USA > South Carolina > Oconee County > The Old Stone Church, Oconee County, South Carolina; > Part 10
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Robert Anderson and Andrew Pickens, officers of the Revolution, were two of the first Elders.
The first building was of logs. It was put up in 1790, and stood a mile or two from this spot. Tradition says it was burned-catching from a forest fire. A few years later, in 1797, this building was erected, the site, nearer the centre of the congregation, was deeded by the Millers- either by John Miller-"Printer John"-publisher of the "Junius's Letters"-the pioneer newspaper man of the up- country of South Carolina, proprietor of "The Pendleton Messenger-printed on a press General Greene had used in camp-or by the sons of that worthy man. The first load of stone that was to build the church was hauled to the spot by a Mr. Roberson-"a zealous man." He and Miller are buried here.
Among the most liberal contributors were Andrew Pick- ens, Robert Anderson, George Reese, William Steele, Cap- tain McGuffin, Hardy Owens, Mr. Whitner, Mr. Calhoun,
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and General Earle. The seats and the pulpit were given by General Pickens individually. John Rusk, who had been a soldier of the Revolution, was the builder. To him was born, in 1802, a son, who was named in honor of the Presi- dent then in office, Thomas Jefferson. This son was United States Senator from Texas, 1846 to 1856, dying in the latter year. One county-and the county-seat of another-in the Lone Star State bear the name of this one of the South Carolina born leaders of the Texans. John Rusk is buried in this grave-yard, a rude stone-like those of which he built the church-appropriately marks his resting place.
About the middle of the last century the wood-work of the church was destroyed by fire, again catching from burn- ing woods.
In the year 1900 a substantial stone wall was built around the grave-yard.
The first preaching for these people was done by Messrs. Simpson, Hunter, Medlin, and perhaps others as "supplies." Reverend Thomas Reese, D. D., was the first pastor, and also the first person buried in the church-yard. His grave was dug before the church was built.
Reverend Benjamin R. Montgomery, afterwards a pro- fessor in the South Carolina College, was the next pastor, serving about two years. Upon his resignation, in 1807, Reverend James McElhenny was called to the pastorate, being assisted by his son-in-law, Reverend John D. Murphy. Mr. McElhenny owned the place which John C. Calhoun afterwards made his home, changing the name from "Clergy Hall" to "Fort Hill," in honor of Fort Rutledge, erected on the Seneca by General Williamson. Messrs. Murphy and McElhenny died about the same time. Both are buried here. The next pastor was Rev. James Hillhouse. He served five years and moved to Alabama in 1822, where he died in 1835.
"In 1828 this church had only fifty-nine members, and as it would seem by the force of circumstances and mutual
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consent, preaching was gradually transferred to the village of Pendleton."-Dr. Frierson.
A missionary to China-1840-1843-Dr. Thos. L. Mc- Bryde, is buried here. He was a native of Abbeville District, a graduate of Franklin College, now the State University, Athens, Georgia; a student of the Theological Seminary, Columbia ; honored with the title of Doctor of Divinity by Erskine College. He died in 1863, while pastor of this con- gregation.
Three soldiers of the Revolution-we are told-were buried at the old Stone Church: James A. Garvin, Andrew Pickens and John Rusk.
Of Garvin we have been able to learn only this-that he fought for his country in both the wars with England, and that his grave is here ..
Mention has already been made of John Rusk, whose patri- otism manifested itself in warring against the enemies of his country and in church building.
The life of Andrew Pickens-in its facts and its lessons- furnishes material not only for one address but for a volume. He was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In boyhood he came with his parents to South Carolina, living first at the Waxhaws, and afterwards in Abbeville. He married Re- becca Calhoun, an aunt of the great statesman. He, under Colonel Grant, fought the Cherokees. He served without pay during the war of the Revolution. Both North and South Carolina elected him Brigadier General. He rallied the militia at Cowpens. He was shot down at Eutaw Springs. At Kettle Creek he offered to pray with the dying Tory leader, and when that offer was rudely and profanely refused by Colonel Boyd, the Christian soldier agreed to send to his widow the silver spurs of his fallen foe.
His services in peace were no less renowned than those in war. He was a member of the State Legislature and of the State's Constitutional Convention. He was a Congressman from South Carolina. An old newspaper thus instructs us :
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"In 1794 Congress sat in Philadelphia. At that time there were neither railroads nor stage-coaches-all traveling was done on horseback. Picture then, to yourselves, a man who is approaching his three-score years, of martial figure and dignified demeanor, mounted on a spirited milk-white steed, of pure Andalusian breed, whip in hand, and holsters filled with a brace of pistols, the silver mountings of which glit- tered in the sunlight, a three-cornered hat, from beneath which grows the silvery gray hair, put smoothly back and tied in a queue, an undress military coat, ruffled shirt, and small clothes and fair top boots, with massive silver spurs. Following at a little distance, on a stout draft horse, is his African attendant, Pompey, in livery of blue, with scarlet facings, carrying a ponderous portmanteau with a conse- quential and dignified air, showing in every movement the pride of a body servant in his revered master. Paint this in your mind's eye, and you have before you a gentleman of the eighteenth century, with his servant, on his way to Congress. Such was General Andrew Pickens as he passed through our village in 1794."-Keowee Courier.
General Pickens was appointed by President Washington, with General Wayne, to conquer the great northwestern tribes of Indians, but declined the honor. Washington in- vited him to Philadelphia to consult as to the best methods of civilizing the Southern Indians. General Pickens ran the line between North Carolina and Tennessee by an appoint- ment from President Jefferson.
"The Legislature of South Carolina, in 1816, unanimously offered him the gubernatorial chair, which he respectfully declined from age and infirmities."
At his home at Tomassee, in Oconee County, in that lovely valley, at the foot of the beautiful mountain peak of the same name, where, in 1779, he had fought one of his hardest bat- tles with the Indians, on the 11th of August, 1817, in his 80th year, the soldier, statesman, Christian, "fell on sleep." He died suddenly, sitting in his chair, opening his mail, under
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a cedar tree still standing. It is a singular coincidence that General Thomas Sumter, too, the associate of Pickens in the war of the Revolution, at his home in Sumter County, fifteen years later, died suddenly while sleeping in a chair leaning back against the wall.
Here rest the mortal remains of three soldiers of our sec- ond war with England, the war for free-trade and sailor's rights, commonly called the War of 1812-James A. Garvin, already referred to as a hero of the Revolution; Jesse P. Lewis,* over whose grave stands a handsome monument ; and Andrew Pickens, Colonel and Governor of South Caro- lina, who sleeps under a marble slab.
Andrew Pickens, the younger, son of the General of the same name, when a boy of five "drew the jury" of the first Court ever held in Abbeville District. "In the War of 1812, he did his duty to his country as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army on the Canada frontier, and in 1814 he was appointed to command one of the regiments of State troops raised in South Carolina." In 1817, the year of his father's death and a few months after that event, he was elected Governor of the State.
Here, too, rest the remains of a victim to the intense ex- citement of "Nullification times"-Bynum-killed in a duel on the Savannah River, in the early 30's by Benjamin F. Perry, himself a native of this County, afterwards "Provi- sional Governor" of South Carolina. Bynum's body was brought here, buried in the rain, at night, the two pine pole hand-sticks used to carry the corpse from the wagon to the grave being stuck up at its head and foot, and growing to great pines, which stood until recently. It may not be gene- rally known that Bynum wrote and printed a volume of poems.
So far as we can learn, no veterans of the War with Mexico were interred in this cemetery. John Hunter, a hero
*I am informed by the family that Jesse P. Lewis was not a soldier in the war of 1812, but in the Indian War, 1815-1816-(Editor).
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of that war, was buried at Pendleton. His relatives have a sword presented him by his comrades, on which is inscribed the battles between Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico.
Pendleton District furnished sailors as well as soldiers. Shubrick, an officer of the navy, was buried in the village.
Cornelius K. Stribling was born and raised near Pendle- ton, ran away from home, walked to Charleston, joined the navy, a boy of tender years, served on the lakes in the war 1812 and in the Pacific squadron during the war with Mexico, was superintendent of the Naval Academy four years, rose to the rank of Rear Admiral, and was buried at Washington, the highest officers of the government, the army and the navy participating in the funeral ceremonies.
Listen to the roll of soldiers of the Southern Confederacy buried at the "Old Stone Church :" Alexander, J. N. ; Cherry, J. C .; Doyle, Dr. O. R .; Frazier, John; Gantt, B. F .; Good- man, Wm. W .; Harris, John; Harris, Robt .; Hopkins, G .; Kilpatrick, Colonel; Lanier, James W .; Lewis, David; Lewis, Earle; Lewis, Robert; Livingstone, Colonel; Mc- Crary, Edmund ; McElroy, J. S. ; Miller, John F. ; Rochester, W. C .; Sharpe, Ed. A .; Sloan, Enoch Berry ; Stevens, A. C .; Swords, Harvey ; White, Verner ; Whitten, John.
Colonel Livingstone went out as Captain of Company A, Orr's Regiment, and in regular line of promotion became Major and Colonel. He was wounded at Gaines's Mill. When shattered health forced him to return home, he sent two able-bodied men to the front.
When the first call for volunteers was made, Whitner Kil- patrick raised a company. Their services not being immedi- ately needed, he joined, for a time, as a private, Perrin's Company of Abbeville. Later his own company and others from this section, under Colonel J. B .E. Sloan, fought gal- lantly at First Manassas and in the other battles of the open- ing year of the great conflict. For gallant conduct he was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He and his command fol- lowed Longstreet through the Virginia campaigns. He was
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in every battle in which his command was engaged. After Longstreet's men were sent to Tennessee, Colonel Kilpatrick was taken sick. Hearing at midnight that a battle was im- minent, he rose from his sick bed, took command of his regi- ment, and met his death at Wills' Valley, in East Tennessee.
He refused the comforts to which his rank entitled him and voluntarily suffered with his men the hardships of life in camp. No wonder his General, hearing of his fate, ex- claimed : "Sir, it feels like one-half of my heart is gone with the last pulsation of Kilpatrick."
David Sloan Lewis fought through the battle of "Seven Pines" and died, in the nineteenth year of his age, in a hos- pital at Manchester, Virginia.
Robert and Earle Lewis were two brothers, brave soldiers, who yielded up their lives on Virginia soil.
While putting fresh flowers on the graves of these whose places of rest are known, let us remember those
"On whose lonely graves There is not even a name, Their coffins but their Southern Soil, Their shrouds Confederate gray."
One is William Poe, who in one of the battles of Tennessee had one leg shot off, the other so badly injured it had to be amputated. He died within the lines of the enemy, and his family have never been able to find his grave. Of his gallant conduct in Virginia, eighteen months before his death a com- rade had written: "Our Color-sergeant, Lawrence Smith, was killed, and all of his color guard, eleven in number, fell wounded under the old colors. Private Poe, of the Pal- metto Sharp-shooters, volunteered to carry the colors, and nobly and bravely did he do it, for at one time, when the regiment was reeling and staggering under the terrific fire, he moved to the front, waving his colors to the men, and with a shout and a yell, they followed him, driving the Yankees before them."-(Letters Lieutenant Richard Lewis, p. 31.)
Note .- This old flag was hanging on the pulpit. The speaker paused and pointed to the stains of Smith's blood on the flag.
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In musing on the death of this gallant Pendleton boy asso- ciation brings to mind the words Father Ryan wrote in mem- ory of his brother, who died under circumstances very similar :
"A grave in the woods with the grass o'ergrown, A grave in the heart of his mother- His clay in the one lies lifeless and lone; There is not a name, there is not a stone, And only the voice of the winds marketh moan O'er the grave where never a flower is strewn, But his memory lives in the other."
Two Clemson boys are buried here-Rembert, an orphan ; Martin, the only son of his mother and she a widow. Suita- ble stones mark their resting places. May we ask, good women, for flowers on their graves to-day ?
Young gentlemen in gray, cadets of Clemson College, the State of your birth, the site of your school, the device on your buttons, the color of your uniform-all call you to a life study of the life story of these Southern soldiers, these surviving veterans and their sleeping comrades, members of a "band of patriots whose valor on the field of battle, and whose forti- tude in the camp and in the hospital have made the name Confederate soldier synonymous with every element that goes to make a man."
Ought we not, my countrymen, erect in the centre of this cemetery a shaft of marble or stone, and inscribe on it the name of every soldier-of all wars-buried in this grave yard, and leave on it space for the names of the survivors who in coming years may be laid to rest in this sacred enclo- sure ?
Suffer me, in conclusion, to bring as my offering a wreath of beautiful thoughts in sweetly flowing words woven by that sweetest singer of the cause of our Southland-a "cause though lost still just"-our poet-priest, Father Ryan :
Do we weep for the heroes who died for us,
Who living were true and tried for us,
And dying sleep side by side for us; The martyr band That hallowed our land
With the blood they shed in a tide for us?
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Ah! fearless on many a day for us They stood in front of the fray for us, And held the foeman at bay for us; And tears should fall Fore'er o'er all Who fell while wearing the gray for us.
How many a glorious name for us, How many a story of fame for us They left; would it not be a blame for us If their memories part
From our land and heart, And a wrong for them, and shame for us? No, no, no, they were brave for us, And bright were the lives they gave for us;
The land they struggled to save for us Will not forget Its warriors yet Who sleep in so many a grave for us.
On many and many a plain for us Their blood poured down all in vain for us, Red, rich and pure, like a rain for us; They bleed-we weep, We live-they sleep, "All lost" the only refrain for us.
But their memories e'er shall remain for us, And their names, bright names, without stain for us; The glory they won shall not wane for us, In legend and lay Our heroes in gray Shall forever live over again for us.
-From Clemson College Chronicle, Vol. IV., Nos. 8-9, May-June, 1901.
GEN. ANDREW PICKENS
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ANDREW PICKENS.
Andrew Pickens, of a lineage traced back through the centuries to that sad procession of half a million French Protestant refugees, crossing as best they could the guarded borders of France, in Louis XIVth time, exiles for liberty of religious opinions; for some a temporary resting place in Scotland; another sojourn in North of Ireland, where our hero's parents were born; then the yearning for abso- lute liberty-"a State without a King," "a Church without a Bishop"-brought the Pickens family across the wide At- lantic to Paxton Township, Pa., where, on the 19th of Sep- tember, 1739, the subject of this too brief memoir first saw the light ; while yet in early childhood his family removed to Augusta County, Virginia. The desire for a milder climate, the news of rich lands to the Southward, and about the mid- dle of the XVIIIth Century those long wagon trains from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, Southward bound, to occupy the rich Piedmont section of South Carolina, made their way. This long continued move ultimately peopled Upper Carolina with that stalwart and patriotic population, which, through five generations, has acted well its part, in war and peace, in Colony and State. In personality it was a distinct population, in type and thought-plainly dif- ferent from that which entered the State from the sea- those overland settlers were largely of what might now be correctly designated as "Scotch-Irish" in race, and of a re- ligious opinion so pronounced as to fulfill Edmund Burke's description : "Their religion was a refinement on the prin- ciple of resistance; it was the dissidence of dissent-the pro- testanism of the Protestant religion!" They had crossed the ocean for expanded opportunity : for liberty of develop- ment, and the chance of a more rewarding work. Their sons after them kept their stern fidelity to this moral con- viction, and that frugal, hardy, courageous temper, which came to them easily, as an ancestral inheritance. Andrew
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Pickens was a foremost representative man of this people, and his high character and patriotic achievements are indeli- bly inscribed in the annals of Upper South Carolina.
The Calhoun-Pickens (1752), and other associated fami- lies, crossed the Upper Catawba, on their south-bound wagon journey, and traversed South Carolina at its greatest breadth, making their homes on the western border, near the Savannah River, at Long Cane, in what is now Abbeville County. A singular coincidence appears in this : after nearly two centuries of wanderings, a French Protestant Colony, coming in at Charleston, sought homes in this immediate vicinity, in the then wilderness of South Carolina.
Andrew Pickens was then a boy of thirten years of age, with no educational advantages, his occupation, hunting, farm work and Indian warfare, in which all our early rural citizens were trained and toughened for their later life-work. Bred on the Indian frontier, his strong character and un- daunted courage, soon made him a leader of men, and we find him, as stated by Lossing, a Colonel at twenty-one years of age, in Colonel Grant's expedition against the Cherokees.
When the settlement on Long Cane was broken up and almost destroyed by the Cherokees, in 1761, with the dread- ful murders there committed, a portion of the fugitives took refuge in the Waxhaw Settlement, east of Catawba, in what is now Lancaster County. Ezekiel Calhoun escaped thither, bringing with him his interesting family. Young Pickens was also there, and became acquainted with Miss Rebecca Calhoun, whom he subsequently married, on 19th March, 1765, at the home of the bride's father, Ezekiel Calhoun, at Long Cane, whither the family had returned, after the In- dian troubles. Tradition says it was the largest wedding party ever then assembled in Upper Carolina, and the fes- tivities lasted three days without intermission ; the beauty of the bride was the theme of all tongues, and the wedding
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was long talked of as the important event of the neighbor- hood in that decade.
During the War of Independence, Mrs. Pickens' devotion and fidelity to the patriot cause cheered her gallant husband amidst all difficulties, and made his home ever bright and dear, even through the blood and carnage of those terrible years. It would be pleasant to follow the happy couple in their social life, but our purpose is only to recall Andrew Pickens, as a citizen and soldier, during a long and distin- guished career. A recent writer, with graphic pen, says, "A beautiful and devoted wife; a cheerful fireside; peace and plenty about him-what more could man crave? All this he was soon called upon to forego, and take the field, fighting for what he conceived to be duty and right. In those peaceful times : "All good men loved the King: not to do so was a crime. He was the embodiment of law and order, the centre and source of Government, many a prayer was daily wafted skyward, for his weal and guidance: not to drink his health was treason. This is a truth to be em- phasized, as showing what it then cost loyal men to revolt." now Savannah River, was prosperous; the people had no grievances ; they had been protected always by Loyal troops, and felt no burdens of taxation. So strong was this feel- ing of loyalty, that many of the leading citizens opposed to the end the Whig cause. Forty years ago the late Mr. Petigru said what may well be now an accepted opinion :
"It is not true that the Tories were a horde of ruffians. They were conservatives, and their error was in carrying to excess the sentiment of loyalty which is founded in virtue. Their constancy embittered the contest, but did not provoke it. Their cause deserved to fail, but their sufferings are entitled to respect. Prejudice has blackened their names, but history will speak of them as more tenacious than ambi- tious, and show toward them the indulgence due to the un- fortunate."
As early as the Stamp Act troubles (1765), Andrew 10-O. S. C.
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Pickens was known as opposed to "taxation without repre- sentation," and so it ensued that in November, 1775, we find him on the patriot side at the first fight at Ninety-Six Fort, an event seldom or never mentioned by historians. It oc- curred seven months after Lexington and Concord! Eight months before the Declaration of Independence. Andrew Pickens had no personal end to serve, nor personal griev- ance ; nor had the prosperous region in which he lived, with his wife and young children, but the voice of duty called him, and at that critical moment he flung his whole influence into the American cause. He was widely known all through the Piedmont Section for his piety and fearless bravery, and he turned the tide of public opinion. The moment Andrew Pickens took the field Upper South Carolina declared against George III. Men everywhere flocked to the Patriot stand- ard. His decision cost him much, and during seven long years was to cost him more. With Indians hostile in his rear, and British troops and Loyalists in front, his family exposed at all times, he went resolutely forward, with an approving conscience-the freedom of the Colonies his only aspiration.
What Marion was in the Low Country, Sumter in the Middle Country, Andrew Pickens was in the Upper Coun- try, and when British troops had possession of the Colony from Charleston to the Mountains, those three leaders and others held the field, the active, irrepressible champions of Independence, and through their personal influences kept alive the spirit of liberty, and their names will forever shine out in South Carolina history with an unquenchable lustre.
The historical writers of the country have been negli- gent of General Pickens' services to the country. It is not possible to go into general details, but in connection with the Centennial of Cowpens, which this publication com- memorates, it is in order to show how great were his ser- vices in preparation for and in that decisive battle.
When General Morgan was first detached by General
"CONGRESS TO COL. PICKENS
"March 9th, 1781-Cowpens, January 17th."
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Greene for the special duty which culminated at Cowpens, his force was limited in numbers, and as soon as battle ap- peared imminent, reinforcements were imperatively neces- sary. To no one more than to Colonel Pickens is the credit due for bringing help. He had made efforts, by couriers, summoning men for sixty miles around. Colonel Howard, of the Maryland Line, says: "Morgan did not decide an action until he was joined on the night of 16th January by Colonel Pickens and his followers." Among these were three companies of Georgians. And adds : "I well remem- ber that parties were coming into the camp most of the night, &c." The general account of the battle is familiar to all readers, but it is not generally known that Colonel Pickens was next to General Morgan in rank, and com- manded in person more than half of the troops engaged in that action. Early in the fight the victorious British were pressing on, when suddenly, says Tarleton, "My men were seized with a sudden panic." It was explainable, by Pick- ens' and Howard's troops pouring a deadly flank and front fire into them, before which they quailed. As they wavered, Pickens' and Howard's troops pressed the fight, and Wash- ington's cavalry charged. Pickens and Howard, in person, advanced with their troops to finish the fight, and in twenty minutes the larger part of the British forces were in pos- session of the Americans. The 71st Regiment exhibited for some time a countenance, and maintained their order to the last, but when the British Cavalry was put to flight by Colonel Washington, and the whole weight of the Ameri- can Infantry pressed upon them, resistance was vain. They laid down their arms, and Colonel Pickens, in person, re- ceived the sword of McArthur, the Commander of the 71st Regiment.
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