Barnwell County, South Carolina

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BarnwellCounty, South Carolina

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Coordinator is Mary Richardson

History/Timeline

Church_of_the_Holy_Apostles_Episcopal

1670- Joseph West commanded three English ships leaving England to settle on a province 100 miles from Barnwell County. The West-Woodward party are reported to have landed on the western side of the Ashley River. ^[1]

1740s Palatine settlers (from Germany provinces) emigrated to settle in the Orangeburgh District, which later became Barnwell County. Barnwell County was settled by pioneers wishing to adventure into the "backcountry."

1773 - Robert Willis was born in the Ninety-Six District (Edgefield Co. area) and married Keziah Watson, daughter of Revolutionary war Captain Michael Watson, from near Ridge Spring in 1795. ^[1]

1776-81 Three Revolutionary War skirmishes took place in Barnwell County: ^[2]

Battle of Morris Ford

Battle of Vince's Fort

Battle of Slaughter Field.

1781 Revolutionary War, many settlers obtained grants in Barnwell County. Most were from North Carolina and Virginia. Barnwell was actually a district within Orangeburg until the late 1780s. At this time, Winton County was created and the Barnwell name wasn't used again until 1800. ^[2]http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/barnwell_county_sc.html

1785-1791 Winton County was originally part of the Orangeburg District. This defunct county, Winton County was (1 of 4) counties formed from the old large Orangeburgh District. Winton County was a functioning county 1785-1791.. Records from (1785-1791) for Winton County (renamed Barnwell County and renamed Barnwell District became part of Barnwell County. By 1798 Winton was completely known as Barnwell County. Records of Winton County are in Barnwell County^[3][4][2]

1790 The census reflected only the names of the heads of the households. At this time Williston , 854 was part of the Orangeburg Judicial District.^[1] http://www.williston-sc.com/History/early.html

1794 Cottin Gin was patented, It was clear cotton would be the prime cash crop in the future, due to the fertile sandy loam soil of Barnwell County. (Barnwell soil had more suitable Cotton soil than the sandy-Clay soil of Edgefield County. Robert Willis bought land in Barnwell District. ^[1]

Barnwell County early.

1800The county was renamed Barnwell District (county) after John Barnwell, a noted Revolutionary War leader of South Carolina, John Barnwell (1748-1800). Barnwell County, was first known as Winston County, stretching from the Savannah River on the west almost to the Atlantic ocean when the county was organized and named Barnwell in honor of Brigadier General John Barnwell, Revolutionary War leader. Even until the American Civil War times, the county reached from the Savannah River to Branchville. The county has decreased in size over the years as new counties were created within its boundaries from the original Barnwell County.^[2]

http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/barnwell_county_sc.html

Bamberg County (1897)

Allendale County (1919)

Aiken county (1871)

Early 1800's The South Carolina Railroad, which connected Charleston to Hamburg on the Savannah River, was built through this area, creating the towns of Blackville and Williston , 854 in the mid-nineteenth century.^[2]

1817, 1818 Robert Willis purchased land in Barnwell District. This family had 13 children. All were buried in Williston Cemetery, Barnwell County. Robert Willis was prosperous, his land was inherited by a grand son which was used later for a church, depot and School. Willis Station was just a whistle stop on the Charleston Hamburg railway.^[1]

1817 Nathan Stansell moved to South Carolina. He was the first Stansell to arrive in the Barnwell District. Soon he had acquired 1500 acres land. He bought his house and lot in Williston, 854. After his death the lot was sold and leased for the first hotel in Williston , 854. ^[1]

1825 MAP Barnwell South Carolina MAP of the region enlarged

• 1825 MAP of Barnwell County, South Carolina

1829 Barnwell with a nickname of Red Hill. It soon became the County Seat of Barnwell County, South Carolina. In 1820 its population was 1,903. As of 2010 the population was 4,750. The city is near the Barnwell center, with coordinates 33°14′40″N 81°21′48″W / 33.24444°N 81.36333°W / 33.24444; -81.36333 (33.244534, -81.363214). Turkey Creek, as well as U.S. Route 278 which suns 17 miles south toward Allendale and northwest 24 miles to Augusta. Outside the city is Lake Brown. The size of the city is an area of 8.0 square miles. Here is the city website:Barnwell, SC. During the Civil War, while Union General Judson Kilpatrick was occupying Barnwell, he kept his horses stabled in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles. The church's baptismal font in front was used to water the general's horses.^[5]

1830 Barnwell County is the home of the first steam railroad in the world. The old South Carolina Railroad (originally called the Charleston & Hamburgh Railroad) reached from Charleston to Branchville and thence on through Barnwell County to Hamburgh. Blackville1,421 and Williston, in the county today, were stations on this famous road when it was a journey from early morning till late in the night to travel from the Georgia line to the wide Atlantic and when the well known cry "change cars" was first heard in Branchville.<http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/barnwell_county_sc.html>

Slavery Slavery on the Move

1830 Thomas Stansell and John P Walker had a store in Williston , 854. His planted lands were between Williston , 854 and Elko.^[1]

Ashley Willis House, Revolutionary Barnwell, SC.

1833 Joshua Ashley (1791-1869), from Virginia who bought and farmed a great deal of property.. Some records say Ashley did not own the land but Robert Willis owned. Here horse races were held, and Robert A Westhersbee operated the Sunny Side Hotel, near the train station on Railroad Ave.^[1]

Descendants of the settler, Robert Willis founded the town of Williston , 854 in the early nineteenth century. Growth occurred rapidly following the establishment of the Charleston & Hamburgh Railroad running from Charleston to Augusta. ^[1][2]

Christmas Day, 1830 the locomotive "Best Friend" made the first trip along the 136 mile route, speeding along at 12 miles per hour. This was the longest railroad in the world, at that time.

1840's over 100,000 bales of cotton a year were being shipped along it to Charleston. Farms soon sprung up along the route, and Williston , 854 soon became an important station stop.^[2]

1851 - Blackville1,421 was chartered as independent community and named after Mr. Alexander Black. The village existed before Revolutionary War times. Blackville is 2nd largest community in Barnwell County. The first inhabitants used the land primarily for large plantations. - Blackville1,421 developed due to the Charleston & Hamburgh Railroad which stopped there prior to continuing on to Charleston. ^[2]

The Lartigue family, contributed doctors, lawyers, and government officials to Blackwell. ^[2]

Nathan Blatt served 47 years in state legislature, nominated for Supreme Court Justice of U.S. by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Samuel H. Still was a legal Council to Congress

Dr. Hammond, the brother of Senator James Hamhlond, lived in Blackville.

Blackville1,421 is a quiet and peaceful place to live. The town limits still has acres of farmland, which retain the agrarian feel of the town. Blackville restoration projects are currently being planned; the town values its history and contains a wealth of historically and culturally significant places. Listed below are many important historic resources of the town..^[2]

Bethlehem_Baptist_Church SA3.0, Bill Fitzpatrick, en.wikipedia

1861-65 Union forces moved into and through Williston , 854 on their way to Columbia, and tore up the railroad ties and tracks as the moved through. They burned a lot of the town as they left, leaving the Ashley Chapman House plus a nearby house where a woman had given birth were spared. General Sherman had said "we don’t burn occupied houses, but if people vacate their own houses I don’t think they should expect us to protect them." Major General Kilpatrick is reputed to have said that when he got through, Barnwell County would have to be renamed "Burn Well." Many honored dead from the war are buried in the town cemetery. ^[1][2]

1865 American Civil War, Union forces under General William Tecumseh Sherman invaded, looted the town, destroyed the rail line, the supply route from the interior of South Carolina to Charleston. ^[2]

Feb 8, 1865 Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick, the commander of the Union Cavalry, reached Williston , 854. He set up a headquarters in the Ashley-Chapman House. He fought skirmishs with the Confederates guarding the rail line 2 miles West of White Pond. The Units of the First Alabama Cavalry were routed and battle flags captured.^[1][2]While Union General Judson Kilpatrick was occupying Barnwell, he kept his horses stabled in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles. The church's baptismal font in front was used to water the general's horses.^[6]

1866-1870 Major rebuilding was necessary. Farming began again. Homes in the town date from this date. ^[2]

1. Mennonite Community - Similar in religious belief to the Amish, the Mennonite community in Barnwell County settled in the Blackville area, establishing a church and school.

2. Depot Library (Blackville Passenger Depot), Blackville - The current library was originally the town's train depot that was moved from the railroad bed and renovated.

3. Floyd Manor Inn, Blackville - Utilizing pillars shipped from England in 1886, this building was once the manor house of an 8,000 acre plantation.

4. Healing Springs, near Blackville - Artesian springs believed by Native Americans to have healing powers; people still collect the spring water for drinking and bathing.

5. Healing Springs Baptist Church, near Blackville - Founded in 1772, the church is located near the Healing Springs.

Post- 1866-1870 Blackville 1,421 has history connected to land and farming families, but also to homes and buildings.. Many were destroyed, so most date from post Civil War. Many of the historic sites were built more than two centuries ago. ^[2]

1861-65 American Civil War -Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick's Cavalry commandeered Banksia Hall in the town of Barnwell for 5 days, burned down a lot of the town during their stay. ^[2]

1865 General William Tecumseh Sherman's troops stormed through Blackville, Sherman and his men did their best to destroy the town, (burned 45 major structures). All connected with the railroad was burned.. but some buildings were saved.^[2]

1867-70 Banksia then became a Federal occupation headquarters during Reconstruction.

Blackville1,421 is primarily thought of as a rural farming town, but has had experience in governmental affairs.

1869 to 1874, Blackville held Circuit Court hearings for neighboring communities. Blackville was county seat, prior to the time the first court house of the town was built.^[2]

1868 Reconstruction After the Civil War, the South Carolina Constitution was revised, deciding to form districts were to be formed into Counties.. As a result, Barnwell County formed. ^[1] http://www.williston-sc.com/History/early.html

March 1871 Aiken County was formed by the Act of the General Assembly of South Carolina. Aiken's area was made up of lands taken from the following counties: Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington and Orangeburg Counties.After this, district and county lines evolved. ^[2]

1873 -Reconstruction the high school building was built as the county's first court house. About this time the five members of the legislature from the county were African American.. Simon Coker was killed in the Ellenton Riot. The location of the county seat was in controversy that the sheriff in advertising sales would say that they would be held at the courthouse, but named no town. Finally the location of the court house was left to a vote and Barnwell won by twelve votes. There is an ancient sun dial in the Barnwell courthouse yard - certainly the only one of its kind remaining in South Carolina.

City Hall

1891 Terrell and Martha Smith contributed in the establishment of the Baptist Orphanage located here. They built a cottage for boys at Connie Maxwell, the "J. Terrell Smith Cottage"and a companion building for girls to be known as the Martha Smith Home.. His estate placed the family cemetery in trust for the institution and requested the family cemetery be maintained. Smith Industrial Building was built on the orphanage grounds.^[1]

Of Barnwell County's generous contributions to the Confederate cause:

General Johnson Hagood, later governor, gave to the state one of the outstanding economic and business-like administrations in its history. After his election, a constituent asked him if he wished to be called "General" or "Governor." "Call me General," he said, with a twinkle in his eye, "I fought for that and begged for the other." <http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/barnwell_county_sc.html>

1895 white Democrats in the state legislature voted in favor of a constitution, which effectively disfranchised most blacks from voting for more than 60 years by raising barriers to voter registration.^[7]

1897 Bamberg county was formed from the E 1/3 of Barnwell co.. most of the southern half of the county was taken to form most of the new Allendale County, thus reducing Barnwell county to its present size.

Map of Barnwell, South Carolina.

Early 1900's farmers discovered the soil and county local conditions were perfect for asparagus, and

1905 The first phone system in Williston was established in 1905 and had ten subscribers.

1917 City waterlines were built in 1917

1919 Electric power was established (at first only available from 5 p.m. to midnight). The Southern half of the county used in forming form most of Allendale County, which further reduced Barnwell county to its present size.

1925 - First high school, built in 1925 and now housing administrative offices, is one of the oldest buildings of its kind in the state.

1930s more asparagus was grown and shipped from the Williston area than from any other part of the country, earning the town the nickname "The Asparagus Capitol of the World." California gradually captured the market, and only now are asparagus crops being re-established locally.^[2]

2000's Barnwell today is a small, forward-looking and hustling county with some of the finest farming lands in the South. 2 of the largest single farms are located here.<http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/barnwell_county_sc.html>

the Jumper Place (2000 acres along the Edisto River on N boundary)

Farrell place at Reynolds Station near Blackvfille, 3,500 acres owned by Reynolds Farming corporation

Surnames

Many of the Palatine, Virginian, and North Carolinian surnames are still evident in Barnwell today. Some of them being, Hutto, Hartzog, Matheny, Hair, Delk, Dyches, Harley, Rountree.^[8]

Government Offices

1869 to 1874, Blackville held Circuit Court hearings for neighboring communities. Blackville was county seat which Blackville managed, prior to the time the first court house of the town was built.

1873 Courthouse

The present high school building was built in 1873 as the county court house. About this time the five members of the legislature from the county were colored. Simon Coker, killed in the Ellenton Riot, was one of these. So unsettled was the location of the county seat that the sheriff in advertising sales would say that they would be held at the courthouse, but named no town. Finally the location of the court house was left to a vote and Barnwell won by twelve votes.

1878 Courthouse

1878 Barnwell Courthouse.

Barnwell County Courthouse, present

Barnwell co. courthouse, recent.

Geography

county seat, Barnwell, -population of 1,903

Size: 522 square miles

map.

Growing season is 240 days

Crops - all except strictly tropical fruits and vegetables thrive.

Barnwell County asparagus was first grown in this state commercially Williston is the headquarters of the South Carolina Asparagus Growers' association and one of the largest truck basket and crate factories of the South.

Leading crop -Cotton, second is corn.

Kline, Dunbarton, and Barnwell are shipping points for some of the largest and finest watermelons. :Blackville is the largest cucumber shipping point of the state

Asparagus is shipped in quantity from Elko, Williston, and Barnwell.

Adjacent counties

location of Barnwell in SC.

Formed From

• 1785 -This area was formed from part of the Orangeburg District, called Winton County as one of the four counties created from the old overarching Orangeburgh District.

Protected areas

• Healing Springs water healed people

Demographics

In 2000 there were 23,478 people residing in the county with a population density of 43 people/sq. mi. The racial makeup of the county was 55.18% White, 42.55% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.39% of the population were Hispanic. The median income for a household in the county was $28,591, and the median income for a family was $35,866. Males had a median income of $31,161 versus $21,904 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,870. About 17.90% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.30% of those under age 18 and 24.40% of those age 65 or over. By 2010 there were 22,621 people in the county. with a population density was 41.2 inhabitant/sq. mi. ^[9]

• The county is an agricultural county, recently high tension hydroelectric power lines add more industry to the county.

Schools:

• Barnwell has 4 accredited high schools and 5 banks

• population (1920) of 23,081-white native born, 7,444; colored, 15,583; foreign born, 52; Indians, Chinese, 2.

• The railroad mileage of the county is 85, of which the Southern has the largest part, the Atlantic Coast Line second, and the Seaboard a few miles of Florida and New York main line.

Cities/Towns

• Barnwell population of 1,903

• Blackville1,421
• Williston , 854
• Kline, 238
• Elko 188
• Dunbarton 187
• Snelling 113

County Resources

1. Mennonite Community - Similar in religious belief to the Amish, the Mennonite community in Barnwell County settled in the Blackville area, establishing a church and school.

2. Depot Library (Blackville Passenger Depot), Blackville - The current library was originally the town's train depot that was moved from the railroad bed and renovated.

3. Floyd Manor Inn, Blackville - Utilizing pillars shipped from England in 1886, this building was once the manor house of an 8,000 acre plantation.

4. Healing Springs, near Blackville - Artesian springs believed by Native Americans to have healing powers; people still collect the spring water for drinking and bathing.

5. Healing Springs Baptist Church, near Blackville - Founded in 1772, the church is located near the Healing Springs.

Census

1800 --- 7,376 —

1810 --- 12,280 66.5%

1820 --- 14,750 20.1%

1830 --- 19,236 30.4%

1840 --- 21,471 11.6%

1850 --- 26,608 23.9%

1860 --- 30,743 15.5%

1870 --- 35,724 16.2%

1880 --- 39,857 11.6%

1890 --- 44,613 11.9%

1900 --- 35,504 −20.4%

1910 --- 34,209 −3.6%

1920 --- 23,081 −32.5%

1930 --- 21,221 −8.1%

1940 --- 20,138 −5.1%

1950 --- 17,266 −14.3%

1960 --- 17,659 2.3%

1970 --- 17,176 −2.7%

1980 --- 19,868 15.7%

1990 --- 20,293 2.1%

2000 --- 23,478 15.7%

2010 --- 22,621 −3.7%

Est. 2016 ---21,483

Notables

• Nathan Blatt served 47 years in state legislature, nominated for Supreme Court Justice of U.S. by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Samuel H. Still was a legal Council to Congress
• Dr. Hammond, the brother of Senator James Hamhlond, lived in Blackville.
• General Johnson Hagood, later governor, gave to the state one of the outstanding economic and business-like administrations

"Barnacle Ring- the county was the home of several powerful state politicians:

• state Senator Edgar A. Brown (1888-1975)
• Speaker of the House Solomon Blatt (1895-1986)
• Governor Joseph Emile Harley (1880-1942).
• General Johnson Hagood, later governor, gave to the state one of the outstanding economic and business-like administrations in its history. After his election, a constituent asked him if he wished to be called "General" or "Governor." "Call me General," he said, with a twinkle in his eye, "I fought for that and begged for the other."
• South Carolina poet and novelist, William Gilmore Simms, lived most of his life in the county and his descendants are today among the leading citizens.
• Bishop McTyre of the Methodist church
• Dr. B. M. Palmer, one of the leaders of the Southern Presbyterians
• Dr. C. T. Willingham, foreign mission secretary of the Southern Baptists

South Carolina poet and novelist, William Gilmore Simms, lived most of his life in the county and his descendants are today among the leading citizens.

• Louis M. Shook, first Baptist missionary ever sent to China, were born in Barnwell County. Mr. Shook is buried in the Baptist churchyard in Barnwell and near his grave has recently been erected a beautiful brick church.

Cemeteries

• Blackville Cemetery
• Barnwell Baptist Church Cemetery (new)
• Church of the Holy Apostles
• Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery

• FindaGrave Cemeteries
• familySearch cemeteries, Genealogy

• • Ashley cemetery is located about three miles from Williston on the road to Barnwell

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12} http://www.williston-sc.com/History/early.html
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19} http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/barnwell_county_sc.html
3. ↑ https://www.raogk.org/southcarolina-genealogy/sc-counties/
4. ↑ http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/winton_county_sc.html
5. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnwell,_South_Carolina
6. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnwell,_South_Carolina
7. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnwell_County,_South_Carolina
8. ↑ http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~scbarnwe/Barnw.htm
9. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnwell_County,_South_Carolina

• 1825 MAP of Barnwell County, South Carolina
• http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/winton_county_sc.html
• http://www.aikenbarnwellgenealogy.net/index.html
• http://www.williston-sc.com/History/early.html "
• https://www.barnwellcountysc.us
• http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sccgpss/06-barnwell.html