Oconee County ScArchives News.....Almost a Hundred Years Old October 16, 1907
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Fran Weatherby flweatherby@bellsouth.net November 23, 2013, 10:44 pm

Keowee Courier October 16, 1907
Almost A Hundred Years Old

"Aunt Betty" Bearden, of Oakway, Has an Interesting History

One of the oldest citizens in Oconee county is Mrs. Elizabeth(Aunt Betty) 
Bearden, of Oakway. She was born near Old Pendleton, Anderson county, on the 
28th day of June, 1808, and will, therefore, be one hundred years old on 
the 28th day of June.
Mrs. Bearden's maiden name was Elizabeth McGuffin, a daughter of Jas. McGuffin 
and Annis Jolly, and a sister of the late Rev. A.W. McGuffin, of this county. 
With her parents she removed to Oconee when eight years of age, and has 
resided in the Oakway neighborhood for more than seventy-five years. In her 
young days she was maried to William (Buckie) Bearden, with whom she lived 
to the time of his death, some twenty years ago, and reared a large family of 
children,who rise up to call her blessed, and from whom has descended quite a 
multitude in numbers and influence in this county. She now resides with her 
son,James W. Bearden, in the same neighborhood where she has resided so 
long, and over which she has exercised such an influence for good.

We can remember Aunt Betty from our childhood and she has been an old lady 
since our first acquaintance with her. Every one knew Aunt Betty and Uncle 
Buck. We recall one incident connected with their history. More than fifty 
years ago, Wm. Bearden purchased a tract of land of one thoudand acres, whereon 
Oakway now stands, for a rifle gun. Doubtless the original deed can be 
produced. This same tract of land is now owned by J.J. Haley, Andrew Bearden 
and W.A. Bowen, and could not be purchased for less than thirty-five to forty 
dollars per acre. In fact, just a few days since, Mr. Bowen purchased that part 
which he owns at the sum of eighty-three dollars per acre, for more that one 
hundred and thirty acres. Mrs. Bearden well remembers that all this part of 
Oconee county, up to a few years ago, was dubbed as "Nubbin Ridge," and was 
considered as worthless. Part of the land now owned by W.A. Bowen has in the 
last few years produced as much as three bales of cotton per acre. Mrs. Bearden 
has lived to see her large family of sons and daughter all become prosperous, 
progressive and influential citizens, with large families, filling almost 
all the professional positions and callings, respected by all, and to see her 
neighborhood, once considered waste lands, the most valuable part of Oconee 
county. She loves to talk of this. She is still in pretty fair health for one 
of her age and talks well, and one of her greatest delights is to see and talk 
with those who have grown up under her eye. May she yet live to see more of the 
growth of her family and country.

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