Edgefield, South Carolina - History (part 3 of 3)

After Mr. Abney was admitted he located at Edgefield Court House, fhe county seat of his native District. As a lawyer he was quite successful, building up a good and lucrative practice, which he held through life. When the war with Mexico came on, after the annexation of Texas, he volunteered, was elected Lieutenant, and served in the Palmetto Regiment as such until the close of the war. In the city of Mexico he was attacked by an enemy which was more fatal to our soldiers than the bullets of the Mexicans had ever been - the dysentery. He lay prostrated for many days, seemingly at the point of death, unconscious part of the time, and weak and helpless as a babe. He attributed his recovery to the faithful and careful nursing and attention of a good Catholic Priest, who sat by him for many hours at a time with his finger on the pulse of his wrist, administering ice. The good Priest graduated the quantity of ice given by the strength and rapidity of the pulse beats. If he felt the pulse growing too weak he would leave off the ice for awhile, and then wdien the fever rose to too great a height he would give the ice again. In this way, and by careful nursing, the patient slowly won his way from the shadow of death back to life again.

After the w^ar Mr. Abney returned to his home in Edgefield, and resumed the practice of the law. A few years before the war lie married Miss Susan Miller, a beautiful and accomplished woman, a lovely and amiable wife. In the late war between the States he was again a volunteer in the service of the Confederate States, in which he held the rank of Major.

He died a few j^ears after the war at his home at Edgefield, leaving a widow and two daughters surviving him. His widow, a few years after his death, married T. S. Arthur, a lawyer of Greenville, who afterwards settled at Eexington, where she has since died.

Mr Abney left no sons; there were two, Paul and Charles, born. His daughter Agatha, who married Rev. Mr. Woodson, is living at their home in Edgefield where her father died. His daughter Eleanor is not living, not living in this world, but is, we hope, with her father and mother in a better. Sopliie died young.

He was Second Lieutenant in the Palmetto Regiment, commanded by Colonel Pierce Butler, during the War with Mexico, and w-as severely wounded at the battle of Cherubusco. Eieutenant Sumter was also wounded in the same battle, and though the}- were both wounded early in the engagement, yet the}^ continued with their companies until the last shots were fired.

In the War of Secession Joseph Abney was appointed Major in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, and was placed in command of the Second Battalion of South Carolina Sharpshooters of three companies, commanded by Captains ReO. Chisolm, Joseph Blythe Allston, and Henry Buist. Appointed July, 1862.

This battalion was united wnth the Charleston Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel P. C. Gaillard, and formed the Twenty-.seventh South Carolina Infantry. Major Abney was in all the battles around Petersburg, until he was wounded at Drury's Bluff, in the attack by Beauregard on Butler. The Twenty-seventh South Carolina Infantry was in Johnson Hagood's Brigade, in the division of Major General Hoke, of North Carolina, IvOngstreet's corps.

From the Edgefield Advertiser, February 12th, 1S62, I glean the following list of officers of the Twenty-Second Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers:

List Of Companies

"We understand that Colonel Joseph Abney, late of the Twenty-second South Carolina Regiment, has received the appointment of Major of Sharpshooters from General Pemberton. He goes to superintend the organization of the new corps. " '

Joseph Quattlebaum

It is impossible for the compiler of this history to give even the very briefest biographical sketch of all the worthy dead of Edgefield, who lived as private citizens. But now and then there are some so worthy or so remarkable for some characteristic, that it were a pity to pass them by without some record. Among such may be numbered Dr. Joseph Quattlebaum, of Ridge Spring, who has been justly mentioned as an old time Southern gentleman. He died on the 6th of January, 1892, leaving a widow and seven children. One of his daughters, Mrs. Edwards, a lovely, amiable, and accomplished lady, lived with her husband at Newberry for a few years, but returned to Ridge Spring, where they were livin?^ at the time of Dr. Quattlebaum's death.

Dr. Quattlebaum w-as a native of Lexington County, but lived for a long time at Ridge Spring. He was a good man, genial and warmhearted, and a Christian. He was a loyal friend, steadfast, and true; chivalrous, hospitable, and generous. He was emphatically good company, being gentle and genial, and of luifailing humor and good nature. This writer met him a few times in the latter part of his life, and was much drawn to him.

William Walker

Few men reach, and few can hope to reach, the great age of Mr. William Walker, who died on Friday, the 15th of January, 1892, at the age of ninety years. He was a life-long and very earnest Methodist. If he could have written the recollections of his lifetime what a book he might have made. He could have given us distinct recollections for eighty years and a little more. He could have carried us back to the )'ear 18 10. He could have carried us through all the intervening years and told us many items of interest of both public and private history. How much is included in the words, "He was a life-long and very earnest Methodist." Four score and ten, and the larger number of tlio.se years .spent in the love and service of God.

History Of Edgefield. 25 1 After The War-Reconstruction

In a book from which a brief quotation has already been made, entitled "The South Since the War," by Sidney Andrews, published in 1866, there is something said of the negro situation, which it may be well to quote before we enter upon the history of reconstruction. The writer says (he writes in Orangeburg): "The district above this, Edgefield, has also an undesirable name. At Columbia I heard two delegates speaking of affairs therein. They admitted that many negroes had been beaten to death during the summer, and .said the planters were very slow in discovering what emancipation meant. Among the negroes whom I met at Orangeburg was one from Edgefield, who showed me a back not 3-et healed from a severe whipping given him in August." (This story may be true, for this writer knew a negro man in Edgefield, he is living yet, knew him from his birth, and he never was whipped in all his life while a slave, but who w^as v'ery severely beaten, for what offense, if any, is not known to the writer, some time during the year following the close of the war.)

The same author, Mr. Sidney Andrews, thus writes of the military murder of Calvin Crozier at Newberry: "In Newberry District a case has recently occurred, in whicli the negroes took justice into their own hands. It appears that in a car which was standing on the track, were three or four women and two Rebel soldiers - one of them a Texan. A negro Sergeant had occasion to enter the car and was roughly ordered out by the Texan. He responded to the effect that he knew his own business and should mind it. The two Rebel soldiers thereupon .seized him and undertook to thrust him out. He resi.sted and the Texan stabbed him, inflicting what was supposed to be a mortal wound. In an hour the two Rebels were caught by the negro .soldiers of the regiment to which the Sergeant belonged, and in three hours more the Texan had been tried by drum-head court martial, shot and buried. The other Confederate escaped while they were taking him up for trial, and will not be retaken."

A few more extracts must be made from this amusing book. Of education the writer says: "Education never was general in the State, and for the last two or three years it has been almost entirely neglected. The ignorance of the great body of the whites is a fact that will astonish anybody conversant with the middle classes of the North. Travel where you vi'ill, and that sure indication of modern civilization, the school house is not to be found. Outside half a dozen of the larger towns I have not seen a dozen in over six hundred miles of travel. A few persons express the hope that the Legislature will do something to set the college once more at work; but, generally speaking, the indifference of the masses to the whole subject of education is as startling as it is painful."

Of the language used by the common people he says: "A South Carolinian never thinks or guesses, but 'lows or reckons. He hasn't got no use for a Yankee no how, and thinks him a no count fellow, or a low dowm trifling cuss of whom he would like to get shet, and he will feel obligated to you if you will help him out of his ill-fortunate situation; and dog-gone you, as you are not an ill-conditioned man, and as he refugeed from the Yankees he will take a little whiskey with you, dry so."

Is it possible for a stranger, or for one unfriendly, to tell, or even to see the truth about others? S^-mpathy is a great quickener and enlightener of the intellect. The statement above quoted in regard to education is entirely false. The WTiter of this history was born and reared in the country, many miles from any city; at least a dozen miles from the nearest county seat of any county; twenty-six miles from the county seat of his own county; four miles from the post office, with only a weekly mail, which was carried b}^ a rider on horse-back - and yet there were. schools every 3'ear open the 3'ear round for instruction in all the elementary branches of an English education. In 1835 there was an academy or high school founded at Mount Enon, remote from any town, city, or village, in which a good classical education could be had, as the school had for its principal and head-master one who was a fine scholar, a graduate of Yale College and a native of the county in which the school was. Schools in the same neighborhood w^ere kept open and in active operation during the

As to the military murder of the Taxan soldier at Newberry, for it was indeed and in truth a murder, it was not shown, nor could it be shown at the drum-head court martial that he had acted in an unjustifiable manner. The ladies in the car were under his protection and the negro Sergeant was an intruder, and being an intruder Crozier had certainly the right to put him out if he could, since he would not go without it. Calvin Crozier was a hero, and his death was one of the finest instances of self-sacrifice of which I have ever heard or read. It was some time after the difficulty was over before any arrest was made, and then the colored soldiers arrested the wrong man, a man who knew nothing of the difficulty and was not present when it occurred - an employee of the railroad. They were about to deal with him summarily when Calvin Crozier, the Texan, who had stabbed the negro, who was then at large, unrecognized and might have escaped entireh' free, voluntarily made himself known as the man and surrendered himself to certain death to prevent another, and that other a stranger, from suffering for what he had done. To the honor of Prince Rivers, who was an officer at the time in that colored regiment, and who was afterwards somewhat well known at Edgefield, be it said that he wanted to save, and tried to save Crozier from the doom that awaited him. The people of Newberry have honored themselves in erecting a monument to the memory of Calvin Crozier.

The author of "The South Since the War" seems to have been very fortunate in making acquaintance with the rude and unlettered wherever he went. He must have taken special pleasure in talking to all the "ornery cusses" he could find in the country or on the road. Let it be hoped that he found some improvement on his second visit, if he ever came again, and that he found better fare at some stopping places than he did at the hotel in Orangeburg in 1S66.

Contest Between The Legislature And Governor

In the third volume of the Statutes at Large, page 273, it is stated that there were no Acts of the Assembly for the year, 172S, 1729, and 1730, but there is no cause nor reason given as an explanation of the fact. The Legislature was often in session during that time, and the explanation of the fact that no laws were passed, is that there was no harmony between the Governor and the Assembly', and it was found impossible for them to work in harness together. ,The Governor, throughout the contest, felt in duty bound to uphold the royal prerogative, which, as he thought, was continually encroached upon by the Assembly. During this period Arthur Middleton was Gov^ernor, and, as the historian of that period says, "the encroaching disposition of the recentl}- successful people forced him to raise the barrier of the 'roj^al prerogative' so high that his head was hid behind it." Both the Governor and the Assembly were true to the principles each thought right, both were loyal. It was the beginning of the contest between Royalty and Republicanism, which finally culminated in the triumph of the latter.

Reconstruction

We will now proceed to give as briefly and succinctly as possible, at the same time with satisfactory fulness, a narrative of the troublous times of re-construction. The years immediately following the close of the war, were, in some respects, the gloomiest and most trjang we have ever experienced. We hoped for awhile that the restoration of the Union and the return to a settled and well-established Order might not be so very difficult. These hopes were rudely dispelled and several >- ears of misrule and partial anarchy under military despotism had to be gone through before the return of a settled peace. It is no pleasure to the historian to write of this time. In truth there are many things which the historian finds it necessarj' to record, which fill him with sadness, and which he would gladly pass over in silence, but he cannot. History is but the record of the acts of men and women as they pass across the stage of life, and it is for them to see that they act their parts well and give the pen of the scribe something pleasant to record. We today are making histor}-. Since this writer began the History of Edgefield in January, 1891, the whirligig of time has wrought many changes, and many men, the puppets of the hour, have cut many fantastic tricks before high heaven.

State was conquered, and prostrate, and helpless at the feet of the conquerors. What next? was the question in the minds of all. The ancient institutions of the State were overthrown. The State had no status, because she had no existence. For the time being South Carolina was dead. Could she ever revive and live again?

The years immediateh' following the war were not pleasant; and we who had lived through it and remembered with what glorious anticipation of success and independence we entered into it, could not help but feel rather gloomy forebodings when we faced the future.

For a moment, however, there was a gleam of light, and we were cheered; but that rift in the cloud soon closed, and the darkness was indeed visible, for we could see nothing else. In looking back and reviewing the ten years immediately following the conclusion of the war, it is often a matter of wonder and surprise to the writer that the people were not more demoralized and desperate than they were, though they were bad enough, worse than we wish ever to see them again.

Soon after the close of the war, Andrew Johnson, Vice- President, having become President by the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, sent for Benjamin F. Perry, of Greenville, an able man, a man who had the respect and confidence of all classes, and who had alwa3-s been known and recognized as a consistent and loyal Union man, to confer with him on the measures to be adopted for the restoration of South Carolina to her true position as one of the organic parts and members of the Union. Mr. Perry was urged by his friends and b)' the people to accept the invitation, as it was regarded as an earnest of the President's good feeling towards the South and the State. He accordingly went to Washington, where he was received and treated with the greatest respect and consideration. He received the appointment of Provisional Governor of the State, and immediately went to work upon the basis agreed upon by the President, and other prominent Northern men, for the reconstruction of the State. Increased confidence in the future was immediately felt all over the State by the appointment of Mr. Perr}'. He issued an ably written proclamation, which was received with enthusiasm by all, and a hope of rescue from what seemed absolute ruin was fondly cherished. Civil government was restored; a Constitutional Convention ot the people was called; the State was reorganized by the adoption of a Constitution, which, it was hoped, could not be offensive to any. Of that Convention the members from Edgefield were: Francis W. Pickens, George D. Tillman, and .

On the 1 8th of October, 1S65, a Governor of the State and members of the Legislature were elected. The members from Kdgefield were: Luke Culbreath, Dr. John Landrum, Thomas Jones, M. L. Bonham, M. W. Gary, John E. Bacon, and M. C. Butler; G. D. Tillman, Senator. James L. Orr, one of the ablest and most eminent men in the State, was elected Governor. Senators and members of the House of Representatives were elected to the Congress at Washington. F. \V. Pickens elected United States Senator.

So far all seemed well, as if we were about to drop down into the old grooves and move on as we did before the war. This was not to be for some years. Under the new Constitution and reorganization of the State, the courts were also reorganized, and district courts were established for the trial of minor causes and offences. Of this court at Edgefield, John E. Bacon, Esq., was made Judge.

Unfortunately, the Legislature, at the session of 1865, passed an act known as the Black Code, which discriminated between the whites and blacks as citizens, separating them in the courts; in fact, giving them different courts, and not recogniz^ ing their citizenship in all respects as equal to that of the whites.

Whether this action of the Legislature was used as a pretext, or whether Congress and the Northern people would have acted as they did in any case, is mere matter of conjecture. Be this as it may, a change soon came over the spirit of their dream, and the political sky grew cloudy. The Senators and Representatives elected to Congress were not permitted to take their seats. Several amendments to the Constitution of the United States were made. Military government was established in the State, with General Sickles as Commandant, afterwards General Canby, who, under the reconstruction acts of Congress, ordered an election of delegates to a Constitutional Convention to be held, and the Convention to jneet on the 14th day of January, 1S68. The delegates to this Convention from Edgefield were: Frank Arnim, R. B. Elliott, Davis Harris, P. R. Rivers, John Mobley, and John Bonum. This Convention was in session two months, and framed the Constitution to meet the requirements of the Constitution of the United States, and under that Constitution we now live. The State was, in all respects, reconstructed before it could be recognized as a member of the Federal Union. Under this new Con.stitution an election was held for Governor and for a full set of State officers. Robert K. Scott, of Ohio, was elected Governor. He was inaugurated July 9th, 1S68.

From the time of the inauguration of Governor Orr, in 1S65, to the inauguration of Governor Scott, July 9th, 1868, the State presented the singular spectacle of a dual government, both civil and military. The military was on top, and the civil government all the way through, from Governor down to Magistrate, was onh^ permitted the management and administration of those affairs with which the military authorities did not care to be bothered.

Governor Orr had certainly a very trying time. He was allowed to retain his position as Governor, not as constitutional and because elected by the people, but as provisional, until the completion of reconstruction and the election of a Governor. His position was surrounded with difficulties from which he was glad to be relieved by the election and inauguration of a successor.

With the inauguration and installation of Governor Scott, the military government of the State ceased, and the United States troops were withdrawn. The State was then declared to be reconstructed and restored to its place in the Union. Yes, South Carolina is in the Union again, but it is not the South Carolina that we knew before the war. No vestige of that old State remains, Whether the South Carolina of the future will be better than of the past, the future only can tell.

The Senators and Representatives in Congress, elected under the reconstruction acts and under the new Constitution of the State, were permitted to take their .seats, and since that time the State has not been without its due representation in Congress.

a period of a little over three years. There were incidents occurring in Edgefield during that period, and after, especially until 1876, which ought to receive a more particular attention.

In closing this general view of reconstruction, it may be as well to .'-tate that General Scott was re elected Governor in 1870, and that^his administration was a very unsettled and unhappy one. In 1871 the new County of Aiken was made and established by cutting off parts of the Counties of Barnwell, Edgefield, and Lexington. Edgefield supplied a considerable part of the territory, giving Hamburg and Beach Island. The county seat of the new county is at Aiken, a railroad town, which was very near the line between Barnwell and Edgefield, but in Barnwell. Many, many years ago this writer passed a night at Aiken, when the inclined plane was still there and the trains of cars were brought up and lowered by means of an immense cable and .stationary engine, one train of cars passing down as another came up. I stood at the top of the incline and watched the ascent and descent. I think Mr. Marsh was the landlord of the hotel at which I stopped. One name over a store door attracted my particular attention, as I had never seen it before, nor have I ever seen it since. It was Eugene Durbec. What kind of business he was engaged in I did not know, only that it was a mercantile business of some kind. I have heard that Aiken was once pretty well burnt out by some persons trying to burn out a yellow-jacket's nest.

The latter part of the year 1865 was a very trying time for the people of Edgefield, as well as for all other parts of the South. Negro troops were placed at the Court House, apparently to humiliate and mortify the old masters and rulers of the country. The pretext was to keep the peace and ensure protection to the lately emancipated. White troops would not have been nearly so disagreeable. This writer, at that time, all through the year 1865, was living twenty-five miles from the Court House and never saw a negro soldier at any time, only heard of them and knew of the great disintegration of the old order of things that was taking place all around. During that and the following year it was as though the foundations of the great deep were broken up. The following anecdote will give the young reader of this day a faint idea of the con-

of the country at that time. For the proper protection of the late slaves it Avas required that all contracts for labor were to be made in writing and before tlie proper officers duly authorized to make the same. On one occasion a spirited old lady got a gentleman to go with her to the Court House to get the officer to sign a contract between her and her former slaves. When they came to the office the negro guard stationed at the door said the ladies could enter, but men could not. After the ladj' had gone in she was asked by the officers^ what slie would have, when she angrily replied that she had a gentleman along to help attend to her business, but an old negro at the door would not allow him to come in. It is needless to say that her business was promptly and with dispatch attended to.

From .semi-military rule in 1865-66-67, the State passed under Radical rule in 1868 when the military were withdrawn. A Radical Legislature was elected in 1S68, the old-time Democrats having no showing whatever in Edgefield. Frank Arnim, a second-hand Prussian, (why second-hand is not so clear) of Hamburg, was elected to the State Senate, and four negroes and one white man were sent to the House. This white man also lived in Hamburg. R. B. Elliott and Prince Rivers, two of the colored members, had both served in the Union army. At the next election for Senator, lyawrence Cain, a native negro raised near Old Cambridge, was elected in Arnim's place. Is this Lawrence Cain the Daddy Cain, vvho was also a Methodist preacher? I heard him preach once, and also heard him make a political speech, and I must say that his political speaking was much better than his preaching. Going into politics will spoil anj^ preacher, black or white.

R. B. Elliott was afterwards elected to Congress, and Rivers, who was known as the "Black Prince," was appointed a Major-General in the State Militia. After 1876, he obtained employment in his old occupation of carriage driver, and died at Aiken in 1SS8. He was not by an}' means a bad specimen of humanit}-.

In 1870 an effort was made by all conservative m.en and well-wishers of the State to make, if possible, some reform in the administration of affairs. To this end what is known as the Reform Movement was inaugurated and a Reform ticket for all oflfices, State and County, was nominated, having on it conservative and influential colored men, who, it was hoped, would command influence sufficient to defeat the extreme Radical party. This writer living in Newberry voted the ticket nominated in that County, though he doubted very much the expediency of the movement. General M. C. Butler ran for Lieutenant Governor on the Reform ticket. The Reformers were very badly beaten. About this time a taxpayer's convention was held to memorialise Congress on the miserable condition of affairs in the State. Congress took no action, but this writer believes that good was done by the movement, as the attention of Congress, of the United States and of the world was thereby drawn to a state of affairs, which was a shame and a disgrace to the whole country and the Radical party was checked in their career. George D. Tillman and , General M. W. Gary both opposed this plan, on the ground that it would not onl^^ lower the dignity of the people, but that it would end in failure. It apparently ended in failure, but really it did not.

In 1874 Governor Moses, who, it will be remembered, was private Secretary of General Pickens wlien the troubles began, and was, during the war in 1S63-64, stationed at Edgefield as enrolling officer of the Confederate States, issued arms to a half dozen colored companies in the county - volunteer militia companies; for what purpose it was hard to say; devilment I reckon. In August of this year.a riot occurred at Ridge Spring, and another later on, on the Savannah. Ned Tennant, a colored man, the instigator of the last mentioned trouble, was rev.^arded with the office of County Commissioner. He then removed to the Court House where he soon afterwards died.

In 1875 there occurred in the county several violent and destructive storms and tornadoes, by which much damage was done; several persons were killed, many were crippled; trees were uprooted and houses blown and torn to pieces. To go back, for a moment, a good many years. The 9th day of March, 1S55, thirty-seven years ago today lacking one week, was the fieriest day this writer ever saw. From about midday until night, when the wind lulled, the whole country, that is the wooded country, from the mountains to the seaboard was

History Of Kdgefie' 261

In 1876, just one hundred years after the Declaration of Independence, affairs became so bad that the great crisis could no longer be deferred. The State had gone from bad to worse, and in that year Edgefield fairly and squarely took the bull by the horns, and with the help of the other parts of the State, he \vas throttled. Candidates were selected in June, and the riots in Hamburg filled the white people of the county with enthusiasm. Hamburg had been infested so long and so terribly with thieves, and with harlots of the baser sort, that wagoners had ceased to camp within eight or ten miles of the place, for fear of being robbed. It was reported, but it is to be hoped that the report was not true, that negro thieves desecrated gravej-ards in search of plunder.

On the 4th of July a colored company, commanded by Captain Dock Adams, refused to permit white men to pass through the town along the public road. A quarrel took place, and General M. C. Butler was sent for to organize and lead the whites. B. R. Tillman, afterwards Governor, was an active participant in this riot. Captain Adams, with his forces, retired to a large brick building owned by Mr. Sibley, and ordered his men to shoot their opponents from the windows. A young man named Merriwether was killed. A cannon was then loaded with grapeshot and discharged at the house. This drove the negroes into the cellar, where they surrendered. It is said that after night Allen T. Attaway, a mulatto giant, and five others, were taken into a cornfield and dealt with summarily. The Radicals say that the tongue of Attaway, which had been used so badly, was cut out. Of the truth of this statement this deponent .saith not.

In August of this year Chamberlain, who, b}^ the way, was by far the best Radical Governor of them all, and not such a bad fellow, with a host of friends and backers, came to the court house on an electioneering tour. Here he was met b}' Gar}', Butler, and the crowd, and vanquished, fairly or unfairly, and driven from the field. The platform upon which he stood, and upon which he hoped to gain a great and signal victor}^ was not firmlj- enough joined and fastened together to hold the discordant materials that sought a place upon it; or it had not planks enough, or was not broad enough; something was the matter, and it went to pieces and would hold nobody, not even the Governor. The result of the contest was General Hampton was elected Governor, and in Edgefield the old Democratic party had a majority of several thousand. General Gary managed this election with great skill and success, and carried the election triumphantly, notwithstanding the presence of United States soldiers at the court house the whole time. After this election and the expiration of his term of service in the Legislature (Senate), General Gary never took any further part in political life; but indeed he lived only a short time after his term expired. He died April 9th, 1881. General Gary's influence in Edgefield wa.s very great, and it is felt very strongh' in all the political agitations and movements to this da\\ He was succeeded by James Calliso-i, a gentleman of Irish descent.

Dr. John Landrum

This good man, who died on Sunday morning, January 31st, 1892, was born in the lower part of the county, in the old Wells and Vaucluse section, where the Landrums, in the earliest days of Edgefield, were people of means, of intellectual ability, and of decided influence for good. Dr. Landrum lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His body had become feeble, but his intellect remained keen and bright. He was a man of eager and grasping mind, and had enjoyed every advantage of education. He was a graduate of the South Carolina College; and from the time of his graduation all through life he kept up an intimate acquaintance with the Greek and Latin writers.

Colonel James C. Smyley

He died at the house of his daughter, Mrs. M. H. Minis, who had been only recently widowed; and was buried at vStevens' Creek Church, near his old home and by the side of children long gone before. His widow and two daughters survive him. Plis daughters both live at Edgefield, and are Mrs. M. H. Minis and Mrs. James A. Holland. COLONEL JAMES C. SMYLEY.

Colonel James C. Smyley was born at Meeting Street, in Edgefield County, in 1820, and died in 1872. His mother was a sister of Marmaduke Coates, of Newberry, S. C. He held no office during his life, except that of Colonel of Militia, and the very important position of delegate to the Secession Convention. He, with all the other members of that body, signed the Ordinance of Secession.

He was a planter by business and occupation, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of the people. His wife was Catherine Watson, of Ridge Spring, S. C.

Colonel James P. Carroll

Colonel Carroll was born in the city of Charleston, but from early boyhood his home was in Edgefield. After his graduation from the South Carolina College he read law, and was admitted to practice in Columbia in 1830. He became a dis- tinguished lawyer at Edgefield, though it is said that business came to him very slowly, and that he waited long for his first fee. But his labor and patience were crowned with success, and few lawyers at Edgefield ever stood higher in the profession than he did.

He represented Edgefield in both branches of the Legislature - sometimes in the Senate and sometimes in the House of Representativ-es. He was a member of the Convention of i860, and signed the Ordinance of Secession. He died in 18S3, aged about 75 years.

He was one of the Chancellors, or Equity Judges, of the State, and filled that position with honor and dignity. He had a clear, logical, and discriminating mind - impartial and just in his temper arid character.

General R. G. M. Dunovant

This gentleman was a native of Chester County. He graduated from the South Carolina College. After his graduation he read medicine and moved to Texas, in wdiich State he practiced his profession until the breaking out of the War with Mexico, when he returned to Chester, raised a company for tlie war, and was elected Captain - was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which position he was holding when the war closed. He has represented Edgefield in the Legislature; was a member of the Convention of i860 from that count)', and signed the Ordinance of Secession.

During the War of Secession he held the rank of Colonel in the Confederate service. Since the war he has lived in retirement at his home in the town of Edgefield.

Not long after the War with Mexico he married a sister of Hon. P. S. Brooks. He is still living (February, 1892,) and is about seventy years of age. Born May i8th, 1821.

Andrew J. Hammond

One of the signers of the Ordinance of Secession, was a worthy descendant of Colonel Samuel Hammond, of the Revolution, one of the bravest and truest men of that day. Andrew Hammond was a planter, and never, I believe, aspired to any political office, nor sought any political honor; but, enjoying the confidence of the people who knew him, (his home was not far from Hamburg, on the Savannah side of the county,) he

Colonel James Tomkins

This gentleman was a planter on the Savannah side of the District, in the neighborhood of Modoc, in that part of Edgefield known as the Dark Corner. He was born June 28th, 1793, and died May 9th, 1864. He was happil}^ married on the 3rd of February, 18 19, to Mrs. Jennings, widow of William Jennings. The maiden name of Mrs. Jennings Tomkins was Huldah Hill, born December 28th, 1796, and died July 4th, 1868.

Colonel Tomkins, though not a very ambitious man, yet was one of considerable influence and abilit_v. He had the honor of being elected to the Legislature; and in that supreme hour, when that last desperate struggle was made to place upon an impregnable basis our old and cherished doctrine of State Rights, as one of the Representative men of Edgefield, he was called to meet with others from different parts of the State in that heroic Convention which has become forever historic, to consult together and to see, in tliat dark hour, that the vState should receive no detriment. He and the}' did their duty, or what they conceived to be such. It is not possible for any man to do more.

Preston S. Brooks

P. S. Brooks, son of Colonel Whitfield Brooks, and grand- .son of Colonel Z. S. Brooks, of Big Creek, celebrated for his hravery and daring as a Whig in the Revolution, was born at Edgefield Court House, August 6th, 18 19, and died in Washington city while a member of Congress in 1856, only a few months over thirtj'-seven years of age. After the close of the Mexican v.-ar, through which he served as Captain of a company raised at Edgefield in the Palmetto Regiment, he was elected to the Legislature, where he served one term, and was then elected as Representative to Congress. He was a lawyer by profession, but practiced only a little while. He was a farmer and made his home in the country in the upper part of

He was educated at Mount Enon, Willington, and the South Carolina College. This writer knew him well at Mount Enon and all through his public life. He was always a conspicuous figure. He died young. Had he lived it is impossible to say what he would have been.

It is hoped that this writer will be pardoned for making mention here that at Mount Ennon he formed a life-long acquaintance and friendship with James C. Brooks, a brother, younger by a few years than Preston, and not far from the same age of this writer.

William Gregg

Mr. Gregg was born 2nd of Februar)', iSoo, in Monangahela Countj', West Virginia. He established himself as a merchant in Columbia, S. C, about the year 1827, and was married to Marina Jones, daughter of Colonel Mathias Jones, of Edgefield. In 1838 he removed to Charleston and resumed his former business with the Hay den brothers, who were jewelers. Gregg, Hayden & Co. were known throughout the South as extensive importing merchants. After hard work he obtained in 1845 a charter for the Graniteville Factory, with a capital of $300,000. His time was almost entirely devoted to the interests of the factory. He built churches, established schools, and endeavored, in every way, to elevate the employees of the factory in morals, intelligence, and in the true dignity of life.

He was a member of the Convention of i860, and, with the other members of that Convention, signed the Ordinance of Secession. He died September 12th, 1867, and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery near Charleston, S. C. His was certainly a very honorable and useful life. He who gives emploNmient to others and deals justly by them, and tries to make them self-respecting men and women does not live in vain.

Colonel James B. Griffin

This gentleman, who died at Fort Worth, Texas, on the 25th day of June, 1881, was the son of Mr. James Griifin, who lived about three miles from the village of Edgefield. Inheriting a large estate from his father, wlio was quite wealthy, and having no political ambition he was quietly pursuing his avocation of planter when our sectional strife culminated in secession and war. For some years he had been holding a commission in the militia and was Brigadier General of cavalry when the State seceded. When Colonel Hampton received permission from the Confederate government to organize a legion, including in it four companies of cavalry, Colonel Griffin was selected to command that part of the legion with the rank of Major. In June 1861 the Hampton Legion moved to Virginia and the cavalry was sent to the camp of instruction at Hanover.

On the 19th of July the infantry of the legion was ordered to Manassas and was engaged in the battle of Bull Run. In that battle Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was killed and the legion lost an able officer. After the death of Colonel Johnson Major Griffin was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and transferred to the infantry. The cavalry had taken no part in the battle of Bull Run, and it made the infantry feel a little sore that a cavalrj^ officer, who had had no part in the fight, should be put in command of them in place of their Lieutenant Colonel, who had been killed in battle.

However, the time came after awhile in which Colonel Griffin showed that he was worthy of the position which he held. In the march to Yorktown, in the retreat from Yorktown, in the skirmish at West Point, in the battle of Seven Pines, in which the legion was hotly engaged, he showed what stuff he was made of, and his coolness and bravery won the hearty admiration of the whole command. He came out of that battle with a popularity as great, it may be, as that of any of the officers of the legion. But it was too late to make up to him what he had already lost.

On there-organization of the army in I S62, unt'er the conscript Act, Colonel Griffin was not elected. His career in Virginia closed and he returned home. On his return to the State he was very soon assigned to duty in the Regiment of State Troops, commanded by Colonel Thomas G. Bacon, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In this service he continued until the close of the war when his regiment was discharged at Spartanburg and he returned home.

Colonel GrifTm had one sister, who first married Diomed Hollingsworth, and after his death she became the wufe of Dr. William H. Harrington, of Newberry. They, too, have passed over the line.

General Martin W. Gary

Was a son of Dr. Thomas R. Gary, of Cokesbury, Abbeville County, S. C. His grand-father, Captain Jesse Gary, lived and died in Newberry County. Captain Jesse Gary was one of eight sons of Thomas Gary and his wife, Rebecca Jones. General Gary's mother was Mary Ann Porter, a descendant of a brother of John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and who was for many j-ears President of Princeton College, New Jersej*.

Judge Ernest Gary is a son of Dr. F. F. Gary, of x\bbeville, a brother of General Gary, and John Gary Evans' mother, who married General N. G. Evans, was a sister of General Gary.

Colonel W. C. Moragne

The following biographical sketch of Colonel W. C. Moragne has been very kindly written for me by Colonel H. W. Addison, his friend and partner in law:

"Of his early life, I personall)^ know nothing. His ancestors were French Huguenots, and were banished under the Edict of Nantes by Eouis XIV, King of France, and settled in Abbeville County, nea" Bordeaux, on . the Savannah River. There, and I think, in Charleston, he delivered orations upon the Huguenots and their descendants, with their trials, sufferings and heroism.

"He finished his collegiate education at Gottingen, Germany, and while there seemed to have thoroughly imbibed a taste for German and French literature; to have a great admiration for Schiller, Humboldt, and Goethe - Voltaire, Moliere, and others.

"Moragne and a brother, John, enlisted for the war against Mexico. The latter fell, gallantly fighting at the battle of Chapultepec, or at the C-npital City. I do not know the date of Colonel Moragne's promotion to Captaincy in the war; that he bore himself with great courage was well knowm; he suffered much and long from sickness before his return home.

"I became intimately connected with him on my return from the University of Virginia, about 1S55, when I began reading law under him; and, in 1856, I formed a partnership with him, which continued most pleasantly and profitably till the breaking out of our Civil War in 1861. During this relationship I met him almost daily, and was in immediate personal contact with him. He was of fine form, well proportioned, about six feet high, and with an aquiline nose, brownish hair.

"His manner was by no means familiar, but rather the contrary to those not familiar with him; yet his extremely polite, agreeable, and interesting conversation grew upon acquaint ance and ended by the firmest and most durable friendship.

"He did not believe in acquiring professional business by personal popularity, nor maintained thereby, but by true ability and merit - these the result only of a good and liberal education, followed up by hard and laborious application to the profession. While he admitted that the law was a jealous mistress, he thought she fully admitted the devotees of all liberal arts to her shrine; and that no person should attempt the law without years of laborious application to study, with a general information in history and literature. He had a contempt for the quillets of the law and a disgust for its chicanery. He would under no circumstances resort to improper means to gain a case. At the time I began the law with him he was one of the rising members of the Bar, studious and painstaking, ambitious and in the bloom of manhood. At the beginning of the war he had worked himself up to the very foremost of the front rank of his profession here, as will be seen b}- the records and the decisions of our Supreme Court.

"He was at all times genial, pleasant, instructive, though never obtrusive, ever liberal, and at all times the highest type of an educated gentleman. Politically he was a strict constructionist of the Coustitution^wrote many articles for the Charleston Mercury and pamphlets on national issues. And,

"He married about 185- Miss Emma Butler, daughter of James M. Butler, a beautiful and eloquent lady, to whom he was a loving and devoted husband. She lived but a few years, leaving a son, a pledge of their mutual love, Vv'ho resides in Florida, near his distinguished uncle. Dr. Moragne.

' 'Colonel Moragne at the beginning of the late war was aide to General M. L-. Bonham at the battle of Bull Run. Soon after this he returned home and organized the Nineteenth South Carolina Regiment, of which he became the Colonel. Soon after this his health failed him and he returned to his beautiful home at Edgefield, where he died loved by many, and held in the highest respect by all for his pure life, a beautiful example to all young men. ' '

"I regret that I am able to add so few facts to what you already have in regard to the late Wm. C. Morange, Esq. He was admitted to the Bar in 1844, two years before I came to Abbeville, and as he established himself at Edgefield, attending only to an occasional case here, I saw but little of him.

"His brother, John B. Moragne, who came to the Bar about the same time, practiced here until he went to Mexico in Captain Marshall's Company as First Lieutenant, and after attracting the notice of General Scott as 'the gallant West Pointer of the Palmetto Regiment,' was killed in the storming of the cit}'.

"W. C. Moragne, Esq., was of French ancestry, and his father and mother were descendants of those French refugees, who, under the lead of the Rev. Pierre Gilbert, settled at Bordeaux, Abbeville County, in 1765, on the concluding of the Treaty of Paris. They were a distinct offshoot from those Huguenots who fled from France upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV, and who settled, manj' of them, in Charleston and vicinity, and who have done so much to illustrate the past history of the State.

History Of Edgefield. 27 1

Revolutionarj' story; Mrs. Fleming, of Augusta, and Miss Louisa, who died unmarried. I knew them all, and visited at the family homestead and can testify to the cultivation and refinement of the home circle. They were a talented family, and, as in many other instances, derived their best qualities of mind and heart from the mother.

"He graduated at the South Carolina College with honors, and then went to Europe, where he spent a year or so, and settled at Edgefield for the practice of law.

"In 1852 he delivered the address to the students of the Clear Spring Academy. His subject, I think, was 'Public Speaking.' In 1854 he delivered an address before the Christian Association of Abbeville on the 'Statesman,' and in 1855 he made the Centennial Address to the French of Bordeaux, copies of which exist in pamphlet form. He doubtless delivered other addresses.

"In 1 86 1 he w'as volunteer aide to General Bonham, at the First Manassas. In 1862 he was elected Colonel of the Nineteenth South Carolina Regiment, but on account of ill health was forced to resign. He was a close student, a well read lawyer, and an accomplished scholar. He was a good French and German scholar, and had devoted much attention to the Belles Lcttres. He was a forcible and pleasing speaker. He was a man of the highest character, and w^as respected by all who knew him for his sterling integrit}' a:id many noble traits of mind and heart."

The Blocker Family

The Blocker family, which is one of the oldest in Edgefield County, is of Prussian origin. The name was originally Blucher. Michael Blocker was the first of the family who come from Prussia; and, after living here a lew years, he sent his only son, John, back to the fatherland for others of his countrymen. John on his return to this country brought over with him a number of families and planted quite a large colony on lands which had been granted to him by the King.

John Blocker was a man of learning, and being made a Magistrate, used his position for the good of his neighbors. Being himself a man of peace, he became a peacemaker, and sought to allay strife whenever it was possible to do so. He w^as much beloved, and was called upon at all times for advice from these honest, respectable, good people which made the colony prosperous and happy - some of them filling xevy important positions in the county.

The children of John Blocker were seven sons and one daughter. They were high-toned, enterprising men, marrying ladies of culture. Most of their children received their education at the once celebrated Blocker Academy.

James, the eldest son of John Blocker, was the first man that entered into the mercantile business in the town or village of Edgefield. He married Miss Isabel Morrison, of Charleston. She was a highly accomplished and educated lady, and by her beautiful Christian life made her home a resort of the refined and intellectual of that day.

Mr. John Blocker, another son, married Miss Mary Johnston and built the stately home at Cedar Grove, now, 1893, owned by Colonel Robert Hughes. He afterwards moved West, accompanied by Colonel Abner Blocker, who married Miss Amelia Clifton, and at her death married Sarah Kennerly. General Jesse Blocker and Michael Blocker married sisters, the Misses Malone. Major Bartley Blocker, the sixth son, married a sister of Colonel Whitfield Brooks. David, the

History Of Edgefielb

The Blocker settlement, as it was called in its palm}- days, will long be remembered for the kindness and generosity of its hosts and its pleasurable enjoymeiits, for there reigned peace, and plenty.

The only daughte^ sister to the seven brothers just mentioned, married Dr. Bejamin Winn. They, too, moved West. The sister, as well as the lirothers who went West, prospered. They have numerous descendants, some of whom fill pi eminent positions.

Young John Blocker, grand-son of Bartley, is the only ons of the name now living in Edgefield County. He is Captain of the Edgefield Rifles. He is a decendant of the celebrated Emil}^ Geiger, General Greene's Courier to General Sumter, and the Heroine of Newberry in the old Revolutionary War.

Emily Geiger has other descendants now, 1893, living in Edgefield County. After the war she married a planter named Threewits - moved down the country and lived and died at Granby. Miss Elizabeth Threwitts, a daughter of, or a grand-daughter of Emily Geiger, married John Nicholson, brother to Benjamin. Her son Benjamin Nicholson was Clerk of the Court at the time of his death. Her sons, x\lbert, John, and Joseph are now, February, 1893, living. Joseph is Probate Judge. One daughter, Mrs. Emma Blocker, is also living. One daughter, who married Dr. Allen is no longer living. Miss Sophie Nicholson should be mentioned, also as a descendant of Emily Gieger, and there may be others.

Death Of An Aged And Remarkable Lady

On Sunday last, there expired, at her ancient home on Turkey Creek, in our District, a woman whose birth, gifts, and character caused her to stand out always prominently from the mass. This was Mrs. Isabella M. Blocker, relict of James Blocker, Esq., deceased many years since. Mrs. Blocker was the only child of James and Anna Berwick Morri- son, native Scotch people, of high standing and great culture, who lived and died, many years ago, in Charleston, She was also a grand niece of James Beattie, the famous Scotch poet. Born, educated, and married in Charleston, this lady had every advantage of the daj' in which she grew up. She was an accomplished pianiste, a fine French scholar, and her home was tastefully adorned with the fruits of her own pencil and brush. And with all this and through all good and evil and through long years of pain and suffering, in fact, through every day and hour of her life she was the pure, humble, earnest child of God.

Mrs. Blocker would have completed her 8oth year on the 31st instant. She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Felix I^ake, Sr., Mrs. John Lake, and Mrs. Dr. Abney, and numerous grand and great-grandchildren. Her remains were interred on Monday last in the old Blocker burying ground, two miles from her home.

Wounded Officers

Major Joseph Abney, of the Twenty-Seventh South Carolina Volunteers, wounded in the fight at Drewry's Bluff on the i6th ult., has arrived at his home in our town. We have been to see this gallant soldier, who is unable to be out, and find him with not only a considerable "spot of tragedy" on his right side, but suffering in general health, and looking worn and weary. His wound, which though not dangerous, is very severe, appears to be doing well, however, and we earnestly hope the comforts and endearments of home may soon restore him to his usual vigor and usefulness. He pays the highest meed of praise to the gallantry and military capacity to General D. H. Hill, who, he seems to think, has been the real leader in the late successful military operations in Chesterfield County.

John B. Abney

Departed this life, at the residence of his parents, in the village of Edgefield, on the 30th of June, 1866, and in the 21st year of his age, John Baj^ Abney, the last son of Dr. M. W, and Caroline Seabrook Abney.

The deceased entered the service of the Confederate States, early in the war, first, iu the Regiment commanded by Colonel Abney, and then in the Cavalry Regiment commanded by Colonel Aiken, and was discharged from each, on the Surgeon's certificate of disabilit5^ As soon, however, as his health was a little restored, true to the spirit and traditions of his race, he hastened to rejoin the arni3', in the Battalion of Sharp Shooters, commanded by his uncle, Major Joseph Abney, to which also was attached his brother-in-law, the lamented Pickens Butler Watts. He served in this corps, as Hospital Steward, until it was amalgamated with the Charleston Battalion, and the two were constituted the Twenty-Seventh South Carolina Infantry. Being then appointed Sergeant of his Company, he soon participated in the action of Walthall Junction, which was fought in Ma}' 1864. At one period of the battle, being much exposed, his company faltered when ordered to advance, and he, the j^oungest of its members, moved forward to the onset, and by his noble example re-established the courage and confidence of his comrades. For this brilliant conduct on his first field, he was recommended for promotion, whilst his brother-in-law W^atts was alike commended for equally conspicious behavior. In all the first actions around Petersburg, he bore a manly part, though suffering all the while, from disease, which had even then fastened itself upon his system. On the terrible 24th of June, when Hagood's glorious Brigade displayed so much heroism, and shed so much blood, in carrying, as skirmishers, the rifle pits of the enemy. Sergeants Abney and Watts, in the absence of commanding officers, were each appointed by General Hagood, Lieutenants, pro tempore, in compliment to their skill and gallantry, and assigned to the command of companies. Sergeant Watts, in an almost hand to hand conflict with the foe, fell like a hero on their bristling ramparts. Sergeant Abney, more fortunate for the time, carried with his company, and the company on his right or left, which had lost its com- mander, the extreme right of the enemy's Hnes resting on the Appomattox, and after holding it for some time, actually bore off twenty-five or thirty prisoners, in triumph. The demeanor of our troops, on this part of the line, elicited from General L,ee, who was a beholder from the other side of the river, the warmest encomiums. But in the next disastrous engagement of General Hagood's, on the Weldon Road, John Abney, along with many others, was captured, and carried a prisoner to Point Lookout, the disease of the kidneys, under which he had been suffering for years, became aggravated by privation and exposure and on his release, he returned home, but to linger and to die.

But in his death, he has left us the same example of heroic endurance, of Christian fortitude, and Christian hope, that illustrated the higher portion of his youthful existence. Amid his long protracted sufferings, he never ^ repined - never complained at the dispensations of Providence. His whole life was marked b}^ filial devotion, and was free from guile, and as he had lived without reproach, he died without fear.

This family has been truly afflicted by the scourge of war. Their oldest son, Joseph Abney. who was a pattern of every virtue, after passing through all the earlier battles and campaigns, with little injury to his person, and after winning a name for courage and intrepidity, that would have done honor to the proudest soldier in the army of V^irginia, perished, in the front ranks of his compan}-, on the bloody field of Sharpsburg. Then the chivalrous high-souled Watts followed in his track of glory; and John B. Abney, the last, the only son, and because the last, the best beloved, is now summoned to heaven to join his inmiortal brothers, "Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the u'eary are at rest." J. A.

Mark Madison Abney

the 8th December, 1808, and died on the 29th September, in the present year, 1846. From his youth he was remarkable for his orderly, moral deportment; and at an early period put on Christ in baptism. In the prosecution of his studies for the ministry, he availed himself of the advantages of the Furman Theological Institution, and soon took a high rank in the ministry of the Word. Endowed with a strong and vigorous mind, he applied himself with patient and persevering attention to the study of the Bible. In this course, which he strictly pursued, he was enabled to enrich his sermons with an abundant and judicious store of the Bible truth. Not satisfied with the mere surface of things, he penetrated into the depths of heavenly wisdom, and drew thence that profound knowledge of its principles and their just application, with which he delighted, improved, and instructed his hearers. Deeply impressed with the solemn responsibilities of the ministerial office, he performed its duties most faithfully. He daubed his people with no untempered mortar, but cried aloud, and spared not, preaching Jesus, "warning every man and teaching every man, that he might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." He was eminently "set for the defence of the Gospel;" for stopping the mouths of gainsayers, and for putting to silence the ignorance of foolish men. The favorite subject of his ministrations was the inculcation of practical godliness on Evangelical principles. He delighted, therefore, to enlarge upon the duty and privilege of giving the heart to God. The desolations of Zion deeply affected him. He mourned and prayed over the coldness, the wide spread coldness of her sons and daughters, and labored much and faithfully to allure them to greater spirituality and conformity to Christ. The life of this devoted servant of the Lord was in accordance with his preaching, and his death was both. For, he lived the life, and died the death, of the righteous.

His last sermon was preached a few days only before his death, and under a presentiment that it would close his ministerial course on earth. At its commencement a peculiar feeling of humbleness of mind came over him, accompanied with enlarged manifestations of the divine majesty and goodness. These filled his soul with heavenly joy, and imparted to his manner unusual animation. The Scriptures came to his recollectiou with readiness, and a spiritual unction bedewed his whole discourse. He preached as a dying man to dying men. The feelings of the audience were in unison with those of the preacher, and a holy influence seemed to pervade the whole audience.

He returned to his family under the pressure of sickness, which the skill of the physician could not remove. For this clear and honored servant, having fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the battle, was now to be called up higher to receive his reward.

During his illness he spoke affectionately and faithfully to those around him, with the calm and firm confidence of one who knew "in whom he believed," and to whom he had committed that which he knew would be kept in safety against Ihat day. Assembling his family around him on the da)- of his decease, he bade them an affectionate farewell, and commended them to the care of the orphan's Father and the widow's God and husband, and then betaking himself to holy converse with his lyord, he lifted up his heart in fervent prayer, and reiterating the word amen, fell sweetly asleep in jesus.

The death of such a man, at such a time, is no ordinary loss, may its voice be heard by the churches, and especially those to whom he ministered. May we all have our loins girded about, and our lamps trimmed and burning, awaiting the call of our Divine Master.

Our departed brother has left a widow and three children, with an aged mother, brothers and sisters, and a large number of brethren and friends to mourn his loss.

In the preparation of this article the writer takes a melancholy pleasure in making it short and plain, according to the dying wish of its dear and honored subject. It is now closed with this incident. A brother, having heard the deceased express his determination to read the New Testament through once a month, bought a pocket volume to present to him. But death prevented the execution of the benevolent design. May it fall into the hands of one who will execute the purpose of him for whom it was intended, but now needs it no more.

Captain James Pope Bean

A grandson of Rev. Mark Abney, was elected a member of the House of Representatives from Edgefield County in 1888; was private secretary to Governor Tillman in 1890, and was appointed a member of the commission for the new County of Saluda by the Constitutional Convention of 1895. Captain Bean was happily married in 1890 to Miss W. Bessie Ready, a daughter of Honorable Wm. J. Ready, and a grand-daughter of Dr. John C. Ready, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere in this book.

Death Of Major Cicero Adams

Major Cicero Adams, the gallant soldier, who, in the late war, led forth the first company from Edgefield and from South Carolina, is no more. Since the close of the war he has dwelt, in high honor and esteem, at Bamberg, on the South Carolina Railroad, where he departed this life on the 2nd inst., aged thirty-four. Major Adams spent his early manhood in our midst, and married a daughter of one of our most honored families. Troops of friends will cherish the memory of this generous comrade and noble soldier.

Joseph Matthew Abney

Whose untimely death we now come to notice, was the elder son of Caroline S. and Dr. M. W. Abney, (late Surgeon P. A. C. S.,) and fell mortally wounded at the battle of Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the 17th of September, 1862, in the twenty-first year of his age.

No public announcement has until now been made of the sad event, owing to the uncertainty in which his fate has hitherto been enveloped. And even to this day and hour his family and relatives are in a painful state of incertitude whether he breathed his last while no doubt any longer lingers, even in the minds of the most hopeful, of his having perished in fighting in the battles of the South, and here to-day it is our proud, albeit mournful, privilege to add his name to Carolina's Roll of Honor.

Young Abney first entered the lists as a soldier with the "Edgefield Riflemen," in Januaay, 1861. After some months of service on Sullivan's and Morris' Islands, he volunteered to go with the First Regiment to Virginia under Colonel Gregg. Having served out his time in the First Regiment, he came home, where he had arrived but a few days before his life was threatened by a severe attack of typhoid fever. This danger escaped, he returned to Virginia, and enrolled himself as a member of Captain Bland's Company of the famous Seventh Regiment, with which he did most loyal service, having been on every campaign and in every action in which that band of scarred Veterans was represented from the Manassas retreat, and the battle before Richmond to that of Sharpsburg, where lie received his fatal wound.

In a letter to his father on the morning before the battle he avowed that he was prepared and willing for any sacrifice. The lamented Hard, in a letter to his mother in answer to inquiries concerning his fate, paid the following high and welldeserved testimonial to his gallantry on that occasion, and at the same time limned a picture of his condition when last seen on that gory field, which might well melt a heart of stone. He says: "It affords me a melancholy pleasure to give you such a slight information concerning him as I possess, and to testify to the gallant manner in which he conducted himself upon the field on which he was wounded. On the 17th of September we engaged the enemy at Sharpsburg, Maryland. In making a desperate, but unsuccessful charge upon one of the enemy's batteries, many of our men fell, and amongst them, near to the guns, your son was shot down. I saw him as we fell back. He called to me as I passed him, and asked me if I could give him a drink of water from my canteen, sayin at the same time: 'I am wounded in the leg.' I paused a moment to glance at him, but having no water, being unable to render him an}^ assistance, and being left in command of my regiment, I passed on to a point at which we wsre ordered to rally. * * * In my association with your son, I had

History Of Edgefield. 28 1

Colonel Joseph Abney, in a letter to his father concerning his death condoles with hira in the following beautiful and pathetic terms: "He was the most trust- worthy and reliable young man of all my kindred and of all my acquaintance, and he had the highest place in my esteem and in my warm affections. His image can never be effaced from my heart, and if he is fallen, the loss to me is irreparable, for he stood to me in the same relation as son. He had so much honor, so much gentleness, and so much manhood that when disgusted with the vices and wickedness of other young men, to him, I could always turn with pride and inexpressible relief, as from a barren waste, to a meadow rich and green with all that can delight the eye or satisfy the soul of man. He was, in a great measure, my own pupil, and he was a comely scion that grew up under the training and trimming of my own hands, and he promised to be the honor and glory of his family and of all that loved him. Your grief can scarcely exceed my own. The occasion is one, which, but for his triumphant and glorious disappearance, and the bright companionship he had along might fill a community with sadness, depression and gloom."

The writer of this tribute believes that he could not do more loving justice to the noble youth who forms the subject of the above glowing encomium than by presenting similar extracts fL-om other condolatory letters to his bereaved parents, as showing what profound regret was felt at the loss of one so young, so promising, and so true. But he trusts that those already given will sufficiently evidence that he was a j'oung man of no ordinary mould, and that, if his life had been spared, he would have been a most useful, exemplar}-, and honored member of society.

His life was as blameless and irreproachable, as his exit w^as glorious and triumphant, and the memory of the great sacrifice he has made for his country and the loved ones at home should be preser^'ed as sacredly as the vestals guarded the chosen fire of the Gods. He lies dead upon the field of glory, but as to "a thing ensky'd and sainted" we speak farewell to his honored shade. W. H. A.

Death Of Colonel Joseph Abney

Suddenly and unexpectedly, we are called to mourn the loss of a much valued and beloved citizen. Colonel Joseph Abney died at his residence in the tovi^n of Edgefield, on Wednesday night, the 2nd instant, after an illness of only ten hours, a victim of the prevailing epidemic, Meningetis, as pronounced by his brother, Dr. M. W. Abney, the attending physician. He died in the prime of manhood, at the age of forty-eight, leaving a wife and three children.

Bravely, honestly, and efficiently, he fought the battle of life, as he fought for the honor, interest, and glory of his country. Educated, he became an accomplished scholar, lawyer, and soldier. His civil triumphs in popular assemblies, in the Legislature and in the forum, as well as laurels won in war, make up the sum of a reputation, of which his family, his friends, and his native Carolina are justly proud. But although he received the plaudits of his country, for services rendered in peace and in war; while every battle ground from Vera Cruz to the Garita de Belin, of Mexico, and his blood ^jhed on the field of Churubusco; and later in life, at Drury's Bluff, in our last war, attest his devotion and skill as a warrior, he has left behind a monument to his fame, not less to be appreciated in the memory and gratitude of care-worn poverty, which, with a ready hand, prompted by Christian Charity, he never failed to alleviate; and the poor will bless him, in their sorrow for his departure. But he is gone! And it is a consolation to believe, that he has entered into his eternal rest, as a Christian and an heir of Salvation.

The martial deeds and chivalrous feats, "fit for song and story," of our glorious Southern heroes, illustrated on many a hard-fought field in this our unequal contest ^r national independence, are deeply furrowed and embalmed in the memories of a grateful people. The treasure of their blood has enriched the verdant plains, hillsides, and valleys of our coun- try's soil, and the brooks and rivulets, as they murmur over them, blush blood-red at the barbarities and iniquities of a worse than Scythian foe. But the blood of those who have thus nobly immolated themselves on the altars of their country will ever be cherished and sanctified as the precious ransom of our liberties. In the future days of the republic, those classic battle grounds will become so many Mecca-shrines to which our ardent and peerless youth will emulously flock as pilgrims to imbibe from the relics of the illustrious dead the exalted lessons of patriotism, devotion, and virtue. The historian of this war, perchance, will deem that he has discharged his obligation to posterity when his stylus has inscribed on the historic scroll the name of each "Captain, or Colonel, or Knightat arms" who has figured in the eventful story, the successes he has achieved, and his vivats of popular applause. But it will be the legacy of the faithful chronicler to fill up the chasm left by the more ambitious historian and ' 'set down with gold on lasting pillars' ' the names and unhouored laurels of those warrior-heroes who, though holding subordinate stations in the military arena, nevertheless dealt doughty blows, and performed prodigies of valour, in delivering their country from the galling yoke of servitude. And here offer we up the meed - a tearful and grief-wrung tribute to the manes of two devoted martyrs who have thus poured out the rich spilth of their heart's best blood as a libation to the goddess of Liberty. "The king of shadows loves a shining mark."

Never were the words of seer or poet more strikingly confirmed than in the death of First Sergeant Pickens Butler Watts, Company F, Twenty-Seventh Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, who fell near Petersburg, Va., on the 24th of June, 1864, while in command of a company charging the enemy's work. FLe was the son of Mary S. Watts, deceased, and Richard Watts, Esq., of Saluda, Laurens District, and was 32 years of age when the silver cord of his life was loosed forever.

Immediately after the ratification of the Ordinance of Secession by the StaCfe Convention on the memorable 20th of December, i860, Sergeant Watts attached himself to a company of minute men, the "Rhett Guards," raised at Newberry Court House by Captain Whit Walker. This fine Company short! )- afterwards tendered its services to Governor Pickens, and was ordered to report to Colonel Maxcy Gregg on Sullivan's Island, which it did early in January, 1861, and composed a part of that chosen phalanx, known as the First Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. The operations of this Regiment on Sullivan's and Morris' Islands, and its subsequent brilliant career in Virginia are already "familiar as household words. ' '

On a few weeks before the Regiment's term of enlistment expired. Sergeant Watts had led to the bridal altar one of Edgefield's most lovely and accomplished daughters. Of strong attachments and of an ardent and loving temperament, he was not insensible to the claims of conjugal affection, or the endearing charms and influences of home and family. But, glowing with patriotic ardour, he felt that the claim of his country was paramount to every other consideration. Accordingly, in the fall of 1861, he joined the "Edgefield Blues," a Company raised by Captain Joseph Abney, and which subsequently became Company A, of the Twenty-Second Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, a Reginent of twelve month's troops, of which Captain Abney was elected the Colonel. At the re-organization of this Regiment Colonel Abney failed to be re-elected. A special Act of Congress, however, passed about this time, provided for the organization of Battalions of Sharpshooters in the different States, the materials for which were to be eliminated from the various Brigades and Regiments already in service. Colonel Abney was nominated and appointed by Major General Pemberton to organize and assume command of one of these Battalions. Sergeant Watts obtained a transfer to Major Abney's Battalion in the month of July, 1862, and was appointed Orderly Sergeant of Company B, commanded by Jos. Bl5'the Allston, The First Battalion of South Carolina Sharpshooters will long be remembered for its faultless discipline and the excellence and maturity of its drill. It is unnecessary to enumerate here the valuable services rendered by that picked corps at Grahamville, Bee's Creek, Coosawhatchie, Pocotaligo, Combahee Ferry, Johns', Wadmalaw, and James' Islands, and Winyaw Bay near Georgetown!. But it was at Pocotaligo, on the 22nd October, 1S62, that the Company to which Sergeant

History Of Edgefield. 2S5

Watts belonged particularly distinguished itself. It there evoked the unqualified "well-done" from General "Liveoak" Walker for its gallant behaviour, all three of the commissioned officers present, having been wounded in that engagement.

After a separate existence of about sixteen months, Major Abney's Battalion was amalgamated with the Charleston Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel P. C. Gaillard forming the Twenty-Seventh Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Hagood's Brigade. Towards the close of April 1S64, this splendid Brigade was ordered to Petersburg, Va., and there it won golden opinions and imperishable renown in all those brilliant and bloody encounters, which rendered its name no less a terror to the ioe, than a pride to the gallant State which sent it forth on its errands to avenge the blood of her fallen children. In all of those sanguinary conflicts. Sergeant Watts bore a conspicuous part. The official reports of those battles announce him as having been engaged with distinction at Walthall Junction, Drewry's Bluff, Bermuda Hundreds, and Cold Harbor.

On the fatal 24th of June, he was acting as Lieutenant and commanding a company, which with, clarion- voice he was cheering forward, leading the way himself, in a desperate assault on the entrenched position of the enemy. He had just gained the enemy's works, and was still encouraging his comrades, when his brain was pierced by a hostile bullet, killing him instantly.

Thus has passed away from us this earnest, impassioned, and intrepid spirit. His officers and fellow-soldiers, as well as his family and friends, fondly cherished the hope that he was a captive, and would soon be restored to them by the usual mode of exchange. But an officer of high rank, and who had read his character well, concluded with more discernment when he declared that "he was too brave a man ever to allow himself to be taken alive."

Ill thus attempting a brief sketch of his not uneventful military career perhaps as much has been said as will be required to establish his shining qualities as a soldier. He was ever

In a private and social aspect, the character of Sergeant Watts needs no eulogium. His amenity, openness, and accessibiHty were esteemed traits which elevated him high in the social scale and made him a most welcome companion to all with whom he mingled.

He possessed in a degree rarely acquired the happy faculty of unbending himself to the j^oung and ingratiating their affections. Even his faults were of that peculiar mitigating class which are supposed to have a leaning to the side of virtue. Over his noble and fearless soul a dishonorable purpose never flapped its raven wing. Stern, resolute, and inflexible in all matters of duty, he was yet engaging in his address, and mild, winning, and conciliating in his intercourse with all.

Colonel Carey W. Styles, of the Albany (Ga.) News, after copying our announcement of the death of Colonel Joseph Abney, adds an eloque:it and feeling tribute to the memory of the deceased as follows: "We knew him well - messed with him through Scott's Mexican Campaign, slept in the same tent, and fought by his side - and in all the relations of companion, messmate, officer, and soldier, he was kind, generous, courteous, and brave. He possessed exalted character, and a sense of honor as pure and lofty as the knightliest champion that e'er bore a prize from the lists. We esteemed him for his manly contest with the ills that flesh is heir to; admired him for a noble courage that ever dared misfortune and danger with nerveless inflexibility; loved him for his social and companionable virtues, and mourn him as a friend gone to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns."

Joseph Haddon

An Englishman, who died in the early part of the year 1896, in Abbeville County, deserves to have his name mentioned in the history of Edgefield. Indeed, it would not have been out of place in the history of the State, as he was the first engineer who ever run a locomotive on any railroad in the State. When the South Carolina Railroad from Charleston to Hamburg was building it is said that he came over from England with the locomotive that was first put upon that road, and that he helped in the making of it. Whether the story is true this writer has no means of knowing, but it is altogether probable that the honor belongs to Joe Haddon. If I am not mistaken, he and his wife once lived at Mount Euon in a house built by Dr. J. C. Ready. I used to meet him occasionally when my home was in that part of Edgefield District which is now Saluda County.

The Ouzts Settlement

Near Meeting Street, about ten miles north of Edgefield Court House, is a settlement which has been, and is 3-et known as the Dutch Settlement. It embraces a scope of country about ten miles square. The founder of this settlement, Peter Ouzts, came direct from Germany with his father, Dietereig Ouzts, before the Revolutionary War, in 1769, and was a brave soldier in that war. He was in many battles and was severely wounded several times. He was only twelve years old when he landed in America. His mother died aboard ship, was buried at sea, and he was left alone with only his father to care for him.

Mr. Dietereig Ouzts lived near the River Rhine, in German}^ and sailed from Hamburg for this countr5^ After the Revolution he married again and became the father of three other sons, Mike and Jacob, of Newberry County, and Martia, of Edgefield. All married and reared families.

Harling, and they became the happy parents of a large family of children, thirteen sons and two daughters. One son and one daughter died in youth, the others married and succeeded well in farming. As each one married off he was set up in life with a farm of several hundred acres, cut off from the home tract, and was given stock and supplies sufficient for a year, and then left to carve out his own fortune. Tobacco was the principal money crop at that time, and plenty of provisions were raised on the farms for home consumption. These sturdy people were very quiet and were contented with the enjoyments of home life, caring nothing for the excitements of town and city life. Peter Ouzts' sons were named David. John, Henr}^ Martin, Aaron, Jacob, Abrani, Isaac, Peter, Daniel, and Benjamin. The daughter married Daniel George.

Mr. Peter Ouzts, the patriarch of the settlement, lived to the age of 77 years, long enough to see all his children married and settled in life, except one or two of the younger ones, who married soon after his death. Nearly all the children of the older generations were boj-s, and hence the numerous descendants of Mr. Peter Ouzts are easily traced. In 1880 there were nearly one thousand (940) descendants of Mr. Peter Ouzts, and nearlj' all of them were living in Edgefield County. In the War of Secession this family furnished as many boys, thirteen, to uphold the "Lost Cause" as any family in the State, and no truer nor braver people were ever found in battle. Some lost arms and legs and some their lives upon the battle field. Five were killed.

The name Ouzts is Americanized. In Germany it is Uzt, and to make it more complete the letters O and S are prefixed and affixed, but whether the name was improved by the change is yet a debateable question. It was once spelled "Utes,,' in the year 1800. In the year 18 19 the present form was used. Since the war, and with its various changes, this family and their descendants have become greatly scattered. Dr. B. F. Ouzts, son of one of the original twelve brothers, is living in Texas, and for several years has been a member of the city council in the town in which he lives. He is an able physician; in business has been very successful, and has acquired considerable property.

History Of Edgkfield

W. H. Ouzts, the oldest son of Daniel Oitzts, is now (1892) Sheriff of Edgefield County. The duties of this office are, and have been, faithfull_v and impartially discharged by him. That he is one of the most popular men in the county, and that he has faithfully discharged the duties of the office, is proven by the fact that he is now serving his third term, making twelve ^-ears during which he has held the office. Mr. Benjamin Ouzts, the youngest son of Peter Ouzts, is still living in his father's old house. The house, hou'cver, has been moved about a mile from the original site. Mr. Ouzts lias amassed considerable property, and is still as persevering as ever, although he is nearly three-score. Mr. D. T. Ouzts, son of Benjamin Ouzts, is the present popular and efficient Cashier of the Bank of Johnston.

Dr. W. D. Ouzts, grandson of Isaac Ouzts, the third next to the youngest of the orignal brothers, is an able and prominent physician of Edgefield. Mr. James W. Ouzts, grandson of Daniel Ouzts, is a civil engineer in Alabama. He has acquired some ver}- valuable property in the Southwestern States. Mr. Daniel A. G. Ouzts, the youngest son of Daniel Ouzts by his second wife, Miss Martha Hill Eowery, a distant cousin of President George Washington, is at this writing, May, 1892, with Pelzer, Rodgers & Co., of Charleston, S. C. He was in the vScuth Carolina College, but left without graduation to edit and take charge of the management of the Edgefield Chronicle, of which he was owmer while in college.

In Shipp's History of Methodism iu South Carohna, which is my authority for what I write of Methodism in Edgefield, no dates are given of the establishing or building of the different houses of worship in the various localities, nor of the formation of Circuits and Districts. The book is very valuable as a hi^tory of the movements, lives, and labors of the preachers engaged in the work, but in other respects it is quite defective - leaves the general reader in the dark as to what part of the State Saluda Circuit is, or Butler Circuit, indeed, as to the location of any circuit or meeting house. As a rule, the names of the churches or meeting houses, are never given.

The earliest notice I find of Methodist preaching at Edgefield Court House was in May 1790. Beverly Allen, the minister, writing to Mr. Wesley, says: "May 8th I attended a quarterly meeting on Saluda. The first day there was a considerable work among the people, but on the second we had a large, attentive congregation, to whom I spoke freel3^ All were still and attended to what I said, till, toward the close of the sermon, when the word caused a trembling and a weeping in the whole assembl5^ Soon after the}- cried for mercy, and the poor, distressed creatures fell on their knees beseeching us to pray for them, which we did. Some found mercy and peace to their souls, and others were under deep distress. On my way the day following I preached in Edgefield Court House to a very considerable number of attentive people, to whom I declared the oath of God, that he has no pleasure in the death of a sinner. Towards the conclusion, one woman, .sitting on a lofty seat, dropped to the floor, and soon after a number of others came and fell on their knees, cr3'ing for mercy, and several found deliverance."

This Beverly Allen was ordained at the First Conference held at Green Hill, N. C, beginning April 20th, 1785. For a few years he was a great preacher, a traveling companion of the Bishop Asbur}^ and a correspondent of Mr. Wesle5\ In 1792 his name stands in the Minutes as "expelled." He engaged in mercantile business in Augusta; got into difficulties and killed Major Forsyth, the United States Marshal, while attempting to arrest him for debt. He fled, but was captured and imprisoned in Elbert Count}^ Ga., but was soon released by his friends, who charitably supposed him to be insane. He then buried himself in the wilds of Kentucky, where he practiced medicine. Rev. Peter Cartwright, D. D., says of him "After killing the Sheriff he fled from the country th escape justice, and settled in Logan Count}', Kentucky, then called 'Rogue's Harbor.' His family followed him, and here he practiced medicine. To ease a troubled conscience he drank in the doctrine of Universalism, but he lived and died a great friend to the Methodist Church." This writer has learned from his reading that some as holy and saintly men rs ever lived were believers in the doctrine of Universal Salvation ; and others as saintly and pure as it is possible for human nature to be, were devout members of the Roman Church, that church, which we Protestants are so prone to regard as the mother of harlots and of all abominations. The trutli is, the Holy Spirit of God touches, quickens, and regenerates every one who desires the divine life, be his religious faith what it may, without regard to his intellectual perception of dogmatic truth.