Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-11-18

to the Highlands of Scotland and the rural
districts of Germany. From Inverness, in
Scotland, one hundred and thirty Highland
ers were received; and from Germany one
hundred and seventy. These new commers
settled in different sections, and proved valu-
able accessions 10 the inhabitants of Georgia.
The Purrysburg colony soon became dissat-
isfed. At first the members of this Swiss COL
ony were delighted at the prospect of being,
in short time, the owners of large land
estates but the climate proved unfavorable
Many of them sickened and died. The sur
vivors murmured and repined, and Purry was
censured for inducing them to leave the
mountains and glens of their native land.
The condition of things in many of the
governments Of Europe, contributed to in
crease the number of the inhabitants of South
Carolina. Religious persecution drove some
of the best men, with their families, from their
native land to the New World. With great
propriety it may be said that God opened up
America that the oppressed of every creed
might find home in its wilds-that the down
trodden might be free. 1t is worthy Of note
that North America offered its extensive for
ests as an asylum to the prosecuted Protes-
tants Of Europe.
About the year 1871, the Scotch.Irish be-
gan to pour into South Carolina in large num-
bers. The history of these immigrants is in
tensely interesting, and is intimately inter-
woven with the history of South Carolina.
Scotch-Irish is used in contradistinction to
Catholic.I Irish. The Scotch Irish we're all
Protestants; whilst the Irish were the down
trodden subjects of the Pope of Rome.
But Scotch-Irish has another Specification.
1t is used to designate an individual whose an
cestors originally came from Scotland and set
tied in Ireland. Still, again, Scotch Irish
means class of person who, at very early
period, were also called Covenanters. The
history of these Scotch-1rish, or Covenanters,
is the most thrilling chapter in the history of
the world. Their name is derived from
particular act performed by them. In 1887,
on the 3rd of December, number of the Prot
estant mobiles met at Edinburgh and signed
paper which, from its nature, was called Gov.
enant. In this document they solemn cove
nanted, "That we, by Gods grace, shall, with
all diligence, continually apply our whole
power, substance and our very lives, to main.
tain, set forward, and establish the word Of
God, and his congregation and shall labor
at our possibility to have faithful ministers,
purely and truly to minister Christ's evangel
and sacrament to his people," The object Of
this document, was simply voluntary pledge
on the part of the signers to be for God, in op-
position to all Popish errors. They pledged
their lives and their sacred honor in this holy
cause. On the 3lst of May, 1859, this cove
nant, or rather another covenant similar in
import, was again signed. From the time of
the signing of the first covenant, these people
were prosecuted as none others ever have
been. The trials and difficulties to which
they we're exposed beggars description. Old
men, leaning on their stats, we're tied to the
stake and burned to death whilst young men
were confined in dark dungeons to drag out
miserable existence. No people ever more
dearly loved liberty. They detested both
civil and ecclesiastical tyrants. Patrick
Henry reiterated their sentiments when he
said, "give me liberty or give me DEATH
Again, in 1888, the Covenanters assembled
at their capital and proceeded to the Gray
friars church. 1t was the 28th of February,
day ever memorable in Scotch history. At
day break the commissioners met and read
the covenant over The people, at an early
hour, began to assemble. The capacions
house was soon filled; then the grave yard.
Henderson led the vast multitude to throne
of grace. The covenant was produced and
unrolled and read by Johnson. This done,
the silence of death followed. All present
felt that upon the transactions of that hour,
depended the prosperity of the church of God
for years in the future. At last, the awful 81
lence was broken by the Earl Of Sutherland,
tottering beneath the weight of years, making
his way through the dense crowd, and with
trembling hand subscribing his name to the
document. Thespell was now broken. Name
after name was added, until, finally, that more
room might be secured, the covenant was
taken out and spread upon one of the tomb.
stones in the graveyard. Here the scene be-
came intensely affecting. Multitudes wept
aloud, whilst others added, after their names,
"till death" and others opened the veins in
their arms, and with the warm blood thus ob.
tanned, subscribed their names, pledging
themselves to serve God.
In aftertimes, sorely were the signers Of
this covenant prosecuted by the minions CT
Rome. Their children and grand children
shared the same fate; but still they were
noble, generous and brave, Many Of them,
in the reign Of Charles the Second, fled to
Ireland, and settled in thu County Down.
Here they remained for q, period of about
sixty years, and then being oppressed by land
lords, they turned their eyes toward America.
In 1888, company of these Scotch-Irish, or
Covenanters, came to Charles Town, South
Carolina. A petition was sent to the Council
by James Pringle, and other Protestant-lrish,
asking that their passage be paid. The Coun.
ell agreed that their passage would be paid
and supplies furnished them, provided they
would settle a township as had been done by
the Swiss at Purrysburgh. On their arrival,
a quantity of corn, peas, beef and salt was
furnished them, and they made their way up
the Black River and settled in Black River
Township. Another supply Of provisions was,
by the Council, furnished these settlers, when
those previously granted we're exhausted.
They, on their arrival, found but two settlers
in this section Of the State-one by the name
of Finley and the other by the name of Rut.
ledge. These two individuals had come from
Charles Town, up Black River for the purpose
or raising rice, OUT lailiHS, TetuTueu. AHeii
settlement was made on the bays which still
retain their names:
The first Irish settlers came up Black river
and landed at Potato Ferry. Lands were
laid out to them on the Santee. The name
Williamsburgh--n honor of William the
Third, Prince of Orange, was given to the
settlement. 1t grew but slowly at first The
climate and the great labor of clearing up the
forest and preparing it for cultivation, proved
more than many Of the settlers could bear.
Their numbers we're greatly reduced by death,
but, from time to time, others came and join
"A H.. AID tho p,arnhants sold them slaves