The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-01-30
GOSSIP FROM GEORGETOWN.
A Description OF the PInce-InterestIng
ReminEscences-The Churches q n d
Congregations-The Principal Busi-
ness Men.
lFRoA OUR rnAvRIL1Ne ooanEspokpssr.]

GEORGETOWN, s. c.. January 26.
Georgetown stands on the north bank Of
samplt Creek, ju't where 1t empties into
Winyah Bay. It's site was originally granted
to Mr.. Perry, the ancestor Of the Kinloch famI-
ly; but through some mistake 1t was a secosd
time granted to Rev. William scrsven. the
frat Baptist minister In South Carolina. About
the year 1720, Mr.. Screven divided 1t off Into
lois, three Of which he BET apart for the erec-
lion of places OF worship, ana assigned the n
lists and Presbyterlans. 1t was alter.
wards recovered by the son.in-law Of Mr.. Per-
ry, MIR. Gleland, who, In the year 1877, con-
frmed the sales, which had been made
by Dir. ScreYen on "the receipt Of small ad.
dilional amount from each purchaser" So
much says Mr.. David Ramsay. To the river,
Georgetown presents quite an imposing front
In its long line of wharVes. lumber mills, tur-
pentine distllleriea, warehouses and wharf
sheds, which lead the newcomer to suppose
that the town Is much larger than 1t Is in re-
ality. It covers an area OF about ha'f square
mile, Is we'll laid out, and has population Of
about two thousand souls. The streets are
wide and straight, and lined on either side
with large shade trees, principally water oaks.
The houses are mostly built OF wood, the
principal exceptions being some Of the public
buildings and q portion of the business houses.
Many fine and commodIous residences
adorn the town; these are generally two sto-
ries high, with fiat or slightly raised roofs, and
In their venerable and antique models are we'll
calculated to take the reflective gazer far away
into the thadowy past But every now and
then one Is reminded that modern ideas are
spreading, as his eye falls upon the neat and
airy form Of bran new structure put up IN
the latest style. The public buildings are FIVE
churches, lone African, denomination un-
known,) The jail, market aud courthouse; the
latter Is q large and handsome building. With
front somewhat similar to that Of the Carolina
Hall. The Oldest building in Georgetown, now
remaining, is the Episcopal Church-indeed
venerable structure, entirely Of brlck-stand-
Ing In The midst OF massive oaks and cedars,
red with the rust OF ages. covered with
gisteniDg ivy; adorned by no tail and taper
Ing spire, but distinguished by the low, thick.
rOund-topped turret OF two centuries ago. It
Is highly emblematical Of that hardy race pc.
fore whose steady tread the savage ana the
wilderness alike gave way, and who, In their
turn, have fallen beneath the Inevitable hand
of time. The interior. with the exception OF
being without eide galleries, Is miniature OF
st. Pauls, Charleston, having ceiling, chancel
and pews of the same form, with row OF pill
lars on either side, between the middle and
side aisles. 1t exhibits total absence ol or
namental work, but the ceiling, walls and pill
lars are kept neatly whitewashed. the 1oor-
ing Is of fag-stones. The church contains a
handsome organ. The congregation, though
smaller than formerly, is still quite large; 1t Is
made up principally Of planters residing IN the
neghborhood. the BapIists and Presoyteri-
ans, strange to say, have almost wholly dlsap-
peared. The Melnodsts are very flonrlshipg,
and constitute the largest congregation OF the
place. :,
The fire department of Georgetown Is well
organized. and, Tor the size Of the town, is
quite q large body. It consists of a hook and
ladder company, one or Two hand engines and
steamer. Their services are altogether vol
unlary There is dancing club and Masonic
lodge In the town. There are some curious
characters In the place. A short description oil
formerly q man milliner, but he has long since
-rstired 10 live upon his earnings. He lives In
small house, half church, half store IN ap-
pearance, with q little flower-garden at the
back. He has never been known 10 have
another person living on his premises; his
only com panions are COW and one or two
pigs, which enjoy the pleasure OF looking Into
tily laid out, the walks are bordered by sea-
shells. and swept 30 clean that not even
fallen leaf can be seen, and the trees and
shrubbery are closely and beautifully trim
med. The faVorite diversion of this eccentric
person is said to consist In stirring up domes-
lie dlSc0rQ between newly WhTIleu Coupleo.
He once enjoyed alittle more fun than he had
anticipated, at the hands of an enraged hus-
baud
There Is considerable coastwise trade
done here In lumber, rice and naval stores.
Regular communication with New York and
Baltimore Is afforded by several lines OF sailing
vessels, yariously represented In Georgetown
by Meesrs. a. Morgan, Congd0n, Hazzard d
Co., 8. g. Fraser and B. a. Munnerlyn d 20.
Stores are very numerous for the size OF the
place. These are ranged along Bay street,
which runs parallel with the river front. The
principal Arms are Morgan &c McQnaid, Cong.
don, Hazard & Co., Sampson & Alexander,
81. Kaminski. w. o. Burke, 8. 3. Carr, j. w:
Tarbox aud Taylor & Doar. All keep assorted
stocks of dry goods, groceries, hardware, DC.
The frst-named firm are also the largest tur-
ppntine dstillers of the place, and the second
nave a ship chandlery department attached 10
their store. The drug business is represented
by Messrs. T. P. Bailey and B. Anderson
Messrs. 3. A. Munnerlyn & Co., W. q. Dor
rIIl. A. Morgan and s. s. Fraser are the prin-
cIpal commission merchants. The latter Is
also the only insurance agent In town. The
banking and exchange interests are repre-
sented by Mr.. R. E. Fraser.
When Georgetown gets daily mall and q
railroad connecting 1t with the interior, 1t will
become place OF considerable importance.
Al nraoont tne mail arrives only three times q