USA > South Carolina > Marion County > A history of Marion county, South Carolina, from its earliest times to the present, 1901 > Part 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Genealogy of Nelson Snipes-He emigrated to North Caro- lina, and from him descended a numerous progeny ; they are in the old North State.
Genealogy of Thomas Snipes-He married Patty Brown, to whom were born four sons, David, Thomas, Joe and John, and four daughters, Emaline, Amelia, Mary and Caledonia.
529
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
David and Joe died without issue. Thomas married Miss Ma- tilda Stanly, to whom were born six sons and one daughter, Robert, William, Charles, Wade Hampton, Doctor and Barnes ; the daughter was named Rosa. Robert Snipes married Miss Minnie Stephens, to whom was born one child, Mattie. Wil- liam Snipes married Miss Lizzie Haselden, of Williamsburg County ; they have one child, Bessie Louisa. The other four boys are not married. The daughter, Rosa Snipes, married William Haselden, of Williamsburg County, to whom was born one child, Patsy. John Snipes, son of Thomas Snipes, married a Miss White, of this county ; they moved to McColl's Station, where they now reside. Emaline Snipes married Benjamin Ammons. Amelia Snipes married John Carter. Mary Snipes married a Mr. Brown. Caledonia Snipes mar- ried Hamilton Capps. This ends the genealogy of Thomas Snipes' family down to the present time. William Snipes, brother of Thomas, Jimmie, Daniel and Nelson, married Polly Venters, of Williamsburg County; have no issue. Daniel Snipes, brother of these, and the progenitor of the late Wilson Snipes, well known to the present generation, and the most prominent branch of the Snipes family of to-day, married Polly Marlow, to whom were born nine sons and one daughter; the sons were Wilson, Daniel, James, Charley, Michael, Perry, Al- len, Richard and Thomas; the daughter was Julia Ann. Wil- son Snipes, I suppose, was the eldest of the nine sons, and was unquestionably the most prominent-a most excellent man and good citizen every way ; an honest, hard-working man, of much larger heart than his purse-the poor of his neighborhood, al- though he was not rich, missed him when he died; he was a very illiterate man, could not read or write-had no education except what he got from observation ; in his talk, he murdered up the King's English at a terrible rate, yet he could always express himself so as to be understood. He always "called a spade a spade," and so of everything else he talked about-he never hesitated to speak his mind about anything, without re- gard to which way it cut. There was but one Wilson Snipes, and long will he be remembered for good by all who knew him. Notwithstanding his ignorance of letters, he was a zealous sup- porter of schools ; he gave his children, or the most of them, a
530
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
good common school education, such as the best schools of the county afforded ; he built and furnished a school house with the best apparatus of the times, at or near Reedy Creek Baptist Church, and was one of the prime movers in originating and erecting Mount Olivet Methodist Church, on the east side of Big Reedy Creek, where he and his wife now lie buried. Some amusing incidents are told of old man Wilson, and one or two of them will not be out of place here. In his early days-in fact, almost to old age-he was very profane, even in common conversation ; so much so, that he would swear unconsciously. In his latter days, he reformed, joined the Methodist Church, professed religion and, of course, quit swearing, and every one who knew him believed in the genuineness of his conversion. On one occasion some minister went to Mount Olivet to preach. Before the preaching commenced, he looked around in the "amen corner," saw Brother Snipes at his place in the corner, and beckoned to him to come to him; Snipes got up and went to the preacher, who asked if there was any one there who could lead in prayer in conclusion of the services. Wil- son looked round over the congregation, and turning to the preacher, says, "No, not. a d-d one." On another occasion, his pastor went to old man Wilson's house, as I suppose, on a pastoral visit, and while sitting in the piazza, concluded he would examine the old gentleman somewhat as to the condition of his soul and prospects for heaven, &c .; among other things he asked him if he enjoyed religion, when old man Wilson re- plied, "D-d if I don't." Whereupon the pastor spoke repri- mandingly to him about using such language, and old Wilson replied, "I was not conscious of it." Such was the force of habit, that old man Wilson could not quit all at once; every one who knew Wilson Snipes believed fully in his piety. He mar- ried Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a daughter of Rev. Moses Cole- man ; to the marriage were born four sons and four daughters ; the sons are Addison Jonathan, Wilson, Calhoun and Augus- tus Beauregard; the daughters are Julia, Serena Adelaide, Mary Elizabeth (for her mother) and Mattie Carrie. Addi- son Jonathan married Miss Louisa Rogers, a grand-daughter of Colonel Levi Legette ; to whom have been born five sons and three daughters, Evan, William, Blakely, Edwin and Carl;
531
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
daughters, Lilly, Anne and Louisa. None of the sons are mar- ried. Lilly married A. P. Johnson, of Horry County. Wilson Snipes, Jr., married Miss Minnie Caroline Timmons, of Wil- liamsburg County, to whom were born four sons and four daughters; daughters, Ethel Millissa, Mary Lucretia, Willie Maude and Edith Ximena; the sons are Winfred Hubert, Bertie Fay, Ralph Vincent and Wyatt Ense. Only one of this family being married-Mary Lucretia, to Rollin Kemball Johnson, of Williamsburg County; they have one child, Brighty Evelyn. Wilson Snipes, Jr., has been school teacher and farmer for a quarter of a century ; and two of his daugh- ters, Ethel and Mary, are prominent teachers. Calhoun Snipes, brother of Wilson, Jr., married Miss Maria Shelly; they have three sons, Rufus, Clyde and Monroe; daughters, Viola and Mabell-none married. Augustus Beauregard Snipes married a Miss Ward ; they have no issue. Julia Snipes married Henry Grantham, of Horry County. Serena Adalaide married Jerry H. Lambert; had one child, a daughter, and died; the daughter has lately married Redden Smith, called "Little Reddin." Mary Elizabeth, no issue, dead. Mattie Carrie Snipes married Thomas Baker, of this county. Daniel Snipes, brother of the late Wilson Snipes, and the only survi- vor of the nine brothers, like the others of them, went into the war-he was a Sergeant in his company ; was captured by the Federals, and sent to Elmira prison, in New York, where, as he said, he was nearly perished to death; had to rest several times from weakness while walking through the city of New York, on his way home; he was shipped from New York to Savannah, where he landed and walked from there home; he yet lives, near Mullins. Daniel Snipes married Miss Elizabeth Loyd, to whom have been born eight sons and two daughters ; the sons are John, Thomas, Robert Charles, Henry Rufus, Joe Hooker, Daniel Preston, Benjamin Franklin and Archie Gil- christ. Of these, John Snipes died in Hawkinsville, Ga., brought home and buried in the Mullins cemetery. Thomas Snipes, second son of Daniel, married Miss Louisa Castles, of Chester County, and is now at Janesville, N. C., a telegraph operator. Robert Charles Snipes married Miss May Waller. Henry Rufus Snipes married Miss Janie Roberts, issue one
532
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
daughter, Janie Ethel. Joe Hooker Snipes married Miss Rosa Belle Coleman, of Florence County ; no issue. Daniel Preston Snipes married Miss Hester Hausea, of Florence County; issue one daughter, Jessie Pearl. Benjamin Franklin and Archie Gilchrist Snipes are unmarried. Of the two daughters of Daniel Snipes, names not given, one married Elly D. Smith, below Marion; know nothing of their family. James Snipes, brother of Wilson and Daniel Snipes, was killed in the battle of Franklin, Tenn. A young lady of this county, now married, has his photo and a small quantity of gold, which he gave her on his departure for the war. He was a volunteer, and stayed in the war until he was killed; he seemed to have a presenti- ment of his death-he said just before the battle to his com- rades, "Well, boys, it is hard to fight through this war to near its close, and then be killed." Poor fellow ! he has his reward, if nothing more-he has the gratitude and veneration of his countrymen. Michael Snipes and Richard, two other brothers of old Wilson, died in Richmond, either of disease or wounds, and are buried in Hollywood Cemetery. Richard had married .Miss Charity Ikenor, to whom were born two sons, Edward and Christopher. Edward married a Miss Porter. Chesley Snipes, another brother of Wilson and Daniel, died in the war, at Georgetown; he was brought home and buried. Perry Snipes, another brother, died in the war; he had married a Miss Avant, and had one child, a son, Major Snipes. Thomas Snipes, another brother, emigrated to Texas, and from there went into the war, and was killed in battle or died of disease or wounds; his sons are now said to be prominent bankers in Seattle, Washington (State). Allen Snipes, another brother of Wilson and Daniel, died in Charleston, in the war; he was brought to Florence, and buried there, by his brother Daniel. Thus it will be seen that of the nine Snipes brothers who went into the war, only two of them survived the struggle and lived to get home, Wilson and Daniel. Daniel Snipes is now the only survivor, an excellent man and good citizen, and deserves more than a passing notice. They were poor men, had not much to fight for, yet nine brothers of them went into the war, and seven of them never returned. But few such instances occurred. There is another reason why this notice of them
533
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
should be extended-that is, on account of their grand-father, Captain Joe Snipes, of the Revolution, and I will give it in the language of the author of the Life of General Marion (Briga- dier General Horry and Rev. Mason L. Weems, pp. 197-202). I insert it in full, that it may be transmitted to the people of his own county-that the Life of Marion is out of print, and, if not, is not generally read as this book will be: "Captain Snipes, who made such a figure in the wars of Marion, was a Caroli- nian of uncommon strength and courage, both of which he ex- erted with great good will against the British and Tories- from principle partly, and partly from revenge. But though a choice soldier he was no philosopher. He did not consider that to fight for duty, people must love it; that to love it, they must understand it; that to understand it, they must possess letters and religion; that the British and Tories, poor fellows! possessing neither of these, were not to have been expected to act any other than the savage and thievish part they did act ; and, therefore, no more to be hated for it than the cats are for teasing the canary birds. But Captain Snipes had no time for investigations of this sort. Knowledge by intuition was all that he cared for; and having it, by instinct, that an English- man ought never to fight against liberty, nor an American against his own country, he looked on them, to use his own phrase, as a 'pack of d-n-d rascals, whom it was doing God's service to kill wherever he could find them. But Snipes was not the aggressor. He kept in very decently, till the enemy began to let out, as they did in plundering, burning and hanging the poor Whigs, and then, indeed, like a consuming fire, his smothered hate broke forth.
" "That hate which hurled to Pluto's gloomy reign The souls of royal slaves untimely slain.'
"Afraid, in fair fight, to meet that sword which had so often shivered their friends, they determined to take him, as the Philistines did Samson, by surprise; and having learned from their spies that he was at home, they came upon him in force about midnight. His complete destruction, both of life and property, was their horrid aim. Happily, his driver or black overseer overheard their approach, and flying to his master
534
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
with terror-struck looks, cried out, 'Run! run! massa, run! de enemy 'pon you.' Snipes, stark naked save his shirt, darted out as swift as his legs could carry him. 'But where shall I run, Cudjo-into the barn?' 'Oh, no, massa! dey burn de barn, dat sure ting.' 'Well, where shall I run, then?' 'Take de bush, massa! take de brier-bush.' Within fifty yards of the house was a clump of briers, so thick set that one would have thought a frightened cat would scarcely have squeezed herself into it from hot pursuing dogs. But what will not fear enable a man to do? Captain Snipes, big as he was, slipped into it with the facility of a weasel through the chinks of a chicken coop; but lost every thread and thrumb of his shirt; and moreover got his hide so scratched and torn by the briers, that the blood trickled from him fast as gravy from a fat green goose. Scarcely had he gained his hiding-place before the Tories, with horrid oaths, burst into his house, with their guns cocked, ready to shoot him. But oh, death to their hopes ! he was gone; the n'est was there, and warm, but the bird had flown! Then seizing poor Cudjo by the throat, they bawled out, 'You d-d rascal, where's your master?' He told them he did not know. 'You lie! you black son of a b-h! you lie.' But he still asserted that he knew nothing of his master. Sus- pecting that he must be in some or other of his houses, they set fire to them all-to his dwelling house, his kitchen, his stables, and even his negro cabins-watching all the while with their muskets ready to shoot him as he ran out. From their near- ness to his lurking place, the heat of his burning houses was so intense as to parch his skin into blisters; but it was death to stir, for he would certainly have been seen. Not having made the discovery they so much wished, they again seized Cudjo, and with their cocked pieces at his breast, swore if he did not instantly tell them where his master was, they would put him to death. He still declared he did not know where he was. Then they clapped a halter round his neck and told him to 'Down on his knees and say his prayers at once, for he had but two minutes to live!' He replied, that he 'Did not want to say his prayers now, for he was no thief, and had always been a true slave to his master.' This fine sentiment of the poor black was entirely lost on our malignant whites; who, throwing the
535
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
end of the halter over the limb of an oak, tucked him up as though he had been a mad dog. He hung till he was nearly dead, when one of them called out, 'D-n him, cut him down, I'll be bound he'll tell us now.' Cudjo was accordingly cut down; and as soon as a little recovered, questioned again about his master ; but he still declared he knew nothing of him. He was then hoisted a second time, and a second time, when nearly dead, cut down and questioned as before, but still asserted his ignorance. The same inhuman part was acted on him a third time, but with no better success, for the brave fellow still con- tinued faithful to his master, who squatted and trembled in his place of torment, his briar bush, and saw and heard all that was passing.
"Persuaded now that Cudjo really knew nothing of his mas- ter, they gave up the shameful contest and went off, leaving him half dead on the ground but covered with glory. It is not easy to conceive a situation more severely torturing than this of Captain Snipes. His house, with all his furniture, his kitchen, his barn and rice stacks, his stables, with several fine horses, and his negro houses, all wrapped in flames; himself scorched and blistered with furious heat, yet not daring to stir, his retreat well known to a poor slave; and that slave alone, in the hands of an enraged banditti with their muskets at his breast, imprecating the most horrid curses on themselves, if they did not instantly murder him, unless he disclosed the secret ! What had he to expect of this poor slave, but that he would sink under the dreadful trial and to save himself, would sacrifice his master. But Snipes was safe. To discover his hiding place, death stared his slave in the face, but happily his slave possessed for him that 'love which is stronger than death.' Captain Snipes and his man Cudjo had been brought up from childhood together; and the father of our hero being a pro- fessor of Christianity, a Baptist preacher, whose main excel- lence is 'to teach little children to love one another,' had taken pains to inspire his son with love towards his little slave. Nor did that love pass unrequited. For Cudjo used every day to follow his young master to school, carrying his basket for him, prattling as he went; and smiling would remind him of the coming Saturday, and what fine fishing and hunting they
35
536
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
would have that day. Many a time had they wrestled and slept side by side on the green, and thence springing up again with renovated strength, set out in full march for some favorite fruit tree, or some cooling pond, there to swin and gambol in the refreshing flood. And when the time of dinner came, Cudjo was not scornfully left to sigh and to gnaw his nails alone, but would play and sing about the door till his young master was done, and then he was sure to receive a good plate- full for himself. Love thus early engrafted on his heart grew up with daily increasing strength to manhood, when Snipes by the death of his father became master of the estate, made Cudjo his driver or overseer, and thus riveted on his honest bosom that sacred friendship which, as we have seen, enabled him to triumph in one of the severest trials that human nature was ever put to. The above is a solemn fact, and the wise will lay it to heart."
WILCOX .- This family has only been mentioned in part, among the Waynes and perhaps Smiths. John Wilcox, the progenitor of the family, was one of the many valuable impor- tations from North Carolina. He came to Marion in 1837, at the age of twenty-four; he married a Miss Wayne, as already noticed, and to which reference is made; after the death of the Wayne wife, he married a Miss Clark, of Clarendon County, who still survives, and to the marriage five sons were born and raised, Clark A., James C., Henry M., Edward T. and P. A. Wilcox, now in Florence. Of these, Clark A. married Miss Minnie Moore, of Bennettsville, daughter of John S. Moore; they have several children, number and sex not known; he merchandized in his native town for several years, and though well trained in mercantile life he did not succeed in business- failed a few years ago, and is now one of the Knights of the "Grip;" his family still resides in Marion. James C., the sec- ond son by the Clark marriage, grew up, was very promising ; graduated in medicine, settled for practice in Darlington, and at once entered into a large practice; married some lady in Dar- lington, to the writer unknown; was Mayor of the town for one or two terms, very efficient ; and at his early demise had not only acquired a good reputation but had made some money ; he
537
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
died early in his career and left his widow with some children, number, names and sex not known. Henry Wilcox, the third son by the Clark marriage, is a graduate of Wofford College in the class of 1880; after graduation he went to Darlington and engaged in business there-I think, a drug store; he married in Darlington, to whom not known; don't know how his business in Darlington terminated, but some eight or ten years ago, he returned to Marion, and opened up a hardware business, a rather large establishment for the place; since which time he has been thus engaged with seemingly fair prospects of suc- cess ; he has a family of children, how many or of what sex is unknown. Edward T. Wilcox, the present Mayor of the town (and, I think, he has been Mayor once or twice before) and a very efficient one, married a Miss Buck, daughter of the late Hon. W. L. Buck, of Horry; she died a year or two ago, and left him two or three children-a most estimable lady she was; he has not remarried; he ran a furniture business for several years in the town with seeming success, but sold that out, and went into the flour mill business ; his establishment is near the depot, and promises success-Ed. is not wanting in enterprise and energy ; as Mayor of the town he is doing much for its im- provement, as any one can see, who has known the town for some years past. P. A. Wilcox, the fifth and youngest son of Judge Wilcox, is yet a single man; he graduated in the South Carolina College, studied law with C. A. Woods, Esq., of Marion ; after admission to the bar, he went to Florence as a partner of his preceptor to practice; in a few years the partner- ship was dissolved and he practiced for a while by himself. Old Judge Wilcox (he was Probate Judge for many years) was a unique character in many respects-there was but one Judge Wilcox. The writer could relate or dilate upon many of his traits of character, but want of space will not permit.
YOUNG .- This name, now extinct in Marion County, was once prominent. Johnson B. Young, I think, another of the many good importations from North Carolina, was the head of the name in Marion ; he came here in his youth, perhaps from 1838 to 1840. He and John Wilcox were for many years, and up to the war, partners in a large mercantile business. Johnson
538
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
B. Young married a Miss Whilden, of Charleston; they had and raised three sons and four daughters ; the sons were Frank, J. Blake and "Hal" (don't know the name) ; the daughters were Emma, Willie, Celeste and Julia. Of the sons, Frank mar- ried Miss Murchison, of Wilmington, N. C .; he merchandised in Marion several years, with R. J. Blackwell as a partner ; he sold out his interest to G. A. Norwood, and the business con- tinued three or four years under the name of R. J. Blackwell & Co., when Norwood in turn was bought out, and since that time it has continued by Blackwell alone. Frank Young removed to Birmingham, Ala., and there engaged in some business, don't know what; he died four or five years ago in that city, child- less ; his remains were brought to Marion for interment. J. Blake Young merchandised two or three years with T. Leon Bass as a partner, at Latta; the business was not successful, and he, Young, emigrated to Texas; was unmarried when he left-know nothing further of him. "Hal," the other son, I think, married a Miss Stevenson, daughter of J. E. Stevenson; he has moved to Florence, has a family, and is said to be doing well. Of the daughters of Major J. B. Young, the eldest, Emma, married Captain G. A. McIntyre, and has already been noticed among the McIntyres. The next oldest daughter, Willie, has never married. The third daughter, Celeste, married R. J. Blackwell, a leading and successful merchant at Marion ; they have a family of children of both sexes, the number and names unknown-the elder ones near grown. Major Young died some years ago, a worthy man and good citizen, and much respected. I inadvertently overlooked the youngest daughter of Major Young, Miss Julia ; she married D. E. Godbold, now of Mullins, and a leading merchant there; they have three or four children, all small, already noticed among the Godbolds.
JOHNSON .-- This is a very populous name everywhere. There are two or three families of that name in Marion County, but I do not know enough of them to trace them or their con- nections back to the original. The late Dr. William R. John- son, a leading and prominent man in his day, was born in this county, I think; his father was named Joseph, and lived in Wahee in 1843; suppose there were other children-one A. G.
539
A HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
Johnson, and another. Dr. Johnson's mother was a Miss Davis, I think, a sister of B. F. Davis' father, whose name, I think, was Benjamin; Dr. Johnson settled and practiced medi- cine at Marion, was a very successful and popular physician, and a perfect gentleman in his deportment ; he married a Miss Gregg, a sister of J. Eli Gregg, and raised three sons, Ed W., Hezekiah and Keene, and several daughters, names unknown. Edward W. Johnson was a graduate of the South Carolina College, studied law, was admitted to the bar, never practiced but little, went to farming; was elected Sheriff in 1880, and again in 1884, served both terms, and retired from office. Flor- ence County was established in 1888, and in 1889 he was elected Sheriff of that county, and served the balance of that term, three years, as Sheriff of that county, when he retired from office, and in a few years died, unmarried ; he was an excellent man, a good citizen and made a good Sheriff in both counties. Hezekiah Johnson is also a graduate of the South Carolina College; married a Miss McCall, in Marlborough, settled on a farm near his father, at Mars Bluff; has raised a family, num- ber, name and sex unknown; like his father, is an excellent man and good citizen. Keene Johnson has never married; lives on his farm near the old homestead. Keene seems to be a family name among the Davises. A hundred years ago or more, there was a family by the name of Keene; and one of the old Davises married a Miss Keene (as a family the name is now extinct in the county) ; hence the name among the Davises and their descendants, one of whom is Keene Johnson. A. G. Johnson, youngest brother of Dr. W. R. Johnson, went to Marlborough, and married, I think, first, a Miss Thomas ; had one child, a daughter; his wife died, and he married again, don't know who, and married, a third time, a Miss Henagan, daughter of Governor B. K. Henagan; know nothing of his children. The daughter of the first wife married Hon. H. H. Norton, of Bennettsville; she soon died. Dr. Johnson had an- other brother, whose name is not known, but was the father of the late William ("Bill") Johnson, of Wahee, and three other sons, Joseph, Thomas and David; of these sons, they all had families, of whom nothing is known-think they are all dead, except, perhaps, David, in Britton's Neck. Dr. W. R. John-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.