Sunday, July 31, 2005

Charleston Universalists

Taken from the now gone SCUniversalist website, written and (c) by me

the majority of historic Universalism in South Carolina was in the rural northwest....... except Charleston! Like most of the other unwritten south Carolina history, much of the facts and documents of history were lost during the 1860s. We know that Richard Clarke, pastor of St. Phillips (an Anglican Church) preached universalism in the late 1750s. (this per Stephen Smith of NY in the 1840s). In 1824 a society of "Biblicial Universalists" was formed in 1827 the "Association of Universalists in Charleston" was founded with weekly meetings. In 1829 they became the "Primitive Apostolic Church of Trinitarian Universalists in the City of Charleston"In 1830, they changed the name to "the First Universalist Society"In 1832, they bought a building site in Charleston In 1838 the building was completed In 1856 the church building was sold. (this building no longer exists) In 1869 the remaining church funds were lent to the Unitarian Church (which was founded in the 1810s).Preachers included Paul Dean (winter of 1830-1831) leader of the Restorationists and last well known Trinitarian Universalist minister, L.F.W. Andrews c1835 THEOPHILUS FISK c1836. Albert Case (1839-1844), Maxey B. Newell (1853-), at this point, we know of only one member of the Church Dr. John L.E.W. Shecut (1770-1836) who founded the Association in 1827, and had the weekly meetings in his office. Dr. Shecut was born in Beaufort SC to French Heuginot parents. He studied medicine in Philadelphia between 1786-1791 under Dr. Benjamin Rush ( a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Universalist. Indeed it was at this time, that Rush and former SC resident and noted Universalist preacher Elhanan Winchester were corresponding frequently). Shecut moved to Charleston in 1791, where he practiced medicine until his death. He married Susanna Ballard of Georgetown in 1805. He founded in 1813 what became the Literary and philosophical Society of South Carolina. He founded in 1808 the South Carolina Homespun company - the first cotton mill in South Carolina (and one of the first in the south). He wrote several well known (at the time) books on medicine and botany.

(later I wrote in response to Neil C. ):

the dates come from Russell Miller's THE LARGER HOPE Volume 1. The typos and the list of ministers come from my research - and let me add that LFW Andrews was the pastor in 1835-1836. THEOPHILUS FISK was apparently there at least in June 1836 - when he develivered a speech there (which was printed in booklet form - as "bulwark of Freedom" and reprinted in 1860 as "the National Crisis"). He was also in Charleston in July 1837 lecturing on banking reform (and was the victim of an anti-reform mob violence).
J.F.L.W. Shecut was mentioned in Miller's book. Standard SC biographies give his history. Including the Rush connection. Knowledge of Universalist history gives me the Rush Universalist connection! Thomas Jefferson's letters includes one letter to Shecut; thanking him for an award - and giving him plant (and seeds?) to try out. http://www.constitution.org/tj/jeff13.txt(do a search for shecut)

Cemetery Walking

We were going to Columbia SC, for other reasons, so I decided to go visit Elmwood cemetery and found the grave of the Universalist minister, Athalia Johnson Irwin. The last time I was at Elmwood, I went up to the office and asked where a plot was, and they gave me a map marked and off I went...
.... This time the office was closed. As we wondered around the cemetery (a pastime that both my wife and I enjoy), we concluded that the last time was during a special weekend sale (we both recall the big banners offering plots).
While we have great percentages of finding gravesites (we once drove past a likely cemetery spot, pulled over on a whim, and found a tombstone of one of my forbearers), Elmwood is one of those big big places.
Knowing the local library has a book to Elmwood, we drove there, and got the number of the area andt plot number and gravesite number (but noticed no map to numbers in the book)- and then after our meeting returned to Elmwood. We knew where areas 20 and 44 were, and we were looking for a site inbetween. But Elmwood doesn't list numbers on the roads, or in the plots themselves either -- after searching for where it may be, gave up and came home. (well, we went to a bookstore and dinner first)

After getting home - pulled out my map to discover, the numbers run in zig-zag
--- ok, so at least I know know about where it is, so the next time I should be able to find it.

and of course, will be able to pass the info on to others as well....
.. but obviously not all explorations result in completions!

Thursday, July 28, 2005

So when did Universalism start in SC?

1740? 1760? 1800? 1820?

it depends on what one means by Universalism.....

with the exception of the Charleston society, Universalists in SC started as an outshoot of Baptists - thus around 1740 when they moved in; 1760 when churches organized, 1800 when kicked out of the Baptists Churchs, 1820 when affiliated with the Universalist denomination......

all are right

new source

I plan to start listing my new sources as I find them;

FRONTIER FAITH; the story of Pioneer Congregations of Fort Wayne, Indiana 1820-1860

George R. Mather 1992

while this might seem to be far afield from Carolina Universalist history, its only slightly afield --- as the west (as Indiana was) was like the Carolinas as far as religious development goes -- and this book seems well done for the developement of denominations -----

(for what its worth: the Universalists didnt last long)

Friday, July 22, 2005

change

due to numerous requests from myself, I am going back to just Carolina Universalist history/
Mainly SC - as NC should be well covered.....

(i understand a book is coming out real "soon" now)


I will mention some general south U stuff as I dig it out

Thursday, July 21, 2005

UL January 12 1907

UL January 12 1907

Miss Maude Kearns of Durham NC elected leader of the NC WNMA

UL January 19 1907

Universalist Leader Jan 19, 1907 --Women's Mission Page

Ada C. Bowles - Greenville NC Jan 1, 1907

The first of December found me on the farm of Mrs. Lanie Hauser among the health breathing pines. The Christmas party was over in the little white church in the wildwood.

After two services in the Woodington church, I repacked my suit-case for Kinston, called upon the old friends, and brought up the missionary correspondence to a level; attended the Mission Circle meeting; and preached to a good audience in the nice hall of the Knights of Honor.

I heartly echo Dr. Shinn's voice for a church in Kinston, a lively town growing in strength and importance. What a Sunday school could be had of the descendants of Zaccheus and Mary Rhodes, so steadfast and true to their faith! Some twenty of them now under sixteen, to say nothing of their parents. The Woodington church, seven miles in the country over a bad road, is the nearest Universalist church. Mrs. Rhodes, Mrs Ford, the new Mission Circle president and a few others still faithfully meet to sew and keep alive a helpful service.

Off in the clear cold weather to Greenville, to be met at the station by "Sherriff King" still so called though out of that and other county offices for years. As he was a member of the first Constitutional Assembly after the war, and County Commissioner and Register of Deeds, he is often called Honorable, and by reason of fondness for the title by Southern people, "colonel" King. and he looks stalwart enough and impressive enough, with his full grey beard, to wear all his titles.

In the home of the Kings and their daughter and son-in-law, Larry Moore, Esq., a rising lawyer, I have been beautifully entertained for more than two weeks. I have held three services in the Delphia k. Moye Chapel and tired hard to establish a Sunday school, but finally had to abandon the hope. There is really no family of Universalists in the place save Mr., and Mrs. King, both past seventy. It is clear than upon Brother King, his faithful wife, (who will soon place her nmae and that of Mrs. Moye upon the list of our Life Members) together with a few Universalists living in the country, the maintance of Universalism in Greenville rests.

Owing to the chantge of program I was compelled to make, there was no celebration for children in Finch. The sudden death of Dr. Brantley's mother, seemed the chief reason for this.

I am still hoping to get the box which left Spencer Mass., Dec 5 by rail and that from Boston, Dec 10th. The box and barrel from Norwood, Mass., arrived promptly and their contrents war being distributed. also from Washington came a nice box for New Year's, from the National treauser and other friends, which wil help our Durham work. From Box 58 Madrid Sorings, NY, came some dainty things by mail which have been used as rewards of merit. The Mission Circle of Victor, New yoir,k notifies me of two barrels sent to Magnolia from which point I shall distribut eh contents. although details of distribution are not given in these letters to THE LEADER, the donors recieve by private letters the assurnce of grateful acceptance.

The work for December is thus summerd: Travel, 75 miles. Services, Woodington 2, Kinston 1, Greenville 3. Life membership 2; Laymen's League 1; letters written 79. distribution: Barrels 2; Boxes 2; mail packages, 1. all barrels for the remainder of the season may be sent to the one address of Durham, NC. All receipts to be mailwed promplty to me. Thid does not apply to barrels already asked to be sent to other places. All mail can be addressed to Hotel Woodard, Rocky Mount, NC until jan 20. After that care of E.O. P{atterson, Durham NC.

Jan 6, 1907 I go from here tomorrow morning to Magnolia, to distrubte tow barrels, see about eh Mission Circle; preach, if the bronchitis will allow; retun here to instruct the new Mission Circle, and then to Finch for three or four days of preaching and lecturing; back here and then off to Durham, ehre the Board hope to engage a Hall at once to begin preaching on the 27th of January of Feb. 3rd and see what a little hard work will do. The YPCU of Pennsylvania wish to help through its Postoffice department.


report of the Missionary to the South for December 1906 ( Steven's note: this is shinn?)

Sermons preached 13: as follows
Brunswick, Tenn 2
birmingham, al 1
Atlanta, Ga 1
Canon, Ga 2
Bethel, SC 2 (this is Bethel church near Saluda?)
Union School, SC 1 (no idea where this is, Union the town?)
Mountville, SC 1
Marion, Mass 1
Mattapositte, Mass 1

(snip) "In South Carolina, efforts are being made to settle a state pastor."
1 new member added in Woodenton

Thursday, July 14, 2005

today in the UL May 14, 1898

The Universalist Leader volume 1 Number 24 May 14, 1898 Boston and Chicago Personals Mrs. C.D. Howard of St. Paul;s Church in Chicago one of its oldest members, is now sojourning in Thomasville, Ga. Rev. J.S. Cook is preaching in Urbana Illinois and is the superintendant for the state. I believe that he moved to Mountville SC in the 1910s, but will need to doublecheck.
U.S.Milborn mentions that the "Our Belief, Protests, and Reasons" in the April 30th issue was actually the work of Rev. Harry L. Veazey of Knoxville, TN.
Dr McGlauflu is the YPCU southern missionary
the Kentucky convention is to be May 27th -29th at Hodkinsville. W.T.Davis, sec
Wellsburg, WV Mary A. Harding, wife of J.A. Harding, passed to the higher life. she was 87 years and 5 months. mebers of the Auburndale, Me church
Brewton, Al: annual meeting was held April 24th. Brother Leavitt salary was paid in full, and they kept him on another year, and hope to build a parsonage. 27 new members this year.
Atlanta, Ga: Dr. Shutter preached every evening and twice on sundays for 12 days. He was entertained by Mr. Hamilton Douglas, and by Dr. McGluflin, F.M. Coker gave $500 to the building fund.
cent a day contributions:
Magnolia, NC 3.65
Camp Hill, Al 7.30
misc contrib:
Fairfax Va (individuals) 5.00
japan mission
Norfolk, Va (individuals) 3.33

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Thomas Yarborough, of Georgia

Randolph County Georgia 1850 census

has

Thos. Yarborough 68, born North Carolina, occupation: Universalist Minister
Jane Yarborough 72, born Virginia
property worth $2300

they are living next to CC.Yarborough, 32 born: Georgia and his rather large family

He is in the 1830 census, and two Yarborough families are there in 1860.

today in the UL feb 12, 1898

Among other things that i hope to do is to list various articles in the Universalist papers regarding southeast Universalist news - this would be more helpful if I had copies of the Universalist Herald, but I have to work with what Ive got.

the Universalist Leader Volume 1, #11 Boston and Chicago - Saturday February 12, 1898
20 pp tabloid paper - Geo. H. Emerson, J.S. Cantrell editors
page 5 From Our Mission Field, Q.H. Shinn goes to Tampa Florida, Grahamville Florida, Silver Spring run (yep, a boat ride), Jacksonville Florida, written Feb 2 from Laurel Hill, Florida
names include: S.P. Whitcomb (from Tarpon Springs?), Captain J. F. Chase (formerly of Maine, wounded in Gettysburg, - now living in St. Petersburg), Mr. Blodgett and "little" Irving Crenshaw (formerly of Plymouth N.H. now living in Ocala? or is this just Blodgett, and the Crenshaw the gentleman below?), Mrs. Majaw, fromerly of NYC and one of Dr. T.J. Sawyer's parishioners- from Grahamville Florida.
"The other family are the Crenshaws, formerly of North Carolina, and old friends of Dr. D.B. Clayton. Mr. Crenshaw's wife and daughters have grown out of the Baptist faith and are ready to join the Universalist Church, and plans were made for organizing. Dr. Clayton has made to two visits and preached to the people who came glady to hear his message of glad tidings. (snip)
Mr. Crenshaw is in the turpentine business, which is now very remunerative. (snip) Mr. Crenshaw, who is one of those whole hearted Southerns, who is happiest when giving pleasure to others.... (snip) "

this issue also contains an ad for the Universalist Herald , published at Canon, Ga; "devoted to the interests of the Universalist Church in the South". if one subscribes to both the Leader and the Herald, one can get this usual $3 subscriptions for $2.50.

this is the only issue of the Leader, that ive seen to contain fiction! (although i would guess issues from around the same age probably do) for the family and young folks. thus the blurb: A Family Paper

" cent-a-day pledges" came from the following churches for January 1898
Camp Hill, Alabama $5
Richmond, Virginia 3.65
Five Points, Alabama $2.00
Mobile, Alabama $10.17

for the Japan Mission
Richmond, Virginia (an individual) $10
Fork Ridge, WVA (ypcu) 1

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Welcome to Me and to Thee!

Yet another Blog by someone who doesnt know how to blog?? yep! So tis! Not only that, its a UU blog! and an amateur historian! and a non-speller (where's spell check in this thing?) -- what the point of reading this thing? Well, as time goes on, I hope to talk about historical Universalist figures in the southeast - from Father Clayton to Rev Fuller. From Liberty Universalist to Red Hill and Outlaw's Bridge. Sorta like what I used to do on Neil C's old SC Universalist website (and I state I didnt realize I was copying it when I started using it - but obviously I was! so a tip of the hat to him! ) And by the way, if anyone has any of my old posts from that website......... I'll be happy to repost them here!