The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-08-25
CORRESPONDENTS OF TIE ABBEvIILE BANNER.
WINNSBORO, AUG. 10.
RI, August, lS47.

WINNSBORO, AUG. 10.
Mr. Editor-When left Abbeville, YOU
made request Of me, which have not
complied with as yet, viz; to write an occa-
sional article for the Banner" will now
put a few thoughts on this sheet, which, if
you think proper, YOU can insert. You are
aware: that, my "metes and bounds" are
quite extensive, and afford me an ample op-
portunly Of judging, and forming an opin-
ion Of men and things Of this, have
made good and profitable use, so far as my
own personal experience is concerned,
though what has afforded me instruction
and amusement might fail to impart any
hing good or pleasant to others. OF this in
the present case you are to be the sole Judge.
[ will then call your attention, and that of
your readers, to certain localities, and some
circumstances which give them claim to
notice and en.itle them to place on the
impartial historic page.
will begin with Chester District, -
Perhaps very few of your readers have any
personal knowledge of the history or inhabi-
tants of this portion of our State. Chester
was first settled in 1850, chiefly by emf
grants from Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Its name was derived from county in the
former State. A considerable number of
emigrants from the Emerald Isle was made
to its population in 1868 after the Peace of
Paris. | think the great majority of its
settlers may trace their origin to the Irish.
they arc of, that, valuable class of Irish who
adhere most rigidly and consistently to the
great and soul-saving doctrines of Protes-
tant Christianity; and need scarcely add,
they are valuable citizens. The population
of the District at the last census (le4oO
was l7,747 including white and coiored;
showing an increase, in twenty years, of
nearly four thousand inhabitants. The
next census will exhibit considerable fall
ing off as many persons, in consequence of
the failure of the crops two years ago, have
been induced to emigrate to the West, The
lands in Chester are in respect to soil, vari-
GUS, but generally fertile, we'll rewarding
the faithful toll of the husbandman. They
contain large proportions of clay, red, grey,
and mulatto, more or less mixed with pri-
mitive substances. The ridges between
the water courses are sandy, with other
light soil whilst the low grounds are some
times stony, with gravel and much rich
loan. The face of the country is hilly and
uneaven, abounding with the finest granite
and soap stone. No mineral or metal sub
stances have been anywhere discovered.
Chester is the seat of justice for the District
and is beautifully situated upon the ridge
which devides the waters of the Broad and
the Catawba Rivers, at the head of the east
branch of the Sandy River. The situation
is lofty and romantic and so commanding,
that, it has been likened to one of the strong
fortresses of the feudal times and barons-a
little San Marino, equally SECURE in position,
as in the possession of free, fearless, and
cont ented population. The grounds about
it slope on all sides in the manner Of glacis;
and the woods are cleared beyond the reach
of cannon shot. The town contains a
handsome Court House and Jail, two Aca-
denies, Male and Female, with three
Churches, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Me-,
thodist The sja,l is decidedly the finest
building in the place, and a stranger in pas
sing IL, would not for a moment think
thai, is one Of "the Houses Jack built.''--
| There arg many tasty private residences in