USA > South Carolina > Oconee County > The Old Stone Church, Oconee County, South Carolina; > Part 13
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A marble shaft marks the grave of Rev. Dr. T. L. Mc- Bryde. On the four sides of the shaft are the following inscriptions :
(East side. ) In memory of Rev. T. L. McBryde, D. D. Born February 25th, 1817. Died April 15th, 1863.
(West side.) "A preacher of righteousness." As a Pastor he beautifully exempli-
fied all the Christian Virtues inculcated by his Lord and Master. In the do- mestic circle he was the devoted husband, the affectionate Father, and the ever sympathizing friend.
(North side.) The early bloom of his manhood was dedicated to the Missionary field of China. From October, 1852, until the close of his life, he was the faithful, beloved Pastor of Hopewell Church, Pendleton.
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(South side.)
"Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
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JOHN BAILEY ADGER, D. D.
REV. JOHN BAILEY ADGER, D. D., was born of Scotch- Irish parentage, in Charleston, S. C., December 13, 1810. At the early age of eighteen he was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., and in 1833, at Princeton Theo- logical Seminary. The next year he was ordained by the Charleston Union Presbytery and went out as a foreign mis- sionary to the Armenians, under appointment of the Ameri- can Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. He con- tinued in this service for twelve years at Constantinople and . Smyrna, until the failure of his eyes and other circumstances compelled his withdrawal from the foreign field. During his missionary service he translated into Armenian the New Testament, Pilgrim's Progress, the Shorter Catechism, and other books, which translations are still in use among that people.
After his return home, Dr. Adger engaged in work among the negro slaves in his native city, and founded that noble enterprise which afterwards, under the efficient ministry of Dr. John L. Girardeau, developed into the magnificent work of Zion Church, which was interrupted and well nigh broken up by the effects of the Confederate War.
The failure of his eyes again drove Dr. Adger from this work, which he had espoused with ardent affection and unre- mitting zeal, and led to his settlement at Pendleton, where he devoted five years to farm life with its out-door exercise.
Upon the withdrawal, in 1856, of Dr. Palmer from the Chair of Ecclesiastical History and Church Polity, in Colum- bia Theological Seminary, to accept the pastorate of the First Church, New Orleans, Dr. Adger was elected his successor. And now that the trouble with his eyes had been relieved by rest and recreation, he accepted the position, which he filled with zeal and ability for seventeen years.
During his whole connection with the seminary, Dr. Adger retained his summer residence at Pendleton, where he de- 12-O. S. C.
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lighted to spend his long vacations, and where he kept his family much of the time during the Civil War and the dark days that followed. He had thus become very closely asso- ciated with Hopewell Keowee Church, located in that village, and had often filled its pulpit and served it as stated supply during periods of vacancy. When, therefore, he retired from the Seminary in 1874 and took up again his permanent abode at Pendleton, he became the regular supply, and in 1879, the installed pastor of this church. Though sixty-nine years of age, he was full of energy for work, zeal in preaching the gospel, and delight in pastoral service ; and he entered upon this new field of labor with much of the enthusiasm of youth. His labors, too, proved most acceptable, and on the part of both pastor and people were reluctantly terminated at the age of eighty-four, only because of his growing infirmities, which hindered his preaching.
During this pastorate the new brick church, now used, was built and the old wooden structure turned over to the Colored Adger Memorial Church.
Dr. Adger was heard to say he would like to be a pastor just to realize the sweetness of the relation betwixt pastor and a devoted people. This he did realize, and for sixteen years held a powerful influence over his people, which influ- ence still lives. He by his teaching drew them closer to the cause of Foreign Missions, as is shown by the following inci- dent : He preached a sermon preparatory to the collection for that object which was to be taken up on the next Sunday, when each church was assessed for an additional sum by the General Assembly. The sermon was one never to be forgot- ten, from the text Ps. 74: 20, "For the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty." With keenest interest he inquired of the Deacon what amount had been raised and was told the desired sum was more than doubled.
There are those yet living who witnessed his adieu to the Synod of South Carolina, when, in view of his deafness excluding him from taking part in their deliberations, he
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deemed it best to retire from their meetings, although to his last days he kept up an unabated interest in all their doings.
Dr. Adger, after the close of his pastorate, lived and labored four years, which time he spent in severe literary work, despite his deafness and approaching blindess, prepar- ing the large volume, "My Life and Times," which valuable book he had nearly completed when, January 3d, 1899, the Lord called him to rest from his labors and leave his works to follow him.
By MISS SUSAN B. ADGER, Pendleton, S. C.
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LEMANT AND WALKER FAMILIES .*
James Lemant, born County Antrim, Ireland. Martha Smyth Lemant, born County Antrim, Ireland. Children were : Smyth Lemant, born County Antrim, Ireland. Jane or Jeannette, born County Antrim, Ireland. in 1768, died October 8th, 1856. Robert, born County Antrim, Ireland, died in South Carolina. John, born County Antrim, Ireland ; fell overboard and was drowned on the voyage to America. Narcissa, born County Antrim, Ireland; died in Chester County, S. C. James, born in Chester County, S. C .; died in Charleston, S. C.
The Lemant family left Scotland, in the vicinity of Loch Lomond, and settled in the North of Ireland for religious freedom. James Lemant was born at Dumfane, County An- trim, Ireland. He married Martha, the daughter of James Smyth. She was born in Killifleugh, County Antrim. The marriage ceremony was performed in a church fifteen miles from Belfast, near Ballymana. William Walker Leman, their grand-son, visited their birth-place, found the church which they attended, and read their names in the parish reg- ister of marriages, the signature of each written out clear and plain. Learning was the exception not the rule in that day.
In 1773, the family emigrated from Belfast to America, as cabin passengers. A son, Smyth Lemant, supposed to be the eldest son, was left with an uncle in Bristol, England. Their five children and Martha Lemant, three brothers, Robert, George and James Smyth, came over with them. The chil- dren were: Jane, usually called Jeannette; Narcissa ; an in- fant, who died on the voyage; Robert and John. The vessel landed at Charleston, S. C .; from there the family went to Chester Co., S. C., and settled in the vicinity of Fishing Creek Church.
During the Revolutionary War, this family were staunch Whigs. Many interesting stories can be told of the bravery of their men and women. James Lemant was killed in the
* This information was furnished by Mrs. Annie Lee Hudson Hill, of Washington, Ga.
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Revolutionary War. Robert, George and James Smyth left no descendants.
Jeannette Lemant united with the Fishing Creek congrega- tion, in 1784. She married William Walker, a wealthy young man of the same congregation. The bride planted the flax, spun and made her own wedding dress of white linen. This dress was treasured as an heirloom for many years. An unusual romance followed the marriage of William and Jean- nette. John Walker, the father of William, was a widower. Jeannette's mother, as we know, was a widow. These two seniors followed the example of their children, fell in love and were married, thus making Jeannette Walker's own mother, her mother-in-law.
About this period, the name of Lemant was changed in spelling to Leman, the last letter having never been restored to the name.
About 1809, William Walker moved with his family to Pendleton District, S. C. He brought with him a number of slaves, bought a tract of land four miles from the town of Pendleton, from Christopher Strong. The place was known as "The Oaks." The family attended the churches of Hope- well (Old Stone Church) and Mt. Carmel. In 1818, Wil- liam Walker was elected an Elder in Carmel Church. The family interments are in the Old Stone Church-yard. Wil- liam and Jeannette Walker are buried in the cemetery of Old Stone Church. Their tomb-stones bear the following in- scriptions :
Sacred to the memory of Jane Walker, Consort of William Walker, who Died October 8th, 1856 In the 88th year of Her age.
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Seventy-two years a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church. She lived universally esteemed as pre-eminent in Piety and Charity. The poor were never turned unaided from her door. She took the Infant from the Breast of the Dying mother, Provided for him, Educated and trained him up to piety and usefulness. She Died with a tranquil hope of entering the rest which awaits the People of God.
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the Death of his Saints."
Sacred To the Memory of William Walker, who died 25th Jan., 1841 In the 77th year of his age. He lived the life and died the death of the Christian. "Happy soul thy days are ended, All thy mourning days below, Go, by angel guards attended, To the sight of Jesus go."
Their descendants are scattered throughout the Southern States. Some of them are mentioned below.
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Jane E. Walker, eldest daughter, married Col. D. K. Ham- ilton. The Russells, of Texas and South Carolina, are her descendants.
Martha Walker, married Dr. James K. Alexander, of Greenville District, moved to Atlanta, Ga., in the early part of the 19th century. The distinguished jurist, John R. Alexander, of Atlanta, Ga., and Capt. T. W. Alexander, of Rome, Ga., were her sons. One of her grand-daughters, Mrs. James A. Rounsaville, was President of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
John Smyth Walker left no descendants, and is buried at Old Stone Church.
James Walker, married Mary Jordan and moved to Aber- deen, Miss. His grand-son, William, is a prominent lawyer of that city.
Matilda Walker, the third daughter, was crippled in early life by an accident with a spirited horse. She bravely en- dured this trial and lived a long and useful life at the old homestead. She was of a modest and retiring disposition, and knowing her family would engrave her praises on her monument, secured from them the promise of these few lines on a simple stone :
"Hangs my Helpless Soul on Thee." Matilda Walker, Died May 30th, 1874.
Narcissa Walker, the youngest child, married Major T. H. McCann, of Anderson County. They raised an interesting family as follows : Mrs. G. D. Barr, Mrs. W. A. Hudson, Mrs. T. W. Davis, of Greenville, S. C .; Mrs. Harrison, An- derson, S. C .; Mrs. Jno. W. Glenn, of Anderson Co., S. C .; Mrs. G. K. Miller, of Talledega, Ala., and one son, who died early.
Eliza Walker, married Col. Alfred Fuller, of Pendleton, S. C. She had but one child, now Mrs. A. A. Foster, of Spartanburg, S. C.
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JOSEPH WHITNER.
JOSEPH WHITNER was the son of John Josef Witner, and grand-son of Josef Witner, of Germany. About 1764, John Josef Witner, with his three children, emigrated to America, landing in Charleston, S. C. Within a few months after his arrival, he and two of his children died, and Joseph, the surviving child, then about seven years of age, was left an orphan-"a stranger in a strange land." He was placed in a school in Charleston, where he remained until was sounded the first call to arms in the struggle for the Inde- pendence of his adopted State; when, although but eighteen years of age and regardless of the violent opposition of his guardian, he enlisted in the ranks of the patriots and served from the beginning of hostilities to the successful close. During the first years of the war he was under the renowned General Francis Marion; but afterwards was detailed in "Upper or Pendleton District," where Indians, incited by the English, were committing great depredations. He was given a command and did noble service for his State. After his death, a companion in arms, Col. Kilpatrick, delighted in paying the tribute to Joseph Whitner, that as a com- mander he never sent his men into danger, but led them. At the close of the war, Joseph Whitner settled in the Pen- dleton District and became a surveyor and planter. In 1789 he married Elizabeth Shackleford, daughter of William Shackleford, a Revolutionary patriot, of Hanover County, Va. After his marriage, for the sake of euphony, he changed his name from "Josef Witner" to "Joseph Whit- ner." Joseph and Elizabeth Whitner had six children : Col. B. F. Whitner, who removed to Florida in 1834; Judge Joseph N. Whitner; John Whitner, who enlisted under General Jackson in the war of 1812, and on the march to New Orleans died and was buried at Wetumpka, Ala .; Mrs. - Symmes ; Mrs. Anthony Ross.
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Joseph Whitner died April, 1824, aged sixty-seven years ; and his wife, born November 29, 1768, died October 24, 1837. Both buried in "Old Stone Church-yard."
Thrown upon his own resources when but a youth, trained in the school of bitter experience, alone and unaided, Joseph Whitner struggled against adverse circumstances and con- quered them ; deprived, when a child, of the softening influ- ences of home life, it is no wonder he was regarded as an austere man, but beneath that severe exterior there was a heart as warm as ever beat in human breast.
By JNO. C. WHITNER, Atlanta, Ga.
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TURNER BYNUM.
Turner Bynum fell in a duel at Hatton's Ford, and died August 17th, 1832. This duel was the result of a political quarrel with Benj. F. Perry, afterwards Governor of South Carolina. Young Bynum was an ardent Nullifier, an ad- mirer of John C. Calhoun, and Perry was a Unionist.
Turner Bynum was a young man of unusually brilliant intellect and scholarly attainments. Although scarcely twenty-eight years of age, he was making a marked impres- sion upon the political history of his times. His friend and second, the Hon. James H. Hammond, in writing to his widowed mother of his tragic death, says: "I feel the full force of the affliction. His country has much to lament, for his talents were rapidly ripening into eminent usefulness. The loss will not soon be supplied."
Turner Bynum was born in Charleston, S. C. His father, also Turner Bynum, was born in Southampton, Va., in 1777. The Bynum family came from England to Vir- ginia in the early part of the eighteenth century, presumably about 1720. Settling in Southampton, after the lapse of years the descendants emigrated to North Carolina, South Carolina, and even as far west as Louisiana. Coming to South Carolina, Turner Bynum, Sr., married Elizabeth Mil- ler, daughter of John Miller, of Charleston, and Catherine Long, his wife, of Newberry, S. C. John Miller was de- scended from the Dutch settlers in Berk's County, Pennsyl- vania, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army. Shortly after the death of Turner Bynum, his elder brother, Alfred, a young man of equal brilliancy of intellect, a lawyer and a poet, went to Texas and joined the army then being organized for the war of Texan Independence. He was a member of Col. Fannin's regiment. They were captured by the Mexicans and were massacred at Goliad, Texas, by order of General Santa Anna.
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Both of these young men died defending the principles of liberty and the right of a State to self-government. With the tragic ending of their lives, the male line of the family of Bynum in South Carolina became extinct.
By SALLIE CHASE PATILLO.
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OLD PENDLETON.
From Keowee Courier, Walhalla, S. C., May 7, 1891.
What hallowed associations does the name of this village conjure up! How often in thought do we wander back there! Old land-marks and many reminders are still to be seen, but the kindly faces and precious souls have nearly all gone across the bourne. We hope to meet them again in the better land if admitted into the eternal realms of bliss, and as time rolls on in her endless cycle, we feel that now and then we should feel constrained to spare a moment to peep down upon the old familiar spot, where our first fond hopes of earth aspired and indulged in many bright anticipations which have never been realized.
Fifty years ago Old Pendleton was the fairest town in Upper South Carolina, a community of wealth, intelligence, refinement and religion, and the home of the best people it has ever fallen to our lot to know ; a resort of giant minds who would do honor to any age of the world's history, such men as John C. Calhoun, Langdon Cheves, Daniel Huger, War- ren R. Davis, John Taylor, David K. Hamilton, the Pinck- neys, Haynes, Earles ; the Generals Pickens, Anderson, Blass- ingame; the Colonels Warren, Allston and Barton, and the homes of Barnard E. Bee, the Stevens brothers, of Charles- ton gunboat fame, of Confederate times, home of John and Pat Calhoun, the well known young financiers of to-day ; and from these old hills came our astute Senator, Joseph E. Brown, Atlanta's brainiest man ; Dr. H. V. M. Miller, Gene- ral Rusk, of Texas, a power in his day ; Governors Perry and Orr; Commissioner Stribling, of the Navy, and hundreds who have left their impress upon this new world, and in their day and time helped to lay the foundation and build up this great country ; and a host of others whose honorable names and useful citizenship would challenge the world for comparison.
Such was the status of Old Pendleton fifty years ago, when
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in the full tide of her prosperity, a splendid Piedmont climate, with fertile lands and under the old slave regime, and when the wealth resided in the country and agricultural pursuits were regarded second to none other as an occupation of honor and profit, and were conducted with an intelligence and ad- vancement scarcely surpassed to-day in the South.
Old Pendleton was famed for the beauty and gentleness of her women as well as for the high tone and pluck of her men. Old Pendleton District was then about the size of the State of Rhode Island, and the good old town was the grand center of both society and trade, and, indeed, was one of the fore- most pioneer towns of the South.
It was in the streets of Old Pendleton that her indignant citizens kindled the first bonfire that consumed in its flames the first incendiary papers and letters sent South by the Abolitionists to stir strife and discord among a happy people.
One of the first female high schools in the South was con- ducted by the Misses Bates and Billings, from Vermont, who taught the young ladies etiquette and French, graceful atti- tudes and highfalutin notions, modern manners, to walk daintily and to scream fashionably at a bug or a mouse.
One of the first military academies was here, where the boys were drilled daily, wore gray uniforms and brass but- tons.
My first recollection of a Sunday School was there in the old Baptist Church, which is still standing. Uncle Tommy Sloan and Mrs. Fanny Mayes were the managing and leading spirits. We had little church catechisms and the first and second questions were "Who made man?" "Of what did God make man ?"
The first cooking stove I ever heard of, my father bought, and was describing its excellencies to Uncle Tommy, and among its other advantages he said, "Why, Tommy, it will save half the fuel;" when he replied, "Well, Billy, why not get two of them and save all the fuel?"
One of the first cotton factories was established there and
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met with great success and profit for many years and up to his death, by Major B. F. Sloan, and is still in operation by the Sittons.
Pendleton and her Agricultural Society, fair grounds and race track, and some of her exhibitions, would put to blush some of the fairs of the present day.
Pendleton had four flourishing churches, two hotels, and who of her old citizens does not remember the long ball-room in the old Tom Cherry Hotel, and the beautiful young girls who once skimmed like swallows over those well waxed floors, and the stately matrons, who, as chaperones, patron- ized with their presence those delightful occasions and gave dignity and respectability to the ball-room? The old Debat- ing Society held in the old Farmer's Hall, and ever graced by a full attendance of the fair sex? The magnificent coaches and the elegant spans of horses that whirled up the dust in the streets of the old town? What old citizen's heart is not made to throb at the recollection of thrilling notes from the stage horn borne over the hills to notify of its coming? How the people would gather round the hotel and the post office as the great, rocking, ponderous vehicle came rolling and swing- ing over the rocks, drawn by five or six horses, dashing in at a gallop into the center of the old town with its passengers and mail. And with what eager excitement the citizens sought to welcome friends and visitors and receive the tardy news.
Who does not remember the old Pendleton Messenger and Dr. F. W. Symmes, its editor, and the old Farmer and Plan- ter, and Major George Seabourne, proprietor and publisher ; Mr. E. B. Benson, the long time merchant, and old Billy Hubbard, the jolly landlord ; the old English dancing master, Walon; rich old Sam Maverick, the eccentric old man; Sid Cherry, the bachelor; Tommy Christian, the town marshal, and many others we have not space to mention here?
The first Farmer's Society in the South was inaugurated at Old Pendleton in the year 1815, and was known as the Pen-
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dleton Farmer's Society, and, if we are not misinformed, the second society of its kind in the United States, the third being in Charleston in 1818, the first being in Philadelphia. The first officers of the Pendleton Farmer's Society were James C. Griffin, President; Josiah Gailliard, Vice-President; Col. Robert Anderson, Secretary; Joseph V. Shanklin, Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary.
There, too, was published one of the first agricultural monthlies in the South, under the proprietorship and man- agement of Major George Seabourne,-The Farmer and Planter, a most able and valuable ally to the Farmer's So- ciety, and did much to promote the spirit of agriculture in that section in its day.
But the glory of the old town has long since departed; in the first place, shorn of her Sampson locks, robbed of her territory and capitalcy, the great District cut up into Ander- son, Pickens and Oconee ; and the railroads, of which she lit- tle dreamed then, have ignored her claims, stolen away her thrift, and now the good old town of Auld Lang Syne stands out forlorn, gray and dilapidated in her tottering senility. But there still lingers a fragrance of intelligence and refine- ment in her social atmosphere that ever strikes the visitor with admiration and respect.
Since the days of which we have been speaking, the second and third generations are passing from the stage of action, rapidly losing their grip on life and falling off into the sea of time. Of the second, Col. Tom Pickens, Mr. Dickson and John Sitton alone remain. Mr. William Gailliard died but recently, and but a remnant of the third generation is left. The Clemson Agricultural College is now being erected at old Fort Hill, the John C. Calhoun place ; a fine hotel is about to be built at Old Pendleton, and it is thought that the old town is looking up somewhat. May the Lord bless the faithful old spot, and may she become once more as she was in the days of yore as a "city set upon a hill."
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OLD PENDLETON.
AN INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY PROF. WILLIAM S. MORRISON BEFORE PENDLETON
CHAPTER, DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY.
The Pendleton Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in April last requested Prof. Wm. S. Morrison, of Clemson College, to address them and the Confederate Veterans on Memorial Day, at Pendleton, on "Old Pendle- ton." The following address, in compliance with that re- quest, was delivered on the occasion named, May 9, 1903 :
OLD PENDLETON.
The plow-boy poet of Scotland, in one of his well known songs, with feeling makes this declaration :
"Of a' the airts the wind can blow I dearly love the West."
Such seem to have been mother nature's feelings toward so much of her vast domains as men to-day call South Caro- lina. In its western corner is the "Alpine Region" of the Palmetto State. Here, as in Caledonia,
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