Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-02-17

Gh;ldten's department.
(OrlgInal.1
U -
CELEBRITY OAK"


When, in 1854, the British parliament
passed the notorious Stamp Act, the people
of South Carolina, in common with the other
colonies, were greatly incensed. George Sax
by and Caleb Lloyd, who were appointed to
distribute the stamps, perceiving that it would
be attended with great risk, both to their per-
sons and property, determined not to engage
in the business. The stamps were, by the
orders of Governor Bull, taken to Fort
johnson. Afterward, they were taken on
board of an armed ship, on the Captain
promising that the stamps would not be land
ed anywhere else in America. Finally, the
Stamp Act was repealed; but the British
Ministry claimed the right ITO bind the colo
MES and people of America in all cases what
soever." As was natural, when the news
reached Charleston that the Stamp Act was
repealed, the minds of the people generally
were filled with joy.
Although this was the case with large
majority, there were few who did not like
the declaration made by the British Ministry
respecting the right of parliament to bind
the people of America as it pleased. There
were some who, instead of being joyful, were
still opposed to the high claims set up by
England, and even at that time dared to think
and speak of American Independence. Fore.
most among those disafected towards the
British Government, was Christopher Gads-
den. Near his residence there stood, in what
was called Mazyckborough, large live-oak.
At this period Christopher Gadsden was
about forty-two years old. He was a native
of Charleston, and had been educated in Eng
land. He was engaged in mercantile pur-
suits, and by close attention to business had
accumulated considerable fortune. His
business brought him in close contact with
the mechanics of the city. Gadsden having
made himself thoroughly acquainted with the
peculiar relations which existed between Eng
land and her North American colonies, a
number of individuals, mostly master mechan-
les, met together and formed what was called
the "Sons of Liberty" club
The place of meeting was under this live
oak near Christopher Gadsden's residence.
The tree was called Liberty Oak" 1t stood
in the square which is bounded by Alexander,
Boundary, Washington and Charlotte streets.
The names of twenty-six individuals who were
accustomed to meet beneath the wide spread
branches of this Liberty Oak" are still pre-.
served. They are Christopher Gadsden, Will
liam johnson, Joseph Verree, John Fullerton,
James Brown, Nathaniel Lebby, George
Flagg, Thomas Coleman, John Hall, William
Field, Robert Jones, John Lawton, Uzziah
Rodgers, John Calvert, Henry Bookless, J.
Barlow, Tunis Tebout, Peter Munclear, Will
liam Trusler, Robert Howard, A. Alexander,
Ed. Weyman, Thos. Searl, VIM. Laughton,
Daniel Cannon, and Benjamin Hawes.
To these individuals Christopher Gadsden
made speeches and talked about American
independence long before any one else on the
continent had thought of it. It was under
this "Liberty Oak" that the first convention
of South Carolina met. After the Revolu-
tionary war broke out and was in progress,
the people still continued to meet beneath this
tree, and it was here that the Declaration of
Independence was first publicly read in South
Carolina. The tree became great favorite
of the patriots of 177s, but it was an object
OF hatred TO the BRUSH.
When Charleston fell into the hands of the
British in 1880, Sir Henry Clinton had the
"Liberty Oak" cut down, and the wide spread.
ing limbs all piled upon the stump and set on
| fire. He edetermined to burn it, root and branch.
The branches were all consumed, but part of
the stump still remained. From a part Of
the remaining stump ballot box was made
and presented to the "'76 Association" In
1888, this box was burned up in the great
fire which occurred that year. So precious
was this tree, regarded that from the roots and
part of the stump which escaped Sir Henry
Clinton's fire, several gentlemen had heads
made for their walking canes. One Of these
cane heads was presented by Judge William
johnson, of South Carolina, to Thomas Jef:
ferson, when he was President Of the United
States.
1t may be matter of interest to know that
the descendants Of many of those who, more
than one hundred years ago, were accustomed
to meet under Liberty. Oak" in Charleston,
are scattered all over the United States, and
most, if not all, of them are honorable men
and women. Some are in New York some
in the great West; some in the up-country Of
South CarolAa, and many of them are in the
city of their fathers. Many Of the offspring
of those Whig mechanics are to-day filling
offices of honor and trust, and several are d.
vines, loved and respected for their learning
and piety.
My Fathers DAY.-"I can't have you