Asa John A Perritt (1860 - 1940)

Born 30 Jun 1860 in Marion County, South Carolina

Ancestors

Died 22 Feb 1940 at age 79 in Lamar, Darlington, South Carolina

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Biography

Asa Perritt was born on June 30th, 1860 to John E Perritt and Nancy Ann Campbell in Marion, South Carolina. His father was a farmer which probably lead to his later participation in the Farmers' Union.^[1] His father enlisted in the Confederate army in April of 1862 when Asa was not quite 2 years old.^[2]

At the age of 19, Asa was working as a school teacher and continued to be an educator throughout his life. ^[3] Around 1886, he married Lula Sanford Murray who was the daughter of a Methodist preacher. ^[4] They had 7 children together with 5 living into adulthood. ^[5] Sometime before or about the time of his marriage, Asa moved to Lamar in Darlington County. The State Board of Education appointed him as chairman of the Darlington County Board of Education soon after. ^[6] Asa served as principal of Newman Swamp School for 30 years. ^[7]

Asa was a prominent member of the Methodist church. He was a lay delegate at the South Carolina Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church which took place in Laurens, SC in 1894. ^[8] In 1898, he attended as a member of the board. ^[9] He also was on the executive committee and attended the State Sunday School conventions on many occasions as a delegate of the Darlington association. ^[10]

Asa was heavily involved in state and local politics. He attended the Constitution Convention of 1895 in Columbia, SC. ^[11] He became a representative in the South Carolina House for Darlington County in Jan of 1897 and was appointed to three committees: the Legislative Library, Public Printing, and on Public Schools. ^[12] In this role he served a two-year term. He played roles for many years within the State Democratic Committee. In 1901, a resolution was brought up by State Democratic Committee to condemn Sen. John L McLaurin and ask for his resignation in response to the perception that he was voting with the Republicans and had not accepted the 16 to 1 plank of the Democratic Party. Asa was one of 5 delegates to vote against the resolution which was passed. ^[13] In 1904, he served as a delegate for Darlington in the South Carolina Democratic Party. ^[14]However, he gave up his position of member of the national executive committee^[15] In September of 1907, he petitioned the General Assembly successfully to form The Newman Swamp Cemetery Association in order to buy land and open a cemetery.^[16]

Asa was a member of the South Carolina Farmer's Union and was elected as Vice President in 1908. ^[17] In 1909, he was elected President of the organization. ^[18] He was re-elected President in 1910 and also chosen as a delegate to attend the national convention. ^[19]

Asa J A Perritt passed away on February 22nd, 1940 as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) and myocardial (heart) failure at the age of 79 In Lamar, South Carolina. ^[20] He was buried in the Newman Swamp Methodist Cemetery. ^[21]

Address Given by A J A Perritt, President of the Farmers Union, 1909

"In assuming the duties of President of the Farmers' organization of South Carolina, I feel profoundly the great responsibility and opportunities that lie out before me. I now become the public servant of an organized body of men looking to the full development and betterment of every enterprise and interest that is in accord with the principles of equity and justice.

To this end, I invoke the hearty co-operation of every man in South Carolina, but more especially do I plead for the assistance of every man of that distinguished and representative body of planters who, in convention assembled, did, on July 30th, thrust this responsibility upon me.

I fully appreciate the honor, duties and difficulties that must attend the efforts of anyone in educating and organizing the planters of South Carolina, so that they may know best how to advance and protect their interests. I plead for sympathy and co-operation from men in other walks of life, because agricultural prosperity means progress and vitality to every other line of business.

The machinery to fertilize, cultivate and market our products is too complex and expensive, and to ensure success to our various enterprises, must be simplified and reduced to a minimum of expense.

Let our organization press home material into the field, study the principles set forth in the preamble of our constitution, relying upon personal effort, regardless of ridicule, harsh criticism or the lack of confidence reposed in our ability and intelligence by others, and the time is at hand when our planters will be that happy contented people, will be that exponent of power and prosperity which have always and will ever give life, energy and purpose to the callings and professions of all men.

We know that it is impossible to enlist the support and allegiance of all the planters, for this cannot be accomplished with any class or profession of men; but by carefully studying our needs and weak points, we will soon exercise a power that stop the leaks, that have so long drained us of our just earnings, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This saved to the planters will bring a degree of contentment and prosperity that the South has not enjoyed for over half a century.

I desire to be in close touch with every local organization in the State. Hence I welcome suggestions and inquiries from every part of the state. Of course, there are many questions that I cannot answer-there are many of our plans that no sane business man would dare divulge. There are many of our difficulties that we have yet to plan for that we may overcome them, and, by cooperation and continually and persistently acquiring concrete knowledge of our interests, we can forge to the front and occupy that rank in our religious, social, intellectual and financial sphere that will command the respect and esteem which was accorded our fathers in antebellum days.

Let every county president, as well as others, aid me to get in touch with willing, able and influential workers in their respective counties. The only way through which I hope to shake off the shackles of ignorance, doubt, suspicion and fear is by concert of action by every South Carolinian who desires permanent prosperity."^[22]

Obituary

A J A Perritt Dies at Home Near Timmonsville

Timmonsville, Feb.22.- A.J.A. Perritt, 79, prominent farmer and retired school teacher of Newman Swamp community, dies early this morning at his home after a long illness.

Mr. Perritt came from Marion county to Newman Swamp 50 years ago and for 30 years was principal of Newman Swamp school. He was a prominent leader and educator and his passing is a great loss to his entire community and county.

Funeral services will be held at 11 o'clock, Friday morning, at Newman Swamp Methodist Church of which he was an outstanding member, with the Rev. Herbert Spell officiating.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Lula Murray Perritt; one daughter, Mrs. Vera Spears, Lamar; three sons, J. Olin Perritt, Rocky Mount, NC; L. J. and J. E. Perritt, Lamar; two sisters, Miss Celia Perritt, Mullins and Miss Rebecca Perritt of Florence, and four grandchildren. ^[23]

Sources

1. ↑ Census, Find A Grave
2. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Confederate Organizations, compiled 1903 - 1927, documenting the period 1861 - 1865; Catalog ID: 586957; Record Group #: 109; Roll #: 87
3. ↑ 1880 Census
4. ↑ 1900 Census
5. ↑ 1910 Census
6. ↑ ]https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21275926/greenwood_daily_journal/ Greenwood Daily Journal (Greenwood, South Carolina), 07 May 1896, Thu, Page 1.]
7. ↑ Obituary
8. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21275539/the_abbeville_press_and_banner/
9. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21300564/the_evening_index/ The Evening Index (Greenwood, South Carolina), 29 Sep 1898, Thu, Page 4.]
10. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21331897/the_newberry_weekly_herald/ The Newberry Weekly Herald (Newberry, South Carolina), 20 Apr 1915, Tue, Page 2.]
11. ↑ The Watchman and Southron (Sumter, South Carolina), 18 Sep 1895, Wed, Page 3.
12. ↑ The Abbeville Press And Banner (Abbeville, South Carolina), 20 Jan 1897, Wed, Page 9.
13. ↑ The Manning Times (Manning, South Carolina), 31 Jul 1901, Wed, Page 1.
14. ↑ The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, South Carolina), 30 Mar 1904, Wed, Page 1.
15. ↑ The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, South Carolina), 25 May 1904, Wed, Page 5
16. ↑ Acts and Joint Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina.
17. ↑ Yorkville Enquirer (York, South Carolina), 24 Jul 1908, Fri, Page 2.
18. ↑ The Watchman and Southron (Sumter, South Carolina), 04 Aug 1909, Wed, Page 7
19. ↑ The Newberry Weekly Herald (Newberry, South Carolina), 02 Aug 1910, Tue, Page 6.
20. ↑ Death Certificate
21. ↑ Find A Grave
22. ↑ The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, South Carolina), 12 Aug 1909, Thu, Page 4.
23. ↑ Obituary, The State, 23 Feb 1940, page 20.

• Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Moody, Marion, South Carolina; Roll: M593_1503; Page: 229B; Image: 464; Family History Library Film: 553002.

• Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Moody, Marion, South Carolina; Roll: 1235; Family History Film: 1255235; Page: 267A; Enumeration District: 098.

• Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Lamar, Darlington, South Carolina; Roll: 1525; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0022; FHL microfilm: 1241525.

• Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Lamar, Darlington, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1454; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0008; FHL microfilm: 1375467.

• Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Newman Swamp, Darlington, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1692; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 11; Image: 162.

• Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Newman Swamp, Darlington, South Carolina; Roll: 2194; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0006; Image: 784.0; FHL microfilm: 2341928.

• A History of Marion County

• Ancestry.com. South Carolina, Death Records, 1821-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

• Find A Grave [1]

• Obituary, The State, 23 Feb 1940, page 20.