Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-10-14

In l7Zl, when FRANCIS NICHOLSON became
Governor, the white population of South
Carolina was about ten thousand, and the me-
groes about twice that number. Schools had
been established and churches built, but neith-
er the cause of education nor of religion was
in fourishing condition. The government
had, from the beginning, been too unstable
for the welfare of either religion or education.
The Yamassess had reduced several country
churches to ashes, and in some communities,
not far from Charles Town, no public reli-
gious teaching had been enjoyed fora number
of years. Governor Nicholson and number
of the good men Of the colony, directed their
attention to this matter. ,.....
AS said before, Governor Nicholson made
no pretensions to religion. On the contrary,
he is represented as being an exceedingly pro.
fame man. Still, in very laudable manner,
he gave both his appreciation and pecuniary
support to the spread of the gospel. The
Georgetown community had heen so much
neglected that the people retained scarcely
semblance of religion amongst them. To re-
claim these people, Governor Nicholson pro-
posed to build church in their midst, by
private subscription. This subscription he
headed with a liberality worthy of the object
in view, and the position which he held. The
parish of St. George was taken out of St. An
drew's, and church built, partly by public
donation, and partly by private contribution.
Application was made by the Governor to
the Society in England for the propagation of
the gospel in foreign parts, for al annual al.
lowance to clergymen, above what was paid
them by the colony. In connection with
churches, the necessity for schools was taken
into consideration. 1t was argued that the
school. house and the church were mutually
dependent upon each other, and civilized 3d.
ciety absolutely dependent upon both. I'm
pressed strongly with this idea, school-houses
were built and teachers employed. In these
schools, not only the elements of education
we're taught; but the principles of the Chris
tian religion were explained. Every school.
house was, as it should be, a nursery, in which
plants we're reared both for the Church and
for the State. A spirit of liberality possessed
the men Of the day worthy of emulation BY
the men of the present time. Whitmarsh,
Ludlam and Beresfords left their estates, or
the most of them, which in the aggregate
amounted to more than sixty-seven thousand
dollars, for the purpose of establishing free
schools of the higher order.
During the administration of Nicholson, a
romantic but melancholy event transpired.
In the colony there was family Of French
descent by the name of Dutarque. This
family was descended from family which
came into the colony after the revocation of
the edict of Nantz. The family consisted of
four sons and an equal number of daughters.
The family was in moderate circumstances,
but regarded by their acquaintances as re-
spectacle. An individual, said to have been
Moravian preacher, (but no doubt if we
have his correct character, either an impostor
or fanatic) came into the neighborhood in
which the Dutarque family resided. He
made their house his home By argument
and by the aid of certain books, he filled the
minds of the Dutarque family with wild and
extravagant notions about religion. They
imbibed contempt for the religion of their
neighbors, and went 80 far, it would seem, as
to conclude that they we're right and every
one else wrong; that their religion was the
true religion and the religion Of all others
false. They went so far as to pretend that
they received revelation from heaven. A GER
tain individual by the name Of Peter Rom
bert, had married one of the daughters.
Rombert pretended to have been divinel set
apart to fill the sacred Office of prophet. He
pretended that he had been informed by God
that the world was soon to be visited by some
dire calamity, which would sweep off from the
face of the earth all the human race except
one family. From this favored family the
earth would again be peopled by faithful
seed. Strangeasit may seem, some persons
believed what this wild enthusiast preached.
That man who s bold enough to proclaim to
the world that he has been to heaven, will
find some individuals who will follow him
even to the stake. Rombert declared that he
had been instructed by revelation to put
away his wife and take her youngest sister to
be his wife, The father, at first, was amazed
at such revelation but Rombert affirmed
that the thing proceeded from heaven and
God would give sign confrmatory of the
fact.
Whatever may have been the sign, it is said
that it was given, and Rombert took his new
wife, Thus Rombert and Judith Dutarque
lived in adultery and incest. This was in
open violation of the law concerning bastardy,
enacted September the 18th, 1903. By the
provisions of that law, it was incumbent upon
Captain Simmons, the trial justice in the
neighborhood, to summon Peter Rombert and
Judith Dutarque before him. A difficulty
had occurred with the family, in consequence
of their refusing, under the plea of revelation,
to obey the militia law of the country. They
said that God warned them to bear no arms,
and under this delusion, they refused to obey
the civil or military officers. The constable
to whom the warrant respecting the incestu.
ous life of Rombert and Judith was given,
being aware of the condition Of things, and
anticipating difficulty, took several of his
neighbors with him. Sosoon as the constable
came in sight, the family consulted Rombert,
the prophet, as to what they must do. He
ordered them to arm themselves and defend
their lives and property against the ungodly
invaders of their rights. This order was
promptly obeyed, and the constable and his
party were obliged to return without effecting
their object. No one, however, was killed.
Captain Simmons concluded that such con-
duct as this ought not to be tolerated. He
posse of men and went to pro-
tect the constable in the discharge Of his
duty. When Simmons and his party ap-
preached the house, the Dutarques shut them.
selves up in the house and commenced
brisk FIRE upon the party. Simmons was shot
down dead, at the first fire, and several Of
those who accompanied him wounded. The
fire was returned by Simmons party and
woman within the house killed. The house
was then broken open and the rest taken
prisoners.