USA > South Carolina > Williamsburg County > History of Williamsburg; something about the people of Williamsburg County, South Carolina, from the first settlement by Europeans about 1705 until 1923. > Part 16
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In 1799, James Blackmon, Josias Dupre, and John McClary were appointed commissioners to re-establish a road leading from Kingstree to Cooper's Ferry on the north side of Black River. In 1799, a public road was laid out from Brewington Lake on the south branch of Black River to Gamble's muster field on McGirt's Swamp and thence to Murray's Ferry on the Santee. William Taylor, John Conyers, James Campbell, William Nelson, Isaac Keels, and Theodore Gourdin were appointed com- missioners for the said road. Allison's Ferry was vested in John Allison in 1798.
The commissioners then composing the several boards in the District of Williamsburg were convened at the house of Samuel Snowden on the first Monday in April, 1801, to proceed further with the discharge of their duties. Witherspoon's Ferry on Lynch's Creek was vested in John Witherspoon in 1801. A ferry on Black River at the landing, or the ferry commonly known by the name of North's Ferry, was established in 1803. That on the
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northeast side of the river was vested in Martha Brock- inton and the southeast side of the river in James Cooper for a term of fourteen years. A toll bridge across Black River known as Mouzon's Bridge was vested in Henry Mouzon for a term of seven years from 1805. He was allowed to charge 50¢ for every man and horse; 61/4¢ for every horse and chair or cart and horse; 371/2¢ for every hogshead of tobacco; 121/2¢ for every head of cattle, sheep, goats, or hogs ; and 2¢ for every led horse or foot passen- ger.
In 1806, the commissioners of the roads for Winyaw and Williamsburg were ordered to lay out and cause to be cleared a road from the road from the Williams- burg Court House to Potato Ferry across the parish line to William Rowell's plantation and from thence to Gapway road. That same way or ferry was established across Black River where the road crossed it and the ferry vested in William Rowell for a term of fourteen years. Samuel Commander and William Rowell were the commissioners for this road.
In 1803, Ezekial Pickens, Theodore Gourdin, and J. B. Richardson were appointed a committee to revise the general road laws in the State and to report at the next session what amendments in the road laws were neces- sary.
In 1809, Captain William Graham, Needham Lee, and Robert Cade, in the District of Williamsburg, were ap- pointed commissioners to erect a bridge over Lynch's Creek at the place called Effingham Mills at the joint expense of the inhabitants of Darlington and Williams- burg Districts.
In 1811, the road leading from the causeway at and passing through Black Mingo or Willtown was discon- tinued as a public road and the road passing over Black Mingo Creek at the old ferry below Black Mingo or Willtown was re-established as a public road. The com-
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missioners of the districts of Williamsburg and of Win- yaw were authorized to build a good and sufficient bridge over Black Mingo Creek at the old Black Mingo ferry.
It was provided that said bridge be so constructed as to leave and afford a full and sufficient passage above and below said bridge to all rafts and unmasted boats, flats, or other craft. All male inhabitants from sixteen to fifty years residing not exceeding ten miles from Black Mingo and who made use of said creek to send produce to market and who were not liable or compelled by law to work on any other water course were liable to work on the same. John James, James McConnell, Loveless Gasque, John Dozier, Francis Greene, John Bossard, and Aaron Gasque were appointed commission- ers to effect this ordinance.
In 1813, a new road was laid out five hundred eight yards from the junction formed by the Indiantown road and the post road from Witherspoon's Ferry on Lynch's Creek, the road leading by Loveless Gasque's plan- tation in the most direct way from the said State road to the Black Mingo bridge where the old ferry was established. This road was laid out at the expense of Thomas Williams, Sr., of Williamsburg. In 1813, James M. Grier, Nathan Gasque, Loveless Gasque, John Dozier, Benjamin Britton, and David Wilson, Jr., were appointed commissioners for the purpose of erecting and building a bridge over Black Mingo Creek.
In 1814, Potato Ferry over Black River was re-estab- lished and vested in Thomas Skrine for a term of seven years.
In 1815, Witherspoon's Ferry over Lynch's Creek was vested "in J. D. Witherspoon, executor of John Wither- spoon, deceased, for a term of fourteen years in trust for and having the sole use and benefit of the incorporated Presbyterian Church at Aimwell on the Pee Dee River,
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in conformity to the last will and testament of the said John Witherspoon, deceased."
In 1818, Mouzon's bridge over Black River was estab- lished as a toll bridge and vested in Samuel R. Mouzon for a term of seven years, and he was allowed to demand and receive the same rates of toll as were allowed at Lowry's bridge on the same river. In 1818, the ferry at the Episcopal Church on Black River heretofore vested in William Avant was then vested in John Avant, the owner of the land on the south side of the river, and John J. Greene, the owner of the land on the north side.
In 1819, a dispute between Thomas McConnell and John Dozier respecting the old road leading across Black Mingo Creek at Willtown had arisen. The Legislature of that year appointed John Gotea, Jr., on the part of Thomas McConnell, and Hugh Mccutchen, on the part of John Dozier, to make a survey of this road and a plat of the same which they should return to the board of commissioners of roads of Williamsburg District. This board was required to report to the next Legislature the propriety or impropriety of opening said road by the said Thomas McConnell's.
In 1820, Loveless Gasque, Matthew Allen, and William Small, on the part of Georgetown District, and John Gordon, Sr., John Dozier, and Benjamin Britton, on the part of Williamsburg District, were appointed commis- sioners to have repaired the bridge over Black Mingo Creek.
A public ferry was established on Black River Swamp at Kingstree in 1822. Such ferry was vested in the com- missioners of roads for Williamsburg District for a term of ten years. The following rates were established: for every wagon or other fourwheeled carriage, 50¢; for every cart or chair, 25¢; for every man and horse, 2¢; for every head of hogs, sheep, goats, and turkeys, 1¢; for
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMSBURG
every head of black cattle, 4¢; for every head of horses, 2¢.
In 1822, William Frierson, Ebenezer Gibson, Robert Frierson, Sr., William Montgomery, John B. McClary, William Camlin, Jr., Henry Miller, John Hawkins, Robert Lester, and Isaac Nelson, Jr., were appointed a board of commissioners to open and improve the naviga- tion of Black River from Benbow's Ferry to North's Ferry and all the male inhabitants between the ages of sixteen and fifty living within six miles of the said river were required to work on the same under the direction of these commissioners six days in the year and no more.
In 1828, the old road in Williamsburg District called the Samuel James' road, from an old field opposite to William Brown's to its intersection with the main road near William Cooper's plantation in Indiantown, was re-established as a public road and kept in repair.
CHAPTER XVIII.
GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIALS, 1783-1830.
Until the Revolution, elections in Prince Frederick's Parish were held at Prince Frederick's Church on Black River, which was located about three miles east of Prince Frederick's Parish line. In 1787, it was enacted that all elections in the future for Prince Frederick's Parish should be held at George White's at Indiantown. By Act of 1789, the elections for members of the Legislature for Prince Frederick's Parish were held on the same day at the King's Tree Bridge, at house of George White at Indiantown, the house of Captain John McCrea, and also at the Episcopal Church of the Parish. Two managers were appointed for the holding of these elections at each one of these places and on the day following the elec- tion, these managers were required to meet at the house of George White at Indiantown and then and there open the ballot boxes and declare the persons elected for the General Assembly.
The South Carolina Constitutions of 1776 and 1778 were adopted under the storm and stress of war, and the Supreme Court held they were merely legislative actions. The Constitution adopted in 1790 is a remarkable body of fundamental law. At that time, South Carolina had the experience it gathered from other state constitutions as well as far-sighted, clear-thinking, and vigorous-act- ing statesmen. This Constitution placed almost absolute control of everything in the hands of the wealthy slave- holding aristocracy.
There was a property qualification required for mem- bership in the General Assembly. A representative must own in the district five hundred acres of land or real estate of one hundred fifty pounds sterling. He need not reside in the district, if he owned property of the value
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of five hundred pounds sterling. A senator must own real estate in the district to the value of three hundred pounds ; or, if a non-resident, have one thousand pounds sterling. A man might vote in any district in which he owned fifty acres of land or a town lot; or in the district in which he lived, if he paid three shillings tax. The Legislature was given almost unlimited power. In addi- tion to its law making functions, it elected governor, presidential electors, United States senators, and almost every other official down to county coroners.
In his Sectionalism in South Carolina, Dr. W. A. Schaper of the University of Minnesota says: "The slave holding planters-a mere handful of the white popula- tion-became the absolute masters of the situation and remained so to the end. They had almost unlimited power to oppress the up country people, and it must be recorded to their credit that they never used their power for that purpose, nor was a single charge of corruption brought against the government in the heated contro- versy which led to the reform in the representation in 1808. Their administration seems to have been singularly fair and it speaks well for the wisdom and manhood of the South Carolina planters."
The working of this Constitution of 1790 divided South Carolina into two factions which have existed until the present day. The "low country" consisted of the old judicial districts of Georgetown, Charleston and Beau- fort. It was the strip of land about sixty miles in width from the seashore westward. Williamsburg was in- cluded in this "low country," and has proven loyal to its idealism in all periods of South Carolina history. The "low country" was settled many years before the "up country," and by people who emigrated directly from Europe; while the "up country" immigrants came largely from the states to the North, following southward the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
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During colonial times, Charleston had been the seat of the Government. After the Revolution, the "up coun- try," where probably four-fifths of the population of the State resided, succeeded by one vote in making Colum- bia the capital of the State. However, a sort of dupli- cate government was created and the predominancy of the low country in a great measure was preserved. The low country, with one-fifth of the white population, kept control of the Legislature. The Governor was required to reside in Columbia during the sittings of the General Assembly and was permitted to live elsewhere as in his judgment conditions required. That meant that he lived in Charleston at least four-fifths of his time. Nineteen out of the first twenty governors' terms in South Caro- lina were filled by citizens of Charleston and the twen- tieth by Governor Alston who was from Georgetown and held "low country" ideals.
This Constitution of 1790 also provided for two trea- surers, one to hold office in Columbia and the other in Charleston. The offices of the Secretary of State and Surveyor General were to be kept open at both these places, the principals to reside in one and the deputies in the other. The Supreme Court sat at Charleston as well as at Columbia.
The story of the working of this dual government and the dominance for three-fourths of a century in South Carolina of the relatively small aristocracy in the "low country" over the ever increasing democracy of the "up country" is exceedingly interesting to students of soci- ology and of government. During this period, South Carolina more nearly approached the conditions obtain- ing in Greece in the age of Pericles than has any other people up to this time. Dr. David Duncan Wallace called South Carolina during this period "an aristocratic re- public."
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From 1730 until 1769, all official matters of the citizens of the District of Williamsburg received attention in the city of Charleston and all official records were kept there. From 1769 until 1806, Williamsburg, then known as Prince Frederick's Parish, was a part of Georgetown District, and its official matters received attention in that city. However, many of the wills and deeds from Williamsburg during that period were filed and re- corded in Charleston.
In 1804, an Act was passed establishing Williamsburg District according to the boundaries of Williamsburg County named in the Act of 1785 into a Circuit Court District. By Act of 1805, court was required to be held at Williamsburg Court House at the King's Tree on the 21st days of March and of October of each year, and to sit for any time not exceeding five days. All suits and prosecutions then pending in the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions at Georgetown wherein the defen- dants resided in the District of Williamsburg were trans- ferred to the Courts of Williamsburg, there being finally determined.
Major James Campbell, Major John Nesmith, and Theodore Gourdin, Esq., were appointed commissioners for the purpose of taking bond and security from the Clerk and Sheriff appointed for Williamsburg, for secur- ing a court house for the use of the people of the Williams- burg District, and for attending to such other business as should be required in the organization of the new district.
When Messrs. Campbell, Nesmith, and Gourdin under- took to secure a court house at the King's Tree for Wil- liamsburg District, they found that the land set apart as a public parade ground in 1736, and which belonged to the district, was in the possession of William Brady, who had built a house on it and claimed the lot. This com- mittee was unable to secure this lot until Mr. Brady died
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in 1820. In 1805, they leased a store house of Patrick Cormick's which was located near where Mr. Hammett's home now is at the cornor of Main and Long Streets, Kingstree, for use as a court house.
The sessions of the District Court about this time were seasons of great dignity and solemnity. The High Sheriff of the district always escorted with a drawn sword at carry the presiding judge from his hotel to his seat on the bench, and the assembled multitude in strict harmony with these formalities paid respectful homage. Court was opened with a sermon preached at length in the "holy tone" by some venerable minister. The Reverend William Knox, of the Black Mingo Church, was usually the "sermonizer." He was paid $12.85 for each of these sermons, $10.00 fee and $2.85 for mileage. After the sermon, the grand jury was drawn and the presiding judge delivered a formidable charge. Immediately after the charge, the session adjourned for the day and everybody hurried across the street to Bracy's bar and there re- freshed themselves. The next morning everybody was ready to decree woe to the unfortunates coming on for a hearing.
The first trial in the court of Williamsburg District was entitled, "The State against Daniel S. Eaddy, Moses Brown, Samuel Eaddy, Jr., and James Eaddy-assault and battery." These gentlemen had held a good old Irish "discussion with sticks," plead guilty, paid their fines, and doubtless regarded their money well spent.
In 1820, the General Assembly of South Carolina ap- propriated $10,000.00 for the building of the Williams- burg District Court House. This money was made avail- able at once and the front part of the present Court House was built from plans of Architect Robert Mills and oc- cupied in 1823. This structure was erected with greatest care and for overcoming chance and time. Its walls are thirty inches of solid brick. These brick seem to resist
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decay. Tradition says that they were brought from Charleston.
Samuel R. Mouzon was the first sheriff of Williams- burg District; J. McMurray, the first clerk of the Court of Common Pleas; David McClary, the first ordinary : all chosen and qualified in 1806. For about twenty years, either Samuel R. Mouzon or Peter Mouzon was sheriff of the district. One seems to have been elected for one term and the other for the next. At that time, Williams- burg District and Winyaw formed one senatorial district. Major James Campbell, of Williamsburg, was its first senator. R. L. Witherspoon and John Dozier composed the first delegation from Williamsburg District in the House of Representatives. David McClary was ordinary for Williamsburg District for more than thirty years.
John Dozier was elected senator in 1815; and William Burrows and Thomas Brown, members of the House of Representatives. In 1819, T. P. Davis and Thomas Witherspoon were elected representatives; Moses Mat- thews, sheriff; Hugh Mccutchen, commissioner of loca- tion of lands, and James McCutchen, coroner. In 1823, T. P. Davis was senator; William Salters and John Graham, representatives; T. D. Singleton, sheriff; J. Gotea, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas; and W. Hid. dleston, coroner.
In 1825, Peter Mouzon was sheriff; R. G. Ferrell, Clerk of the Court; John Graham, senator; James D. Singleton and David D. Wilson members of the House of Represen- tatives. In 1830, William Cooper was elected a member of the House of Representatives and Samuel E. Graham became sheriff.
During this period, the militia was an important factor in the district. Once every two months all of the men of the district reported to their company headquarters for instruction in military matters and these gatherings were influential in politics and in society at large. Among the
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officers of the companies and battalions in the Williams- burg District from the War of the Revolution to 1830 may be named the following: Colonel Robert L. Wither- spoon, Colonel William Cooper, Major John Macauley, Major John Nesmith, Major James Campbell, Captains William Flagler, John McCrea, John Fulton, William Graham, Samuel Malcolmson, Isaac Nelson, John Scott, R. L. Gourdin, William Frierson, John Graham, John Coachman, John Dozier, Leonard Dozier, William G. Flagler, and Abraham Michau. These militia organiza- tions were punctilious in the matter of observing military forms and ceremonies. They always attended Fourth of July celebrations and other official occasions. When one of their officers died, a military funeral was held. In 1798, Lieutenant Alexander Cunningham died and was buried in the Williamsburg cemetery at Kingstree with military honors. It was a very imposing ceremony.
A great many of the younger men of the district volun- teered and served in the War of 1812. There were three well known officers from Williamsburg in this War, Major James Campbell, Captain Isaac Nelson, and Captain R. L. Gourdin. Captain Gourdin was adjutant of the Forty- Third United States Infantry, stationed at Georgetown, and signed the discharges of many of the men of Wil- liamsburg who served in that regiment.
CHAPTER XIX.
OLD WILLS AND NOTES ON THEM.
From 1805 until 1835, nearly all of the men of Williams- burg, who had served in the Revolutionary War under General Francis Marion, died. Almost every old man who died in Williamsburg during that period had been a soldier in the War of the Revolution. The only migra- tions to this district during that period were some officers and men of General Greene's army who liked this country when they saw it and settled here immediately after they were discharged from the service.
Here follow some notes gathered from the wills of these ancient warriors and from other dependable sources. From these notes on wills and from others on preceding pages, probably three-fourths of the present inhabitants of Williamsburg may trace their ancestry to original settlers of 1735.
The will of Edward Howard was the first one recorded in Williamsburg District. It was dated December 29, 1805, and proved before David McClary, ordinary, Feb- ruary 24, 1806. In this will, he mentions his brother, William Howard, and his nephew, John Howard. John Scott, of Kingstree, and John Scott, of Cedar Swamp, were appointed executors. Witnesses, John Burgess and William McCullough. Inventory of the estate was made by James McFadden, Thomas McCrea, Jr., and John Mccullough.
The second will recorded in Williamsburg records was that of Susannah V. Mouzon, spinster, who died Septem- ber 15, 1817. This was a holograph will. She left all of her property to her sister, Anne Mouzon. The ear witnesses to this will were Elizabeth Mouzon, Mary B. Mouzon, and James G. McGill.
A
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The will of Isaac Barrineau, Sr., of Black River, is dated February 24, 1806. He mentions Ferreby, his wife; his daughters, Margaret Lifrage, Nancy Hinson, Levina Bradshaw, Sarah Barrineau, and Margaret Bar- rineau; and his sons, Jesse, Isaac, and Mandewell. He appointed William Lifrage and Arthur Barrineau his ex- ecutors. Witnesses, William Flagler, Jesse Barrineau, and James Bradshaw. Appraisement made by James Campbell, Robert Frierson, Jr., and James G. McGill.
The will of Solomon Rhodus is dated September 18, 1804. He mentions his wife, Nancy Rhodus; his brother, William Rhodus; the heirs of his brothers, Nathaniel, David, and John; and the heirs of his sister, Mary, and of his sister, Patience Hill. He also mentions his sister, Anne Perrett. This will is witnessed by Jonathan Bost- wick and Martha Fluitt. Appraisement made by Wil- liam Mccullough, John Hickson, and William McConnell.
George Burrows made his will July 5, 1797. He men- tions his sons, William and George Washington. His executors were William Burrows, Charles Williams, George Mccutchen, and James Campbell. Witnesses, George Dickey, Sarah Dickey, Sr., Sarah Dickey, Jr. Ap- praisement by John James, John Winter, and Hugh Me- Cutchen.
John D. Burgess dated his will June 30, 1806. His beneficiaries were his brother-in-law, George Cooper; his mother, Margaret Burgess; his sisters, Jane M. Magda- lene, Mary Ann Elizabeth, Louisa, Caroline Sophia, and Pomelia. His executors were Dr. William Dollard, Hugh McCutchen, and Thomas P. Davis. Witnesses, William Cooper, J. P. Montgomery, and Frank Walsh.
James Gowdy's will is dated December 15, 1806. He left his property to his children, Mary Frances, and James Malcolmson. In case of the death of these two children, his estate was to be divided between the chil- dren of his brother, Ebenezer Gibson, and the children
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of his sister, Frances McConnell. Executors, Gavin Witherspoon and James McBride. Witnesses, Jonathan Bostwick, William Frierson, and Peter Morland. Ap- praisement made by Robert P. Witherspoon, William Frierson, and James Witherspoon.
Ebenezer Gibson's will is dated August 1, 1806. He mentions his son, Ebenezer; his daughter, Frances; his grandchildren, James Malcolmson Gowdy and Mary Gowdy; his son-in-law, William McConnell ; his daughter, Frances McConnell; and his grandsons, Ebenezer Frank- lin McConnell and William Gibson McConnell. His ex- ecutors were John Watson, James Tisdale, and William McCullough. Witnesses, Robert Cantley, Mary Cantley, and Thomas Gibson. Appraisement made by Gavin Witherspoon, William McCullough, and James McBride.
William McElveen's will was not dated but was proveu January 19, 1807. He mentions his wife, Margaret; his sons, William, James, Henry, and Thomas; his daugh- ters, Mary Ann, Margaret, and Jane; and his daughter- in-law, Eleanor Matthews and her son, John. Execu- tors, William and James McElveen, William James Cooper, and Robert Gregg. Appraisement made by John James, Samuel Scott, and Benjamin Britton.
John Gotea, Sr., dated his will March 24, 1818. The beneficiaries were his wife, Elizabeth; his son, George Cooper Gotea; and his daughter, Eleanor, who married Douglass. Executors, Hugh Mccutchen, Alexander Mc- Knight, and William Gibson, Jr. Witnesses, T. M. Brown, William Gibson, and John McKnight.
Anne Spring's will is dated February 10, 1807. The beneficiaries were her son, Cornelius; her daughter, Anne Byrd; granddaughter, Orpha Byrd. Witnesses, John McCallister, John Rodgers, and Margaret Rodgers. Pro- ven before John Nesmith, J. Q. Appraisement made by Robert Cade, Robert McCallister, and John McCallister.
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