Spartanburg County, South Carolina - Chapter 23: The Snoddy Family, 1900

Chapter 23: The Snoddy Family

The families of Snoddy in Spartanburg county, and those of the same name who have emigrated from said county to other States, are descendants of John and Jane Snoddy, who emigrated from Ireland, Antrim county, in 1773. They first landed in Charleston, S. C, but continued their journey to the up-country, and made settlement on Jimmies Creek, about midway between Welford and Nazareth church, in the present county of Spartanburg. According to the best information we can gather, John and Jane Snoddy had two sons, John and Isaac, both of whom will receive further notice in this article.

The remains of John and Jane Snoddy, whose maiden name was Cowen, lie buried in the cemetery of Nazareth church. The husband died in 1806, aged 76 years, and the wife in 181 6, aged 96 years. Besides the two sons mentioned, it has been stated that an older brother served in the Revolution, but of this fact we can gather no definite information.

Near the close of the Revolution (November, 1781) John, one of the sons mentioned, was murdered by the Tories under " Bloody Bill " Cunningham, at Poole's Iron Works, an account of which we have given in another volume.* He had been an active partisan in the service of his country, and as such was an object of hatred by the Tories. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Riddle, but was known as ' ' Aunt Betsy, ' ' and was remarkable for her energy and business judgment.

After the sad death of her husband she would saddle her horse and oversee two plantations, and on Sundays drive twelve miles to Nazareth church, being a regular attendant of the same. Her children were small when her husband was murdered. She had five sons and three daughters, viz. :

Captain John Snoddy, whose homestead residence was four miles southwest of the city of Spartanburg, and who married Polly Daniel, daughter of Richard Daniel.

Isaac, second son, who married Elizabeth (Betsy) Vernon, daughter of James Vernon. By this marriage there were two children : James A. Snoddy, who met his death soon after the close of the civil war, and Mrs. Margaret Oeland, relict of Dr. John C. Oeland (see sketch), who resides at Spartanburg. Mrs. Snoddy married a second time to Richard Ballenger, by which marriage a son, Oscar P. Ballenger, near Welford, S. C, was born.

Two sons of John Snoddy, Andrew and Dr. Samuel, removed in early life to Alabama. The latter died while attending medical lectures at Lexington, Ky. Dr. Joseph Thompson, who will receive notice elsewhere, was attending lectures at the same time and place, and brought home with him his servant Aaron, and Biick^ his favorite saddle horse.

Alexander, the youngest son of John Snoddy, married Mary Moore, daughter of Michael Moore of Rutherford county, N. C, and sister of Dr. A. L. Moore of Welford, S. C. Her mother's maiden name was Winnie Love, of Haywood county, a highly respected family. Alexander Snoddy died soon after his marriage, the only issue being Mrs. Edward L. Miller of Tuccapau, S. C. Mrs. Snoddy, her mother, subsequently became the wife of Dr. Pinckney Miller of Spartanburg county, a prominent physician and a highly respected citizen.

Isaac Snoddy, the other son mentioned of John and Jane Snoddy, was born in North Ireland, Antrim connty, 1770, and was bronght to America by his parents when only three years old. As already stated, John and his family landed in Charleston, and little Isaac was carried on the back of Samuel Miller from the ship to the landing.

Samuel Miller was a half uncle of Isaac Snoddy, and lived with the latter the remainder of his life. He never married, and died at the age of 104 years.

It is related that the Tories had orders to put to death every male child in the neighborhood in which John Snoddy lived. The tradition is that Isaac Snoddy was hidden in the wheat-field near by in the daytime, and cautioned by his mother not to shake the straw lest he might be discovered, and at night he was concealed about the house. The wheat-field where Isaac lay concealed was pointed out to Mr. Crawford S. Thompson by Colonel S. M. Snoddy about one year before the latter died.

On his father's farm, the location of which has already been described, Isaac Snoddy received a good English education in such schools as the country then afforded. He taught several years before his marriage. In 1802, being then 32 years of age, he married Jane Crawford, third child of Patrick Crawford,* 23 years of age. P'^or two years following he and his wife lived with his parents on the very spot where Dr. Samuel T. Snoddy lived and died. After the birth of their first child they began housekeeping for themselves. They built a house of logs, each facing from 12 to 18 inches, on the old

* Under the heading, " The Caldwell Family," we have given the particulars of the killing of Patrick Crawford, to which the reader is referred.

Greenville and Spartanburg stage-coach road, near the spot where stands the present residence of James R. Snoddy. In this house, with some additions subsequently made, Isaac Snoddy and his wife died. In the same, for many years, was kept a post-office called New Hope. This was back in the twenties when letter postage was twenty-five cents, and there were no stamps or envelopes. Letters at that time were folded and sealed with wafers sold for that purpose. His house was also a famous stopping-place for the stage-coach, where horses were exchanged. " When the mellow notes of the stage-driver's horn were heard it indicated the number of passengers on board. Then there was a busy scene in the kitchen and stable-yard - the busy housewife preparing meals for the tired and hungry travelers, and the negroes getting fresh horses ready for the lumbering stage-coach. This was a famous stopping-place for emigrants on their way from Virginia and North Carolina to the southwest ; also, the Creek and Catawba Indians, in passing back and forth, would stop here to rest."

As a citizen Isaac Snoddy "was patriotic, peaceable, hospitable, truthful, and kind to the poor, a liberal supporter of the church, but not a member and rarely attended. To his log-rollings, corn-shuckings and wedding feasts of his children all his neighbors, even the poorest, were invited. He often said if his poor neighbors were good enough to come to his log-rollings they were good enough to come to his wedding feasts. . . . He was a kind husband, father and grandfather."

From a sketch by Dr. H. R. Black at the union of the descendants of Patrick Crawford at Nazareth church 18 - , we copy the following paragraph :

"The following descendants (of Isaac Snoddy) are mentioned in order of their births: John Snoddy, Jr., was born January 28th, 1803, married Thressa R. Danial,.

December 12th, 1833, by Rev. John G. Landruin ; the second time, Ellender P. Pearson, July 9th, 1845, by Rev. Z. L. Hohnes, and died February 14th, 1846. Margaret was born August 23d, 1804, married Joseph Thompson October 4th, 1827; ^i^^ May 12th, 1882. Elizabeth was born April nth, 1807, and married Joseph Nesbitt, September 8th, 1833, by Rev. Michael Dickson ; died May 24th, 1867. Patrick Crawford, born January i6th, 1809, unmarried, acted as assistant surgeon in the U. S. troops on the frontiers about 1829. He died January 31st, 1830, about one month before his time for graduation in Lexington, Ky. Infant son 1810. Mary was born January 28th, 181 2, married John H. Hoy, February 23d, 1837, by Rev. J. G. Landrum. Jane was born January 24th, 1814, and married Martin O. Miller, February 28th, 1839, by Dr. E. J. Buist, and died January 2ist, 1885. Samuel M. was born December 12th, 181 5, and married Rosa Benson October 5th, 1853, by Rev. R. H. Reed ; died 1898. Ann was born January i6th, 1818, and married S. N. Drummond October 5th, 1843, by Rev. Pedan ; second marriage, N. B. Davis, November 8th, 1859, by Rev. Simpson Drummond; died Januuary 27th, 1869. Nancy V., born December 27th, 1820, married Andrew J. Daniel, April 5th, 1838, by Rev. J. G. Landrum; died February 9th, 1895."

Isaac Snoddy died January 28th, 1842. His widow, Jane Snoddy survived her husband twenty-two years and died on the 20th day of January, 1864, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. She was born on the Crawford place about one mile from Nazareth church, on the 27th day of February, 1 779. She was a kind and devoted wife, and after the death of her husband managed well the business of a large farm, and divided every year the profits of the same among her children.

Colonel Samuel Miller Snoddy

son of Isaac and Jane Snoddy, was born December 12th, 1815, and was named in honor of Samuel Aliller, his great half-uncle, to whom we have already referred. He was raised on his father's farm and received a fair English education in the best schools of his neighborhood. He chose farming for his occupation, and after he grew up to manhood purchased a valuable farm on Jorden's "Creek, waters of North Tyger, about three miles northeast of Welford, S. C, where he resided the remainder

«of his life. From the time that he settled this place until he was about thirty-eight years of age, he lived the life of a bachelor in a community then more sparsely --settled than at present, and during this time amused himself largely in fishing and hunting. Wild deer were then plentiful in the section of country between him ;>and the mountains, and with a trained pack of hounds, which he kept all the time, and with his favorite hunt- ing companions, "Tyger" Moses Fosterand Samuel Johnson, he kept his table supplied with the choicest venison. . He was a good shot and possessed a vigorous and robust constitution. In 1849 or '50 lie was elected captain of the beat company at Gowen's old muster ground, and later major of the upper battalion, 36th Regt., S. C. M., and finally to the colonelcy of said regiment. To the last two mentioned positions he was elected without opposition, and his military career as an officer over the militia covered a period of about seven years.

As commander of the 36th Regiment Colonel Snoddy stood high. He seemed to appreciate fully the impending danger which threatened the country and the importance of maintaining good military discipline. The 36th Regiment mustered about 1,500 strong of men between the ages of 18 and 45 years, covering a military district of more than, half the present county of Spartanburof. As a further evidence of what we have stated in reference to Colonel Snoddy as commander of the 36th Regiment, we quote from the Spartan files, August 2ist, 1856 :

"On Wednesday the review of the 36th Regiment took place. The earh' day gave promise of enjoyment, and we estimated the number upon the field at Bomar's at about 3,000 persons of all ages and sexes. We were pleased to see so many ladies present to heighten the charms of the occasion.

' ' When the line had been formed and preparations for review completed by Col. Snoddy, Adjutant Webber was dispatched to apprise the commander-in-chief of the fact. At the head of his staff he immediately appeared at the camp colors, and was saluted by a discharge of artillery. The formality of military salute over, the regiment was put in motion, and executed the card of manoeuvres previously arranged for the day in a manner highly creditable to the officers and men. The regiment was then addressed by tlie Governor (Adams). . He complimented them for their discipline and prompt and cheerful discharge of dnty, saying, that while he could not award them the distinction of the best drilled regiment, he could say they were second to none he had reviewed on his present tour of duty ; and while not wishing to make invidious distinctions where all were praiseworthy, he felt impelled to bestow special commendation upon the artillery, which he thought equal to any uniformed company in the State."

Not many years after the resignation of Colonel Snoddy as colonel of the 36th Regiment, the civil war between the States came on, and although he was too far advanced in years for active service in the field, yet he did not fail to respond to his country's call when men of his age were called for. He enlisted, and w^as captain of a company in the Battalion of State Reserves commanded by Major Joel Ballenger.* He discharged his duty faithfully as an officer and soldier, and bore with patience the fatigues and hardships incidental to camp life.

After the war was over Colonel Snoddy returned home, accepting the situation and adapting himself to the conditions which surrounded him as best he could. He bestowed his attention on his farm, garden, etc. He was especially devoted to the culture of select flowering plants and trees, and his home was beautiful and attractive. He felt a pride in his ancestry, and in 1897, in a field near George Bennett's between Reidville and Cashville, S. C. - the scene of the accidental killing of Patrick Crawford by Thomas Moore - he erected at his own expense a slab or stone to the memory of the former, placing his initials thereon.

* For the particulars of the service, hardships, etc., performed by Major Ballenger's Battalion, the reader is referred to the sketch of Captain J. F. Sloan, in this volume right citizen and a progressive farmer. He was a good neighbor, hospitable in his home, was a kind husband and affectionate father. His remains repose among his ancestors at Nazareth cemetery. By his marriage (1853) with Miss Rosa Benson, he had children as follows : - James R. Snoddy, who married j\Iary, daughter of Elias Richardson ; Nannie, who married David M. Coan ; and Mary, who married Dr. H. R. Black.

The Caldwell Family

Among the oldest of the present familiar family names in Spartanburg county is the Caldwell family, nearly all of whom descended from John and Mary Caldwell, who emigrated from North Ireland to the present territory of Spartanburg county about 1766 or '67, and formed a part of the early Scotch-Irish settlement on the Tygers.

John Caldwell secured the ^King's grant to a tract of land within a mile of Nazareth Church which is still in the possession of some of the regular line of his posterity. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Young. When they came to America they brought with them one son, William Caldwell, who was born near Belfast, in the county of Antrim, about the year 1760.

At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war William Caldwell was about sixteen or seventeen years old and took an active part on the side of liberty. He served in that struggle in various ways, first as a scout and then as a private soldier. At different times he was a member of the companies of Captains John Collins and John Barry, which, in 1780, formed a part of the Spartan or Fair-forest Regiment under the command of Colonel John Thomas, Jr. He was in two regular engagements,

Blackstocks and Cowpens. In the latter battle, one of his comrades recognizing a brother in the British ranks, standing behind a tree, said : "Don't shoot that man, for he is my brother."

When the enemy had been defeated and nearly all of Tarleton's army captured, Wm. Caldwell got leave of absence and was the first to carry the glorious news of the battle at Cowpens back to his neighbors at home. At Nicholl's Ford, on North Tyger, near the present Anderson's Mill, he met Mrs. Kate Barry (Margaret Catharine) wife of Captain Andrew Barry, swimming the river. The first thing she heard after crossing the river was one of the Nicholls girls running to meet her and shouting, "Glorious news, Peggy Barry, we whipped the British yesterday, and I have seen the man (Wm. Caldwell) that shook hands with Andrew Barry after the battle was over." Mrs. Barry had heard the firing of cannons the day before and had left three or four children at home, and had ridden out to hear the tidings of the battle. Wm. Caldwell assured her that her husband was safe, and would soon be home.

After the war was over and American Independence was gained, William Caldwell settled down and went to farming. He was a good neighbor and citizen. On February 20th, 1792, he married Margaret, second child and oldest daughter of Patrick Crawford, whose sad fate has been handed down to the present generations by tradition only. Patrick Crawford, through mistake, was killed during the latter part of the Revolution by his best friend, Thomas ]\Ioore, in an engagement near Cashville, in Spartanburg county. They were both members of Captain Andrew Barry's company. The company was to rendezvous at the two roads above Cashville for the purpose of following up a noted Tory scouting party. Two parties of said company came in contact, each believing the other the enemy they were seeking. Patrick Crawford was at the head of one of the Whig scouts and was killed before the mistake was discovered. Thomas Moore took deliberate aim and killed him in the fight, which continued until Captain Barry's noted dog trotted between the combatants, and seeing old Hunter, as the dog was called, they at once realized their mistake and ceased firing. It is said that Mr. Crawford's name was never mentioned afterward in Thomas Moore's jDresence without bringing tears to his eyes (see sketch of General Thomas Moore, page 191).

William Caldwell, when he married to Margaret Crawford, was about thirty-two, while his bride was only about fifteen years of age. The latter was a lifelong member of Nazareth Church, and as good a woman as any sleeping in the cemetery near by.

By the marriage between William Caldwell and Margaret Crawford eleven children were born, four sons and seven daughters, and all were raised. The boys grew up and became good and useful citizens. Two of them, John C. and James, filled the office of magistrate for many years, to the credit and satisfaction of the people of Spartanburg District. They both, living in different sections of the district, did a great deal of business, especially James, as he moved to and lived in the upper part of the district, on South Pacolet, near Gowensville, a section in which there was no other magistrate.

Patrick Crawford Caldwell, one of the four sons referred to, was a blacksmith of good repute and an excellent citizen. William Harvey Caldwell, another son, was also highly esteemed as a citizen.

All the daughters of William Caldwell grew to womanhood, and all married, making good wives, good mothers, and useful women. They, it is said, were all noted for their domestic refinement and cleanliness - one of the chief Christian virtues. Their names were Polly Miller, Jane McCarley, Katie Young Hadden, Elizabeth Hadden, Ann Anderson, Margaret Gaston, and Eleanor Wright.

From these daughters, together with the four sons mentioned, the number of descendants, both living and dead, will amount to between five and six hundred. Of the daughters mentioned, Elizabeth Hadden lived to the age of about ninety-five years. With the exception of Ann Anderson, burial place unknown, and Elizabeth Wright, buried at Woodruff, S. C. , the remains of almost the entire Caldwell family repose in the cemetery of Nazareth.

It is said that Wm. Caldwell had an inveterate hatred for the Tories. It is further said that among the victims of the noted raid of "Bloody Bill" Cunningham and his command to the up-country in November, 1780, were John Caldwell, brother of William, hacked to pieces, and John Snoddy, besides others. (See "Colonial and Revolutionary History of Upper South Carolina," pp, 341-364.)