Wordless Wednesday~The H. L. Hunley Crew, CSN

Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina

Wordless Wednesday~A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

And the weather is terrific

Wordless Wednesday~Thomas E. Lucas Home

Friday’s Faces from the Past~Do You Know Her?

While I think I know the name of this lady; I’m requesting help from you, my readers, to positively identify her.

The source of this picture was not quite sure but believed it to be his Grand Mother or Great Grand Mother. They also stated that they had seen an identical copy of this portrait in a home on Zoar Church Road near the Brock Mill Road intersection. It is believe that the home referred to was the home of  a Summerford family.


If you have any information please contact me. You can leave comment on this blog post or look for the envelope on right side of this blog and send me a private e-mail.

Military Monday ~ WW I ~ Fallen Heros

Following the aftermath of the Civil War; the United States began a period a peace and tranquility among its friend and foe. This resulted in one of the longest warfare free period (1865-1917) for our nation.

Yes, I know, we have the little spat with Spain called the Spanish-American War (April 25 – August 25, 1898) (3 months, 2 weeks and 4 days)[1]; but, from a societal impact point of view it had little impact on our day to day life and activities.

So from May of 1865 until 6 April 1917 (52 years) we lived our lives without the thought of war; without the loss of our loves ones and pretty much in peaceful coexistence with other nations.

On 6 April 1917, this peaceful state was shattered with the United States declaring War on Germany. Six weeks later the Selective Service Act (18 May 1917) was passed by Congress and the first registration took place on 5 June 1917.

All total there were 3 registrations;[2]

1st Registration: Men age 21 –31 years of age

2nd Registration: Men who had turned 21 since last registration

3rd Registration: Men age 18-21 and men ages 31-45

The declaration of war on Germany was to have a major impact on every American family. All able-bodied men of the household were subject to being sent off to War with little notification. America and its families were in an upheaval.

War causalities records for injured soldiers and those who were killed or died on the battlefield are not as readily available and they are for World War II and all current military engagement.

Chesterfield County, South Carolina sent its young men off to War and at least 9 of them gave the ultimate sacrifice – their lives.

KILLED in ACTION: KIA

1st Lieutenant Daniel O. Spencer – Oct. 21, 1918

Buried at: Plot B Row 33 Grave 19
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery [3]
Romagne, France

1st Lieutenant William A. Mulloy – Brancourt, France – 8 Oct. 1918

Buried at: Plot B Row 10 Grave 2
Somme American Cemetery [4]
Bony, France

Corporal Hubert P. Terrell – Vaux Andigny, France – 12 Oct 1918

Old Saint Davids Episcopal Church Cemetery [5]
Cheraw
Chesterfield County
South Carolina, USA

Corporal Thomas J. Bundy – Brancourt, France – 8 Oct. 1918

Old Saint Davids Episcopal Church Cemetery [6]
Cheraw
Chesterfield County
South Carolina, USA

Private Colon L. Williams - September 25, 1918

Buried at: Plot D Row 22 Grave 15
Somme American Cemetery [7]
Bony, France

Sgt. Lenson C. Graves - Brancourt, France – 8 Oct. 1918

Buried at: Plot A Row 14 Grave 5
Somme American Cemetery [8]
Bony, France

Died from Other causes

Seaman Walter P. McIntosh – Naval Hospital, Charleston – 22 Sept. 1918

Old Saint Davids Episcopal Church Cemetery [9][2]
Cheraw
Chesterfield County
South Carolina, USA

Private Walter Pegues – Died of Disease – I October 1918

Buried at: Plot A Row 35 Grave 30
Oise-Aisne American Cemetery [10]
Fere-en-Tardenois, France

Corporal Fred O. Gaskins – 16 October 1918

Buried at: Plot C Row 8 Grave 4
Somme American Cemetery [11]
Bony, France

Nine young men, leaving their families behind, off to a war in a foreign land never more to see their love ones.

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) website is an awesome site if you lost one of you family members during WWI, WWII or the Korean War. Just click on the blue  embedded hyperlink to be taken to the state page to begin your search.

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish%E2%80%93American_War
[2] http://search.ancestry.com/search/DB.aspx?dbid=6482
[3] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[4] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[5] Find A Grave Memorial# 53213887
[6] Find A Grave Memorial# 53103870
[7] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[8] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[9] Find A Grave Memorial# 53341175
[10] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[11] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php

Chesterfield, SC – Home of Succession

Headlines from the Cheraw Correspondent for “The Charleston Mercury,” November 23, 1860, front page, clearly shows that Chesterfield County held the first secession meeting on Thursday, November 15^th, 1860.

The has been an item of interest because Abbeville, South Carolina has claimed the “First in Secession” title based on a succession meeting held there on November 22, 1860.[1] This newspaper article clearly shows that Chesterfield held their secession meeting 7 days prior to the secession meeting in Abbeville, South Carolina.

Our Cheraw Correspondents

Cheraw, November 19

The State of Public Feeling in Chesterfield, etc.

“Knowing the deep solicitude you and many of your readers feel in the movements of the people of the State at this momentous period, I hasten to inform you and them of the events in Chesterfield in the last few days.
Last Thursday was parade day for the upper battalion. There was quite a large turnout. After the parade, the people were addressed by the Hon. J. W. BLAKENEY, our Senator and by our Representatives Colonels MACFARLAN and PRINCE, and also by Col. S. JACKSON. At the close of Col. JACKSON’S speech he submitted the question of submission, or of resistance by immediate Secession, to a vote of the battalion; upon requesting all in favor of the latter to advance four paces, the whole battalion advanced four paces, leaving not a solitary man for submission. The course of our Senator and Representatives was unanimously and most enthusiastically endorsed.
Saturday last was parade day for the lower battalion. I had the pleasure of being present. The same speakers with Major A. McQUEEN and F. M. McIVER, Esq., addressed the people. The speeches were received with enthusiastic applause. After the speaking the military and spectators were requested, if they approved of the action of the Legislature in calling a Convention, to make their approbation known by advancing four paces to the front; a unanimous forward movement was the response. Immediate separate secession, and a Southern Confederacy were vociferously demanded.
At both the upper and lower battalion the lone star flag graced the fields.
I this evening returned from our Court House, where one of the largest meetings ever assembled in the District was held today. The object of the meeting was to nominate candidates for delegates to the convention. The meeting was organized by the appointment of Hon. J. W. BLAKENEY Chairman, a committee of twenty-four, three from each beat, were appointed to nominate a ticket, the Committee retired, and after due deliberation returned, having unanimously agreed upon a ticket, and reported the following ticket:

Hon. John A. Inglis,

Col. Stephen Jackson,

Henry McIver, Esq.

During the absence of the committee, the meeting was most ably addressed by Cols. PRINCE and MACFARLAN. At the conclusion of Col. MACFARLAN’S remarks, the committee made their report, whereupon the nominees were severally called out in the following order: COL. JACKSON, H. McIVER and Chancellor INGLIS. All the nominees, in the most emphatic language, declared themselves in favor of immediate separated secession. The whole question was fully discussed in a clear and forcible manner, and with a clear and forcible manner, and with a fervency and eloquence that could only have been inspired by a due sense of its vast importance. At the conclusion of the speeches of the nominees, the nomination was submitted to a vote of the meeting, and it was unanimously concurred in. The Honorable J. W. BLAKENEY, Col. A. M. LOWERY, and Gen. E. B.C. CASH were then called upon to address the meeting. Their remarks, though brief, were to the appoint. They fully endorsed the action of the Legislature in calling a Convention, believing the immediate separate secession was the only remedy, and that nothing short of that could save the honor, and protect the rights and interests of the State.
The meeting was not only one of the largest and most enthusiastic, but also one of the most harmonious ever held in the District. The people, including beardless youths and gray-headed grandfathers, were eager and interested listeners from an early hour in the day till a late hour in the evening; and for the first time in my recollection a goodly number of the fair sex graced, with their interesting presence and encouraging smiles, a political meeting in Chesterfield District.
The ticket nominated will certainly be elected without opposition. For talent, integrity and firmness of purpose it will not be surpassed by that of any other District. Our delegates will represent a District that is a unit in opposition to Black Republican domination and in favor of immediate State secession. Indeed we have but one party in the District.
Ex-Senator CHESNUT and Mr. MULLINS of Marion, among others, were invited to attend and address the meeting, and our people were greatly disappointed that neither attended.
A neatly gotten up flag of medium size, having on it a Palmetto tree with a rattlesnake coiled around it, with its rattles sprung and in the attitude of striking, a lone star in one corner, and the inscription, "Immediate State Action," floated over the public square. After the adjournment of the meeting the whole concourse of ladies and gentlemen assembled under it, and saluted it with three deafening cheers.
Altogether it was one of old Chesterfield’s most glorious days. Her citizens a unit in their stern resolve to resist to the death the domination of Black Republican fanaticism -- to die free rather than to live slaves."
[The Charleston Mercury, Nov. 23, 1860, Front page, Column 3].[2]

In this newspaper article, we find that two meetings were held; one on Thursday (15th) by the Upper Battalion and another meeting on Saturday (17th) by the Lower Battalion. 

Secession Rock, Chesterfield Court House, SC

The stone reads “First Succession Meeting – Chesterfield Courthouse -- November 19, 1860.”
On the back of this stone is written “Dedicated by U.D.C’s of Chesterfield County to the Brave Men, Devoted Women and Faithful Slaves ’61 – ’65.”

In Summary:
“The Charleston Mercury” published on Friday, November 23, 1860 states that the Secession vote was taken LAST THURSAY.
The unnamed reporter wrote his byline, after the meeting, datelined - Cheraw, November 19, The State of Public Feeling in Chesterfield, etc…
“In the second paragraph the reporter states: “Last Thursday… There was quite a large turnout. After the parade, the people were addressed by the Hon. J. W. BLAKENEY, our Senator and by our Representatives Colonels MACFARLAN and PRINCE, and also by Col. S. JACKSON. At the close of Col. JACKSON’S speech he submitted the question of submission, or of resistance by immediate Secession, to a vote of the battalion; … The course of our Senator and Representatives was unanimously and most enthusiastically endorsed.
The 19th of November 1860 was a Monday, a week prior to publication of “The Charleston Mercury” on 23 November 1860, the following Friday. The Thursday prior to Monday the 19th of November would put the date of the Parade and Meeting as taking place on November 15, 1860.
 

  

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbeville,_South_Carolina
[2] “The State of Public Feeling in Chesterfield, etc.”, The Charleston Mercury, Charleston, South Carolina, November 23, 1860, Front Page, Column 3.
[3] Note: I have a copy of the entire newspaper article and the above transcription is an accurate transcription of that article.

Amanuensis Monday - Will of Hardy Sellers, Sr.

Amanuensis Monday is a Web Blog theme started by blogger John Newmark. You can access his blog here.

 

A full explanation of the Amanuensis Monday blog theme can be found here.

Today's subject is the WILL of Hardy Sellers, Sr., born March 2, 1757, Johnson County, North Carolina and died January 17, 1835 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Hardy Sellers, Sr. was twice married. His first wife was Mary COOK daughter of Abram Cook and Feebe MASTIN. His second wife, whom he married about 1827 was Lavina GULLEDGE, daughter of Rev. Joel Gulledge.

Hardy Sellers and Mary Cook are my 5th Great Grandparents (Maternal lineage).

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The State of South Carolina}  

Chesterfield District}

I Hardy Sellers, Sr. of said State and District, do make ordained and constitute this my Last Will and Testament.

1^st - My son John Sellers who sometime since moved to the West has received from me one track a land on Thompson’s Creek worth six hundred dollars, [ $600] one Negro man names Ned worth five hundred dollars [$500] and sixty [$60] dollars in money which I gave him as a full share of my estate, both real and personal.

2^nd - My son Abraham Sellers I had previously given one Negro man named Jacob, worth five hundred dollars [ $500] besides sundry other articles I have not named , it is my will and I give him two other Negros viz Louis a boy and Penelope a girl to be his full share of my estate both real and personal.

3^rd - My son Philip Sellers has received from the one track of land on Thompson’s Creek worth six hundred dollars [$600], one Negro woman worth four hundred dollars [$400] I also give him three five hundred dollars [$300] to be a full share of my estate both real and personal.

4^th – My son Richard Sellers who lives in a Western country has received from me one wagon worth one hundred dollars [$100] and one hundred dollars [$100] in money, one Negro woman named Rhoda worth six hundred dollars [$600], and I give to his lawful begotten children three hundred dollars [$300] to be equally divided between them as they arrive to the age of twenty-one [21] years to be received as herein after directed to be his full share of my estate both real and personal.

5^th - My daughter Mary Gaddy has received from me two Negros some money and so forth to the amount of her share of my estate both real and personal for which her husband Thomas Gaddy has given me a receipt to that it effect.

6^th - To the three children on my deceased daughter Phoebe Gulledge viz: Elisha Gulledge, James Gulledge, Phoebe Gulledge, I give to each three hundred dollars [$300] to bear interest from my death until they arrived to twenty-one [21] years of age which sum is to be a full share of my estate both real and personal to the three last children named.

7^th – To the son of my deceased daughter Jane Briley, Iverson L. Briley I give three hundred dollars [$300] to bear interest from my death until he arrives to the age of 21 years which is to be false is full share of my estate both real and personal.

8^th - It is my will that my Executors sell my two tracts of land on Cruises Branch and one on Black Creek and such other of my property as are not disposed of such a stock, crops, household and kitchen furniture and etc to the amount of the legacies given and to be sold at their discretion in all legacies debts and expenses being provided for by my Executors then the balance of my estate not disposed of I given dispose of in the following manner. It is my will that the tract of land on which I live be divided in the following manner, that is to say, be equally divided between my beloved wife Lavina and my son Hardy Huntley Sellers and my daughter Zilpha Ann Sellers, my wife to have that part whereon the dwelling house and other out houses now stand and one third of the balance of my estate not given away I loan to my wife Lavina during her natural life time or widowhood except the land before mentioned to be for her use and benefit until my son Hardy H. do arrive to the age of twenty [20] years (should she remain my widow so long) at which time my son is to take possession of the said land and at the marriage or death of my said wife the whole of my estate not before given to my first set of children and grandchildren to be equally divided between my son Hardy H. and daughter Zilpha A. Sellers, my son as before stated to have that part whereon the dwellings now stand. And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my father-in-law Elder Joel Gulledge and my friends John Evans and Turner Bryan Brian Executors of this my Last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four [1834] and in the 59th year of the American Independence.

Signed Sealed and Published}

and declared in the presence}

of the testator and in the presence}             Hardy Sellers, Sr. {seal}[1]
of us who have subscribed }

our names as witnesses hereto}

Neill Smith

William X(his mark) Hancock

Andrew J. Hancock

Recorded in Book #8 pages 28, 29, 30; January 26th 1835 then qualified John Evans Executor to this Will, T. Bryan, Ordy. 

[SOURCE: "Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865 & Abstracts from the Court of Common Pleas 1823-1869, James C. Pigg, January 2000, Page 107 & 108].

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[1] James C. Pigg, Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865 &: Abstracts from the Court of Common Pleas 1823-1869 (Washington, D.C.: self-Published, 1995), pages 107 & 108.

Sunday's Obituary–Col. Stephen Jackson

The following Obituary is provided courtesy of Janie J. Kimble, Elizabeth R. Goins and May MacCallum. My sincere thanks to them for their research of the Jackson surname and for giving their permission for the use of Col . Stephen Jackson photo and Obituary on this blog.

Hon. Stephen Jackson

Died at Chesterfield Court House, at an early hour on the morning of the 16th of November, Hon. Stephen Jackson.  Although for several months his family and intimate friends had been admonished that the powers of his vigorous constitution were declining, yet the illness which terminated his life was sudden and of short duration.  He was confined to his room only a few days.  Although he would never admit that he was seriously ill, his friends and physicians were alarmed at the very commencement of the attack.  He was in Charleston during the festivities of the Gala week, and exposed himself a good deal.  He contracted a violent and deep seated cold, which, accompanied by a high grade of catarrhal fever, racked his whole system to a degree that was too much for one who glanced at the clergy... [illegible]
Although he lacked but three months of being eighty years of age, he was very erect, and moved with the firmness and agility of a man of thirty.  He was fond of out door sports, and, as he remarked but a few weeks before his death, could ride after a pack of hounds as long as a fox could run before them.
The deceased was the son of Henry Jackson, and a grandson of Stephen Jackson of Revolutionary fame, who moved from Virginia to South Carolina before the Revolution of 1776.  His mother, who was a sister of the late General J. W. Blakney, lived to the age of ninety-four, and was able to ride about the neighborhood on horse-back till within a few months of her death.
Col. Jackson was in many respects a remarkable man.  Besides his powerful physical conformation, he was endowed by nature with more than ordinary intellectual powers, which, though added to some extent in development, were never subjected to the influence of liberal educational privileges- except so far as he supplied them himself.   He had a quick and active mind, was a close observer of men and measures: and with just and discriminating powers, he generally arrived at correct conclusions and always stuck to them with a tenacity that smacked of Roman firmness.  He was thoroughly honorable and high toned, full of public spirit, loved his country and State and was ever ready by word and deed to promote the public weal. Col. Jackson during his long life had the entire confidence of the people.
He never sought popularity, yet he was always popular; firmness of purpose, promptness and energy of execution and independence of the vague and fluctuating opinions of others, after he had once deliberately formed his own, were among his predominate characteristics.  To these valuable traits, fitted rather to secure the suffrages of the understanding rather to win the sympathies of the heart, he added the warm and generous affections which delighted in the intimacy of personal friendship, and which found solace and joy amid the endearments of home.  He dearly loved his family, and was under all circumstances true to his friends.  Col. Jackson had filled all the highest and most important offices of trust and profit in the county of Chesterfield.  He was Sheriff, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, represented the County several times in the Legislature; and was with Judge Inglis and Judge McIver, a signer of the ordinance of Secession.
ONE WHO KNEW HIM WELL
[Obituary published in "The Cheraw Reporter" 22 November 1887.]




Col. Stephen Jackson was a very prominent and influential man in Chesterfield County pre and post Civil War. He served in many capacities:

• Large Planter, landholder
• Served several times in State Legislature
• Sheriff of the County
• Leader in County Secession Movement in 1860
• Delegate to Secession meeting in Columbia, SC,
• Signer of the Ordinance of Secession
• Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners

Obituary contributed by Albert Jackson and Elizabeth R. Goins
Picture contributed by Elizabeth R. Goins
Transcribed by Janie J. Kimble
___________________________
[1]  http://www.jacksonfamilygenealogy.com/pages/obitColStephenJackson.htm

[2] http://www.jacksonfamilygenealogy.com/#TOC

[3] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Stephen Jackson; (12 February 1808–16 November 1887); Memorial # 22539853; Record of the Elizabeth Baptist Church Cemetery; Mount Croghan, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA; Accessed on 12 January 2013.

Tombstone Tuesday–British Soldiers Buried in Cheraw, SC

Old Saint David’s Episcopal Church Cemetery

This is the last Anglican or "State" church built (c.1770) in South Carolina under King George III. This historic church was used by the Americans and the British during the American Revolution and later by both the Confederate and Union armies. There are soldiers from almost every American War buried in the cemetery.

Francis Asbury (1745-1816) pioneer bishop of American Methodism came to Cheraw in 1785, on his first visit to South Carolina.[1]

The first Confederate monument ever built is located in the cemetery, erected (c.1867) in memory of those who had fallen in the Civil War. The original inscription did not mention Confederate soldiers directly because Union forces still occupied the area.

Also in the cemetery are the graves of Alexander Gregg and famous steamboat commander Moses Rogers. The steeple and vestibule were added to the church in 1826.[2]

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Inscription:
Grave of [unknown] British Soldier who died during the Revolutionary War when using St. David's Church as a hospital in the summer of 1780. This is a mass grave; containing at least four soldiers.
Colonel Campbell, Commander of the 71st Regiment is also buried here.

Note: This could not be Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell who started with the 71st because he was sent back to Scotland in the winter 1778-79. It could be Captain Charles Campbell who died in the Battle of Fishing Creek August 17, 1780.[3]

The soldiers who perish more than 230 years ago were memorialized last year in a special ceremony on November 13, 2011 at the Old St. David’s Episcopal Church, Cheraw, South Carolina. Attempts to identify the soldiers who died at St. David’s in the summer of 1780 were unsuccessful. Searches were made in the British Public Records Office and in USA Archives.

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[1]  http://www.scaet.org/markers/display.cfm?id=1363 - South Carolina Historical Marker 13-11
[2] http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/products/3436.aspx
[3] Find A Grave Memorial #45292017 – Grave Photo and “NOTE” info and transcription courtesy of Julious Burr

Tuesday Tombstone–Sarah C. Davis and Charlie Reese Pitts

 


Charlie Reese Pitts was born on 18 Nov 1860 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.¹ He appeared in the census from 1900 to 1930 in Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^2 3 4 5 Charlie died on 7 Oct 1939 at the age of 78 and was buried in Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^6 7 8

Charlie Reese Pitts and Sarah Caroline "Sally" Davis were married in 1882 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.⁹ Sarah Caroline "Sally" Davis, daughter of Thomas P. Davis and Nancy Jane Massey, was born on 10 Nov 1862 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ^{10 11 12 13 14 15} She died on 27 Jun 1950 at the age of 87  and was buried in Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Charlie Reese Pitts and Sarah Caroline Davis had 9 children with 7 surviving:

i. Florence Pitts was born in Feb 1886 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ^{16 17 18 19}
ii. Roxie Mae Pitts was born on 11 Oct 1891 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ²⁰
iii. Emma Pitts was born on 11 Sep 1894 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ^{21 22 23 24}
iv. Cornelia Pitts was born on 10 Jan 1897 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ^{25 26 27}
v. Pearl Pitts, born 16 Dec 1899, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Ernest Covington Sellers.
vi. Della Pitts was born about 1903 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ^{28 29 30}
vii. Sarah Creola Pitts, born 15 Feb 1916, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Leon Maxwell Davis; died 12 May 1954, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
 






_____________________________________
Cemetery Survey, Source: Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey.
Chesterfield County, South Carolina. South Carolina. Chesterfield County. 1880 U. S. Census, population schedule. Digital image. Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com : 2000.
Find A Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
United States.  South Carolina. Chesterfield County. 1910 U. S. Census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com : 2012.
United States. South Carolina. Chesterfield County. 1900 U. S. Census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry.com. http://ancestry.com : 2012.
United States. South Carolina. Chesterfield County. 1920 U. S. Census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry.com. http://ancestry.com : 2012.
United States. South Carolina. Chesterfield County. 1930 U. S. Census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry.com. http://ancestry.com : .
United States. South Carolina. Chesterfield County. Chesterfield. 1870 U. S. Census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com : 2004.