The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-06-26
SUMMERToN.
In Historical Sketch of Summerton Dur.
ing the Past Half Century.

ing the Past Half Century.
The little hamlet called Summerton
is situated on the waters of the San
tee, near the source Of Taw-Caw
creek, on point of land formed by
tie junction of said creek with one
of its tributaries, known as SCOTS
Branch; the latter flowing southeast
ward, and Joining the former about
one nile below what is considered
the center of the village.
Due west from Summerton, the
Santee begins to form a curve, which
continues until past the southern
point of the compass, and by this
curve, Summerton is about equidis-
tant, or say 10 miles from the swamp,
for perhaps thirty miles in its course
to the ocean.
The area embraced within this
curve in the Santee is composed Of
some of the finest farming lands in
the county, or even in the State,
mostly rich red clay, with occasional
" some sand. And within this sec
ton beginning with what is familiarIy
known as Fulton" and extending
down the river to the Williamsburg
line, lived for many years the most
intelligent and wealthy citizens OF the
county of Clarendon, many of them
owning large areas of land, many
slaves, large herds Of cattle and
sheep, and perhaps more swine than
did many OF the old time Gadarenes.
The broad Sautee afforded the finest
pastures, and ample hunting and fish
ing ground, with its ridges and islands,
lakes and creeks; and game was abun-
dant, from the ugly brown beas that
worried through the cane brake, to
the nimble cat squirrel on the limbs
of the trees, with wild turkeys, ducks,
and fish of the finest quality and IN
great abundance.
While the farmer was enjoying the
romantic scenery of the swamp, and
supplying his table with game, the
faithful sons of Africa, were (under
proper supervisory cultivating the
fertile fields on the hill, or upland,
and almost, without exception, the
Weld at harvest resulted in super
abundance for both master and slave.
HAPPY AND coNTESTED PEOPLE.
Indeed, SO we'll satisfied were the
farmers of this section with the fer
tility of the soil that very few Of them
ever thought Of emigrating to the
West in search of ,icher land, but on
the contrary many ok them entailed
their real estate on their heirs tc. the
second and third generations, colrnd-
ering it the safest legacy they could
bestow upon those who were to come
after them. 4
OF course the results of the war
wrought very great change, and
many fertile fields soon lapsed into
their original or primitive state.
The main difference in the forest noac
being a heavy growth OF old field
pines, where once grew the long
spruce or majestic yellow pine.
EVILS OF THE LIEN LAW.
Many farms are now occupied al
most exclusively by colored farmers,
some of whom are gathering q little
property around them and show some
signs OF thrift, but the large majority
barely make out to live through the
aid of the lien supply law, which they
consider a great boon, but which, IN
our judgement, is in reality against
them in tie end, for the prices they
are forced to pay are really ruinous.
While the lien supplies food for afeE
months, it is sure eeSS4s-5efore
harvest 6ne, and leaves the poor fel
low discouraged, disheartened, and
perfectly indifferent to energy, indus
try, or economy.
FIRST SETTLERS.
It was about the time from 1880 to
1910 that the point where Summerton
is now located seems first to have
been thought OF as health resort.
Mr.. Charles Harvin, a farmer IN easy
circumstances, living near Wrights
Bluff, was the first to move out to the
long leaf pine region at this point,
with a view to test its character as a
safe retreat from the malaria" or
''chill poison" Of the swamp, and so
successful was the experiment that he
was soon followed by DR.. John L.
Fielder, distinguished physician,
and neighbor of AIr. Halvin, with
many others from year to year, among
whom was the Rev. Hartwell Spain,*
superannuated minister ofthe Meth
odist church, who moved to this place
with other members of his family;
and one OF his gifted daughters be-
ing at that time a newspaper CORES
pondent, over the nom de plume of
'Lizzie Clarendon" dating the cor
respondence from "Summerton, gave
to the place name which it has worn
ever since.
EDUCATIONAL CENTRE.
Very soon the place became thick
ly settled and the site of a fourlsEllng
school under the principal care OF the