The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-14

instrumental In building the nrst house Ol
VILE village, and IL can also be said that she
taught the first Sunday School that was or.
ganized In the town.
was very Intelligent and beautiful woman.
= y AS she listened TO an old fashioned
gospel sermon, to my boyish fancy, she seem.
ed to be enjoying foretaste of the world to
The house which Mrs. Moore built was used
for divine service until the erection OF larger
and more commodious house on Main street
In the year 1889 on lot given to the Metho-
dist church by Mr.. James Alston who, though
not q member Of the church, was warm
friend to the cause Of religion, and especially
to the Methodist church.
THE SALE AND DISSERTATION OF THE FIRST
TEMPLE-Trs FINAL DESTRUCTION.
The first house was sold at public auc-
ton. Silas Anderson bought 1t from the pur.
chaser at that sale, and used 1t for bar.room,
which act OF desecrating holy temple great
ly incensed many OF the members Of the
church, and the act was the cause OF some bit
terness OF feeling, In censuring those who may
ing the sale to Mr. Anderson. Afterwards, it
was fitted for dwelling house, and finally,
after the war, II was used as carriage shop
~ Messrs. Seal, Sign 4 Robertson. It was ac-
Waentally destroyed by fire In October, 1857,
aid thus the last vestige OF the first Metho-
dist church in Abbeville was entirely de-
str%ed.
SOME OF TIE FIRST MEMBERS.
In the absence of any written record of the
original members Of the Methodist church, we
must rely upon the memory OF others for such
facts as are herewith given. They are printed
In the belief that they ore correct as far as
they 60. We can only express regret II we
have missed the name OF any of those who
contributed to the strength and influence OF
the church in Its early days.
James Moore and his wife Ann Moore were
the first to join the church.
Mrs. Robert Key, sister Of Paschal Klugh,
She came % from eoIonaca, e and transferred her
membership. She lived but short while az
ter coming.
first church. He was merchant from Edge
field. His place Of business was on the east
side OF the square in the "Old Red House," on
the lot now occupied by g. A. Douglass.
houn, were added to the church in 1880. He
was an official member, and a class leader for
long time. He and Mrs Calhoun afterwards
connected themselves with the Episcopal
William Lomax, widower, and his daughter,
Miss Harriet Lomax, Joined the church In
1880, from which time he was an active mem
ber and class leader until his death In 1s40.
His son, w. James Lomax, now lives near
Lowndesvlle.
Miss Harriet Lomax married Thos. Graves,
1854. ''' '' '. " '' "
Mrs. Susan Wilson, wife of J. s. Wilson,
Joined In 1850; She afterwards transferred her
lived at one time in the house now owned and
occupied by Julius H. DuPre. She left Abbe-
willie In 1850. Died in 1854 Buried in Episco-
Dr. Fanklln Branch and his wife, Joined in
1880. He married Miss Matilda Vashu VII
son, sister af the late John H. Wilson, Dec. l6,
They left Ahbevillc in 1856. On January 1.
1860, Dr. Branch, and his two sons. Franklin
Branch and0Rrson Branch. were ordained FL
aa ae1s dsd Sy H. at IsmRs ss f'e
DR.. Isaac Branch was on the building COM
mittee which constructed the second house OF
worship for the Methodists, and took quite an
active part in the work. He and his wife af.
terwards Joined the Presbyterian church,
He died in 1872. Mrs. Branch died in 1871:
Samuel Branch, and his wife Elizabeth VIII.
son Branch, joined In 1881. He died In 1910.
About two years after his death, bis widow
married q Mr.. Navy, jonrneyman carriage
maker They moved to Augusta, Georgia. q
few years later, where shs died many years
Miss Mary Ann Branch, daughter Of Sam.
married. s 1
moved TO Georgia. where she died.
Miss Sarah Branch, second daughter OF Sam
mel Branch, married A. Markee, carriage
where she died in 1854.
Mrs. Sarah Downey, widow, built and lived
In the house now owned by James A. McCord
She was one OF the first members, ever acti ve
and useful. Her large means enabled her tC
give literally to the church In which she was
so much Interested She married Colonel
Jones, OF Georgia, many years ago. She died
Mrs: Parmeiia shlllito, widow OF George
Shillito, was also a member of the first church
She moved to Mobile, Ala Died, 1884.
ten. was regular attendant at church, and q
devoted Methodist She died In 1S-.
Donald Douglass, at one time Sheriff OF the
county, was one OF the members. He moved
Mrs. Druciia Douglass, widow Of Donald
Douglass, now widow Of Thomas Aiken
lived at Abbeville, and In faithful member Of
ninety;second year after having lived to see
the fifth generation. She has a grand-daugh
ter who is herself grandmother.
Lewis n. Davis, was one Of the first converts
and he proved to be most useful worker fol
the cause of Christianity. An accident, when
in his fourteenth year, cost him bis eye-sight
A colored man afterwards acted as his guide
gave him every assistance possible. He be-
came preacher OF unusual force and power
more for his goodness of heart and the ear
Tor any extraordinary II intellectual ability. He
was mainly instrumental In raising the mon
ey with which the second Methodist church
was built. He andlhis family. however, movet
died.
MIS-. Mahala Shlil1tO Vile OF James ShlilitO
was a member of the church in Its early histo
ry, and remained communicate until he
Miss Ann jackson, who afterwards JOINED
Der Of the Methodist church. She died il
l8-.
Miss Jane Davis, sister Of Lewis Davis, al
exceedingly useful mem Der Of the first church
was an active teacher in the Sunday school
She left Abbeville In 1885: sheis still llvinl
In the State of Mississippi.
Charles Dendy and his vile A.. Ella, wer
among the members Of the first church. Mr.
Dendy died in 1859. Mrs Dendy is still LIVING
q devout Christian, and a sincere lover OF th
Church.
Mrs. Nancy Hanly, sister OF Charles Dend!
was also a member Of the church. She ant
her husband moved to Georgia before the sec
ond church was built.
John A. Donald was ono OF the first mem
bers in the second church.
Jefferson Weems was one OF the first clas
leaders In the second church. He moved Il
Georgia.
beth, were members of the first church. The.
Joined short time before the building Of tn
second chnrch. He remained a member un
til his death In l8-.
Mrs. Elizabeth speirrin, wife of Thoma
p. Speirrin, was member OF the first church
She moved to Yazoo city in 1852, and died IL
1870.
James Moore, and widow Of the late III.
Kerr, Joined the first church In her child
hood, and has been In the communion OF tn
church ever since She has been Sunda;
school teacher for about forty years. and al
that time has been most regular attendant
she is seldom absent from her place durin
divine service.
the early members. He was one OF the ables
physicians OF his day, and his practice OK
f$aRSetoysS q large territory.
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