Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-04-03
FOR THE ADVERTISER.
FRUIT HILL, March a6th, 1856

FRUIT 1ILL, MaTcl 2Otil, lool.
Mr.. Editor Will you be kind enough
to publish statistical sketch little further,
in relation to the Census matters Of Edge
field District.
First, we have over two thousand farms,
each of which, produces to the annual value
of one hundred dollars and upwards; many
of them amounting to very large sums-and
very many more of small farms, owned by
merchants, mechanics and poor persons, and
beginners, all Of which were excluded by
the act providing for taking the 7th census.
Then, we have one hundred and ninety
eight establishments of productive industry,
all of which produce to the annual value Of
five hundred dollars and upwards-many Of
them having large amounts of capital, and pay
ipahandsome profits upon the capital and
labor employed. We also, have Q great
many small establishments, worked by men
whose interests and time are divided between
thei- farming and mechanical pursuits, viz:
they, or many of them, have small farms,
and when they lay by their crops, they repair
Wagons, carts, buggies, &c. Some own a
small farm, and do two or three hundred dol
lars worth of blacksmith's work for their
neighbors. Others have small turning es-
tabishments for making spinning-wheels and
chairs; the same may be said of shoe-makers,
tanners, tub-mills, &C., all of which are ex-
cluded, because they do not raise annually,
by such pursuits, to the value of fiye hun
dred dollars.
There is fact in relation to the produc-
ton Of our lands, which, though it may seem
strange, yet, is nevertheless true. They are
cut down and apparently exhausted, present.
ing quite unpronising and worn-out condi-
ton, yet the crops upon the same farms are
larger, and the yield greater to the hand, than
they were ten years ago, when took the
Census. And further, it was exceedingly
gratifying to find the citizens generally so
well and so permanently settled, not only,
having fine farms rendering nm abundant
yield, but their finely improved and richly
furnished dwellings. Above all, was not
only pleased, but really surprised to find so
little disposition in our people, to remove to
the far-famed West. They seemed to have
a native attachment to their homes, for when
the question was asked, "What is the esti-
mated value of your landsw the answer was
almost invariably the same, 81 do not know;
l have not thought over the subject, as did
not desire or intend to SELL" 1t was more
troublesome to get all answer to that than
most other questions.
The diversified Interests that have sprung
up amongst us in relation to new modes Of
agriculture, and in the various mechanical
pursuits, not only gives additional employ
ment to our people, but it seems to me has
aroused, and given lively energy to their
movements.
There is an exceedingly large amount of
Mercantile interest in this District, viz: in
Hamburg, Edgefeld, Graniteville, Vaucluse
and Literty Hill, and also, large and hand
somcly furnished establishments almost in
every section Of the District.
There are about twelve hundred and fifty
children receiving instruction at literary in
stitutions. About four thousand seven hun.
dred dollars of the expenses are paid by ap-
preparations, donations and various funds
the balance of about fourteen thousand dol
lars is from private sources.
We have in this District, thirty-onc Baptist
Churches, nearly all of which have large con-
gregations, the general department of which,
is altogether praiseworthy and such as be-
comes christian people.
We have twerty-threc Methodist Chur-
ches, and though their congregations are not
at all times very large, yet it is exceedingly
pleasant to any one to see the happy greet
ings and the good feeling that prevail amongst
them.
We have four Lutheran Churches, and
though their number is small yet as a, con-
nection, it is not inferior to any for honesty