Hill proper, is the site of perhaps the first Baptist, or perhaps any other church ever built in this neighborhood. It appears to have besn founded in 1828, when Mr. Thomas Meriwether gave to that bodj- five acres of land for the purpose of establishing a church. A few graves and fewer tombstones now alone mark the spot near where the building stood. Iconoclasts got hold of it and removed the church organization, called Bethlehem, to Clark's Hill, aban- doning this almost sacred spot 10 the dead who lie buried be- neath its soil.

The following letter throws some light from old times upon this particular section of which we are now writing:

Po\'ERTT Hill, S. C. , May loth, 1S95. Thos. J. McKie. Woodlawn, S. C:

Dear Sir: — Yours of April 27th, to hand and contents dulj- noted. I have been told that Bussey was the founder of An- derson mill, not before 1780, or later than 1800. The road formerly crossed the Creek about one-fourth mile below the mill, and no doubt moved up on account of the mill. Some old land plats would give about the date or the time it was built.

Peter Day was the founder of Brigg's Mill and John Da}- of Mealing mill. George DeL-aughter built on Reese shoals about 18 1 5 — moved to mouth of Sweet Water Creek about 1 8 20. My father built a bridge across the creek just below the mouth of Sweet "Water Creek about 1839 or '40 — Free Ferry road and flat about 1830.

The oldest road was probably the River road, and leaves the Martintown road this side of Mr. Thomas McKie' s and cross-

112 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

iiig Fox Creek near its mouth, via New Richmond, near Campbelltown, crossing Stevens' Creek near its mouth and up the river. This road was, no doubt, a military road, and can still be traced.

Carter's road passes nearCurrytown, via Boulware's Store — crosses the creek below the mill. This road is on the oldest land grants.

Martintown road on plats of 1 754-1 757 is marked "path to Augusta;" on later plats marked "road to Campbelltown;" and still later it is called "Martintown road" (1760).

Poverty Hill is said to have got its name from some soldiers of the Revolutionary War, who called there for something to eat, and failing to get anything, called it Poverty Hill.

New Richmond, probably named after Richmond, Va., was settled by L,e Roy Hammond, from Virginia. I have been told that his land grant was given 1740. If this be so, it is probably the oldest land grant of this section.

Bussey settled the Market place; George Delyaughter, near 3'our mill; Richard Pace, near Boulware's Store; John Hill, opposite Hardy Church; Enos Morgan, at W. H. Brigg's; Car- son, at or near George Thurmond. It is said there was a Quaker settled in the forks of the creek, probably came from Quaker Springs, Ga., during the Indian War of 1757. Most all the parties I have named came from Virginia, and it can be said that this section of country was settled by parties from Virginia before the Indian War of 1757.

I remain yours truly,

J. P. DeLAUGHTER.

As regards the building of the Anderson mill, Dr. McKie writes me from Woodlawn, under date of May 14th, 1893:

Although I wrote you this morning about the Anderson mill, I venture to do so again, as I have since received a letter from Dr. Shaw, of Curryton, who learns from one of the family that it is most probable Mr. George Anderson built it at a period not definitely fixed. This man came from the Long Cane section to the Anderson place, and the record says his eldest son was born in 1757. From this it would seem possible that this mill antedates the Revolution.

Yours very truly,

Woodlawn. THOS. J. McKlE.

HISTORY OP EDGKFIELD. II3

PARKSVILLE.

Mention must be made of the lovely little town of Parksville on the Westside. This town which now, April, 1893, has about two hundred and fifty inhabitants, is situated on the Port Royal and Western Carolina Railroad, thirty-two miles above Augusta, and about the same distance from Greenwood. It has two churches, one Methodist and the other Baptist, both well attended during Sabbath services. At this time Rev. G. W. Bussey is pastor of the Baptist Church and Rev. B. O. Berry of the Methodist.

The Hon. W. J. Talbert has recently become a citizen. The town has a large and flourishing school of over one hundred -scholars. The Principal is G. B. Toole, with the Misses Essie Jones and Lizzie Toole as assistants.

The people of the town were determined to be strictly tem- perate and sober, and by Act of Incorporation, the sale of in- toxicating liquors is forbidden for ninety-nine years.

There are four stores, two conducted by Gilchrist, Harmon & Co., and one by L. F. Dorn. These do a general mercan- tile business. Then there is a drugstore kept by T. R. Whatley,

This town is certainly favorably situated to grow to be a place of considerable importance, as the Savannah River on one side is about a mile distant, and Big Stevens' Creek on the other not quite so far. Let the town spread itself, so as to fill up all the space between the two, which it can do very easily in the course of a few years.

REHOBOTH, &C.

There are other schools also on the Westside, which it may be well to mention in this connection. First, Rehoboth, which is now, April, 1893, under the care of that able and experi- enced teacher and veteran, Captain T. C. Morgan, This school is well attended and Captain Morgan is doing a good work.

Liberty Hill is taught by Professor Griffin; VVhitetown is under the care of Miss Annie Seigler, and Dornville is kept by Professor Bussey. These schools are all admirably conducted. East Gray has three white schools, presided over by Professors Harting and Ouzts and Mrs. Faulkner.

On the Cambridge road, two miles below Kirksey's, there is

114 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

a new church building, named Springfield, belonging to the colored people, and which is, indeed, quite a credit to them. The pastor is the Rev. William Peterson. The dimensions of the house are 38 by 60 feet; and from floor to ceiling about 25 feet. The belfry is very pretty with its tall spire. The win- dows are about eight feet in height with Gothic tops. The whole cost of the building will be something over one thous- and dollars, and speaks well for the enlightenment, enterprise and religious zeal of the colored people of that section of the country. It is a Baptist church.

SKIPPER'S GEORGIA AND THE DARK CORNER.

The following explanation of the origin of these names has been given to me in answer to inquiries I made. According to this tradition the name "Dark Corner" has a different origin from what I have heard. Which is the true one I cannot tell, but I believe the latter, as this comes from men born and reared and living in or near the region known as the Dark Corner. I do hope and believe that the name "Skipper's Georgia" did not originate as the tradition says. "The Annals of Newberry" shows no such name as Skipper, and I cannot believe that so great a fool was ever a native born in New- berry. Suppose we locate him in lyaurens, somewhere above the line.

Skipper's Georgia, my informant says, is located below Scott's Ferry Road. Its name originated from a citizen of Newberry named Skipper, who stole a couple of horses in New- berry and was told that after he had crossed the second river he would be in Georgia. After crossing Big Stevens' Creek he exclaimed "thank God! I am in Georgia at last." A posse of men from Newberry was not far behind him and while grazing his stock between A. Sharpton's and the creek in that hilly country, the posse overtook him, some of whom he well knew. He refused to be arrested or even to give up the hOrses, saying he was in Georgia and not subject to Carolina laws; but he was overpowered and taken back to Newberry. He has not been heard from since, yet the hills below the Scott's Ferry road bear his name.

As to the "Dark Corner," the line commences just above "the road leading to Scott's Ferry and extends up the river em-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIEI,D. II5

bracing all that territory between Stevens' Creek and the Savannah River, as far np as Little River, which empties into the Savannah in Abbeville County. Above said River is the Range, because, at my first rt collection, it was a poor, barren country, inhabited mostly by wild beasts and very thinly settled.

The Dark Corner was first settled by Tuckers, Tompkins, Jennings, Blackwells, Pickets and Searles. "They organized a beat company and Tucker kept a bar-room. Our court house at that time was at Ninety-Six. There was a paper published at that place, which was the only one in this congressional district. Old Loudon Tucker was at Ninety-Six attending court and by accident saw one of the newspapers and the con- tents pleased him so much that he bought a dozen or more copies to distribute among his neighbors, believing he would be able to get them to subscribe to the paper — it was a weekly paper. There were no mail routes in the country at that time and Tucker's idea was to get as many subscribers as possible so that they might, by going by turns for the paper, lose as little time as possible.

Not a single member of the beat company would take the paper. After using all the persuasion and argumentative powers to no purpose he exclaimed, "how long shall we live in this d — d dark age and day!" Old man McKennie, well known to you, said that the Dark Corner was good enough for him, and would remain so if the people would only keep out books, newspapers and foreigners.

Dark then, but not now — now the most intelligent part of our county.

At Dorn's Mill, on Stevens' Creek, commences our Edge- field Range, taking in Liberty Hill, Rehoboth, — in fact, all that country between Stevens' and Turkey Creek. Below Turkey Creek is called Chota, after an Indian chief. Chota extends as far down as Martin town. Jeptha Sharpton, a de- scendant of Pocahontas, was born in Chota,

W. D. JENNINGS.

To Dr. Thos. J. McKie.

Il6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

AN OLD MEMORANDUM BOOK.

Old books, old papers, old documents, and relics of the past, of whatever kind, have always had great charms and attrac- tions for me. Were I living in a country, or could I visit one in which the past is still present in the form of old buildings, or ruins of old buildings, and monuments to the dead, or libraries in which old books and old manuscripts are stored away for safe keeping, it seems to me that I could pass days, months, or even years, in looking over these things and calling into life the fading ghosts and memories of the past. But we have no antiquities in South Carolina. It has been only a little more than two hundred years since the first permanent settlement was made by white people on the territory of what is now South Carolina. Two hundred years! Why that was only yesterday. My own life covers one third of that period, and I have a clear and distinct recollection of many everts that occurred sixty-five, or more, years ago. We have no antiquities, but letters and memorandum books that have stood the wear and tear of time for over a hundred years seem quite old. One such memorandum book has recently come into my hands — sent to me by a friend who had hopes that it would be of interest to me. It has given me great pleasure to look through and examine its contents. It was in use before the day of the adoption of the Spanish currency, when our money was still counted in pounds, shillings, and pence.

The book appears to have been used mostly as a book ot re- ceipts for money paid, though I find also a few entries of a different character. The book belonged originally to a Mr. James Read. Where he lived does not appear with certainty, but there is a clew in one of the receipts to the place in which he probably had his residence.

The oldest receipt is for 27 pounds, and bears date i8th November, 1771; the latest bears date May 2nd, 1782, and is for the sum of nine pounds, six shillings, and eight pence, Sterling; paid by Richard Guinn to John Dawson, in full for the balance of ninety bushels of corn and a barrel of rice.

The latest receipt for money paid by Mr. James Read bears date 8th July, 1777, for the sum of fifty pounds currency', being in part payment of his bond. [Signed.] R. O.

Witness: Wm. Mattley.

HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. II7

The book seems to have passed out of the ownership of Mr. James Read; whether by death, or failure in business, I know not. In one place I find the following, which I copy:

"Rece'd i6th March, 1775, five pounds, eighteen shillings, and 3 pence currency in full for a ballance due Mrs. Middleton for hoggs.

^5, 18, 3 [Signed.] STEP: BUIvU"

When I came across and read this receipt I thought and wondered whether it could be possible that this Stephen Bull was the same Stephen Bull who was brother to Wm. Bull, one time Colonial Governor, and so remarkable for his ugliness. It is related of him that on one occasion, while walking in the street not far from his residence, he was met by a countryman, who, it appears, had never seen him before. As soon as the countryman met him and got a good sight of his face, he stopped short in front of him and stared at him in open- mouthed wonder. The Governor, being somewhat surprised, stopped also and said to him: "Well, my friend, what can I do for you?" The countryman, still staring and stammering a little, said: "Sir, where do you live? You are certainly the ugliest man I have ever seen in my life." The Governor, be- ing of a very affable and good easy temper, laughed and good humoredly replied: "Wait, my friend, you just wait till you see my brother Stephen. " Now, whether the Stephen Bull whose name appears signed to this receipt is the same Stephen Bull, brother to the Governor, I do not know.

There are three signed Nathl. Greene, but I do not suppose that he was General Greene of the Revolution. Two signed by Thomas Rutledge, one of which I copy: "Beaufort, April 8th, T775, rec'd of Mr. James Reid fifteen pounds, 15, 7, cur- rency, on account.

THO. RUTI.EDGE.

Cash ^10

Acc't 5, 15s, 7d

£iS, 15s, 7d I find two signed Wm. McKie. On one of the pages, writ- ten in an elegant female hand, without date: "Wlien this you see remember me though many miles you distant bee — Catherine D. Hammond."

Il8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

My mind raises the question whether Catherine was of the Le Roy or Samuel Hammond family, but I get no r^ply. Catherine, or some other good woman, wrote also the follow- ing:

"I seud the joys of earth away,

Away ye tempters of the mind; False as the smooth, deceitful sea, And empty as the whistling wind."

As:ain:

"I waited patient for the Lord,

He bow'd to hear my cry; He saw me resting on His word,

And brought salvation nigh."

Again on another page:

"Why doth the man of riches grow

In insolence and pride. To see his wealth and honors flow

With every rising tide?

"Why doth he treat the poor with scorn

Made of the .selfsame clay? And boast as though his flash were born

Of better dust than they?"

The same hand writes on another page:

"Behold what wondrous grace

The Father has bestowed On sinners of a mortal race

To call them sons of God!"

Again :

"Come, let us join our cheerful songs

With angels 'round the throne — Ten thousand thousand are their tongues. But all their joys are one."

And on the next page only the word "Catherine," with a flourish which I cannot copy.

The last verses written in this book are the following:

"I pass with melancholy state

By all these solemn heaps of fate;

And think — as soft and sad I tread

Above the venerable dead,

Time was like me— they life possest

And time will be— when I shall rest."

C. D. H.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, II9

She was a good woman who wrote these verses in this old memorandum book, and it is with a tender melancholy that I read and copy them here. Yes, Catherine, long ago you found ' rest.

I feel that I cannot part company with this old book without making a few more extracts, as it is altogether probable that I shall never see it again after returning it to the owner:

"Rece'd Dec. 24th, 1771, of James Read six pounds, five shillings in part for bread. MARY LINTON."

"Received :7th June, 1772, of Mr. James Read, fifty shil- lings currency in full for one month's hire ray negro boy, named Joe. GEORGE BLAND."

"Rece'd i July, 1772, of Mr. James Read two pound four shilling & 3d in full for Beef & all demands to this day. ^2, 4, 3 ISAAC XARMENTOR."

"Received 14th Jan., 1777, of Mr. James Read the sum of fourteen pound five shillings currency, being in full for House Rent and all demands to this day.

^14, 5 WILLIAM DEVEANE."

Mr. James Read must have kept a hotel or house of public entertainment. The book passed out of his hands into others, and was used towards the close of its business career for enter- ing of washing accounts.

"Wednesday, 8th April, Mr. Fowler came from Charleston. Sunday night. 12th" (year not given), "Mr. Smerdon came here. Saturday, iSth, begun to wash for Mr. Fowler;" then followed a long list of articles washed for Mr. Fowler, shirts, neck handkerchiefs, pocket ditto, stockings, waistcoats, breeches, &c. Then follows a similar list, but not so long, of articles washed for Mr. Smerdon.

' And thus we find that all through life the practical and the poetic, the common-place and the ideal, go together, move together, stand together, side by side always. But, indeed, there is nothing common-place. Catherine, the refined and educated, the noble Christian woman, was a true sister to that one who did washing for Mr. Fowler and Mr. Smerdon. That woman, whose name is not given, who washed and did laundry work for Mr. Fowler and Mr. Smerdon, if she w^as a Christian, was also a daughter of the King. They both have found rest; whether together, whether they know each other, whether

I20 HISTORY or EDGEFIELD.

they have ever met, makes no diiference. They know fthose whom they ought to know, and they have all things and such surroundings as is best for them.

"This book of receipts," writes Dr. Thos. J. McKie, under date of September 2/<th, 1893, "came into my hands with a lot of old books purchased at the sale of Mrs. Stephen Garrett, a very old widow woman, who lived on Horn's Creek near its mouth, where she owned a mill and plantation adjoining. This was more than 40 years ago. ' '

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 121

XIV.

FRUIT HILL AND VICINITY.

For the facts in the following sketch of Fruit Hill I am indebted to Major Scott Allen:

Fruil Hill is situated 12 miles north of Edgefield Court House, and immediately on the direct road from Edgefield Court House to Newberry Court House. The country around Fruit Hill is level, but the drainage is good, from the fact that it is immediately on the ridge between the Savannah and the Saluda Rivers; in fact, in time of rain the water that falls on man}^ houses, that on the East side runs to the Saluda and that on the West side to the Savannah.

The lands are naturally verj^ productive, and lying so level they are susceptible of a very high state of cultivation. The best lands, when well cultivated, will readily yield one bale of cotton per acre, and will produce 25 to 40 bushels of corn per acre, and of oats 40 bushels. Pet patches in this immediate vicinity have produced as high as 4 bales of cotton, 80 bushels of corn, and 109 bushels of oats to the acre. But of course such yields require the most perfect preparation and cultivation and also excessive fertiUzation; but such are the facts.

The country around Fruit Hill was originally settled by the Aliens, Goodwins, Richardsons, Culpeppers, Bakers, Hollings- worths, Harrises, Huskeys, Landrums, Nortons, and Hemslys.

The pa»'ticular place and homestead known as Fruit Hill was settled by a man named Young Allen, from North Caro- lina. He married a Miss Richardson. He was no relation of the present owner of Fruit Hill. A daughter of Young Allen married Benjamin Frazier, and inherited the Fruit Hill place from Young Allen. Benjamin Frazier sold Fruit Hill to Major John C. Allen, and the place has remained in the pos- session of his immediate family to the present date, November, 1893.

Major John C. Allen was a son of Ossamus W. Allen, of Barnwell District. Major Allen married Hannah Coates, who brought him 12 children, namely, Ossamus W. Allen, Zulime G. Allen, Elizabeth E. Allen, Mary A., Joseph Duncan, John

122 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

R., James H., Sarah H., Fabian P., Margaret S., Walter Scott, and Washington D. Allen. Major John C. Allen and his sons Joseph D. , John R., and Fabian P., all died with typhoid fever in 1854.

Major John C. Allen was elected Major during the exciting days of Nullification. He represented the District of Edgefield in the Legislature in 1852 and 1853, ^^^ was a member at the time of his death. He always took an active part in all public matters from earliest manhood, and died in the full confidence and esteen of his fellow-citizens. His widow lived many years after his death. She died at the old homestead, Fruit Hill, in 1883, surrounded by her eight living children and many sor- rowing friends. Truly it could be said of her that "none knew her but to love her, none named her but to praise. ' '

The oldest son, who was also the oldest child. Dr. Ossamus W. Allen, graduated at the South Carolina College and after- wards at the State Medical College in Charleston, S. C, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice till his death. He married Ellen Nicholson, of Edgefield District, and by said marriage had four children. He entered the Confederate Army in August, 1 861, as first lieutenant, in which position he served until prostrated with typhoid fever, in the winter of 1862, when he resigned and returned home. He was wounded twice in battle in Virginia — in the battle at Gaines' Mill — second battle of Manassas — and at Sharpsburg, in Maryland. Two of his children are living (November, 1893), Mrs. Kate Kinnaird and Joseph D. Allen, serving his fourth term as Judge of Pro- bate of Edgefield County.

Zulime G. Allen married William S. Smiley and is the mother of eight Smiley children, five now living. Her husband, W. S. Smiley, died in 1855, and she afterwards married Wm.

E. Stevens, and is the mother of two Stevens children, both living.

Elizabeth E. Allen married Colonel John W. Tompkins. Colonel Tompkins ser^^ed with distinction in the war between the States and died in 1887. His widow and six children survive.

Mary A. Allen married Benjamin F. Mays, who died in 1885 and left his widow and five children surviving. Benjamin

F. Mays was a good man. He made a good soldier during the war. Was treasurer of the county in 1876 — the first under the

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. - 1 23

Hampton Administration. He was also a leading member of the Home's Creek Baptist Church and died in the full fellow- ship of his church and the confidence and esteem of the entire country.

James H. Allen married Martha Kinnaird, and they had seven children, five still living. The wife and mother died in 1885. James H. Allen entered the Confederate service as third lieutenant in 1861; was promoted to the captaincy on the field of battle at Gettysburg, Penn., for his distinguished braver}' on the field. He served as captain until disabled by a gunshot wound at Riddle's Shop in Virginia in 1864. Since that date he is incapacitated for maiuial labor. He lives on his farm three miles west of Fruit Hill and enjoys the confidence of all who know him.

Sarah H. Allen married William E. Hobbs. He died from gunshot wounds received in battle at Resaca, Georgia, in 1864. Mrs. Hobbs afterwards married Arthur H. CoUett. She is still living and has five children living, two by the first marriage and three by the last.

Margaret S. Allen married Benjamin Franklin Payne in 1862. He died in 1868, leaving three children. His widow afterward married Benjamin Jackson Stevens and by said mar- riage she had one daughter. She is now a widow and has four children living. (November, 1893). Her son, Joseph W. Payne, is a model young man, the support and mainstay of his widowed mother and three sisters, who are all devotedly attached to him, and he is also highly esteemed by all who have the happiness to be acquainted with him.

Washington D. Allen married Ella G. Mays, and has five children living. Fie entered the Confederate service as a private in Company B, Sixth South Carolina Cavalry, and served through the entire war and surrendered with John- ston's army in North Carolina in 1865. He was complimented on several occasions by the general commanding the brigade, and especially by his immediate commanding officers, for his untiring energy- and determination, and his universal good humor and his willingness to discharge every duty imposed upon him. He has since the war filled positions of public tru.st with ability, and now lives on his farm one mile south- west from Fruit Hill.

124 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

W. Scott Allen, the present owner of Fruit Hill, was edu- cated at the old field schools within five miles of Fruit HilL He had prepared himself to enter the South Carolina College, when the war between the States came on. He gave up his books, donned the soldier's uniform, and entered the Confeder- ate service as private in Company K, Fourteenth South Caro- lina Volunteers. He was severely wounded in the battle of Gaines' Mill, Va., in the right arm near the shoulder and slightly in the head. He was slightly wounded in the breast at Chancellorsville, but did not leave the field. He had his clothes completely riddled at Gettysburg, but did not get the skin scratched in the first day's fighting. On the third day at Gettysburg his gun-stock was shot entirely off at the small of the stock, but the shock did not even knock the gun out of his hand. He was highly complimented on both of these daj's by Colonel Abner Perrin, commanding the brigade. His com- pany, K, commanded by Captain James H, Allen, his brother, went into the fight on the first day at Gettysburg with 39 men, rank and file, and 34 fell, killed and wounded, at the first fire from the enemy, and that, too, when the company had not fired a gun, for the orders were to take the work at the point of the bayonet, and they were taken as ordered, but at a fear- ful cost. In that charge company K lost some as gallant men as ever shouldered arms in any cause.

When General Lee decided to recross the river into Vir- ginia after the bpttle of Sharpsburg, there was a call for vol- unteers for the "forlorn hope;" in other words for men to cover the retreat across the river. In the call it was distinctly stated that all who volunteered would most certainly be killed or captured, as they were expected to halt the line until the signal to move was given from the Virginia side of the river. Notwithstanding the great danger of death in the "forlorn hope," Scott Allen was one of the first to volunteer, and con- trary to the general expectation, the entire company of volun- teers, after doing some gallant fighting, successfully crossed the river and rejoined the command.

He was severely wounded through the face at Spottsylva- nia Court House, Va., in 1864, and in special orders by Colonel J. N. Brown of the Fourteenth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, was complimented for his distinguished conduct

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 1 25

and bravery on the occasion, and was recommended to the Secretary of War for a commission. The Secretary of War appointed him a Second Lieutenant in the Confederate States Army, and the same day he was promoted Captain of Company K, Fourteenth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. After sufficiently recovering from his wound, he returned to Virginia, and took command of his company and commanded the same during all the trying scenes around Petersburg, Va. And at the surrender at Appomattox Court House, he commanded not only his own company, but also six other companies of the regiment, in all 35 men.

After the surrender he returned home and took charge of his mother's farm at Fruit Hill. In the spring of 1866 he married Frances E. Adams. By this marriage they have had eleven children, six of whom are living now (1893). ^^ ^^^ aided greatly, and succeeded bej'ond his expectations, in building a fine school at Fruit Hill. His two daughters com- pleted their education at the Greenville Female College. One son is at the Medical College in Augusta, Ga., and three boys are attending the Fruit Hill High School, of which Rev. William H. Simpson is Principal.

He was elected to the Legislature in 1876, and served two terms. Aided in the organization of the Democratic party in that year, and in the overthrow of the Republican party. He organized a rifle company, and all through that period of trouble had it ready for service and for any emergency that might arise. There is little doubt that his company was very useful in suppressing difficulties and preventing bloodshed. He is still living and enjoying the comforts of a happy home at Fruit Hill. There are four churches within five miles of his home — two Baptist and two Methodist.

Rocky Creek Church, the nearest, is Baptist, and was organ- ized in 1831. Rev. Joseph Norris, pastor; John Cogburn, Esq., clerk. The pulpit has been filled from time to time by Revs. Norris, Watkins, Peterson, Norris, Bartley, Coover, McMillan, Carson, Bradford, and the present supply, Rev. William H. Simpsoi.. The present membership is about one hundred. Great good has been done by this church, and under the present pastor the good influence promises to continue.

126 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD,

The other churches, Little Steven's Creek, Baptist; and Bethlehem and Gazzaway, Methodist, are also in a thriving condition, and are doing much good tor the whole country.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 27

XV.

CAPT. JAMES RYAN.

Captain James R3'an was a native of Virginia, but at an early age removed to South Carolina. He was one of the first settlers of Edgefield District — a pioneer in the wilderness — and was soon called into service as a soldier against the Chero- Icees. In the war of 1768 against that nation, he was appointed a Lieutenant in one of the companies and distinguished him- self. He always volunteered in the most dangerous enterprises and was frequently engaged in hand to hand conflicts with the Indians. He was under Williamson, fighting against the Cherokees, when the Declaration of Independence was made in Charleston, August, 1776.

He took his stand upon the principles of that declaration, and never changed. He served as Captain under L,e Roy Hammond, (Colonel) and was engaged in many bloody skir- mishes of which there is no record. When the State was overrun in 1780, after the fall of Charleston, and was consid- ered a conquered province, he, with many other true patriots, asked for his parole and took what is known as British pro- tection. But when the British afterwards pronounced him a British subject, as a consequence of this act, and called upon him to bear arms against his countrymen, he refused, was arrested, and thrown into prison at Ninety-Six. From this place he was sent in irons with Captain James Butler, James Caldwell, Daniel Duff, and some others, to the provost prison in Charleston, where he was confined in the same cells with all sorts and descriptions of evil doers — British culprits. The prison was crowded — the weather hot — the temper of the parties not very amiable, and they soon began to quarrel and fight. Captain Ryan afterwards related that the Americans were beating their opponents soundly when assistance was sent to them from without. Ryan and his Whig companions were then placed on board a prison ship, which has always been regarded as a brief epitome, or condensed edition of hell. From this ship some were delivered by death, some were exchanged, and some few escaped. Captain Ryan was one of

128 HISTORY OP EnGE FIELD.

these, but for some time he was not able to get out of the city. At length one day he quarrelled with some soldiers in the street. After the soldiers left him and passed on, a lady who had been listening called Captain Ryan to her door. She, heing a good Whig and wishing to assist him to escape, ad- vised him to go to a sentinel on the lines and pretend that he was a rebel deserter — had been badly treated, and wished to ■enlist under some British officer whom he knew at Monck's Corner — an officer of reputation. Ryan at once assumed the character, and after a few visits to the sentinel he let him pass. Ryan did not go to Monck's Corner, nor did he return to Charleston, but made the best of his way to the home of Colonel Thomas Taylor, an old friend and schoolmate. Before he reached Granby at the Congaree he was joined by three others, brothers in misfortune. There was neither flat nor canoe in which they could cross, and two of the party could not swim. They made a raft, and placing upon it the two who could not swin, Ryan and the other swam and towed them over. Colonel Taylor, who had just returned from a scouting expedition, received Ryan with great kindness and loaned him a horse to help him on his way home. On the way, near the Kdisto, he unexpectedly met three men whom he believed to be Tories. These men stopped him and asked him who he was. He gave the name of Rambo, a well-known Tory in the neighborhood; but Holley, one of the party, doubted the truth of what he said. They searched and found his commission. Holley immediately seized his gun to shoot him, but Ryan, with entire self-possession, asked him to wait a moment; and then appealed to his feelings as a Christian and a man against such doings. Holley yielded, but took him to a Tory camp not far off where he said he knew he would be put to death. The Captain of the party, who was an old man, would not permit them to kill him; but when Ryan left the camp, Holley and a few others followed him until out of sight of those at the camp, stripped off his coat, hat, and boots, took his horse and dismissed him barefooted. He got home, however, collected some of his company, and returned to the Tory camp to look for his horse and clothes.

The Tories were absent, but an old woman, the Captain's wife, was there in great distress, who begged Ryan not to

HI3TORT OF EDGEFIELD. 1 29

injure her, but to give her some food. He immediately had b beef killed, cut up, and salted away for her to live upon. Soon after leaving the old woman, he fell in with the Tory party and captured Holley and a few others. Holley was put to death, but I believe no other.

While part of Lord Rawdon's army was on the retreat from Ninety- Six through the fork of Edisto, Captain Ryan, with his company of fifty ragged militia, resolved to attack the rear guard and capture their baggage. He sent all, except three or four, to make the attack. These three or four sounded their bugles and beat two or three drums, as though a much larger party were advancing to battle. The ruse succeeded. After a sharp skirmish the wagons were captured, with a good supply of arm*?, ammunition, and clothing. Every man was able to take something of a prize home to his family. The captured wagons were immediately burned and the Whigs dispersed. Unfortunately for their complete success, some of them overloaded themselves with plunder and with rum, espe- ciall}' rum, were overtaken, and captured. Ryan's men, who had gone from home almost destitute, returned to their families well armed, well clothed, well mounted, and in high spirits.

In the fall of 1782, while advancing upon a party of Tories in camp with great ardor, as he always did, he received a ball in his shoulder which he carried to his grave. Unable to proceed himself, he ordered his First lyieutenant, Wm. Butler, to lead on and continue the pursuit. This skirmish took place near Orangeburg, and was Captain Ryan's last battle, as his wound \\a.s too painful and dangerous for him to keep the field. He was carried home and took no more active part in the war, but he continued to issue orders and to plan operations against the Tories.

At the close of the war, he retired to his plantation on Horse Creek, where he remained, cultivating the soil, seeking no office, loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a man who never refused to face an enemy and never turned his back on a friend. He left a large and valuable estate, which was distributed among his relations and kinsfolk, as he had no children of his own.

130 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

LE ROY HAMMOND.

lyC Roy and Samuel Hammond, two of the most active and energetic Whigs during the Revolution in Edgefield District, were both born in Richmond County, Virginia. Le Roy, a sketch of whom we will give first, was the son of John Ham- mond, who had married Miss Dobbins. The j^ear of his birth is not given, nor is any mention made of his early life, educa- tion, and training. He married a Miss Tyler, and left Virginia aboiit the year 1765, with his wife and one child. He K^gan business as a merchant in Augusta, which was a town at the time about thirty years old, and a good place of business. Mr. Hammond remained in Augusta two or three years, when he removed over to South Carolina, to a place called Richmond, where he continued business as a merchant, and also kept a public ferry across the Savannah River. From this place he removed his residence to Snow^ Hill in Edgefield District, where he engaged in the tobacco trade and did much to pro- mote and improve the culture of that noxious w-eed in South Carolina. At his warehouse at Cameltown, a short distance below his residence, the first year he only received twenty hogsheads of tobacco; the second j^ear he received over one thousand. His business here was large and profitable.

Before the war he was a justice of the peace and captain of a militia company; and being a good surveyor, and a man of sound, practical sense and judgment, he had great influence. He was one of the first in Edgefield and, perhaps, in the State, to lay an embargo upon tea, by excluding it from use in his family on account of the arbitrary acts of the British Parlia- ment. Tea had long been their favorite beverage.

The visit of Messrs. Drayton and Tennant to the up-country produced a profound sensation and tended to separate the people into two parties by causing them to declare themselves for or against the measures of the Revolutionary party. Browne, the Tory leader, became more openly hostile, and Drayton came from the Dutch Fork to see Hammond, and appealed to him for support, as his opinions were alread)' well known. Tennant was then at Ninety-Six. To that place Hammond proceeded with Drayton to use his influence, which was great, in inducing the wav^ering and vacillating to sign the pledge of association.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 131

Neighbor began to reproach neighbor, and the loyaHsts soon assumed a hostile attitude under the Cunninghams. They col- lected their forces at Ninety-Six, and Colonel Andrew Wil- liamson, with about six hundred men, went to oppose them. Hammond was an officer under Williamson. In a few days a truce was made between the parties for twenty days, and the men disbanded and went home. In Williamson's expedition against the Cherokees in 1776, Le Roy Hammond played a very distinguished part. In fact, the success of the expedi- tion was greatly due to him. When Williamson's army was ambuscaded and the prospect looked very gloomy — when Williamson's horse was killed under him — when Hammond's friend, Mr. Francis Salvador, of whom I shall have more to say after awhile, was killed and scalped by his side — when everything around was in the utmost confusion and victory seemed doubtful, it was then that I,e Roy Hammond, with only twenty men of his own company, charged upon the Indians concealed in the thicket — charged with fixed bayonet— and when they broke from their cover and fled, he poured upon them such a deadly fire that they could not rally. Thus by the gallant conduct of Hammond the army was saved. And again, soon afterwards it was determined to cross the Seneca River and invade the Indian Nation. The officer who was ordered to lead the advance hesitated and evaded the duty. The men themselves shrank from the advance. Hammond volunteered to lead, and the movement was executed with gallantry and success. Hammond received promotion.

So complete was the defeat of the Cherokees that they were never afterwards troublesome. Mau}^ of them went down to Florida and became pensioners of the British, as their crops and all means of subsistence were almost entirely destroyed in this campaign.

In June, 1778, Colonel Hammond, with J. ly. Gervais and George Galphin, was appointed by the Governor and Council, Commissioners to conciliate the Indian Nations. And in December, 1778, he was sent with George Galphin and Daniel McMurphy, by the Continental Congress, as Commissioners to the Upper and Lower Creeks, met them, had a friendly talk, and made peaceful arrangements with the young Tallassee King and other great men amongst the Creeks. These

132 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

arrangements and treaties were preserved by Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.

In 1779, Colonel Hammond was with his regiment and fought at the battle of Stono. In 1780, he co-operated with Clarke, and other Whigs, against the Tories and Indians in Georgia. In 1781, he was very active during the siege of Augusta; he with the infantry and Samuel Hammond with the cavalry. During this siege the war waged was one of the greatest barbarity. The Tory, Browne, who commanded at Augusta, with his Indian allies, put to death the prisoners taken with savage ferocity. And the Whig militia, it is altogether probable, were sometimes not much better. Captain William Martin, of the artillery, the oldest of seven brave brothers, was killed here. More will be said about these Martin brothers after awhile. Pickens, Clarke, Harden, and the two Hammonds pushed the siege with great vigor. After the capture of Grauby, hee joined them with his legion, and Browne soon afterwards surrendered. Pickens, Le Roy and Samuel Hammond then proceeded to Ninety Six to assist General Greene. When the siege of Ninety-Six was raised, the Hammonds were sent westwardly and northwestwardly to protect Greene on his retreat, by preventing annoyance from the Tories. From the mountains they were instructed to proceed eastwardly to the Congaree. Proceeding eastwardly they fell in with the rear of the British army under Colonel Cruger retreating from Ninety -six to Orangeburg, and captured some baggage and made several prisoners. Here Le Roy returned home; but he had scarcely reached his home when he was called out to aid General Greene in the battle of Eutaw. Near Granby he was met by a messenger from General Rut- ledge, at Camden, who required his presence there immedi- ately. While he Vv'as at Camden the battle of Eutaw was fought, in which Colonel Samuel Hammond distinguished himself. From this period until the close of the war, he was engaged in scouting, but met no more British troops in regular battle array.

After the war he resumed business as a merchant in partner- ship with John Lewis Gervais, of Charleston, S. C. He was a member of the Legislature for many years, sometimes as Rep- resentative and sometimes as Senator. Of his character as a

HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 133

soldier, as a legislator, as a citizen, as a neighber, as a man, too much cannot be said in his praise. He was an Episcopalian in religion by education and practice. He died at his home in Edgefield, leaving onl)^ one descendant, a namesake, I^e Roy Hammond. He also left but one son, Andrew Hammond. Some descendants of Colonel he Roy Hammond are now living in Edgefield County. I hope they are as honorable, as brave, as true to the dictates of honor as ever their illustrious, ancestor was.

SAMUEL HAMMOND.

There is not a name in Edgefield, nor in the state, that deserves to be remembered with more admiration and love for his heroic devotion to the cause of Independence than that of Samuel Hammond. He was born on the 21st of September, 1757, in Richmond County, Farnham's Parish, Virginia. He began his career of public service at an early age. In an expedition ordered out by Governor Dunmore against the Western Indians, he was a volunteer, and was in the desperate battle at the mouth of the Great Kenhawa River, fought by General Andrew Lewis, October loth, 1774. When the troubles with the mother country began, he took the side of Independence — was made captain of a company of volunteers and was engaged in a battle at Great Bridge, near Norfolk, under Colonel Woodford, December, 1775. He also served in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with the Virginia troops, undet" Colonel Mathews, General Maxwell and others. In 1778 he volunteered as aid to General Hand and with him went to Pittsburg. In January, 1779, he removed with his father's family to Edgefield District, and at once joined the army under General Lincoln, under orders of General Mcintosh, who had superceded General Hand in Pennsylvania. The Virginia troops were about to return home as their eighteen months" term had expired; but Hammond remained with General Lin- coln, as captain, that having been his rank in Virginia as General Hand's aid. On the second of February he was ordered by General Williamson to raise a company of mounted volunteers to be attached to Le Roy Hammond's regiment. He did so, and on the 3d of March, 1779, he was commissioned by Governor Rutledge captain of company, and continued in

134 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

that service until the surrender of Lincoln in May, 1780, was known in the upper country. Before the fall of Charleston, during Prevost's invasion, he had fought at the battle of Stono, under Colonels Henderson and Malmedy. At the seige of Sa- vannah, these officers with their men made a gallant, attack upon the left of the British lines. After the seige of Savan- nah he continued under General Williamson until the surrender of General Lincoln at Charlestown, when Williamson with a great many other Whigs, accepted British protection as paroled prisoners; but Samuel Hammond did not.

General Williamson was at Augusta wdth a few South Caro- lina militia when Charlestown was surrendered. Governor Howley, of Georgia, Colonel Clary, of Georgia, Colonel Dooly and several other officers, continental and militia, held a con- ference which Williamson attended. The convention entered into and agreed upon by the British and the American com- mander at Charlestown, was presented by Williamson and was read by one of the governor's secretaries. Various plans were discussed, but nothing definite was agreed upon. Governor Howley determined to retreat northward with such State papers as he could carry away, ani Williamson determined to discharge the few South Carolina militia then at Augusta, and return to Whitehall, near Ninety-Six. Colonels Dooly and Clarke promised Williamson to co-operate with him in any plan that might be adopted by the council at Whitehall for the defence of the lower part of the two States; or to retire with him to the Nort'n, if that should be the determination. These officers then retired to Wilkes County, Ga. , and Williamson to Whitehall. Many of his officers were there assembled, and Samuel Hammond had high hopes, before the council met, that they would determine to move, without loss of time, no:"thward, w^th all the forces they had assembled; to keep together; to increase their numbers; and to be ready, at all times, for offensive or defensive operations, until assistance could come from the main army.

General Williamson had, then and there, three companies of regular infantry, raised by the State and enlisted for three years or the war. The officerr- were good; the troops well trained. Besides these there were present one hundred and fifty or tw^o hundred unorganized men. Colonel Ancrew Pick-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. I35

ens, with his force — number not given — was halted about three miles below Ninety-Six. This was the situation when the council met. General Williamson read the capitulation of Charlestown; made some comments; advised keeping together and retreating; but said that he would be governed by the de- termination a majority of the council should adopt. Samuel Hammond says that he was struck dumb on finding that not more than one officer of the staff, one field officer, and four or five captains were opposed to an immediate acceptance of the terms stipulated for the militia of the State by the Convention at Charlestown. It was now proposed and carried, to send a flag at once to Colonel Parris to notify him of their conclusion, and to settle the time, place, and manner of surrender. Still Wil- liamson persevered and again addressed the council and expressed a wish for a different conclusion; and proposed to ride, with any number of the officers present, to Colonel Pickens' camp — a few miles distant — stating that he wished to consult with him and to address the men of his command. This was agreed to. Williamson talked with Pickens. The troops were then drawn up in square, all mounted. William- son then addressed them in .spirited terms, stating that with his men alone he could drive all the British then in the District without difficulty. He then caused the capitulation of Charles- town to be read. He again addressed them, and told them that they could safely retreat, and that he was sure they could soon return with force sufficient to keep the eneni}' confined to Charlestown. He told them what they had already done, and what he hoped they would do; but he left it to themselves to say what they would do. He concluded by putting the ques- tion to vote, and said: 'My fellow citizens, all of you who are for going with me on a retreat with arms in our hands, will hold up your hands; and all who are for staying and accepting the terms made for you by General lyincoln will stand as you are.' Two officers, Captain McCall and Captain Mcl^idle, and three or four privates, held up their hands; all others stood as they were. He then put the question again with the same result.

Samuel Hammond, who was present at this conference, rode back with Williamson and his staff to Whitehall. That eve- ning, in company with Bennett Crofton, adjutant of one of the

136 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

regiments, he left Whitehall, determined to make their retreat and not acquiesce in the decision just arrived at.

At this point Williamson disappears from history, and nothing, or little more is said of him, until he is captured by Colonel Hayne near Charlestown. The place of his retirement, after he left Whitehall, was never spoken of. The time and place of his death are unknown. He died an obscure, heart- broken, poor man. He was not a traitor. L,et that word cease to be applied to his name. He never bore arms against his country. He never received a British commission. He never received any British gold. He lived the balance of his days in obscurity and died poor. He was not a great man. He was not a heroic character, but a weak one. It was very unfor- tunate, both for himself and the country, that he had the chief command in the up-country at that time. That place should have been held by Le Roy Hammond, his brother in-law, (they married sisters, the Misses Tyler, of Virginia,) who was of a more heroic mould. His success in the Cherokee war was due mainly to the courage and skill of I^e Roy Hammond. And it is worth)^ of note that Colonel Hammond does not blame him for the course he took. Samuel Hammond was better fitted by nature for the chief command at Ninety-Six at that time than either L,e Roy Hammond or Williamson; but he was too young. > ^'- [

Samuel Hammond and Bennett Crofton raised a company of -seventy-six men, determined to seek assistance, or to die fight- ing as the}' were. Over half these men withdrew from Ham- mond in a short time and hid out; but they were afterwards captured by the British and sent to prison where many of them died. Hammond and thirty-two escaped to North Carolina. Concealing themselves all day and traveling all night, they passed Saluda and Bush River, and were kinkly supplied by T. Harvey and Charles Moore, but still they could hear of no party of Whigs whom they could join. Near the foot of the mountains they came to the home of Calvin Jones, a good Whig. He was absent and Mrs. Jones was in great trouble, -as she had ben ill-treated that day and ber house plundered by a party of Tories who were on their way to the British army. They had taken the clothing of her children, her side-saddle, and wantonly destroyed what they could not carry away, Mrs,

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. I37

Jones told Hammond that they were seventy or eighty in num- ber. Hammond's little band, thirty-five in all, determined to follow and chastise them. Mrs. Jones sent her little boy, a lad twelve or fourteen years of age, to guide and aid them in the pursuit. He very gladly joined them. They followed the Tory trail and overtook them next morning when they were at breakfast. Hammond and his men immediately charged, and they were in the midst of the Tory camp before they were aware of their approach. All the enemies' arms were taken, — four were killed and eleven made prisoners — these were re- leased on parole. Mrs. Jones' valuables were all restored to her and she gladly supplied the Whigs with all refreshments in her power. They went on their way rejoicing, with a number of captured horses and a fine supply of ammunition and provisions.

A day or two after this, while broiling their bacon and eating parched corn for bread, they heard the sound of horses' feet in a brisk march coming towards them. They had come within reach of the guns before they were discovered. On being hailed they answered, "Friends of America." "So are we, but let us know you. Men, stand to your arms." So they stood, both parties with their guns pointed at each other. Captain Edward Hampton, from the other part)^ advanced with a flag. He was well known and received a cordial wel- come from all of Hammond's men. Both parties, actuated b}^ the same motives, and moving in the same direction, were now happily united. Moving on together they soon came upon the trail of a party as numerous as their own, whom they sup- posed to be enemies. They determined to attack them. Has- tening on they soon discovered a horse standing in the trail, a man lying on the ground fast asleep, but holding to the bridle. They surrounded him and hailed him, when he sprang up and boldly replied, "Friend to America, if I die for it!" His name was Harris, and he said he belonged to Colonel G. Clarke's command, which was not far ahead. He said he was obliged to sleep, but was going on as soon as he took a nap. They joined Clarke the same evening and they now numbered over two hundred men. They moved on into North Carolina. Then they learned of other parties, who had left South Carolina moved by the same impulse as themselues: Sumter's, Wil-

138 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

liams' and Brandon's. They sent expresses to all these to let them know of their arrival and intentions. They were here joined by Captains McCall and Liddle of Colonel Pickens' Regi- ment with a small detachment. Pickens, himself, had laid down his arms, but he soon afterwards resumed them, when called upon by the British to bear arms against his countrymen.

Samuel Hammond was in active service from the beginning of the trouble until the evacuation of Charleston in Decemb 2r, 1782. His rank was that of Major. He was in the battle of Musgrove's Mills, from which place, having heard of the defeat of both Generals Gates and Sumter, he moved rapidly to Charlotte, N. C. At Charlotte the prisoners taken from the British were delivered to him and conducted to Hillsboro. At Hillsboro he collected all the stragglers and refugees from lyC Roy Hammond's Regiment, and others who might come into service. At Salisbury he formed a company and advertised for recruits; and collected a number, who formed part of Wil- liams' command at King's Mountain, in which battle some were killed and some severely wounded. After the battle of King's Mountain he was joined by some from Ninety-Six, and with all the men under his command he marched into North Carolina, where he acted a short while under Colonel Davis. He was at the battle of Blackstocks with Sumter — he had a fight at lyong Cane, near Ninety-Six. In the battle of Cowpens, on the 17th of June, 1781, he commanded, as Major, the left of the front line. From this time till the battle of Eutaw, he was actively engaged as a partisan. At the battle of Eutaw, on the 8th of September, he had the good fortune to distinguish himself.

After the war he settled in Savannah; and in Georgia he was honored with several important posts. He was Colonel in the war against the Creeks on the border; member of the Leg- islature; elected to United States Congress in 1802. In 1805, he was appointed by President Jefferson Military and Civil Governor of Upper Louisiana (Missouri), where he remained until 1824. In 1824, he returned to South Carolina, where he received a warm welcome; and in 1827, was elected Surveyor- General; and in 1831, Secretary of State. In 1835, being then old and infirm, he retired to his Varello farm, near Hamburg, S. C, at which place he continued to reside until his death.

HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 139

He died on the nth of September, 1842, in the 87th year of his age. He died on Sunday.

On Monday, the 12th, the nnlitar>' of Hamburg were joined iby those of Augusta, comprising the Clinck Riflemen and the Augusta Artillery Guard, all under the command of Samuel C. Wilson; together with the Masonic Lodges of Hamburg and Augusta, and the citizens of both places, formed a proces- sion at the corner of Covington and Market streets, Joseph E. Gladding acting as marshal. Minute guns were fired from the site of his old fort on Shultz's Hill by the artillery, while the procession followed the body of the deceased Veteran, with the solemn sounds of the muffied drums. When they arrived at the family burial ground, above Campbellton, the remains were lowered into the vault with Masonic honors, and a volley fired over it by the escorting infantry.

"It is remarkable," says his biographer, "that although so much of his early life was familiarized with battles and blood- shed, he preserved his natural gentleness and suavity of man- ner to the last — enlivening everj^ circle where he went with his cheerful sallies of good humor." Dr. A. S. Hammond is authority for the foregoing facts in the life of his father.

In this sketch of Samuel Hammond I have left out many things that would have given me great pleasure to insert; but I fear that this history will grow to too great a size before I •complete it. It is very pleasant to write of such men as Samuel Hammond, and of many others of Edgefield, who have lived noble lives and played honorable parts upon the stage of being. The writer is a native of Edgefield, and as this work progresses he begins to feel that he has good ground to be proud of the fact. It is true, however, that many dark deeds have been done upon Edgefield soil — deeds of violence and blood. The descendants of Cain are to be found' in all parts of the world.

LE ROY AND SAMUEL HAMMOND.

The following additional facts in the lives of Le Roy Ham- mond and his nephew Samuel Hammond, and the descendants of Le Roy Hammond, were communicated to me by the two n^rothers, C. M. and E. W. Hammond. They write from Ham- burg, S. C, under date of September 25, 1892:

I40 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

The first information we have of the family of Hammond is that of Colonel Le Roy Hammond, who came from Virginia in the year or about the year 1765. He married a Miss Tyler, a near relative of President Tyler. He lived in Augusta^ a few years, then moved to South Carolina, on the Savannah River, seven miles above Augusta, and named his place New Rich- mond in memory of his old home. He built an imposing house for these days; the lumber was all sawed by hand, a whip saw being used. The bricks for the chimneys, and the nails, which were wrought, were made on the plantation. The brick-layers and plasterers, thirty in number, were also brought from Europe to complete the house. This house is now standing and is in very good repair; and is in possession of Major Andrew J. Hammond's family, who was a grandson of Colonel L,e Roy Hammond.

Colonel lyC Roy Hammond established a trading post on the Savannah River, buying skins, furs, &c. , from the Indians, giving in exchange such things as thej^ needed. These supplies were brought from Charleston up the Savannah by pole boats.

He died at Snow Hill, near New Richmond in 1790. He left one son, I,e Roy, who was a captain in the Revolution at sixteen years of age. It is related that, in one of the skir- mishes in which he was engaged, his cousin Colonel Samuel Hammond captured a number of Tories and one of them having a pistol concealed when in the act of firing on him (the colonel) Captain Hammond galloped up and cut his head in half, each half falling on his shoulders, one on one shoulder, and one on the other. The sword with which he accomplished this feat was made in a blacksmith shop to order, and has the name of the maker, Harvey, engraved thereon. This sword, with many hacks in it, showing the active service in which Captain Hammond was engaged, also his pistols, which are flint and steel with brass barrels, handsomely mounted in silver with coat of arms of an Englishman, from whom they were taken in an engagement, are now in the possession of the de- scendants of Captain Andrew J. Hammond.

During the Revolution a notorious character, Davis, a Tory and robber, was captured at Cherokee Ponds, in Edgefield County, S. C. It fell to the lot of Captain Hammond to kill him. One of these pistols was used on the occasion.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. I4I

At one time while hunting in Georgia he lost his way and entered the camp of hostile Indians. They all sprang to their feet drawing their bows and tomahawks, ready to kill him. He not knowing their language was entirely at their mercy. He called the name of Le Roy Hammond, and such was the respect and veneration in which the name and good deeds of his father was held, of one accord they took him in their camp, made him presents and fed him and sent him on his way rejoicing. Cap- tain Hammond, after the war, was a colonel in the militia. A large fortune was left to him by his father, most of which he spent in a most charitable manner, giving and helping all who stood in need of assistance. Of this fortune there remains to his descendants, the children of Andrew J. Hammond, the valuable lands on the Savannah River and the old Homestead, New Richmond. Captain Le Roy Hammond left a daughter, Julia, who married Charles Hammond, a planter and merchant, of Hamburg, S. C.

Andrew J. Hammond, his son, was born October 8th, 18 14, and was reared by his mother at the old homestead, New Richmond. Mrs. Hammond survived her husband fifty-four years, and was noted throughout Edgefield for her fine busi- ness habits, strong intellect, great charity, and goodness of heart. All these fine traits of character were transmitted to her son, Andrew J. Hammond. He was educated at the then noted schools of Pendleton, S. C. In 1841, he married Elizabeth Butler, the only daughter of the Honorable Sampson H. Butler. For many years he was Captain of the Edgefield Hussars. He was a member of the Legislature for several years, and was a member of the Secession Convention in 1 860. Captain A. J. Hammond retired from political life, but at the breaking out of the late Civil War between the States he was elected Major of the Twenty-fourth Regiment of South Caro- lina Volunteers, where he served with bravery and distinction until prostrated with fever and rheumatism, which confined him to his home until near the close of the war, when he was assigned a position on the staff of General A. R. Wright.

Major Hammond was a patriot, a Christian, and a gentle- man; and was universally honored, loved, and respected by all who knew him. He died December 19th, 1882. His son, who bore the honored name of Le Roy, and who gave great

142 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD,

promise of a uoble and useful life, died ia early manhood iu the year 1882. Major Hammond's only surviving sons are Edgar and Charles, who, the writer of this history has reason to believe, inherit the courage, the strength of character, and noble attributes of their illustrious ancestors. They reside on the lands bequeathed by their great-grandfather, Colonel Le Roy Hammond.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. I43

XV'I.

PICKENS.

We group together the three Pickens, General Andrew, of the Revolution; his son Andrew, and the late F. W. Pickens, Governor of South Carolina. We will take the last first. Governor Francis W. Pickens was not a native of Edgefield, but he lived so many years of his life in Edgefield District that we can well lay claim to him as one of Edgefield's sons. He was born in Pendleton District, in that part which is now Oconee County. His father, Andrew Pickens, moved to Alabama in 1819, and Francis was first sent to Athens College, in Georgia, and afterwards to the South Carolina College, from which institution he graduated with a high reputation for talents, honor, and energy, Mr. John C. Calhoun, who was his relation, regarded him as the most promising j^oung man in the State at that time. He read law at Edgefield, was admitted to the bar, and was soon afterwards elected a member of the Legislature. He succeeded Mr. McDuffie in Congress, where he established a high character as a statesman and as a debater. He resigned his seat in Congress and was elected to the State Senate, where he served several sessions. He was then appointed by President Buchanan Minister to Russia. After his return home he was elected Governor of the State, just before Secession and the breaking out of the great Civil W^ar. After the war he was a member of the State Conven- tion, which met in 1865, while B. F. Perry was Provisional Governor, This was his last public service to the State. He was married three times and left children, daughters, by each marriage; but no son to transmit his name to posterity. He was proud of his ancestry, and had reason to be.

General Andrew Pickens, grandfather of Francis W. , was a native of Pennsylvania, but moved to South Carolina some years before the Revolution. From the beginning of the troubles he was an ardent supporter of Independence, and was engaged in active service in the field during nearly the whole of the war. There was a little while, after the fall of Charles- ton and the surrender of General Lincoln, when the whole

144 HISTORY OE EUGEFIELD.

upper country seemed paralyzed, in which he was quiescent as a paroled prisoner. When ordered by the British authorities to take up arms, in violation of his parole, against his country- men, he immediately resumed his arms, and took the field in their defence. He fought at Augusta and received the sun- render of that place; he fought at Ninety-Six, and was often before the celebrated Star Redoubt. A brother of his was killed there; another brother was taken prisoner, and delivered to the Tories — ^but, indeed, all the garrison were Tories — who took him over into Georgia and gave him to the Indians, who burned him to death on a pile of lightwood. General Pickens had chief command and gained the glorious victory over the Tory, Colonel Boyd, at Kettle Creek; he had a command at Cowpens, and gave General Morgan great assistance in gaining that victory; he fought Colonel Pyle, on Ham River, N. C. , and destroyed his command of three hundred men; he was shot from his horse by a musket ball at the battle of Eutaw, and was picked up by the soldiers as dead, but he soon recovered. These and other services to the State and country mark him as one of the most active, energetic, and useful men of the time. He sat in the first county court ever held at the old Black House, near Abbeville Court House. His son Andrew, when a child, drew the first jury ever impaneled in Abbeville Dis- trict after Independence. It is a fact worthy of honorable mention in his career that, when General Davidson, of North Carolina, died the brigade, which was commanded by him from the Mecklenburg section, elected General Pickens to command them; so that at that time he was a General in both States. It is also a fact in his career that he never received any pay for his services.

He was elected Representative in the United States Congress in the year 1793. He then resigned his commission of Major General in the State Militia, and recommended the appoint- ment of William Butler. The appointment was made, and about this time a son was born to General Butler, whom he named Andrew Pickens Butler, as a graceful and grateful com- pliment to General Pickens.

Andrew Pickens, son of General Andrew Pickens of the Revolution, was a colonel commanding a regiment on the Ca- nadian frontier during the war of 18 12, In 181 7 he was elected

HirTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 145

Governor of the State, but soon afterwards moved to Alabama (1819.)

Besides the services of General Pickens, already mentioned, he rendered others to the country which should not be omitted. He held the treaty of Hopewell with the Cherokee Indians, by which all the western part of South Carolina was obtained; he was one of the commissioners appointed by President Jefferson to run the line between Georgia and Tennessee; and also the line between Georgia and South Carolina. He held the treat)^ of Milledgeville; that of Huntsville, and of Natches with the Indians; and was one of the first white men to pass down the Cumberla:id River, and was often shot at by the savages on the banks. In fact he was one of the most active and useful mgn of the whole South during the period of the Revolution and the year following. His home was never at any time in Edgefield; but he was of Ninety-Six and we have a right to claim him as our own through his illustrious grandson, F. W. Pickens, whose home for many years was at Edgefield.

CAPTAIN RICHARD JOHNSON.

Whether Captain Richard Johnson was born in Edgefield or not, is not known. His father came from Virginia and settled near Campbellton, on the Savannah River. Richard was about eighteen years old at the time of the Declaration of Independ- ence. He took that side at the first and clung to it without wavering until the close. He was a captain in Samuel Plam. mond's cavalry. He had one great quality, which always inspired his comrades with confidence — coolness in time of danger. As an instance of his coolness and readiness it is related of him that at Eutaw, in retreating before the enemy, as he passed a cannon, he stopped and spiked it with a nail which he carried in his pocket. He was the man for the occa- .sion, and he was always ready. Cunningham, on his return to the low country, after his celebrated raid in 1781, while feeding one day at the lower Fork of Eittle Saluda, his force at the time consisting of about one hundred and fifty men, sud- denly saw Hammond appear on the opposite side with about seventy men, Hammond finding the odds so much against him, determined not to cross then, but to follow and harrass them until he received reenforcements. Captain Johnson

146 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

wanted to cross and attack at once, and said if thirty men would volunteer and go with him he would cross and make the attack. Thirty men did volunteer and among the number was Zachary Smith Brooks, grandfather of Preston S. Brooks. Hammond interfered and forbade the movement; placed him- self in the way and gave a peremptory order to halt. Ham- mond was right. It would have been madness for thirty men to attack one hundred and fifty under Bloodj^ Bill. The next day General Pickens came up with them and the pursuit was continued as far as Orangeburg.

Johnson received high praise for his conduct. And the bold spirit he exhibited on this and on all occasions, made him very popular.

In 1806 he was elected to the Legislature and continued to be a member of that body nearly all the remainder of his life. He died in 18 17 at his residence in Edgefield. He was opposed to the establishment of the South Carolina College; but after he saw the good resulting from it he frankly acknowledged his error. He left a handsome fortune, but no children to inherit it.

MICHAEL WATSON.

Michael Watson's first essay in arms with the militia of South Carolina was in 1762, in the expedition against the Cherokee Indians led by Colonel Grant of the regular army. And after that he was found very forward, brave, and efficient in opposition to the lawless banditti in 1767 and 1768. I find no mention of the time when Michael Watson's father settled in Edgefield, but he must have been amongst the first in that section of the country. At that time there were no courts nearer than Charlestown. Edgefield, or rather Ninety-Six, for Edgefield was not known until a good many years after- wards, was filling up very rapidly with people from 1760 to 1770, not only wdth good industrious settlers, but with a great many who were not so.

The peace of 1763 turned loose a great many soldiers on both sides of the Atlantic, who had been rendered unfit for the arts of peace, and who sought to live by prejang upon the property of others. Many of these sought refuge in the Dis- trict of Ninety-Six as a secure asylum, and as a good field for their operations, as there were no courts nearer than Charles-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 47

town, which was a hundred and fifty or two hundred miles away. For peaceable, industrious citizens to carry offenders such a distance for trial and punishment, imposed upon them a burden much too great for tliem to bear. To lift this burden, or to avoid it, they organized themselves into bands of Regu- lators, so that when offenders were caught they could be dealt with at home. Such organizations may, and do, work well for awhile in extreme cases; but they soon fall off from the high plane of established law and order, and degenerate into mere instruments for the gratification of personal revenge. In this case much good was done, and the Regulators succeeded in their object and purpose. The attention of the authorities of the Province was called to the deplorable condition of affairs in the up country, and seven additional courts were established in different parts of the Province; one of which was at Camden; one at Orangeburg; and one at Ninety-Six. But before these courts were established we find that in 1767 a band of marau- ders made an inroad among the neighbors of Michael Watson on the Ridge, and threatened the life of his father. Michael, William, and their father, with two other men, pursued them about thirty miles. When they overtook them they found them lodged in a house in which they had taken shelter. The Watson party advanced and were fired upon by those inside. Old Mr. Watson, William, and one other were instantly killed. Michael was wounded, but he and the other survivor rushed into the house before those inside could reload their guns. Michael killed two of them; his friend, whose name is not known, wounded another, but the survivors made their escape. Some of them were afterwards captured and taken to Charles- town and tried.

November 3d, 1767, nine persons were convicted of plunder, horsestealing, and murder. One Ezekiel Tyrrel also was con- victed of burning Watson's corn crib, and was sentenced to be hung June ist, 176S. The troubles grew worse and worse until the marauders embodied under Colonel Scovial, who had friends at court, paraded under arms and made read}' for battle. This brought matters to a crisis. The matter was laid before the Governor and Council, and soon afterwards the courts were established, and regularly held for the trial of all offenders by judge and jury.

148 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

When the Revolutionary War began Watson was already well known for his courage and patriotism. In the war against the Cherokees, in 1776, he rendered very efficient service at I^ittle River, when the division was in some confusion, by collecting a chosen band and charging the Indians, driving them back and so saving the division. After the fall of Char- lestown, and the British and Tories became dominant in the up country, on one occasion a party surrounded his house at night while he was in bed. He heard them talking at one end of the house about the mode of attack. He did not stay long upon the order of his going, but went at once, and seizing his gun he ran out of the door at the other end of the house, and escaped to the woods about fifty yards distant. He then began to call out, as if to collect a body of men on guard: "Here they are! Come on, boys! Charge!" He then fired off his gun. The Tories were frightened and somewhat disgusted, and left speedily.

At another time his house was surrounded in the open day, when he was alone with his family. He leaped out through a wdndow and ran for the woods. The enemy fired at him as long as he was in sight, but he escaped unhurt, though his clothes had several bullet holes through them. Afterwards a Tory Colonel, Kin Williams, came to his plantation with three hundred men, each with a green oak leaf in his hat. Watson was not at home at the time, or he would probably have been killed. They burned every house on the place; killed every hog and cow, and all the poultry, and either destroyed or car- ried away all the provisions. With the assistance of his neigh- bors, he made another home about eight miles away, but he was still frequently disturbed. On one occasion a man named Hartley undertook to carry off the only horse he had left. Watson was then at home and was too much for Hartley. He fired upon him, wounded him in the arm, and took hini prisoner; made him go home with him, dressed his wound, and treated him with the greatest kindness. Such kind treatment from Watson and his family had so good an effect upon Hartley that he left the Tories, became a good Whig, and served under Watson. Often after the war he was heard to relate these facts.

Watson's career was brought to a close a short time before

HISTORY OF KDGEFIKLD. 1 49

the close of the war. In May, 1782, hearing of a boch- of Tories in Dean's Swamp, near Orangeburg, Watson and Wil- liam Butler determined to attack them. Watson's men were mounted, armed with rifles and muskets; Butler's were cavalry, armed with pistols and cutlasses. These Tories were com- manded by Bloody Bill Cunningham, and in hopes to be able to surprise them, Watson and Butler marched with great rapidity. On the way they captured a disaffected man, named Hutton; but he made his escape, and gave the Tories warning just before they reached the camp. As soon as his escape was knov\n Watson wanted to stop the advance, but Butler was for pushing forward. Butler's wish prevailed; and as the}' ad- vanced the}' saw two men who seemed to be trying to hide. Butler, W^atson, and Sergeant Vardel rode forward to capture them. Watson then discovered that the}- were only a decoy, and warned the others, but too late. The Tories, seeing that they were discovered, fired upon the Whigs and brought down Watson, Vardel, and several others. Butler brought off the wounded men, but now found that the infantry had very little ammunition left, and that the Tories, twice the number of the Whigs, were advancing upon them. He immediately made John Corley, a brave and gallant 3-outh, his First lyieutenant, and they charged so hoth' upon the enemy's lines that they were thrown into confusion. The whigs pressed upon them so fierceh^ and used their broad swords so rapidl}- that they could not rally, and sought safety in the swamp. As the Whigs returned from the chase they found Vardel alive, but he expired in the effort to wave his hand and to shout "hurra!" They buried him on the field. Watson was carried to Orangeburg. He was alive when they reached that place, but he died soon afterwards, and was buried in that village with military honors.

Shall we relate a little story of this battle? A smart young man, name not given, was very anxious to distinguish him- self, never having been in battle. He sought the office of Lieutenant and was elected. Mounted on a beautiful filly, he advanced bravely to the attack. When they found the enemy and dismounted to make the attack, he dismounted also, hitched his horse and advanced on foot with the others. When the Tories rose and poured in their fire, .seeing the number

150 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

that fell besides Captain Watson, the young man could not stand it; his courage evaporated; he turned and fled, and, for- getting his fine filly, never stopped until he reached home, spreading the report that all the party had been killed except himself. The horse was saved by those who brought off the wounded. When they reached Orangeburg the owner of the filly never making any claim, she was sold and the money she brought was expended in rum and other refreshments. Some others of Watson's men also ran off — names not known. I am not much inclined to blame anybody for running out of danger when he can save his bacon by it. Discretion is the better part of valor, alwaj-s.

FRANCIS SALVADOR.

In a history of Edgefield, it is due to Mr. Salvador, whose name appears in every history of the State, that something should be said of him more than the mere casual mention of his name. He was the intimate friend of Colonel Le Roy Hammond. He was killed in the second battle of the war with the Cherokees in 1776, and his death was much lamented. He was highh- accomplished, honorable, and generous. He was a native of England, but of Hebrew parents and a Hebrew in religion. He inherited a large fortune from his father, Jacob Salvador, which he increased by marriage. He came to South Carolina in the year 1774, with his friend, Mr Richard A. Rafeloy, purchased negroes, and a large tract of land in Ninety-Six District, and lived honored and respected. He became a member of the General Assembly, and was warmly attached to the cause of Independence. He was the first man killed in the battle. He was wounded twice — was scalped and died in less than an hour, unconscious of the barbarous act.

THE MARTINS. ..^

The family of Martins in Edgefield were remarkable during the Revolution for being united in the cause of Independence. They w^ere all Whigs and brave men. There were seven brothers, and all took active parts and all made good soldiers. All survived the war, except one, William, who was the oldest. He was Captain of Artillery, and was killed at the siege of Augusta. He was one of the oldest captains in the service.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 151

These brothers were named William, Hartley, James, John, Edmund, Marshall, and Matthew. Matthew was alive in 1846, living in Teimessee; he died near the close of that year. The wives of these men were about as good and true soldiers as their husbands, if the following story be correct, of which there is no doubt:

Learning that important despatches were sent up the country by the enemy, Mrs. William and Mrs. Bartley Martin deter- mined to waylay the courier and capture the papers. They dressed themselves in their husbands' clothes, (perhaps they were in the habit of wearing the breeches any how), took po- sition near the road where the express must pass. Directly the courier appeared with a guard of two British officers. As they came up the young women presented their muskets and de- manded their instant surrender. The officers, panic stricken, surrendered and were paroled at once. The ladies then took the despatches, hastened home through the woods and without loss of time sent their prize to General Greene. The officers soon appeared on their return and asked for accommodation as travellers. This was granted. Mrs. Martin asked how it was that they returned so soon? They told her that they had been taken prisoner b}- two rebel boys; and they showed her their paroles. The ladies rallied them and asked if they were not armed. They said yes; but were so surprised that they could not use their arras. Mrs. Martin allowed them to depart next morning without letting them know who their captors were. These Martins were of Martintown, on the Sayannah side of Edgefield. A inore extended account of this family will be given. ^-^ ■. (^ ^ J' (' •--

— "^ CUNNINGHAM AND HAMMOND.

One purpose of Cunningham when he made his celebrated raid into the up-country in 1781, was the capture of Samuel Hammond, whom he expected to find at Anderson's Mills, on the Saluda, near Island Ford, as he heard he was then stationed at that place. Hammond was not there when Cunningham passed. From Cloud's Creek to Anderson's Mills his path was one of fire and blood. He crossed Saluda at Island Ford, went on to Hays' station, in the lower edge of Laurens, and put Colonel Hays and all his command to the sword.

152 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

MRS. CRUGER AT NINETY-SIX.

The following anecdotes of the residence of Mrs. Cruger at Ninety-Six may not be without interest to the readers of this book:

While the British occupied Ninety-Six the family of the commandant, Colonel Cruger, was staging at the house of Colonel James Mayson, which was about three miles from the town. Mayson was a man of family with several lovely, lively daughters. The officers of the garrison would frequently call and spend the evening there, and it sometimes happened that some of the rebels would also visit there and if they met any British officers all passed off pleasantly, as they regarded Colo- nel Ma3'son's home as neutral ground. Suddenly one day a cannonade is heard at Ninety-Six, and the ladies soon learned that General Greene's forces had attacked the Star batter3^ The ladies, in great'alarm, immediately began collecting their movable values, jewelr}', &c., and Mrs. Cruger sewing up her guineas in beltr, so tl:at she could secure them about her per- son. A young lad)-, afterwards the wife of General William Butler, says she assisted Mrs. Cruger in sewing up her guineas. The other ladies, very probably, had no guineas to hide. They had scarcely finished their work and completed their preparations for a speedy departure, when a number of armed men in American uniform, marched into the enclosure. The ladies w'ere much alarmed, but the commanding officer ad- vanced and asked to speak with any one of the family. He stated that he had been as sent guard to protect Mrs. Cruger and the famil}^ and that they need be under no apprehension, and that the guard would remain as long as necessary. This attention was ver}^ well and thankfully received by Mrs. Cruger, Colonel Cruger and all his officers. When the siege was raised the guard was withdrawn, and when they parted Mrs. Cruger gave the officer commanding two guineas.

Mrs. Butler also relates that soon after this, when she had returned home to the house of her stepfather, Mr. Savage, near Saluda Old Town, she first saw William Butler, her future husband. A handsome young officer, with a rose cockade in his hat, rode up to the house alone and inquired if any persons had been there w^ho might be stragglers from the American army; if they had taken anything away, and in what direc-

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 53

tion they had gone. Mrs. Butler told him they had taken nothing from the house but that they had gone in a direction which led her to believe that their purpose was to steal their horses. The lieutenant then gave a signal and he was soon joined by his men. They pursued; saved the horses; captured the stragglers and took them safely into camp.

Only a little while before this occurred, a young Virginia officer, named Wade, who had been badly wounded in a skir- mish with some of Lord Rawdon's troops near the "Old Town," and had fallen from his horse, was brought into the house. While all were anxious and solicitous about his wel- fare, he thought only of his horse, and all he could say was, "Don't let them carry off my horse."

MRS. DILLARD AND MRS. THOMAS.

These ladies were not of Edgefield, but inasmuch as Colonel Samuel Hammond, who was of Edgefield, in his notes of the Battle of Cedar Springs, in Spartanburg District, relates the story, and I feel sure that it is not out of place here. Colonel Hammond says:

"Mrs. Dillard, who had given our party milk and potatoes the day before this battle, stated that Ferguson and Dunlap, with their party of Tories came there on the next evening. They inquired after Clarke's part3^ their numbers, &c., &c., and she gave them as little information as possible. The}' or- dered her to prepare supper with despatch; and while she was so employed, .she heard one of the Torj^ officers tell Ferguson that he had just been informed that the re1)els under Clarke were to camp that night at the Green, or Cedar Springs. It was immediately resolved to attack them that night, and Mrs. Dillard's hu.sband being with Clarke, she resolved to give them notice of it. As soon as she could set out the supper she slipped olT to the stable, bridled a young horse, and, without a .saddle, galloped off to apprise Clarke of his danger; under an impression that the enemy were too numerous to justify battle with them. She arrived just in time, for Dunlap had been sent forward by Ferguson, with orders to attack and detain us until he should come up with the remainder. Dunlap had advanced rapidly and charged soon after we had paraded and were ready for his reception. The lad}^ returned home in safetv and deserves well of her countrv.

154 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

"The credit of giving this seasonable notice to the Americans has also been claimed for Mrs. Thomas, the heroic mother of Colonel J. Thomas, jun., and no doubt with reason — they both did it. With such patriotic matrons and with a peasantry who refused to take protection, or acknowledge submission to the British forces, well may this District be designated as Spartan- burg."

Mrs. Thomas rode sixty miles to give Colonel Clarke the information. The foregoing should have appeared in the Sketch of Samuel Hammond and his Services, but was over- looked and inadvertently left out.

PICKENS' AND WILLIAMSON.

After the battle of Guilford Court House, N. C, March 25, 1 78 1, General Greene determined to return to South Carolina, and detached Major Samuel Hammond of South Carolina, and Major James Jackson of Georgia, from his army with orders to penetrate to the Savannah River and open communication with friends of Independence on both sides, in order that he might receive support in his progress through. When they came into Ninety-Six District, they sent for Generals Williamson and Pickens, the most influential men in that part of the country. They both attended the call and were invited by Hammond and Jackson to unite with them in carrying out General Greene's views. They stated that that they were prisoners on parole, on the terms of the surrender in Charles- ton, and although these terms had been violated as to some who had been ordered out by the British, yet, as to themselves, the terms had not been violated, and they did not feel justified in breaking their parole. The British Commander soon re- ceived information of the arrival of the Americans in the Dis- trict, and at once issued the order calling upon and requiring Andrew Williamson and Andrew Pickens to enter upon active service in support of the Royal authority. Pickens imme- diately joined his countrymen in arms and ever after was a gallant and efficient leader. Williamson submitted; and after awhile left the District of Ninety-Six; retired to the neighbor- hood of Charleston, and always after remained within the British lines; but never, as far as is known, bore arms against his countrj-meu.

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 155

FORT GALPHIN-GEORGE GALPHIN.

On the arrival of Colonel Lee at Augusta, during the siege of that place, after the capture of Fort Granby, he sent down Captain Rudolph with his regulars to assist in the siege of Fort Galphin. The fort was soon taken. The capitulation was signed by Captain Rudolph. This capture was of great impor- tance to the American cause. A large amount of arms and militar}^ stores, blankets, clothing, small arms, ammunition, salt, and hospital stores were captured in the fort and in the boats on the -Aver — all of immense value to the Americans. Without this seasonable supply it is doubtful whether Fort Cornwallis could have been taken.

Fort Galphin was on Silver Bluff, the property afterwards of Governor James H. Hammond and his descendants, at that time owned by George Galphin, whose dreaming match with the Indian Chief will be given. Mr. Galphin, Assistant Su- perintendent of Indian affairs, was a devoted friend to the American cause, and by his influence with the Indians much bloodshed was prevented. He also frequently assisted the Americans in their wants — general as well as individual — with his fortune; which was large.

156 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

XVII.

NORRIS TOWNSHIP.

The history of Norris Township is here given as it is related by Mr. John M. Norris, who, in November, 1891, was in his seventj'-fifth year, and who was born and raised in the town- ship, and has resided all his life within a niile of where his father and grandfather lived and died.

Norris Township lies in the eastern border of the count}' and embraces a considerable portion of the famous Ridge Plateau, from the Lexington County line west to Ward Township, a distance of ten or twelve miles, and extends northwest to the Rhinehart and Mobley Townships, and embraces within its area Cloud's Creek, West Creek, and-Norris Greek, all three of which have their source on the Ridge and flow" in a northwest direction. This section of our county cannot better be described than in the words of Professor Morse in his Universal Geogra- phy. He says: "The Ridge is a remarkable elevated belt of land extending from the Savannah to Bush River. It is a fine, healthy belt of land, well watered and of good soil. The Edistos have their rise on this Ridge, as well as creeks running into the Saluda. These waters interlock, and the traveler on the old Ridge Road crosses branches alternately running in opposite directions. As you advance northwest from the sum- mit of the Ridge, commences a country exactly resembling the Northern States, or like Devonshire in England or Langudoc in France. The hills and vales, with all their verdure and variegated beauty, present themselves t3 the eye. Here heaven has bestowed its blessings with a most bounteous hand. The air is temperate and healthful. It is w^ell watered, and the fertility of the soil is equal to every vegetable production."

This description by Professor Morse w^as intended for all the up country as well as Norris Township. Many changes have been made since that w-as written. The beautiful and majestic forests have dwindled away. Only here and there a small copse of the original woods is to be seen. The verdure and variegated beauty do not gladden the eye as of old. The hills and vales have been dispossessed of much of their fertile soil

HISTORY OF EDGEriELD. 157

by improper husbandry. Gullies and barren hills, like the wrinkles of old age, bear witness to the fact.

Among the earliest settlers of the township was William Norris, grandfather of Mr. John M. Norris, who came from Pennsylvania, and settled on West Creek about the year 1750, and died in 1 780. About the same tntie William Sawyer set- tled in the same neighborhood. Then Busheys, Bateses, L,ongs, Padgetts, Whittles, Yarboroughs, Smiths, Warrens, and others, on the eastern portion of the township; while on the Ridge and western side were the Watsons, Simpkinses, Perrys, Asbills, Holstons, Burtons, Reynoldses, and Williamses, with the Bodies, Herlongs, DeLoaches, and many others, whose names cannot be recalled at present, ,

William Norris was of the Quaker persuasion. He left three sons, Nathan, William, and Stephen, and also several daugh- ters. All these lived long and useful lives. The wife of William Norris was Agnes Federick, a woman of remarkable qualities. By the death of her husband she was left alone, to take care of and to raise and train her children. Her training was so excellent that it is said that neither one of them was ever known to use profane language. Nathan, the oldest, was the patriarch of the Norris family. His education was imper- fect, but he had a clear and strong mind. Benevolence supplied his strongest incentive of action, and the serving of others seemed to have been his favorite mode of serving himself. His public spirit manifested itself throughout his whole life by self-sacrifice and deeds of kindness. If he had any fault to be complained of, it was on the side of mercy. He was eminently a man of mercy and of peace. He exerci.sed more leniency towards his slaves, and he had a goodly number of them, than perhaps any man in Edgefield County. During the greater part of his life he served as Justice of Peace, County Commis- sioner, &c. While inheriting from his father some of the Quaker spirit, he was a Baptist, and contributed more to the building and maintaining of the old West Creek Baptist Church, of which he was a member, than any one of the other members. In a large degree he was given to hospitality. He was kind and charitable to the poor, and v/as beloved and respected by all who knew him.

The Watson family have descended from Michael Watson,

158 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

who. was killed in the old War of Independence, and of whom a biographical sketch is elsewhere given. His descendants have been prominent in this township and in the county, and have been honored by the people of Edgefield. Major Tillman Watson, than whom none of the Watson family ever stood higher, was a man of sterling qualities. Although his educa- tion was limited, j^et his sense of justice, his patriotism, his integrity, and his clear, good sense caused him to be respected and promoted by the people of Edgefield County, who often bestowed upon him the honors he deserved by sending him to represent them in the Eegislature, sometimes in the Senate and sometimes in the House.

The Holston family of this township descended from Moses Holston, Sr. , who died about the year 1838. He had a num- ber of sons and daughters who settled in the township, and who, at one time, owned and cultivated a considerable portion of the best lands. The}^ were remarkabl)^ successful as cotton planters, and continued buying land and slav^es with the pro- duce of their cotton fields. No one of them was more success- ful than Wade Holston, who was the youngest son of Moses, Sr. Before the War of Secession he owned a large number of slaves and sev^eral thousand acres of land. He was ambitious to succeed, and he usually did succeed in all he undertook. He represented the county in the Legislature for awhile. The greater part of his property was accumulated by industry and perseverance.

The William Sawyer, who was cotemporary with William Norris, Sr. , is the head of all the Sawyers of this section of Edgefield. He had a son named Ansel Sawyer, who was killed with Captain James Butler at the massacre on Lick Creek in time of the Revolution. He was only 1 7 or 18 years of age. He was horribly mutilated, having been chopped to pieces by the Tories with their swords. He was carried home from the battle ground on a ground slide by an old negro slave named Beister, who belonged to the widow of William Norris, Sr. William Norris, her son, a lad at the time, was an eye witness, and gave the facts as here stated to his son, John M. Norris.

In reading and writing history, I often pause and ask my- .self whether men are not already devils, and this world a bit

HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 159

of hell set apart for their temporary residence and habitation ; a world of probation to see whether any of them can ever be restored to that better condition from which they all fell.

On the waters of West Creek, in a shady grove near a purling spring, stands the old West Creek Baptist Church, which took its name from the creek on which it is situated. It was constituted in 1790. Old men relate tliat long before this church was regularly constituted a rude house of worship existed at the same place, and that services were occasionally held here. This old church has gone through many vicissi- tudes, but at present it is in a flourishing condition. It is the mother of several other Baptist Churches in Edgefield, of some also in Lexington. One of these is Bethel Church, on the Ridge, from which sprang the Ridge Spring Baptist Church. All three of these churches have flourished under various pastors, and have largely contributed and exercised an influence for good in the township.

The old Methodist Church, Providence, situated on Cloud's Creek, was also constituted very early. The Boddys, Herlongs, Bouknights, Mitchells, and other families were prominent in building up and sustaining Methodism in this section. Their descendants are following in their footsteps, and are faithfully doing the same work in which their fathers were engaged.

In this township are found immense quantities of granite rock, both the Poaphoritic and Syenitic. Excellent millstones are being dressed and shipped to all parts of the State by E. W. McLenna, the energetic and enterprising editor and proprietor of the Johnston Monitor. These beds of Syenitic granite are inexhaustible. The stone is of fine grain and capable of a high polish, which qualities make it very suitable for monu- ments, tombstones, &c. These quarries are near the C, C. & A. Railroad, and can supply building material for all time; clays for the making of excellent brick abound.

The present inhabitants of the townsnip are mostly native and to the manner born, descendants of the original settlers. In common with all other parts of the country, Norris Town- ship bore its share of the sacrifices made for the lyost Cause, in sending its sons to the war, a large portion of whom never re- turned, and are buried far from home, resting in soldiers' graves by the wayside; or in some cemeterj' with no headstone

l6o HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD.

to mark the spot. They suffered much also in the loss of property, and endured all the hardships incident to the great changes produced by the war and by the reconstructive process.

The C. , C. & A. Railroad runs through this township, along the old Ridge Road, and has been the cause of many and great changes. Three towns have sprung up like magic within the boundaries of this township, Batesburg, Ridge Spring, and Monetta. Batesburg is a little over the line in Lexington Comity, but a considerable slip of E^'gefield territory is within the corporate limits, and the greater part of its trade is drawn from Edgefield County. Batesburg is a flourishing town, with some twenty stores, two banks, two colleges, two churches, Baptist and Methodist. It is a considerable place of trade.

Ridge Spring is named after the Ridge on which it is situated, and the bold, unfailing spring that gushes out of the earth in the very midst of the town. This spring is the source of Cloud's Creek. This is a beautiful town for situation, occupy- r,'\ ing as it does the original home of the Watsons. R. B. Watson, \ \ Esq., a grandson of Elijah Watson, Sr. , is now living (1891)

in the house in which his grandfather lived and died. , Monetta is a small place on the railroad between Ridge Spring and Batesburg, and has sprung up since 1885.

In the earlier times in this section the facilities for getting an education were very poor. Old field schools, and they with rather incompetent teachers, were the only chance, with some rare exceptions. In 1S26, John Knox established a school near the Lexington line, which perhaps did more in educating the people in this section than any other school has done. He was a classical scholar and continued this school a number of years. It was well patronized by all in reach, and many from different parts of the county and State received their education at this school. Since the war schools, academies, and colleges have been established for the complete and thorough education of all the children.

In complimenting the godly mothers and wives and daughters of this section of our county, it is but just to say that there is at least as great a number of industrious, discreet, amiable, gentle, and handsome women here in proportion to the number of inhabitants, as in any other section of the county or State.

HI'TORY OF EDGEFIELD. l6l

Many might be mentioned by name, and their deeds might be recorded here; but as it is a lovely and adorable trait in woman to shun notoriety, and to modestly and faithfully fill her sphere of usefulness, we will desist. But if all were written that might be truthfully written in her behalf, even in the narrow bounds of this township, it would fill many volumes.

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear;

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air."

Slaves were introduced into this township at an early period in its history. And cotton, the great staple of the South, was and still is the chief article of cultivation. The climate is mild and genial; the soil is good; the people are religious and indus- trious; and, notwithstanding the great disadvantages of unjust and unequal legislation and taxation, under which the pro- ducers of the wealth of the countrj^ labor, the inhabitants of Norris Township, as a rule, are prosperous and happy.

l62 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELB.

XVIII.

Biographical sketches of some distinguished natives of Edge- field, who lived and died elsewhere are here given.'

REV. ALEXANDER TRAVIS.

I am indebted to the History of Conecuh County, Alabama, by the Rev. B. F, Riley, for the information contained in this section.

Rev. Alexander Travis was bom in Edgefield County, S. C. , on August 23rd, 1790. Reared on a farm, he was inured to work and hard service, and in this manner was made better fitted to perform the duties and undergo the labors which awaited him in the latter half of his life. His school education was quite limited, being confined to an imperfect training in the rudiments of English. Being a man of strong mind and retentive memory, he learned much by observation, and soon held a respectable position amongst men, as a man of thought and action. He was tall and dignified, and by the gravity of his manner commanded the respect of all who knew him. He was converted in 1809, and baptized into Addiel Church, in South Carolina. (Where is this church?) In 18 10 he was licensed to preach, and was ordained in 18 13. He became pastor of several churches, and so remained until 181 7, when he removed to Alabama.

He located near Evergreen, in Conecuh County, where he resided until his death. He was devoted to the Master's work, and gathered, as he could, a batc

Related documents

• A history of Pendleton County, West Virginia#660306
• History of Guernsey County, Ohio#660310
• A history of Randolph County, West Virginia, from its earliest exploration and settlement to the present time#660313
• Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine; 1625-1799-1892;#660315
• History of York County Pennsylvania From the Earliest Time to the Present#660307