ABBEVILLE COUNTY, SC - NEWSPAPERS - Abstracts from The Abbeville Press March, April 1866 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/sc/scfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed by: Candace Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net July 26, 2007 The Abbeville Press 1866 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ABBEVILLE PRESS", Abbeville, South Carolina for MARCH 1866 and APRIL 1866 NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, MARCH 2, 1866 DEATH OF REV. CHRISTIAN BARNES We regret to announce the death of Rev. Christian Barnes, a well known and esteemed citizen of our District. He died at his home in the vicinity of Lowndesville and was buried at Sharon Church on Friday last. He leaves many relatives and friends to mourn his loss. -------- We regret to learn that the residence of Mr. James Baily Jr., a well known citizen of Greenwood, was burned on Wednesday the 28th ult. The furniture was saved though much damaged. The fire was accidental. ------- SAD ACCIDENT AND SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. ROBERT W. WILSON The uncertainty of life and the mysterious dispensation of Providence, in removing the young and vigorous from the sphere of useful industry, received a striking illustration in the recent sudden death of Mr. Robert W. Wilson, an esteemed and skillful millright of our community. While engaged on Thursday last in repairing the mill at Calhoun's Mills, his leg was crushed by a large rock which rendered amputation necessary. Though receiving every attention and the best medical skill, he sank under the shock and died on Saturday. The deceased was a member of the church, was of high moral character, of steady and industrious habits, and by his skill and energy was making successful progress in life. As an affectionate son and brother, he was the cherished support of a mother and sisters, whilst his amiable disposition endeared him to a large circle of friends and relations. His remains were interred on Sunday last in the Episcopal grave yard with Masonic honors. -------- STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Abbeville District Court of Ordinary Whereas, Hugh Wilson has made application for Letters of Administration of the goods, chattels, rights and credits of Robert W. Wilson, deceased; this is therefore to cite all kindred and creditors of the said deceased to appear before the Court of Ordinary to be held at Abbeville courthouse, on Friday the 16th day of March next, to show cause, if any, why said letters should not be granted. This 26th day of Feb. 1866. William Hill, O.A.D. -------- DEATH OF JAMES C. SPROULL Died at his residence in Bartow county, Georgia of consumption, on Jan. 12, 1866, James C. Sproull, aged 49 years, 8 months and 14 days. The deceased was born and resided in Abbeville district, S.C. until he removed to Bartow county, Ga. Few men enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens as did this truly good man. Large minded, in every sense of the word, he gave his time, talents and means to every enterprise looking to the good of the community; while the afflicted and distressed found in him a ready sympathizer and friend. No man had a higher appreciation of the joys of domestic life; or called forth more fully, the entire devotion of the family circle, than did this Christian husband and father. Death is sad in every earthly point of view. It dissipates the brightest and best of human hopes and dissolves the tenderest ties of human affection. Our whole nature recoils at its touch, and shrinks appalled from the cold, fixed silence of the grave. But alas, when we shift the scene and regard it from a spiritual standpoint, when we behold mortality putting on immortality, we can exclaim, "oh, death, where is thy sting." For then, as we consign the loved and lost ones to the tomb, 'tis sweet to remember: "Nor pain, nor grief nor anxious fear, Invades thy bounds, no mortal woes, Can reach the peaceful sleeper here." ---------- NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, MARCH 9, 1866 MARRIAGES Married on the 1st inst. at Lexington, S.C. by Rev. Wm. Burley, Mr. L.H. Russell of Abbeville and Miss M.A. Boozer of the former place. Married at the residence of the bride's father on the 4th of Jan. 1866 by the Rev. H.T. Sloan, Mr. Thos. O. Creswell and Mrs. Margaret Young, youngest daughter of Mr. A.J. Weed, all of this district. ------- NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, MARCH 16, 1866 DEATH OF ESTEEMED CITIZEN; MR. ROBT. ELLIS We regret to announce the death of Mr. Robt. Ellis, a well known and esteemed citizen of our district, at his residence near Due West, on Saturday last the 10th inst. The disease was dropsy, the result of an organic affliction. Mr. Ellis was an estimable man in all the relations of life, a good citizen, a humane master, a kind neighbor, a good friend, charitable, liberal and public spirited. His death is a public loss. He leaves many relatives and friends to deplore his death. -------- TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO THOMAS J. CLATWORTHY At a regular communication of Washington Lodge No. 74, A.F.M. held on the 13th day of January 1866, the following Resolutions were adopted: Whereas, we have heard with unfeigned sorrow that our beloved Bro. Thomas J. Clatworthy has been removed from the level of time to that undiscovered country from whose borne no traveler ever returns, thereby inflicting an irreparable loss on our Lodge. The loss of a truly and worthy brother, one who possessed many noble traits of character, calculated to render his esteem as a man and useful as a Mason. Therefore, be it resolved; That in the death of Bro. Clatworthy, this Lodge has been deprived of one of its most useful members, and the community of a good and respected citizen. Resolved, that we deeply sympathize with and tender our condolence to his bereaved wife and children in their sore affliction. Resolved that the furniture of the Lodge be clothed in mourning for thirty days and that a page in the Secretary's book be dedicated to his memory. Resolved, that the Secretary be instructed to furnish the family of the deceased with a copy of these resolutions and also send a copy to the Abbeville Press for publication. John Attaway A. Wideman J.K. McCain, Committee --------- MARRIAGES Married by Rev. Thos. G. Herbert on the 8th of Feb., Mr. John J. Edwards and Miss Frances Butler, all of Abbeville district. Married on the 22nd of Feb. by Rev. Thos. G. Herbert, Mr. Massalon Bell and Miss Sallie Groves, at the residence of the bride's father near Lowndesville, S.C. Married on the 8th of March by Rev. Thos. G. Herbert at the residence of the bride's mother near Lowndesville, S.C., Dr. Speed and Miss Jennie Norwood. Married on March 11th by Rev. Thos. G. Herbert at Abbeville courthouse, Mr. W.H. Hammond and Mrs. Kate McCord. --------- DEATH OF GEORGE ALLEN WARDLAW On Thursday last, the 8th day of March 1866, the remains of Capt. George Allen Wardlaw, the only son of Hon. D.L. Wardlaw, were deposited in the family burying ground of the cemetery attached to Lone Cane Church in Abbeville district. The deceased died on the 9th day of July, 1865 in the city of Savannah, Ga. from brain fever, brought on by exposure to the sun and heat of that climate, after his constitution had been much impaired by long confinement as a Prisoner of War. The burial with funeral services took place far from his home and away from those who were dearest to him, but we feel that angels hovered over the spot where were laid the remains of one whose spirit, we trust, that had already borne away to the regions of never ending bliss. He is brought back to be sown again in the soil from which he drew his nourishment, and not to perish, but to still live in the hearts of his people. If we venture a few words upon his character it will be only to narrate some of those traits which were most apparent, and to pass over virtues which in him were abundant. These belong to the mourners whose names he bore, to them they are sources of comfort, and too sacred to be touched by other hands. From his earliest years, expectation was excelled and the development of his moral and intellectual character, though passing through varying forms, increased this impression. He won and retained affection, that he was always sustained by friends while often he gave evidence of that which warranted their confidence and commanded respect. His temper was ardent and full of generosity. He was affectionate, earnest and sincere; reserved, but when won, warm and faithful. His character was regulated by the highest principles of honor and from these he did not swerve. He revered religion and showed the effect of its influence. The promise of much was given him and many perils and obstructions were thrown in his path; overcoming and surmounting the latter, he was reaping the full fruits of the promise. This memorial cannot do justice to the deceased, but is only a humble tribute to the memory of the worthy son of a good father, to the lost hopes of a noble family which has contributed so much to our country and sacrificed so much in behalf of right; a tribute to a brave soldier, and a slight impression of the sentiment of surviving comrades. These remember well his valuable services, his noble bearing, his enthusiasm, and at the same time, his cool and commanding courage in the terrible victories of the last year of the Army of Northern Virginia. May his family pardon these expressions which may serve only to awaken their sorrow; for while availing ourselves of the right to speak of one who did battle for his country and belonged to it, we do so with heartfelt sympathy and with the earnest prayer that the bereaved may bring their hearts to utter to Almighty God, "Thy will be done." For in these words of faith there is won a more than mortal victory. ---------- NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, MARCH 23, 1866 MARRIAGES Married by the Rev. Y. Young at the residence of the bride's father near Hodges Depot, Mr. R.S. Anderson to Miss Letitia McCord, all of Abbeville district. ------ OBITUARY OF Sgt. W. TULLEY NORWOOD "Man's inhumanity to man causes countless thousands to mourn." No people can testify to the correctness of this expression more than those of our own stricken land. Throughout our whole country has this melancholy fact been confirmed during the late destructive war; but none have felt its blighting force more than the worthy family of this gifted young patriot who is the subject of this humble and incomplete tribute. Lvce, such as one soldier has for another and such as only soldiers know, bide me furnish an epitome of his many virtues, but my pen is inadequate to the dictates of an ever bleeding heart. Sergeant W. Tully Norwood, the last son of Dr. W.C. Norwood, whose remains were deposited in the family burying ground of the cemetery attached to Long Cane Church on Friday, the 2nd inst. by the side of his only brave and lamented soldier brother, W.R. Norwood. Sgt. W. Tully Norwood died the 25th of March 1865 at Petersburg, Va. simultaneously with the downfall of the cause for which he had given his life. The noble and heroic youth, in his feeble condition, could not brook the great disaster which was to crush all efforts in the past and hopes for the future. Hence his spirit fled with a fallen country. Fifteen cousins and two veteran uncles, one age fifty-four and the other sixty-three years, fell on the field of battle, and share with him the patriot's grave. No family during the war exhibited more devotion to the cause than this suffering one. Sergeant Norwood graduated at the South Carolina College with distinction in the year 1860. Gifted, brave, high-toned, honorable, energetic, modest and unassuming, there clustered around him the fondest hopes of brightest expectations of his honored parents and two loving and accomplished sisters. When the tocain sounded to arms, he was found in the front ranks of the first volunteers, although quite a youth and just from college, bearing the most sanguine hopes of his fond parents. The study of law was his intention, but the bud was plucked ere it bloomed to adorn the profession. He first went to the Beaufort Troops, Hampton Legion and afterward was a member of Company F, Holcombe Legion where he exhibited all the traits of a brave soldier and accomplished scholar. His coolness on the battlefield at Second Manassas, under a hail storm of shot and shell, was a subject of remark and among the thousands of patriots who fell that day, and none faced danger more readily than he. No soldier on the plains of the "Marathon" or in the pass of "Thermoplyse" was more devoted to his cause. His brave heart was as affectionate and pliant as that of the gentler sex. His health became impaired from protracted duty and exposure, but yield he would not, although repeatedly advised to by his officers and physicians, until death relieved him from his post, verifying one of his favorite expressions, "Regardless of consequences, we battle for right." When his death was announced to the Regiment, the Colonel commanding very justly remarked, "We could have better lost any man in the Regiment than Norwood." Thus expressing viva voce the sentiment of the command. A dutiful son, an affectionate brother, a sincere friend, he revered morality and religion and proved the influence of the best parental training. We feel he is at rest. A friend, March 20, 1866 --------- NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, MARCH 30, 1866 DEATH OF A GOOD CITIZEN; FRANKLIN MILLER We regret to announce the death of Mr. Franklin Miller, an esteemed citizen of our district, at his residence near Rocky River Church last Saturday week. The deceased was a native of Laurens district and moved to his district several years ago and was universally esteemed for his industry, integrity and public spirit. He leaves many relatives and friends to deplore his loss. ------- STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Abbeville District Court of Ordinary Whereas, J.O. Lindsay has made application for Letters of Administration of the goods, chattels, rights and credits of William T. Drennan deceased; this is therefore to cite all kindred and creditors of the said deceased to appear before the Court of Ordinary to be held at Abbeville courthouse, on the 6th day of April next, to show cause, if any, why said letters should not be granted. This 23rd day of March 1866. William Hill, O.A.D. -------- NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, APRIL 6, 1866 MARRIAGES Married on the 29th of March by Rev. C. Thomason at the home of the bride's father, Mr. Charles Watkins of Augusta, Ga. and Miss Fannie Hodges of Abbeville district, S.C. ------ NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, APRIL 27, 1866 MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT; DEATH OF ESTEEMED CITIZEN, JOHN SPEER It is with regret that we announce the death of John Speer, Esq., a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Lowndesville vicinity, under peculiarly painful circumstances. On Friday last while attempting to cross the Ford of Rocky River, in a buggy with a small boy in company, a portion of the harness gave way, and in attempting to adjust it, he fell into the swollen stream and was carried down by the current and soon drowned. The alarm was given but before help could arrive, life was extinct. Thus suddenly and sadly has this highly esteemed citizen closed his long and useful career. He had attained the extreme limit of fourscore and ten years and might have hoped to breath his last, cheered by the assiduities of loved relatives. But Providence decreed otherwise. In his death we are called upon to deplore the loss of a public spirited citizen, a man of noble impulses and inflexible principles. To his family he leaves a legacy of his many virtues, and to us all, the bright example of his honorable and useful life, a life crowned with all which should accompany old age, with honor, love, obedience, and troops of friends. --------