MOUNT ZION METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY (1830), Pickens County, SC a.k.a. > Version: 3.0 Effective: 31-Jul-2006 Text File: P105.TXT Image Folder: P105 ******************************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the recording contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the following USGenWeb coordinator with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn (visit above website) SCGenWeb "Golden Corner" Project Coordinator Anderson: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scandrsn/ Oconee: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Pickens: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scpicke2/ DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Nov-2005 GPS MAPPING .... : Gary Flynn at (visit above website) in Jun-2003 HISTORY ........ : G. Anne Sheriff at claytonroom@swu.edu in IMAGES ......... : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Jun-2003 RECORDING ...... : ____________ at ____________ in _______ ******************************************************************************** CEMETERY LOCATION: ------------------ Street Address: 310 Church Street, Central, SC 29631 Telephone: 864.654.5994 0.5 miles SW of Central Latitude N34 43.119 x Longitude W82 47.249 CEMETERY HISTORY: ------------------------ The first meeting place for Methodists in this area was a rough hand-hewn log building located not far from Twelve Mile River and was called the Twelve Mile Meeting House. It was situated near the old cemetery, now called Ballentine Cemetery but known for many years as the Twelve Mile Cemetery. Henry Gaines wrote in his 1830 will ". . . that I [Henry Gaines] give the prophets [profits] of a certain tract of land, or part of a tract of land whereon I now live to be laid out beginning at post oak corner of William Arnold's by the Meeting House a straight line to Robert Gaines' [line]." This will of Henry Gaines establishes that there was a Meeting House before 1830, and it is told that some of the logs from the old building when it was torn down were used to build a barn on the Arnold place. A second log church was built probably somewhere near what is now Mount Zion cemetery. Mrs. Ann Coldwell, because she had been turned out of the church burned this building. She was sentenced to be hanged. Rev. Robert Gaines rode to Columbia to talk to the Governor about a pardon for her. Another log church replaced the one that was burned. About 1860 the first frame church for Mount Zion was built on what was known as the flat or where the upward slope to the cemetery begins. In a deed to the church a spring is mentioned. This spring is near the corner of a place formerly owned by the Hugh Dudley family. This first frame church was a rough weather- boarded structure, unceiled, once painted on the outside, but unpainted on the inside. The seats were homemade with slabs across the back. There was an old- fashioned box pulpit with steps down and a door at the side of the church. The little wooden church had became gray with age. The roof leaked and sometimes the congregation had to raise umbrellas to protect themselves from the shower, or scamper to the little log schoolhouse that stood nearby. One night during a revival, a storm came up and the rain poured in torrents. Someone suggested taking up a collection for a new church. This was done, and soon plans were underway for a new Mount Zion. The site chosen was up on the knoll, about where the old cemetery ends and the new part begins. The church was built and furnished with comfortable, well-finished pews. There was an altar of carved oak. Two steps led to the high oaken pulpit. Two pews on each side were called the amen corner. A beautiful chandelier of brass and wrought iron hung from the center ceiling, the aisles were carpeted and there was a reed organ. The question of a new church had long been considered, in fact, since 1907, but in July 31, 1919, a site for the new church was selected in the town of Central. The old frame church, Mount Zion, was sold to the Negro Methodists and moved to the grove inside the town limits. Mr. Walter Gassaway, president of Issaqueena Cotton Mill, made a donation of $50,000 toward building a new church. The building was under the construction of Jim Hall, local contractor, with Doc Newton stonemason. While the church was being built, Mr. Goodwin preached in the Central School auditorium. Although the new Mount Zion was completed in 1922, it was not dedicated until October 7, 1923. At a quarterly conference, April 24, 1938, the church trustees deeded the Mount Zion Cemetery property to the town of Central. Source: Allen, Mattie May Morgan. The Story of Mount Zion Methodist Church History and Deeds for Mt. Zion Church and Cemeteries First Church - Twelve Mile Meeting House 19 May 1830 Will of Henry Gaines. "Know all men presents that I [Henry Gaines]] give the profits of a certain tract of land, or part of a tract of land whereon I now live to be laid out beginning at a post oak corner of William Arnold's by the Meeting House a straight line to Robert Gaines' [line]. The will of Henry Gaines establishes beyond doubt that there was a Meeting House before 1830, and it is told that some of the logs from the old building when it was torn down were used to build a barn on the Arnold place and could be seen as late as 1967." (The Story of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, p. 2) Book A-1, page 312 30 Jun 1830 Henry Gaines to Robert Gaines for $50.00 a part of a tract of land originally granted to William Swift Sr. on a branch of Twelve Mile River (122 acres). Beginning at a post oak corner of Wm. D. Arnolds by the meeting house thence S. 70 E 10.81 to a stake and thence N _3 E 30.22, thence N 33 W 24.83 So x S82.50 W 44.36 to a stake and thence a strait line to the beginning corner. Witnessed by Andrew Beller? before James Gaines, Justice of the Quorum. Dower of Elizabeth F. Gaines. Recorded 2 Aug 1830. Second Church. A second log church was built somewhere near what is now Mount Zion cemetery. Ruth Gassaway Duckett wrote a story for her high school paper of its tragic end. Her uncle, R. G. Gaines, recounted to her how this building was burned by a woman, Mrs. Ann Coldwell, because she had been turned out of the church. For this deed she was sentenced to be hanged. After all the pleas of her lawyers failed, the Rev. Robert Gaines rode to Columbia in his own conveyance, enlisted the sympathy of the Governor's wife and daughter to plead in this woman's behalf, and she was pardoned. Another log church replaced the one that was burned." (The Story of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, p. 2) Book B-1, Page 114 22 Nov 1831 M. E. Church (Rev. Robert Gaines, Rev. Wm. G. Mullinnix, Thomas Gassaway, Thos. Evatt, James Gaines) from William Arnold & Susannah, et al. 3 1/2 acres on the head of Five Mile Branch. Sold for $1.00. Has a small plat with the 3 1/2 acres between Grisham Road and Parris's Old Road. Beginning at a post oak and thence South 80 E ? to a hickory and thence S10E5.62 to a maple x below the Spring thence N75 W9? To a rock corner thence N23E7 to the Beginning corner containing 3 1/2 acres. Witnessed by Richard Gaines and Bukel Arnold. Signed 22 Nov 1831. Recorded 5 Dec 1831. Church of 1860. "About 1860 the first frame church for Mt. Zion was built on what was known as 'the flat,' or as Miss Greta Gaines described, 'where the upward slope to the cemetery begins. The first frame church of 1860 was a rough weather-boarded structure, unceiled, once painted white on the outside, but unpainted on the inside. The seats were homemade with slabs across the back. There was an old- fashioned box pulpit with steps down and a door at the side of the church." (The Story of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, p. 5) Book H-1, Page 779 21 Feb 1859 Release for Church Lot for $10.00. ". . . giving me the old lot for the one described in the deed to me by Robert Johnson, E. G. Mullinax, J. R. Snellgrove, James M. Arnold and James D. Gassaway, trustees for the Methodist Episcopal Church South, ..." Beginning on a rock in the field near the Spring x runs N 68 W 10.50 Rock x, thence S 23, W 5.60 Spanish oak x, thence South 85, E 4.25 R.0 x, thence N 77 E 8.25 to the beginning corner. Witnessed by Zachariah Powers and E. G. Mullinex. Signed 21 Feb1859 and recorded 21 Feb 1859. 3 1/2 acres. "The SPRING pinpoints the location of the 1860 church, for it is mentioned in Miss Gaines' Reminiscences and is remembered by elder members. It [spring] is now across Highway 93 from the cemetery and is the corner of the place owned by the Hugh Dudley family." (The Story of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, p. 4) Book I-1, p. 554 6 Dec 1860 J. N. Arnold and Reuben Arnold, executors of will of William Arnold. Sold for $38.87 to Silas Arnold land on Five Mile Branch, waters of Eighteen Mile Creek being part of two tracts, one originally granted to Isack Homer Thomas 4 Dec 1786. The other being part of a tract granted to William Swift 3 Nov 1788, this being all the land the said William Arnold owned south of the land or road running by his house to the Wolf Creek road, thence up said road to Gaines Road, thence along said road to the __ on North Western line. Witnessed by B. S. Gaines and C. Thompson. Recorded 28 Feb 1861. Book K-1, Page 156. 29 Oct 1862 Silas Arnold to George W. Brock for $2.00 one half acre. Being part of the tract I now live on adjoining and south of Mount Zion Church Lot and J. A. Gaines and my own land. Beginning on a S.O. 3 x? in the fork of the Wolf Creek and the Mauldins Ford Road, and runs S85 E 250 to a rock 3 x ? thence 15 ? 1.75 to a rock 3 x ?, thence N85 W 250 rock 3 x ? by the road and thence along the road to the beginning corner from the first rock 3 x N 40.E.70 to Infant Grace Ed Martins child 1.42 to the foot stone of the Rev. Wm. G. Mullinax ? 1.90 to the south door of Mt. Zion Church. 23 Mar 1862. Signed by Silas Arnold. Witnessed by Thomas Garvin and Mealvina S. Campbell on 29 Oct 1862. Recorded 3 Nov 1862. Book 2R, Page 187. 8 Sep 1888 H. C. Shirley for $15.00 to B. J. Johnston, S. A. A. Parsons, R. G. Gaines, and T. C. Martin, special trustees for Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church South, and to S. A. A. Parsons, senior deacon in the Baptist Church at Central, and to J. D. Warnock and J. E. Bellotte, senior elders in the Presbyterian Church one acre . . joining lands of H. C. Shirley and the cemetery lot of Mount Zion Cemetery and the reservation of the Airline Railroad. Described in the plat. [Author cannot locate plat.] Dower rights of Mary E. Shirley. Signed on 8 Sep 1888. Witnessed 8 Sep 1888. Recorded 26 Jun 1897. Church of 1886. "The little wooden church had become gray with age. The roof leaked and sometimes the congregation had to raise umbrellas to protect themselves from the shower, or scamper to the little log schoolhouse that stood nearby. One night during a revival, we are told, a storm came up and the rain poured in torrents. Someone suggested taking up a collection for a new church. This was done, and soon plans were underway for a new Mount Zion. The site chosen was up on the knoll, about where the old cemetery ends and the new part begins. Mrs. Eunice Werner recalls that her grandfather, J. W. Lawrence, told of cutting and sawing lumber on his place for this building and floating it down Twelve Mile River to Calhoun, where it was brought by freight to Mount Zion Cemetery. There Arthur Ramseur, dispatcher on the Southern Railway, ordered the cars stopped and unloaded." (The Story of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, p. 8) "It was furnished with comfortable, well-finished pews. There was an altar of carved oak. Two steps led to the high oak pulpit. Two pews one on each side were called the 'amen corners'. A beautiful chandelier of brass and wrought iron hung from the center ceiling, the aisles were carpeted and there was a reed organ." (The Story of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, p. 8). Donors for the organ include: L. E. Abernathy $0.50 William Arnold $0.50 Pope Barrow $1.00 W. A. Bass $1.00 J. J. Bell $0.50 Jeff Boggs $0.50 W. A. Boggs $1.00 Shirley Brock $1.00 J. E. Brown $1.00 W. A. Brown $1.00 Jason Cannon $1.00 W. T. Cochran $1.00 L. A. Davis $1.00 Robert Davis $1.00 F. V. Falls $1.00 R. C. Folger $1.00 J. H. Gaines $1.00 R. G. Gaines $2.50 Charley Gassaway $0.25 J. T. Gassaway $5.00 R. L. Gilmer $0.50 A. D. Hardin $5.00 O. L. Henry $1.00 B. J. Johnston $1.00 James Lawrence $0.25 Joe Lawrence $1.00 J. T. Lewis $1.00 W. A. Lindsey $1.00 A. M. Martin $0.50 Charles Martin $0.50 Long Maw $0.25 J. M. McClanahan $0.25 W. T. Mooney $1.00 J. N. Morgan $5.00 W. A. Oliver $2.50 James Peek $1.00 A. Ramseur $2.00 Joe Ross $1.00 W. T. Rowland $5.00 P. H. Sellers $1.00 L. T. Shirley $1.00 J. D. Warnock $1.00 J. T. Werner $5.00 W. A. Wesson $1.00 Frank Whitten $0.25 J. R. Williams $1.00 The Presbyterians will improve their church and the Methodist will finish their new edifice at an early date. (The Pickens Sentinel, 13 Nov 1890) "The church, though finished earlier, was not dedicated until 1891. Bishop W. W. Duncan stood in the door and preached to the crowd, too large to get inside." (The Story of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, p. 9). M-2, Page 274 1893 T. H. Gassaway to M. E. Church South (J. H. Clayton, W. H. Smith, Z. C. Smith). Signed 1893 and recorded 1893. 2 acres. Bounded on East side by public road from Gates to Central, North by T. H. Gassaway, East by Capt. Wm. Hunter, South by J. B. Garrett, and West by T. H. Gassaway. Book R, Page 188. Twelve Mile M. E. from James Harris. Signed 1897 and recorded 1897. 3 acres. Book W-2, Page 319 28 Jan 1899 H. C. Shirley to John A. Welch for $900 73 8/100 acres on waters of Five Mile Creek as shown by plat made by J. W. Brunson made 20 Mar 1885, less one acre that has since been sold to Mt. Zion Grave Yard said land being part of the Silas Arnold --- and adjoining lands of L. Ross Eaton on East, Samuel Neal on the South, Southern R. R. on the West. It being the land sold to use by Sue J. Arnold 7 Oct 1885 and recorded in clerk's office, Book G [2- G], p. 344. Witnessed by A. E. Pressley, H. M. Pressley on 28 Jan 1899. Dower of Mary E. Shirley, 28 Jan 1899. Recorded 22 Oct 1901. Book W-2, Page 320 19 Oct 1901 John A. Welch to F. B. Morgan. Sold 78 8/100 acres to F. B. Morgan for $1,000 land on waters of Five Mile Creek; joining lands of L. Ross Eaton, on the East and on the West, and lands of Samuel Neal on the South and lands of Mount Zion Grave Yard on the North, reference will more fully appear by a plat made by J. W. Brunson on 20 Mar 1885. Tract of land conveyed to Welch by H. C. Shirley on 28 Jan 1899. Witnessed by J. T. Stephens and H. C. Shirley. Dower by Emma Welch. Recorded 22 Oct 1901. Book MM, Page 42 29 Apr 1910 W. L. Morgan sold to G. C. Bolding, J. E. Garrett, J. L. Dillard Book VVV or Book 26, Page 222 11 Nov 1916 Annie Z. Gassaway to Trustees of Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church South of Central, SC. $50.00. Lot of land adjoined on the east side of Gassaway Street and on the North side of an alley which runs East along North side of Gaines and Gassaway's Roller Mill tract and Railway the following metes and bounds beginning at iron pin in the ___ of guttered of said Street running N1W1.15.4 to iron pin in gutter, thence N89E4.054 ch to iron pin hence S 91/2 W 98 ch. to iron pin in intersection alley and Negro street, thence S87 W3.8.77 chs. to point of beginning containing .67 acres more or less. A plat made by J. W. Wallace, surveyor on the 11 Nov 1916 more fully shown. Witnessed 11 Nov 1916 by R. G. Gaines and J. H. Ramseur. Recorded 13 Nov 1916. Book 3L, Page 221 12 Jan 1917 Earl Hunter to J. N. Morgan, J. H. Ramseur and R. Ramseur, Trustees of Mt Zion M. E. Church. $2,200. 1/4 Acre. Facing South Street on the East, lands of the Central Graded School, H. E. Seaborn and Mrs. Lizzie Mulkey, and being same lot conveyed to me by Hamp Hillhouse, 12 Jan 1917. Witnessed by W. E. Hyde and Florence Johnson on 31 Jul 1919. Dower signed by Bertha Cook Hunter on 31 Jul 1919. Recorded. 24 Oct 1922. Book XX, Page 318 15 Aug 1917 C. E. Morgan and Mattie May Allen sold 73 8/100 acres to F. B. and Mary R. Morgan for $5,000. Land on waters of Five Mile Creek adjoining lands of L. Ross Eaton on the East and West and land of Samuel Neal on the South and lands of Mount Zion Graveyard on the north, reference on plat made by J. W. Brunson 20 Mar 1885. C. E. Morgan and Mattie May Allen are heirs-in-law of Estate of F. B. & & E. F. Morgan. Witnessed by J. S. Hall and J. R. Falls and C. P. Ambler and Robert L. Holtzman for Mattie May Morgan Allen. 16 Aug 1917. Recorded 29 Aug 1917. Book BBB, Page 338 Mt. Zion Trustees to F. B. Morgan, et. al. Signed and recorded 1919. .77 near Central. Book 3L, Page 219 23 Oct 1922 R. Ramseur, agent to J. N. Morgan, J. H. Ramseur and R. Ramseur, Trustees of Mt. Zion M. E. Church. $1,000 "fronting South Street on the East N 28 1/2 W 159 adjoining lot of Mt. Zion Church on the North S 62 W 318 lots of Mrs. Mulkey on the West S 28 1/2 159 lot of W. V. Clayton on the South N 62 E 318. 1/2 Acre and 13 feet. Same being lot conveyed to me by H. E. Seaborn and from J. N. Morgan to H. E. Seaborn, Reference being had to a plat made by B. D. Garvin 19 Jan 1906 will more fully show. Witnessed by J. W. Julian and Betty Gaines on 23 Oct 1922. Dower by Edith Richey Ramseur. Recorded 24 Oct 1922. Book 3L, Page 220 23 Oct 1922 R. Ramseur to J. N. Morgan, J. H. Ramseur and R. Ramseur, Trustees of Mt. Zion M. E. Church. $300. "Known as the lot back of Seaborn's lot. Cornering on west lands of W. V. Clayton on the South, Mrs. M. E. Mulkey on the West C. C. Stephens on the North, and lands of Mt. Zion M. E. Church on the East. Also, deed a right of way for water and sewerage across property to a ditch running down the hollow behind the said lot said pipe line to be buried below plow depth. Witnessed by J. W. Julian and Betty Gaines on 23 Oct 1922. Dower by Edith Richey Ramseur on 23 Oct 1922. Recorded 24 Oct 1922. "The old frame church, Mount Zion, was sold to the Negro Methodists and moved to the grove inside the town limits. This building was accidentally burned later and a neat concrete block church erected to serve the colored membership.´ (The Story of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, p. 18). Box 3L, Page 411 23 Oct 1922 J. T. Gassaway to J. N. Morgan, J. H. Ramseur and R. Ramseur, Trustees of Mt. Zion M. E. Church. Lot of land have 43 feet front on Gassaway Street and running back 261 feet more or less to an alley adjoining lands of Methodist Church on which Parsonage stands and land of J. W. Julian, Gassaway Street and lands of J. T. Gassaway, alley, intervening. Witnessed by H. G. Powers and J. H. Ramseur on 23 Oct 1922. Dower by Annie Z. Gassaway on 24 Oct 1922. Recorded 6 Feb 1923. Book SSS, Page 20 Mrs. Mary Dudley to Southern Power Company 22 Sep 1926 Beginning at the intersection of the center line of the Southern Railway Company's Southbound track with the property line produced between the lands of the Central South Carolina Cemetery and Mrs. Mary Dudley; and running thence S81 - 25 E428 feet to the center of proposed new location of State Highway No. 2; thence along the center line of said proposed new Highway S27 - 12 W305.2 feet; thence S 30 - 10 W1374.2 feet to the line of the right of way of the Southern Railway Company; thence N71 - 25 W100 feet to the center of the Southern Railway Company's Southbound track; thence along the center line of said track N18 - 35 E1574.7 feet to the point of beginning, containing 6.06 acres, more or less, lying outside the boundaries of the right of way of the Southern Railway Company, the area lying within the bounds of said Southern Railway Company's right of way not being estimated. Witnessed by R. B. Fulton and Irene Warren. 22 Sep 1926. o----------o MT. ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Mt. Zion United Methodist Church grew from seeds planted by Francis Asbury, who made missionary journeys into Pendleton District between the years of 1800 and 1813 while working for his Father's Kingdom. The first building is believed to have stood near the Ballentine Cemetery on Johnston Road. In the cemetery are buried many connected to Mt. Zion, including the Rev. Henry Gaines, of whom Asbury says in his Journal 25 October 1805, "I stopped to speak to Henry Gaines ..." At an unknown date, Mt. Zion moved into a log building near the Mt. Zion Cemetery off Highway 93. This building burned during the pastorate of Rev. Robert Gaines and was replaced by another of logs. It lasted until 1891 when the first frame building was erected. Mt. Zion moved into the new rock building on Church Street in 1922. The old frame building was sold to the Black Central United Methodists and moved to its present site. Mt. Zion is mentioned in the organizational records of Buncombe Street Methodist Church 1834 and the Pendleton Circuit 1865. Our extant records date from 1889. The friendly congregation of Mt. Zion is continuing to reach out for Christ as exemplified in the theme of the beautiful Central stained glass window which shows Christ suffering the children to come unto him. We have a membership of 300; nine Sunday School classes; an adult and children's choir; an active group of United Methodist Men and three busy United Methodist Women's Circles. We have one United Methodist Youth Fellowship and one Junior UMYF. There is a yearly confirmation class and Mt. Zion sponsors the local Boy Scout troop. From the beautiful modern sanctuary on Church Street, the people of Mt. Zion are continuing the work started by the circuit riding preacher and their predecessors in the little log cabin church of the 18th century. Submitted by: Martha Rhyne, Historian, Mt. Zion UMC Sources: Elmer T. dark, ed. The Journal and Letters of Francis Asbury. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1958; Mattie Mae Morgan Alien. The Story of Mount Zion Methodist Church 1830-1967. (No Publication Information); Mount Zion United Methodist Sunday School Records, 1889. By: Pickens County SC Heritage Book 1995 TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: ------------------------------ a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife Old Pendleton District Genealogical Society sells copies of the church's tombstone inscriptions.