Edgefield County, South Carolina - The whole text, 1897 (part 3 of 11)

Watson, Bates And Others

Colonel Sam Watson was one of the most prominent characters 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 Holstien. 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 remarkable for their love of private life, William Padgett's wife was Margaret Denn}', sister of Colonel David Denny, of whom mention 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. Mahlon D. Padgett, of Mount Willing, and Mr. David Padgett, of the Ridge, are his sons. One of the loveliest characters I ever 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 Hamburg, has been cut off and joined to a part of Barnwell, making 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.

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) occupied 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 location 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 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 seceded; 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 succeeding 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 Governor 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 married 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, in the house built by Dr. J. C. Read}-. Manj' j^ears ago Captain Dean was tax collector for the District, and may also have held other positions.

Colonel Rhyden Grigsby and Colonel Simpson Wilson married 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 arrange 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 Newberry 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 corn and potatoes. Mr. Abney heard of the remark and afterwards 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.

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. Edward's father that Sam. was mortally wounded; but he survived and remained in prison at Camp Chase, Ohio, until released 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 Lieutenant; 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 promoted 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.

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. Calhoun's Dahlonega gold mines were at their best. Mr. Clemson was telling how rich the mines were, and by way of illustration 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 expertness. Mr. Gregg concluded to use white laborers at Graniteville, 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 Edgefield, but which gave great offence to many persons. This writer saw one young fellow belonging to a man who was living 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 Hamburg, who was then Sheriff, had charge of the District of Edgefield for the introduction of Africans.

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 Susannah 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, pleasing 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 Legislature 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.

The history of Edgefield on the side bordering on the Savannah, 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 everywhere, 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, Harrisburg and Springfield, on the Georgia side, with Campbell ton opposite and a little above on the Carolina side. These villages, in the earlier times, were rivals, and owing to the growing 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 industry. 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.

the Savannah, and all situated at the falls formed by the granite 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 succescession 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 lowlands 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 necessity 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 advantages 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.

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 terminated 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 Columbia and Augusta bridge on that dark day.

Campbellton, Edgefield, and even the State of South Carolina, 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 descendants still own the lands of New Richmond, and have figured in the civil as well as the militar}^ annals of Edgefield. Elsewhere in this book will be found a biographical sketch of Ee Roy Hammond, with some account of his Revolutionary services.

Between Campbellton and the mouth of Stevens' Creek about five miles above Campbellton, were extensive and profitable shad fisheries, which gave employment and afforded revenue to the land holders on either side of the river. So abundant was the catch in the shad season that eight large roe shad would scarcely fetch a dollar, and in consequence a great portion 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

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 prosperous farmers; and crossing Stevens' Creek, a more level and more productive countr}- comes into view. As population increased 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 Anderson, 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 unexcelled 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 establishing two academies, male and femsle, the former under the management of a distinguished teacher, James IvCslie.

himself as a successful planter in Marlinstown, whence he removed 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 practitioner of medicine in that community, he remodeled and rebuilt 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 Charleston 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 engaged with his sons in coffee growing.

There is a wagon road running through Edgefield to Hamburg 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 previously 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

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 Hamburg, 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 Alabama, 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 captured by the Tories and condemned to die on the gallows extemporized 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 hostilities 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 seclusion - and never seeking place or preferment, and often shunning both. The name is little known beyond the limits of their immediate neighborhood. Thomas J. McKie, M. D., was surgeon of the Tenth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers. True, these lands are, and have been, in their possession 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 below), 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 supposed, a fever from a brother-in-law who had recentl}^ returned from Charleston, where yellow fever was then epidemic - suffering a similar affection.

When war with Mexico was declared, and the famous Palmetto 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 Meriwether, 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, distinguishing 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 conspicuous a place in State records of to-daj', does not belong properly to this locality. The father of the two prominent representatives of the family to-day lived on Chavis' Creek, on the old Stage road leading from Edgefield Court House to Hamburg.

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 Edgefield. 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 particularly 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 shipwreck 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 Woodlawn, 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

John Pur}-, the founder of the fern.- across the Savannah, a mile below the present railroad bridge of the A. & K. Railroad, 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 thoroughfare 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 Kentucky, 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 prosperity indeed, that the authorities in Augusta at one time thought it worth while to lease and free this ferry, a neighborhood convenience. This property is still in the family.

In looking over old land papers many strange and since forgotten 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, abandoning this almost sacred spot 10 the dead who lie buried beneath its soil.

Dear Sir: - Yours of April 27th, to hand and contents duljnoted. I have been told that Bussey was the founder of Anderson 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.

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.

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; Carson, 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.

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.

History Op Edgkfield. Ii3

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 temperate and sober, and by Act of Incorporation, the sale of intoxicating 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 mercantile 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 experienced 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.

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 windows are about eight feet in height with Gothic tops. The whole cost of the building will be something over one thousand 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 Newberry. 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 Newberry 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.

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 contents 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.

At Dorn's Mill, on Stevens' Creek, commences our Edgefield 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 descendant of Pocahontas, was born in Chota,

An Old Memorandum Book

Old books, old papers, old documents, and relics of the past, of whatever kind, have always had great charms and attractions 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 receipts 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.

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:

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 openmouthed 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, being 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, currency, on account.

Tho. Ruti.Edge

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

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 following:

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:

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

"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.

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 entering 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 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. ' '

Fruit Hill And Vicinity

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, Hollingsworths, 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 Carolina. 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 possession 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

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 sorrowing 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 afterwards 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 Probate 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.

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.

Hampton Administration. He was also a leading member of the Home's Creek Baptist Church and died in the full fellowship 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 marriage 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 Johnston'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 southwest from Fruit Hill.

W. Scott Allen, the present owner of Fruit Hill, was educated 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 Confederate service as private in Company K, Fourteenth South Carolina 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 company, 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 fearful 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 Virginia after the bpttle of Sharpsburg, there was a call for volunteers 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 contrary to the general expectation, the entire company of volunteers, after doing some gallant fighting, successfully crossed the river and rejoined the command.

He was severely wounded through the face at Spottsylvania 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 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 completed 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 organized 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.

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.

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 himself. 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 skirmishes of which there is no record. When the State was overrun in 1780, after the fall of Charleston, and was considered a conquered province, he, with many other true patriots, asked for his parole and took what is known as British protection. 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 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, advised him to go to a sentinel on the lines and pretend that he was a rebel deserter - had been badly treated, and wished to 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.

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, especiall}' 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.

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 Hammond, who had married Miss Dobbins. The j^ear of his birth is not given, nor is any mention made of his early life, education, 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 promote 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 Parliament. 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.

Neighbor began to reproach neighbor, and the loyaHsts soon assumed a hostile attitude under the Cunninghams. They collected their forces at Ninety-Six, and Colonel Andrew Williamson, 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 expedition 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

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 Rutledge, at Camden, who required his presence there immediately. 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 partnership with John Lewis Gervais, of Charleston, S. C. He was a member of the Legislature for many years, sometimes as Representative and sometimes as Senator. Of his character as a 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 Lincoln, 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 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 Savannah, these officers with their men made a gallant, attack upon the left of the British lines. After the seige of Savannah 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 Carolina militia when Charlestown was surrendered. Governor Howley, of Georgia, Colonel Clary, of Georgia, Colonel Dooly and several other officers, continental and militia, held a conference which Williamson attended. The convention entered into and agreed upon by the British and the American commander 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- 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 determination 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 Williamson 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. Williamson 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 Charlestown 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 question 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 evening, in company with Bennett Crofton, adjutant of one of the

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, heartbroken, 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 unfortunate, 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 fighting as the}' were. Over half these men withdrew from Hammond 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,

Jones told Hammond that they were seventy or eighty in number. 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 released 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 welcome 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 supposed to be enemies. They determined to attack them. Hastening 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- 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' Regiment 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 Williams' 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 Legislature; 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.