The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-03
THE FARMERS PHILANTHROPIST.
Col. Clemson's VILLA Long Cherished
Wish of the TestatoC-An Estimate
of the Amount of the Bequest.
From the Walhalla Courier.


from ruInor of the dispositions made
in the last will and testament of the
late Thomas G. Clemson, of Fort Hill.
On Friday, the 2Oth instant, Col. r. w.
Simpson, the executor, had the we'll
proved in common form before the
Probate Judge of Oconee County, by
the oath of James Hunter, one Of the
subscribing witnesses to the will, and
of RI NJ. Jenkins, one of the witnesses
to the codicil. The instrument is
lengthy and carefully drawn. The pre-
liminary statement and concluding
clause especially, as also the general
tenor of the will and codicil, show that
the establishment of an agricultural
college had been long in the mind of
testator. We quote sentence from
the preamble as follows: "Feeling a
great sympathy for the farmers Of this
State and the difficulties with which
they have had to contend, in their
efforts to establish the business Of agri-
culture upon a prosperous basis, and
believing that there can be no perna-
nent Improvement in agriculture with
cut a knowledge of those sciences
which pertain particularly thereto, I
have determined to d-v vote the bulk Of
my property to the establishment of an
Agricultural College upon the Fort
Hill place" Again: "My pur-
pose is to establish All agricultural col
lege which will afford useful informa-
ton to the farmers and mechanics
&c. Apart from such direct EXPIRES
sions of interest in the great wealth
producing industries of the people and
the Importance Of atfording to the youth
of the State the advantages of scientific
culture as the sure means Of developing
our highest material resources, con-
tanned in the will, those personally
acquainted with Col. Clemson we'll
know the provisions of the will are in
accord with the expressed views Of the
testator for many years past, as also
with the active interest he manifested
years ago IN all efforts by the farmers
to build up and establish agricultural
associations, fairs and such like for
mutual benefit aud instruction.
When the society at Walhalla was
organized Col. Clemson took active in
terest in it, frequently attended its
meetings and once delivered an ad-
dress before it on scientific agriculture,
replete with thought and useful infor-
nation, and which was published in
local paper. He was man of broad
and liberal views, of extensive infor-
nation and in his bequest gave form
and life to views, long entertained, and
in so doing has proved himself a public
benefactor. His will so operates, and
whether contested or not, its provi-
sions cannot be attributed to sudden
freak or fancy, but to an earnest, long
considered purpose to dignity labor as
well as to render more profitable and
attractive the leading industrial pur-
suits Of the State, the highest motive a
worthy man could have.
HISTORY OF THE INSTRUMENT.
From the preamble it appears that
Col. Clemson made and signed will
on the 18th of August, 1888. substan-
TALLY the same as the will left by him,
especially in the disposition Of his
property. That will was drawn by
Col. James H. Rion, of Winnsboro,
then and up to death, one of the first
lawyers Of South Carolina, and Mr..
Rion was named as executor. That
will in the same terms as the present in
its bequests, provided for the establish
ment of scientific institution on the
Fort Hill place and prescribed what
course of studies should be pursued.
Being fearful such provisions might
operate as an obstacle to the acceptance
bv the State of the donation and sue
cess of the great object in view, the
present will, dated November 9Th, 1886,
was prepared by Col. Simpson, he fol-
low ing the original draft, except in the
preamble, in which, after disclaiming
any purpose to limit the course of stu
dies. to the sciences named in the will
of 1888, he gives to the trustees named
int he will, with such trustees as may be
appt aGssd by the State, in case it accepts
-ftfie Donation, plenary powers to regu-
late all matters pertaining to the insti-
tuition, including studies, government
and all matters, subject only to the
keeping in mind the benefits sought to
be bestowed on the agricultural and
mechanical industries.' The death of
Col. Rion, subsequent to the date Of
the last will, led to the making ola
codicil, which was signed on the 26th
March, 1857, in which Col. r. W.
Simpson, of Pendleton, is appointed
executor, and some alterations made as
to certain specific legacies. These three
papers, connected as they are by the
contents of the present will and codicil,
speaking the same great purpose of the
testator opened and liberalized by the
will now in force, show the fixed pur-
pose of Mr.. Clemson to establish an
agricultural college and to remove any
obstacle to its success.
ABSTRACT OF WILL.
Item bequeaths the Fort Hill place,
containing Sl4 acres, more or less, TO
the executor, in trust, that when the
State shall accept said property as a