Spartanburg County, South Carolina - Chapter 33: The Collins Family, 1900

Chapter 33: The Collins Family

Among the early settlers on the Tygers was Thomas Collins, Sr., who emigrated from York, England, to York, Pennsylvania, and from thence to the territory embraced in the present connty of Spartanbnrg, and took np a large snrvey near Nazareth chnrch on Tyger River, covering lands where W. Ellis Collins now lives. He married before he left England. He had fonr sons and two danghters, viz. : John, Richard, Joseph, William, Jane (Mrs. William iVnstin*), and Nancy. (Mrs. Alexander Thomson).

The eldest son John was probably born before he left England. He had grown np to manhood when the Revolntionary war broke ont, and rose to the rank of captain in that war, and was distinguished for his gallantry. He participated in nearly all the battles fought in South Carolina, and was in the battle of Cowpens January 17, ijSi.f He married Miss Elizabeth Brown, of Newberry, S. C. Their i:hildren were ]\Irs. Sallie Swansey, Thomas B. Collins (father of wife of Rev. A. A. James), John S. Collins, who was known as "Bachelor

* Colonel William Austin was a soldier of the Revolution. C. S. Thompson, Haywood county, N. C, writes that he has seen his uniform and sword hanging by his bedside.

t In the year 1S25 he revisited the battle-field of Cowpens, and in company with Mr. Robert Scruggs, pointed out the place where he had a personal encounter with a British officer, in which the latter was killed. In the year 1S87 the writer, with T. G. Collins and T. D. Uarle of Landrum, in passing through the battle-field were piloted to .this spot by Mr. Scruggs, who was then ninety years of age.

Jack," and who was put to death by some unknown party ; Alexander Collins, who died when sixteen years of age; and Mrs. Martha Westmoreland, wife of Sterling Westmoreland. Richard and William Collins, second and third sons, went to Kentucky after the Revolution before it was admitted as a State. Some of their descendants are quite prominent there.

Joseph Collins, the fourth son, was born before the Revolution, but was not old enough at its outbreak to enter the army. He was, however, a true patriot and a citizen of the highest respectability. He married Elizabeth Fleming, by whom he had nine children as follows : Mary W., who married Samuel Kelso ; Martha (Patsey), married Samuel Jackson; Thomas (father of James A. Collins, Boiling Springs, S. C), married Mariah Foster ; Ann Fleming, married INIathew T, Hudson of Greenville district, S. C. ; Rebecca Wells, married Westley Gilreath ; iVndrew Fleming, married Amanda L. Anderson ; William Austin, married Margaret P. Jackson, daughter of Foster Jackson on North Pacolet ; Joseph Alexander, married Nancy Conner of Georgia ; and Nancy Thompson, married Colonel Gabriel Cannon (first wife).

The Thompson Family

is among the oldest of the early settlers in upper Carolina. It is said that this family, being Scotch-Irish, first made settlement in Pennsylvania, coming to South Carolina before the outbreak of the Revolution. The ancestor of this branch of the family is traced back to Joseph Thompson. He made settlement in the forks of the T3-gers (near Wellford, S. C), known as the old Thompson place on the old Cowpens furnace road, leading from the latter place to Greenville, S. C. He had two sons, Alexander and John. x\lexander, born 1768, after the death of his father, continued to reside at the old homestead place of his father. His wife was Nancy, the daughter of Thomas Collins, and sister of Captain John Collins, a Revolntionary soldier. Alexander Thompson died at the age of seventy-five. His wife, born same year (1768), lived to the age of ninety-one years, and conld recite many events of the Revolntion. Alexander and Nancy Thompson had three sons and three danghters : i. Joseph Thompson, who married Margaret Snoddy, danghter of Isaac Snoddy. They had two children, Mrs. Nancy Jane Jackson of Wellford, S. C, relict of Captain Robert Jackson (mother of Mrs. Wm, S. Morrison and Joseph Jackson), and Crawford S. Thompson, a highly respected citizen of Haywood connty, N. C, who married Miss Lizzie, eldest daughter of Samuel Morgan of Spartanburg district.

3. ]Madison Lewis Thompson, married a daughter of Captain John Snoddy, wdio lived only six months. He died a few years afterward at Macon, Ga.

4. Rosa Thompson, who married John Thompson, her cousin. The latter dying soon afterward without issue, she married to Wm. G. Smith (called "Mutton Ham Billy" to distinguish him from others of the same name). They left two daughters : Mary, who married Dr. Lee Smith, and Fannie, who died single.

John Thompson, the other son of Joseph and brother of Alexander (commonly called Aleck), settled in Fairview Township, Greenville county, S. C, and had three sons : I. Alexander Thompson, who married first an Alexander and raised a large family, and second to a Pedan, and raised several more children.

Greenville county for a while, and then removed to a conntry cross-roads town in Georgia, then called ]\Iarthasville, bnt which afterwards became the great city of x\tlanta. He was one of the prime movers of the Kimball House. He has two danghters in Atlanta, viz. : ]\Irs. Richard Peters and ]\Irs. Black.

The Thompsons belonged to an honest, hardy class of pioneer yeomanry in the early settlement of the territory now embraced in the present county of vSpartanburg.

]\Ir. Crawford S. Thompson, Haywood county, N. C, now the only one left to perpetuate this famih' name, writes : "Joseph Thompson, my great-grandfather, was a blacksmith ; Alexander Thompson, my grandfather, was a blacksmith, and Joseph Thompson, my father, was a blacksmith - all celebrated for their horse-shoeing. My great-grandfather brought his anvil from the old country with him. My father had it when he died. I suppose it could be seen yet. Had two horns to it. The sign of the old blacksmith shop can be seen yet at the old Thompson place, in the fork of the road, near the two creeks. ' '

The White Family

Daniel White lived on South Pacolet. He was a revolutionary soldier and a citizen of good standing in the community in which he li\ed. His oldest son, Berry White, married a Miss Booker of Spartanburg and emigrated to Georgia, and represented his county in the legislature of that State for several years. He was a gallant captain in the Confederate army.

Henry White, Esq., another son of Daniel White, married Margaret, daughter of ]\Iajor John Graves McClure, and had eight children, viz. : One daughter, who married Robert ]\IcMillen ; Elvira, who married

Will. Chapman, father of B. B. Chapman; Francis M., who married Rebecca Copeland, sister of Captain Alex. Copeland, and removed to Idaho ; Jane, who married Wm. Finger ; John, who married Mary Younger ; IMajor Henry, who married Margaret Finger ; Pinckney, who married Miss IMartha Robbs, and removed to Georgia; and Peggy, who married John Younger and removed West.

The Mcmillen Family

Captain Hugh TvIciMillen was the father of the brothers, Robert, David and Love McMillen on North Pacolet, who resided in the vicinity of Fingerville, S. C. He

Robert McMillen married Susan Bomar, daughter of Armstead Bomar, who removed to Campbell county, Ga. Love McMillen married a Miss Hannon, and David McMillen married Jane Clement, a granddaughter of the elder James McDowell.

Of the daughters mentioned, Elizabeth married \Villiam McClure, son of Major John Graves McClure, a soldier of the Revolution. The son William referred to removed to Campbell county, Ga., and was one of the pioneer settlers of that county immediately after the removal of the Cherokee Indians, which was about the year 1836. He was a prominent and influential citizen of that county, and left behind him a respectable posterity. One of his daughters, Jane, married Judge Reuben Beavers, who was ordinary of Campbell county for forty years, and another daughter married James G. Sturdivant, who was judge of the inferior court for Chattooga county, Ga., for a number of years. All of the family were prominent in official positions and other pursuits. His grandson, John C. Camp, represented

The second daughter of Captain Hugh McMillen married Charles ]\IcClure, father of David, Rudisail, Marion, John, Jackson, ]\Iadison, and wives of Captain John Camp of Georgia, Crawford and Frank Alverson.

The youngest daughter, Mary Ann, of Captain Hugh McMillen married Philip C. Rudisail, who remo\'ed from Spartanburg district to Georgia a few years before the outbreak of the civil war. He had five children, among whom was Dr. R. Y. Rudisail who deserves more than passing notice.

Dr. Robert Young Rudisail was born and reared on his father's farm on North Pacolet, near Fingerville, S. C. The date of his birth is August 8th, 1832. He went to school to the Golightlys, William and Patillo, was a diligent student, and under the rigid system and training (to use his own words) of these teachers he acquired a good English and classical education. He read medicine with Dr. W. P. Compton, and after two courses in the South Carolina Medical College graduated in 1855, and soon after removed to Georgia, settling at Summerville, in Chattooga county, where he at once entered into the practice of his profession.

At the outbreak of the civil war he volunteered in the Confederate army and was commissioned as a surgeon. Served as such to the end of the war, and was at the surrender of General Johnson at Greensboro, N. C. He was elected to the State legislature from his county in 1874 and served two years. Was reelected to the same body in 1895, and in the reelections that followed, has served to the present year (1900).

He married soon after his removal to Georgia to Miss Eliza E. Knox, who is now dead, but who was a graduate of the Synodical Female College, Talladega county.

Ala. His only daughter, Madora E., is the present wife of Jndge \Vm. M. Henry of the Rome jndicial circnit. His eldest son, Charles C. L. Rndisail, is a physician of prominence in Georgia. He married Miss Eliza Rowland, granddanghter of John S. Rowland, formerly a citizen of Spartanburg district.

The families of IMc^Millen on the Pacolets and in Spartanbnrg connty have always maintained positions of the highest respectability, and should take a pride in preserving the memories of a worthy ancestry.

The ancestor of the Lanford family in Spartanburg county was James Lanford, who was a native of \"irgina and a soldier of the Revolution. He enlisted first in the continental ranks and afterwards in the navy. His wife was a Miss Lowery, who died before the close of the Revolution. Immediately after the Revolutionary war he settled in North Carolina, but subsequently removed to the present county of Spartanburg and settled on Jammie's Creek, near Cavin's Old Field. He leased lands and erected a mill on said creek. After his lease was out he removed to Two Mile Creek, near Antioch church, where he erected a cotton-gin and lived the remainder of his life. He was buried on his premises near by. With his bounty mone}-, which he obtained from the government, he bought all the lands now owned by the Leonards, near Sharon (Methodist) church. He had three sons : John, William and Lewis. John was born on the day of Gates's defeat at Camden, S. C. (August i6th, 1 780) - a tradition that has come down through the family. William Lanford married Jane Leatherwood and had eleven children, viz. : Lowery, who married

Permelia Dean ; Zachary, who married Zillie Posey ; James, who married Rachel Page ; William, who moved to Alabama, married Betsey Hobby, first wife, and Jane Leatherwood, second wife ; Roddy, who married Rebecca Calvert ; David, who married Catharine Lee in Alabama ; Elias, who married Jane Hobby ; Frances, who married James Leatherwood ; Priscilla, who married Danial Page ; Mary, who married Martin Parsins ; and Jane, who married Pattillo Hanna.

The entire Lanford family connection, which the writer has been nnable to gather in fnll, have always maintained positions of the highest respectability. They are specially noted for their piety, uprightness and honestv, and have always been true to their country's interest, both in times of peace and in war.

The Drummond Family

The ancestor of the Drummond families in Spartanburg county was Ephrim Drummond, who married Polly Johnson. Both removed from Virginia to South Carolina in 1789, he from Lunenburg and she from an other burg only a few miles away, and settled in the vicinity of the present town of Woodruff, S. C. Both he and his wife were of Scotch-Irish descent. The wife was a relative of General Joseph E. Johnston, who was also a native of Virginia. Ephrim Drummond, coming from a family that was full of pluck and energy, made his start in business by raising tobacco and rolling it to Charleston in hogsheads. He was successful in raising corn, and his place was often called Egypt.

He served for a time in the Revolutionary war when only fifteen or sixteen years of age. He had twelve children, as follows : Jared, who married Sweeney Parks ;

Warren, who married first Margaret Snoddy, second Nancy Howell, and third Julia Hammond ; Ephrim, who married first Nancy Cox, and second Katy Castleberry ; Simpson, who married Malinda Brewton ; Freeman, who married first Nancy Clifton, and second a Miss Barton, daughter of Rev. Jesse Barton ; Harrison, who married Rebecca Martin ; daughters - Mabel, who married Isaac Wofford ; Betsey, who married John Wofford ; Rebecca, who married Matthew Allen ; Delilah, who married Simeon Brewton ; Polly, who married Jesse WofTord ; and Martha, who married Franklin Martin of Laurens county.

Jared Drummond had thirteen children, as follows : Adaline, who married James Brandenburg of Orangeburg, S. C; Mary, who married John Miller and removed to Mississippi ; Nancy, who married John Switzer ; Lucinda, who married Wni. Chamblin ; Elvira, who married A. W. Parks ; Jane, who married Wm. Parks ; Ella, who married first to Samuel Wyatt Miller and moved to Texas, and afterwards married his brother Charles Miller ; Martha, who married Albert Deal ; Emma, who married E. H. Bobo, Esq.; Corrie, who married Geo. W. Lester ; Lizzie, who married a Mr. Austin ; William L. , who was drowned at school when seventeen or eighteen years old; and James, who married first, Lizzie Allen, and second Drucilla, daughter of Major Melmouth Young of Laurens county, S. C.

Rev. Warren Drummond had six children, as follows : Major Samuel N., who married Ann Snoddy ; Harvey, who married Mary M. Switzer ; Warren, who was killed during the civil war, and Alexander, who never married. By second wife. Pierce Howell, who married Nora Arnold. By third wife, Susan, who married B. M. Parsons.

who married Elizabeth Traiiimell ; and Rowland, who married Polly Phillips. By second marriage, Barham, who married first Josephine Darby, and second Nancy Poole of Laurens county, S. C; Mabel, who married first George Reeful, and second W. P. Bragg ; Polly Ann, who married first Jesse Cole, and second C. C. Waddel ; Nevina, who married Hugh Workman ; and Elvira, who married J. N. Brown.

Rev. Simpson Drummond had seven children, as follows : Dr. Madison Wiley, who married first Sallie Allen, and second Annie Gertrude Shell ; ]\Iahala Catharine, who married J. B. Gray ; Fannie, who married James Woodruff; Jane, who married S. V. Brockman ; Cebern Simpson, who married Margaret Alexander ; Ira L., who married Lucy M. Parks ; and Mary Adaline, who married L. C. Wofford.

Among the sons mentioned there were two who were noted as ministers of the Gospel, viz. : Warren and Simpson. Rev. Warren Drummond is still remembered by the older citizens of Spartanburg county as a zealous, earnest expounder of the Word, and served for a time Bethel and other churches as pastor. "He was an independent thinker and preacher, formed his own conclusions, and preached independently what he believed to be the truth. He was successful as a revival preacher, warming up very often to a height of impassioned eloquence that would captivate and sw^ay a crowd as some mighty influence."

Rev. Simpson Drummond was an acceptable minister of the gospel. He was a man of the deepest humility and wielded an influence over the churches which he ably served the best years of his long life. He was modest and retiring, but delighted to hold up the banner of the cross and enlist souls to Jesus. He, like his elder

Jated, Ephrim and Harrison Drunimond were well know as progressive farmers and citizens of the highest respectability in Spartanburg district, and a respectable and intelligent posterity follows them.

Dr. Madison W. Drummond, son of Rev. Simpson Drnmmond, is now the oldest surviving member of the Drummond family in Spartanburg county. He was born January 19th, 1834, and has always resided at Woodruff, or in that immediate vicinity. Recei\'ing a good education he read and graduated in medicine a few years before the beginning of the war between the States, and at the outbreak of said war he enlisted as a private, but men of his chosen profession being in demand, he was commissioned as a surgeon in the Confederate army, which position he held until the end of the war, discharging his duty towards all who come under his care and treatment with faithfulness and fidelity to the ' ' Lost Cause." Since the war he has more or less been in constant practice of his profession. He is a useful member of Bethel (Baptist) church, and an honest, upright citizen.

By his marriage with ]\Iiss Sallie Allen he had four children : Minnie and ]\Iittie, twins ; Minnie married W. W. W^alker, Glendale ; Mittie married J. E. Ward, Chattanooga, Tenn. ; Edwin, who lives in Alabama ; and Sarah, who married J. M. Sharp. By his second marriage with Miss Annie G. Shell he has six children, all minors, viz. : Henry vSimpson, Charles Manly, James Boyce, Willie Laurens, John Broaddus, and Florence Tuluia.

The Drummond family, as a whole, have always been true and loyal to their country, both in times of peace and war, and among those who lost their lives in defence of their countrv durino- the civil war we would mention Warren S. , son of Rev. Warren Drunimond ; J. Freeman, son of Ephrim Drummond, and Rowland Drnmmond ; the two first named were killed in battle, and the last named died of disease in the army the first year of the war.

The Westmoreland Family

The tradition which has been handed down in the Westmoreland family is that three brothers of this name came from England to America between 1740 and 1750. Their names were John, Robert and Thomas. John settled in Pennsylvania, Robert in Virginia, and Thomas on Enoree River, in the neighborhood of Van-Patton's Shoals. All of these settlements were made before the Revolntion. Thomas took his hatchet and marked out six hundred acres of land and obtained a grant from King George for the same, which is still retained in the family. His death was caused by the bite of a rattlesnake. He had two sons, Thomas and John.

Andrew Westmoreland married Temperance Johnson. One of his sons, James R. W'estmoreland, Esq., married Rebecca E. Peydon and lived with her fifty-three years, and had eight children: John' A., who married

Maggie Rush ; James White, who married Juan Leonard ; Thomas, who died ; Nice Tempie, who married J. W. Martin; Margaret, who married Professor F. B. Woodruff ; Mary Jane, who married Hon, H. H. Arnold ; Lolee, who married J. Warren Snoddy ; and W^m. W. B., who married Minnie Woodruff.

John A. and IMaggie ( Rush) Westmoreland have five children, viz. : James Ripley, Fred Stroble, Nannie Peydon, Goldie Lullen and Bettie Bob.

The families of Westmoreland, both in the counties of Greenville and Spartanburg, have always maintained a high standard of citizenship. They have been specially noted for intelligence, uprightness and honesty, and have always been true to the best interests of their country, both in times of peace and in war.

The Archer Family

The name "Archer" is English. It is stated that three brothers emigrated from England to America before the war of 1776. One was killed at the battle of of Brandy wine. After the war, one settled in Virginia, and one in North Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge. From the latter descended William Archer, who was born near Try on Mountain. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and a saddler by trade, as was also his father. He moved to Spartanburg about 1835. Was a member of the first temperance society organized in the place. After a few years he removed to " the new purchase " of Indian land in Georgia in 1840; reared nine children to mature age, all of whom remained in Georgia except one son, John Bankston Archer, who was born on South Pacolet at the o'd homestead, April 19th, 1822. His educational advantages were limited, having attended only one session of a nine months school. Learning the saddler's trade, he.

at the age of nineteen, returned to Spartanburg from Georgia and hired to work at his trade with David W. Moore, for one year at sixty dollars and board. At the end of one year (having performed extra work enough to buy his clothes) Mr. Moore paid him the promised sixty dollars. His being a churchman and clerk thereof, gave all' his children a hymn-book. The first meeting day thereafter John swapped his book for a hat.

With only sevent}'-five dollars in his pocket he married Rachel Thomas of New Jersey, a lady of intelligence and exemplary piety. By this marriage the following children were born : Leonidas Archer, living in Arkansas ; Mrs. Florence Mulligan, wife of A. B. Mulligan - John C. Archer of Spartanburg ; E. L. Archer, whom we will further notice ; and Mrs. Julia Switzer, wife of James N. Switzer.

John B. Archer is still remembered by the people of Spartanburg as a man of decided force of character, industry, perseverance and strict integrity. He possessed a clear judgment of men and business measures. He was clean in life and language, and a total abstainer from alcoholic drinks.

He died suddenly at the place of his birth, December 4th, 1893, in the seventy-second year of his age, and is buried at Spartanburg, Having felt the disadvantages 3f lack of education, he spent freely of his money to benefit his children therewith. His son, Hon. Edgar L. Archer, is well known to the people of Spartanburg county, being at present State senator from said county. He was born in 1852 in the town of Spartanburg. He graduated in 1871, and taught school for a few years. In 1875 he joined the South Carolina Conference and did regular work for a few years, but owing to failing health he was compelled to give up circuit preaching. At present he is engaged in farming aboiit three miles from the city of Spartanburg. He has served in the House of Representatives, and in 1895 ^e was elected State senator to fill out the unexpired term of Hon. Stanyearne Wilson, the latter elected to Congress, and was elected again (1896) to serve four years longer. He is an ardent advocate of the temperance cause, and as a public officer an advocate of economy in all the departments of county and State. He married ]\Iiss Sleigh of Oconee county, S. C, a lady of intelligence and refinement.

By His Daughter, Mrs. Ben Kennedy

General Barham Bobo Foster, the son of Anthony Foster and Elizabeth Bobo, was born in Spartanburg county, at the "Cross Roads," February 22d, 1817. When quite a boy he took an active part in politics, being an ardent nullifier. He was elected captain of a company before he was eighteen years of age. In his twentieth year he married ]\Iary Ann Perrin, daughter of Samuel Perrin and Eunice Chiles. His marriage, he was wont to say, was his salvation. Full of vim and spirit, he would have been wild, but his accomplished Christian wife was the guiding-star whose steady brilliance pointed him ever heavenward. Happy for him that he was wise to follow her gentle guidance. His lifelong friend, Rev. J. G. Eandrum, often said that Colonel Foster's wife made a man of him. After his marriage he lived for several years near Cedar Springs. Thence he moved near Glenn Springs, where he resided until after the war. His home was ever noted for cordial hospitality, and was a favorite resort for the young. He was a wide-awake successful farmer. I remember he used the first guano ever seen in his community. His nearest neighbor and true friend used to chaff him for subsoiling, telling him that " God knew which side of the ground to put on top." His neighbors honored him with every office he ever sought. He was a magistrate for years, and he held every office in the State militia from a captaincy to a major-generalshiiD. In my childish eyes there was no grander sight than my father mounted on his parade horse "Dinah,'' dressed in his brigadiergeneral's uniform, drilling his men. I do not remember when he was not a legislator. I do remember when he ceased to be one ; when his high sense of Southern honor would not allow him to swallow the iron-clad oath of office, for truly he had " aided and abetted the rebellion " with all his strength and resources.

his father's health failed he went home and took charge of the farm without a murmur. As long as he lived people sent for him far and near in sickness. He was a noted nurse, with splendid judgment and untiring vigilance.

He was a strong advocate of States' rights, hencewhen the State seceded he signed the secession ordinance, and never faltered once from his allegiance to this constitutional right. The signers of the secession ordinance from Spartanburg district were J. G. Landrum, a devout Baptist preacher of wonderful ability ; James H. Carlisle, the great educator and devout Christian ; Barham Bobo Foster, equally devout in his Christianity and fidelity to State ; Dr. B. F. Kilgore, famous for his love of his State and of his people and of his God ; Simpson Bobo, whose name still lives as a great leader of Methodism in Piedmont Carolina ; Rev. Wm. Curtis, a leading female educator of the South ; these were the sigfuers, and their names have been enrolled for all time to come as men who were faithful in all things, who were discreet, wise, just and honorable.

As spon as South Carolina seceded he at once raised and drilled a company. Shortly afterwards he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Third South Carolina Volunteers, went to Virginia and stayed until his health failed. He was sent home a constitutional wreck the winter of 1861 and 1862, but he did everything in his power for the soldiers and their families. When, in the fortunes of war, his sons both fell he bore it with proud agony. First his baby boy, Anthony, fell at Maryland Heights, and then the eldest, his pride and joy, fell in the leaden hail of Fredericksburg ; and later, when the fortunes of war took his slaves and his home, he went with fire in his eye and a firm step and toiled in a new sphere for his loved ones. His energy was wonderful.

In his boyhood he sought and found his Savior during a meeting at Cedar Spring, I think, conducted by Rev. J. G. Landrum. Many years after he joined the Cedar Spring Baptist Church, his mother's church, and was baptized by Rev. Richard Woodruff, "Uncle Dickey." Afterwards he moved his membership to the Philadelphia church near his home. He was a very zealous, liberal member of that church until he moved to Union county, when he joined Sulphur Springs church. He moved to Jonesville and was instrumental in building the Baptist church at that place. He was one of its first deacons, and devoted to the church. When he went to Union to live with his daughter, Mrs. I. G. McKissick, he joined that cluirch. He was always sent to every association and union meeting.

Two years before his death he 4iad a stroke of paralysis. In June, 1897, Colonel Foster suffered with another stroke of paralysis at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Kennedy, while he was on a visit there. Everything, of course, was done for him, but on the ninth of June, just one year from the time that his son-inlaw. Colonel I. G. McKissick, had died, he passed away. The next day he was buried at the old Forest graveyard, noted in the history of Union county as containing the remains of Kennedys, Gists, Brandons, Thomsons, Fosters, Notts, Clowneys, Moores, Means, and others of the old families of that section of the State. Rev. A. A. James, himself a gallant Confederate soldier, conducted the funeral ceremonies. It was a pathetic scene that forced itself upon those who were present in the twilight of the summer's evening. There were gathered around the bier of the old soldier relatives and friends, old slaves and those who were strangers. In the midst of the tall old oaks that formed an amphitheater the funeral party listened with awe and admiration to the beautiful tribute paid Colonel Foster by his old friend and neighbor. One sentence uttered by Mr. James is treasured by the descendants of Colonel Foster. Speaking of his worthy qualities, of his unfaltering faith in the cause for which he fought, of his Christian bearing, of his wonderful resignation in the face of trying ordeals, the preacher said : " The descendants of this grand old man ought to catch the inspiration of this moment. His greatest loyalty to the South and his faith in the hereafter was that he never murmured, but bore with marvelous fortitude the terrible blow that came to him when his two children gave up their lives for the cause for which he had fought and lost everything but honor. No greater page of honor did he ever wish or crave than that it should be known that he was a Confederate soldier, and that he gave his all to save his State." In the quiet of this country graveyard, undisturbed even by the music of a church or the voice of a preacher^ save when the funeral rites are being said, Colonel Foster sleeps his last sleep by the side of his wife. Near by is the grave of Major Benjamin Kennedy, his son-in-law ^ who preceded him to this churchyard two years before.

I love to think of my father best ministering to the sick and helping his poor neighbors. Mother used to say : ' ' Your father will certainly be delivered in time of trouble, for the Bible says ' Blessed is he that considereth the poor, the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble."* Dear, brave old father! He could not be a blank. I believe he would have preferred to be a blot, so averse was he to sloth.

Colonel Foster was survived by three daughters. The eldest was Mrs. I. G. McKissick, the next Mrs. Benjamin Kennedy, and the youngest Mrs. James Andrew Thomson.

Foster and Mary Ann Perrin, was born at his grandfather Foster's in the old " brick honse " near Spartanburg Court-house, November 4th, 1837. He was prepared to enter the sophomore class of South Carolina. College by Rev. C. S. Beard and Captain A. F. Edwards- Captain Edwards taught the Spartanburg Male Academy for a number of years. Perrin boarded at Simpson Bobo's and attended school. While in this school he attended a meeting conducted by Rev. Daniel Baker and was converted under a sermon preached from the text : " What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul."

He joined the Philadelphia Baptist Church and was baptized by Rev. M. C. Barnett. He was prominent in church work and taught a Bible class of eighteen young men, all of whom volunteered, and I think only six survived the war.

He took a firm stand in college, remaining there during the students' rebellion when so many were expelled. After his graduation in 1857 he taught a year at the New Prospect Academy, in Spartanburg county, where he made many friends. He studied law under Bobo»

Edwards & Carlisle, and was ready to be admitted to the bar when the war commenced. With characteristic energy and decision, he dropped every interest and volunteered at once. He was elected lieutenant in Captain Benjamin Kennedy's company, went to Columbia to camp of instruction, and thence to Virginia. At the reorganization he volunteered for the war, and at the death of Captain Landford was made captain of Co. K, Third Regiment, S. C. V. He made a brave, faithful and popular officer. Once in 1862 he came home on furlough with a terrible abscess on his right elbow. During his stay his only brother was killed, and though suffering with his arm he immediately returned to his command. Just three months later he fell while leading a charge at Fredericksburg. There never lived a truer man, and a braver never died for freedom. Everybody loved him. Mothers would exhort their sons to emulate his virtues. The mother of one of our most faithful pastors told him she wanted him to take Perrin Foster as his model.

Ah, it is worth while to have lived as he lived, and to have died and gone from honor to glory. His remains were brought home and interred in the family buryingground, where they rest unmarked by marble or stone, neglected for want of a few paltry dollars.

His funeral sermon, together with that of his soldier brother, " Toney " Foster, was preached by Rev. J. G. Eandrum from the text, " I have fought a good fight and have kept the faith ; from henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of life." Loving hands bore him to rest, and many tearful eyes wept for the neighbor and friend whom they loved to honor.

Colonel Foster's youngest son, James Anthony Foster, as already stated, was the other sacrifice offered from this family on the altar of the Lost Cause. He had scarcely reached the age required for admission into the army when he vohinteered as a private in Capt. J. W. Carlisle's company, in the 13th Regiment, S. C. V. Later, through the efforts of his brother, Captain L. P. Foster, he was transferred to his company in the 3d Regiment, S. C. V. In the terrific battle at Maryland Heights on September 13th, 1862, this young hero fell on the front of the firing line. His remains were buried on the field, and afterwards they were transferred to Hollywood cemetery in Richmond.

It was related of him by a fellow soldier, John Hyatt, of Union county. South Carolina, that just as they were going into battle he saw Toney Foster divide his last hardtack cracker with a comrade. The next moment the charge was ordered, and the young boy offered -up willingly his life for the cause of the South.

There was something fatal about the number 13 in this family. Perrin Foster was killed on the 13th of December at Fredericksburg, and Toney Foster was killed on the 13th of September at Maryland Heights.

The South was then engaged in fighting against fate and a losing struggle, and the death of Anthony Foster is another illustration of the fact that the South was robbing its very cradle for defenders.

Hon. Gabriel Cannon

This distinguished son of the " Old Iron District " was born August 25th, 1S06, near the present site of Clifton No. 2, Spartanburg county. He was a son of John Cannon. His mother was a Miss Moore. He was a grandson of Ellis Cannon, who, in the early settlement of Spartanburg district, came from Virginia to South Carolina.

Spring - a classical school where he studied Latin, Algebra, Geometry, etc. At that time this school was probably the best in Spartanburg district.

After completing his education, which was about 1826 or 1827, he began, business at the old Cowpens Furnace Iron Foundry either as an office clerk or a business manager of some kind. His principal employers were William Clark, for whom he named a son, and Wilson Nesbitt, who was for a time a representative in Congress.

After remaining at the Cowpens Furnace for a few years he engaged successfully in the mercantile business at New Prospect, S. C. Later he, with Joseph Finger, began the business of cotton and grist-milling and merchandizing at Fingerville, S. C, and carried on a successful business until interrupted by the civil war. After the war Colonel Cannon disposed of his interest at Fingerville and removed to Spartanburg, where he remained until his death, which occurred December 21, 1893.

From 1842 to 1846, and from 1866 to 1870 Colonel Cannon was a representative from Spartanburg in the House of Representatives. From 1846 to 1862, and from 1876 to 1880 he represented the same county in the State Senate. During the administration of Governor R. F. W. Alston, he was the lieutenant-governor of

He derived his title " colonel " from the fact that he was promoted from the captaincy of a cavalry company on Sonth Pacolet to a colonelcy of a cavalry regiment some )ears before the ontbreak of the civil war.

Colonel Cannon was a man who was popnlar and commanded great influence among the people of his native county, being a man of excellent judgment in all matters pertaining to the public interest. He was a trusted leader and true to his constituents, and always standing squarely up to their rights in the legislative halls.

He was the first president of the National Bank of Spartanburg, and was among the first directors of the Asheville and Spartanburg Railroad. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and all through his life was strictly temperate, and a man of unimpeachable moral character.

Colonel Cannon married first Miss Nancy Collins, daughter of Joseph Collins (see Collins family), by which marriage he had four sons: William Clarke Cannon, merchant at Spartanburg ; Ellis Butler Cannon, now deceased ; Albert Cannon, a progressive farmer on Broad River, in Henderson county, N. C; and Lewis Cass Cannon, of Spartanburg, S. C.

John Fielder

was born in Virginia between Lynchburg and the Natural Bridge, on May nth, 1780, and died in Laurens county, S. C, April nth, 1889, ^S^'^ o'^^ hundred and nine years lacking one month.

His father dying when he was qnite young, his mother removed to South Carolina and settled below Ott's Shoals on Tyger River, where she married a Lanham. Yonng John was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, and found employment amongst the surrounding farmers, working for six dollars per month and board- Amongst his employers was a Mr. Means, living near Switzer's Station, who treated him kindly, and paid him

In course of time he bought some land, and married Miss Mary Miller, with whom he settled his future homestead three miles northwest of the town of Moore, where he lived happily many years and acquired a handsome property. By this marriage he raised a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters. Shortly after his marriage he enlisted as a soldier and served during the war of 1812 in Captain Dawkins's company, for whom he named his oldest child, who was born during the war.

His first wife dying in 1844 he married a second time a Mrs. Charlotte Fulton of Laurens county, wuth whom he lived happily several years upon her place near Musgrove's Mills.

This second wife dying he married a third wife, a Miss Mary Anderson of Laurens county, who proved a helpmeet indeed, caring tenderly for him in his old age.

There were no children by the second and third marriages. He, with his first and third wives, lies buried in Nazareth cemetery, where also rest the remains of all his sons.

Of his four sons all died in early manhood unmarried except Thomas F. James was a farmer, Newton a physician, and William a student. Thomas F. married Miss Nancy Anderson, a daughter of Enoree James Anderson, who died in 1865, leaving no children. He settled adjoining his father's homestead. In 1866 he married a second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Byrd, me Craig, of Laurens county, by whom he had an only son, John P., who married Miss Hetty Lake of Newberry, S. C, in 1895, and has two children, viz. : Thomas Franklin and Wilton Ward, and resides at IMcore, being engaged in railroad, cotton business and farming operations.

Thomas F., son of John, like his father, was a soldier. He served the Southern Confederacy in Co. A, Holcombe Legion, and was captured with his entire regiment on April ist, 1865, and confined in Point Lookout prison till the war ended a few weeks afterwards. He was a good soldier, a fine citizen, perfectly honest and upright in all his dealings, energetic in business, and faithful to his friends and country. He was born in 1830 and died in 1888. Of the five daughters of John Fielder, the eldest, Elizabeth Dawkins, married J. M. Nesbitt, both of whom lived and died at Nesbitt's mills on Tyger River. She left three sons and four daughters. The sons were Wm. A. (see sketch), S. Newton, and Thomas M., the latter two living near and owning the mills on Tyger River. S. Newton married Miss Iris Jackson and has three children, John, Annie and Carrie. Thomas M. married Miss Nannie Parks and has four children, Peal, Alfred, Louisa and William.

S. E. Mason (see sketch), both now deceased. Addie, second daughter, married Amos Shands; they have two children, Lula and Jesse; Annie, third daughter, married Captain John W. Wofford (see sketch). Louise, fourth daughter, married Wm. Rogers; they have four daughters, Lizzie, May, Lillian and Lucia.

Caroline, the second daughter of John Fielder, married a Wofford and moved to Mississippi, where his descendants are numerous. Elvira, the third daughter, married A. Carouth Jackson, and had four sons and two daughters: John A., Storeville, vS. C, unmarried; Manilla M., married James M. Reed, Abbeville; S. C, has one daughter, Lucia (Mrs. Rev. W. C. Ewart).

Thomas C, merchant, Iva, S. C, married Miss Leila Bsaty ; has two children, Louis F., and Thomas C, Jr. Alice F. (now deceased), married J. H. Brooks, leaving one child, Alice Jackson. Samuel O., married first Miss Aseneth Clinkscales (who died leaving six children), and second to Miss Sallie Reid, by whom he has six children ; and James L., fourth son and youngest child, married Miss Rosa INIadge and has six children. The fourth daughter, Mary Ann, married Wm. Parks, and moved to Mississippi, and has no children. The fifth daughter, Addie, married Robert W. West of Greenville county, S. C, but they lived near the Fielder home, stead, where the widow still lives, Mr. West dying suddenly a few years since. She has only two children living, viz. : Lula, married to J. Laurence Berry, residing near her mother, and has three children, viz. : Fielder, Mary and Robert W. ; and second one son, William J., unmarried.

John Fielder was a remarkable man, especially so in his longevity and the many difficulties he encountered in life, all of which he overcame. Commencing poor and friendless, and without education, nothing but in- herent abilities enabled him to overcome. He laid foundations wide and broad and deep for his children, and thongli denied early advantages, as his means increased he gave his children fair edncation, which was denied him. His descendants to-day are amongst the honored of the conntry.

He joined the church, Nazareth Presbyterian, in middle life, became one of its first board of deacons, and continued till his removal to Laurens, S. C. A few years before death he connected himself again with Nazareth, saying that he desired to die a member of the church in which he had spent most of his life. He was one of the mainstays of the celebrated Poplar Springs School. He was a true man in all the relations of life, and did much for his country, church, family and friends.

John Conrad Zimmerman 1802-1875

The subject of this sketch was born in St. ]\Iatthew's parish, Orangeburg county, September 26th, 1802. His ancestors emigrated from Germany in the early part of the eighteenth century, and were among the early pioneers of Orangeburg, who rendered material service in. building up and settling that county.

In 1825 ^^^' Zimmerman was married to Miss Selina Wannamaker of Orangeburg, a granddaughter of Lieutenant Jacob Wannamaker of the continental army - a name prominent in the history of Orangeburg. Five childfen survive this union.

In 1830 Mr. Zimmerman, at the earnest solicitation of a relative who had come to Spartanburg in quest of health, was induced to sell his estate in St. IMatthew's and remove to the up-country. He purchased a farm on the Fair Forest, a few miles from Glenn's Springs, and devoted his time to planting with such success, that he was enabled every few years to add a tract of land to his

In 1845, having become sole proprietor of Glenn's Springs, Mr. Zimmerman devoted much of his time to improving the property, which in his hands became what it has continued to be, the most popular and frequented watering-place in the State, perhaps in the

In 1856 Mr. Zimmerman associated himself with Mr. John Bomar and Mr. D. E. Converse in the purchase of what was then known as the Bivingsville factory. This factory was most successfully managed by Mr. Converse, and during the four years of the civil war the company distributed to the poor of the county thousands of dollars' worth of yarn and cloth. Immediately after the cessation of hostilities the erection of a new and larger mill was commenced, and under the name of Glendale the old Bivingsville factory became the pioneer and mother of all the large and flourishing cotton factories which are the pride and boast of Spartanburg.

In disposition Mr. Zimmerman was frank, genial and generous, ever ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy, and most gentle and considerate in his intercourse with all men. His modesty, his gentleness, his unvarying courtesy, his kindness of heart and word, made him not only respected, but, perhaps, the best loved man in his county. He was a gentleman of unbounded hospitality, the door of his elegant mansion was ever open, and he delighted to have his friends around him.