History:  Columbia County. P.W. Morrow, Dr Lewis, Mrs Lucy Lewis, Elias 
Welborne, Basil Neal, Llewellen Neal, John B Neal, Miss Barlow, James B 
Neal, Miss Wright, Tom Bowdry, R. W. Neal, J H Casey, Miss Dunn, W. A. 
Dunn, Sallie Fortson, Benj Fortson, Dr Wm A Martin, Tom Cobb,Dr Nathan 
Crawford, Mr Boyd, Dr H. R. Casey and Miss Fortson.

Reminisces of Dr. H. R. Casey
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Articles written for the Columbia Sentinel in 1883.

Permission granted by the Columbia County News and transcribed by 
Stephanie Harrison.

The articles were written in 1883 by Dr H. R. Casey for the Columbia 
Sentinel. 
He writes about many of the early pioneers of Columbia County 
who arrived in Georgia in the late 1700's and early 1800's."

P.W. Morrow, Dr Lewis, Mrs Lucy Lewis, Elias Welborne, Basil Neal,
Llewellen Neal, John B Neal, Miss Barlow, James B Neal, Miss Wright, 
Tom Bowdry, R. W. Neal, J H Casey, Miss Dunn, W. A. Dunn, Sallie 
Fortson, Benj Fortson, Dr Wm A Martin, Tom Cobb,Dr Nathan Crawford, Mr 
Boyd, Dr H. R. Casey and Miss Fortson.

February 14, 1883
JUDGE P.W. MORROW
Who married Mrs. Lewis, widow of Dr. Lewis, of Lincoln County, and
daughter of Elias Welborne, has been for many years cultivating this
farm, and is a scientific, practical, successful farmer. I have noted
the fact and frequently remarked that the old Welborne farm yields
better crops now than it did twenty or twenty-five years ago.

Since writing the above Judge Morrow has passed to that undiscovered
bourne from when no traveler returns. And here I insert this obituary.
Died at his residence near Sharon church, Columbia County, on the 27th
of April, 1881, Judge P. G. Morrow. I knew not the particulars of his
death but hear his disease was dropsy. He was quite an old man, don't
know his exact age, but take it that he had reached his four score of
years. "Like a shock of corn fully ripe', his soul is now harvested in
that "Mansion" prepared for all such. I have known Judge Morrow for
many years, served with him in the Legislature and participated with 
him in many of our public meetings in this county. He was wise in 
counsel, conservative in all his views, and always alive to the true 
interest of his people. He moved from Monroe to this county having 
married here.  Mrs Lucy Lewis, near Welborne. He has been a prominent 
and consistent member of the Baptist church for many years and died 
with his armour on bright and shining by a long life of pure Christian 
service. He was a devoted husband, a fond parent, a good citizen, a 
successful farmer and "honest man, the noblest work of God." His family 
will miss him, the church will miss him, the county will be deprived of 
his usefulness, society has lost a valuable member, but Heaven has 
gained a bright and shining spirit. Requiescat in peace.

I have wandered off from my subject, but did not get far away, as old
Basil Neal and old Elias Welbourne were near neighbors--Basil Neal
raised ten children. I think he was twice married.

LLEWELLEN NEAL
a son by his last marriage, lives now at the old homestead and makes a
good living.

JOHN B. NEAL
another son of Basil by his first marriage, married a Miss Barlow, a
native of South Hamton county, Va., and planted in this county up to 
the time of his death, which occurred while quite a young man. He had 
two sons.

JAMES B. NEAL
who, when grown to manhood removed to Lincoln county and entered upon a
mercantile life and married a Miss Wright. A few years thereafter he
returned to Columbia and bought and settled upon the old Tom Bowdrey
place. Near the headwaters of White Oak creek. A short time afterwards
the fire fiend laid his fine residence in ashes. This was a pretty
place in Long Ago, and was noted for its healthfulness and fine water. 
Mr Neal rebuilt, but after a few years of business life in Augusta, and
perhaps other places, he finally settled down and is to-day a thriving
and popular merchant of Thomson gone back to his first love in 
business.  He does not confine himself to the counter, however, but 
goes out on the hustings and into the political arena. He is a public-
spirited gentleman and is highly esteemed as a good and useful citizen. 
I think he has represented both Lincoln and Columbia counties in the
Legislature. The Neal name will doubtless be perpetuated for many
generations to come. Three or four worthy scions are already in 
manhood.  James B Neal is now, 1883, Judge of the County Court in 
McDuffie. I think he has closed up his mercantile interest. Mr Neal 
succeeded Judge J. H. Casey, who was successor to a son of Judge Neal, 
R. W. Neal, a young attorney of considerable promise who died of 
consumption a short time after this sketch was written.

R. S. NEAL
the younger brother, has always lived in old Columbia, and has long
enjoyed the reputation of being a man of sterling worth, a good sense
and a prominent, useful citizen and Christian gentleman. He finished
his education at Franklin College. He has long been a consistent member
of the Methodist Church with membership at Shiloh. He has been twice
married. His first was Miss Dunn, sister of Dr W. A. Dunn. In this
marriage relation he had two sons, who now live quite near him. They
are clever, industrious tillers of the soil, well educated and 
exemplary young men.

His second wife was Sallie Fortson, daughter of Benj. Fortson, of
Wilkes county. The father, sons and wife are all devout followers of
the teachings of the great John Wesley. and a happy family they are. R.
S. Neal represented this country with Dr. Wm A. Martin as his colleague
in 1861-2. Basil Neal, the grandfather live to the good old age of 91
years. And just here the reader will note the fact of the longevity of
many of the old citizens of Columbia county which speaks well of its
healthfulness and the frugal habits of these old pioneers Tom Cobb to
the remarkable age of 115; Basil Neal to 91; Dr Nathan Crawford about
90; Mr Boyd recently dead, 76 etc.

R.S. Neal is now Chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of the
county. Dr H. R. Casey whose health prevented his longer continuance in
that office resigned and Mr Neal was elected his successor. His son
Robt, since writing this sketch, has married choosing a Miss Fortson 
for his companion-half sister to his step-mother.