William Henry Pool (1829 - 1874)

Born 5 Mar 1829 in Princeton, Laurens Co, SC

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Catherine Pool — married about 1849 in Laurens, SC

Husband of Stacy Emily (Black) Hall — married 19 Aug 1860 in Laurens SC

Descendants

Died 10 Apr 1874 at age 45 in Princeton, Laurens Co, SC

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Biography

Note that the Traynham family Bible lists William H Pool's name as "William Hudson Pool" - same as his father .Newspaper article (see downloaded images attached to this profile) list him as Wm H Pool and "Billy POol II"....Since, his son (my grandfather William Henry Poo)l, lists his name as William Henry Pool II. I (wtpool) have chosen to go with Wm Henry )

William Henry Pool was a cotton farmer. The Pool's owned much of the land between Reedy River and Horse Creek in Laurens County SC. Cotton was highly profitable and the Pool's accumulated considerable wealth. He grew his wealth in an unusual way, he lived conservatively and used available capital to buy more land. He hired Freed Slaves to work his farms. They got 70% of the crops for their labor and Billy Pool and family got 30%. He was able to pay off each incremental piece of land in a very few years. His kind treatment of his workers was not only the humane thing to do, but also smart from a "cold business" point of view: Wm Pool could always get as much good labor as he he wanted/ needed, and the freed slaves, working for their own profit, were self motivated to work hard and make each farm area productive. Even up to my father's day (daddy was born in 1901), descendants of the freed slave workers and descendants of Wm Henry Pool continued a bond of genuine friendship that had lasted 2 to 3 generations beyond the time that they had worked together in the fields.

Wm H Pool was killed in an accident with a large horse drawn wagon. The accident happened when his horses were frightened by nearby lightning and loud thunder. He was 45 years old.

New Prospect Church The original New Prospect Church was established in 1867 by and for freed slaves living near Princeton SC. The Church continues its proud tradition even today: it is believed to be the oldest Church in SC established by freed slaves. Our family continued cordual contact with the descendants of these people even up to my fathers time ( 1901 - 1968) - despite ( or possibly because) of the very hard times our ancestors went through together. {descendants of these families would stop by daddy's store, to "visit".

According to oral tradition, the church met informally, outdoors, for some time (years?) prior to it's formal estaiblishment in 1867.

See attached image 3 for a write up and picture of this historic church. The current church is an expansion of the original . The cornerstone of the original church with names of founders and ministers remains (picture included in media section). The land and materials for the initial church were donated by Wm Henry Pool. Most of the members were current or former workers for the Pool farm. Additional land was sold to the Church trustees (approx 7 acres for around $ 60 according to a 4/16/2012 email from Ed Pool who was in contact with current Church trustees - I will add a photocopy of both deeds - and a transcription if I can read the deed clearly- my current copy is very difficult to read)

The Church remains in operation at this writing ( 2012). The church grounds include a number of historic graves, and the remains of an old wagon trail continues to run adjacent to church property.

According to reports from both the Pool descendants and descendants of the former workers; relations were always "family like". According to Pool stories and as documented in an attached (see "images") newspaper article, rather than use slaves, Wm (Billy) Pool hired freed slaves. They were compensated with 30% of the value of the crops grown on the land they cultivated and Wm Pool recieved 70% of the value from the crops. Using this business model, and living modestly, he was able to acquire around 3,000 acres of good farm land. It was reported that he was able to pay off each new parcel of land in just a few years by putting most of his profits "back into his business".

Billy Pool and his family were active members of the Mount Bethel Methodist Church. Billy made it a point to "pay his church dues" as the very first payment he made each ear.

Sources

• Pool, Senn, Traynham Bible
• Census
• tombstone
• family history notes by Marie Pool Clarke
• Stories about Wm Henry Pool told to Wm T Pool, Jr by his father Wm T Pool
• Stories about Captain Patrick's Academy told to Wm T Pool, jr (when he was a child) by our neighbor Mr. J. E. Sirene.
• Wm H Pool Newspaper article (attached under images)
• Mt Bethel Methodist Church historical monument and related information from the the Historical Monument Organization's web page.