The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-31
A TRIP TO HIS OLD HOME.

Rev. &. ". Barnes Comes Back to the
Spot Of His Nativity-Everythin
is Changed-The Home is Gone
The Fountain is dry-Many Famil.
lar Faces are no Longer Seen
Other Surviving Friends are Joy.
fully Met-Grave Yard Talk.
Mr.. Editor Having been favored lately
and church (Sharon) on Calhoun's creek in
Abbeville county, l thought would place at
your disposal a brief account OF my'trip.
by way of Barnetts' bridge and Warrenton,
down Little River over rough and zigzag roads
TO Sharon church, where services had been
announced for that day. Arriving before
Parents. and other relatives and friends who
had been buried In the cemetery near by. AS
passed from tomb 10 tomb and read the cpl.
taphs OF 80 many whom / once knew and
my youthful days. I could scarcely restrain
the rising tear. The following are some OF
the families represented there: Hills, Barnes,
Lockbridges Hammonds, WardIaws, D les,
Edwards, Manns, Men ellis u Omissions, Brooks,
with many others do not now call TO mind
l noticed many graves with no headstone TO
tell of those who sleep beneath, and who are
likely known to only few OF the older cti-
zens. It would be we'll If the graves could be
marked before II Is too late for their identif1.
cation. This cemetery Is enclosed by wire
fencing fastened TO hewn rock post, and Is a
model Of cleanliness and beauty.
During the present year 1894, the progressive
and good people Of that community have
built q new, large and commodious church,
Just in rear Of the old one. With this new
and somewhat improved structure, and the
we'll kept grounds around, the place seems
more attractive than ever before; II would
lot any where. The people'of that commu.
nifty ought to be proud OF their place of wor-
ship, and suppose they are.
According TO the most reliable traditional
accounts, there has been an organized church
at that place for nearly ,or quite, eighty years.
or even longer. The first building was an
humble log structure us whicn N IN ume & gave
After the lapse Of hfty-five or sixty years,
this was removed the present year for the
Rev. ". Il. Ariail, the present pastor, is the
successor OF quite number Of ministers who
have served that church, and who, like all, or
most OF his predecessors, is In favor with the
people.
homestead, the exact spot of my nativity !;
but the dwelling and all out buildings having
been long since removed, and the land put
under cultivation, there was nothing left to
stood one OF the chimneys. / would not at
all have recognized the place If had not
known where was. desired to find the old
supplied US With Water. There were few
wells In those days.) II had however been SO
washed over by sand, and covered with grow.
ing Vegetation, 1t could not be found: So
of taking another drink Of water :out OF the
old family spring, one that had been carried
out by my fathers own hands. These may
forest to me, and 1 doubt not would be to
many others under like circumstances.
Reader. II you have been long time from
your native home, just imagine for moment
how you would feel to visit again that old
home, drink water out Of the spring or well,
sit under the old oaks, and view the many
OBJECTS that 30 often greeted your vision In
childhood days. There is no place like
home," and a native home at that.
Sunday morning l worshiped again with
the congregation at Sharon, and met goodly
number OF my OLD friends and relatives. But
%9soItg Of the older citizens hsEe
saw but few familiar faces.
The next object Of interest was the old
Sharon camp ground. This was established
ings up to 1851, was burned down in March,
1852, by fire:extending from a contiguous new
ground. The place Is now owned by Mr.. II
OF the old arbor. Signs Of tent chimneys and
OF tent posts are still visible indicating the
three lines Of tents. The exact spot or my
fathers tent was pointed out by friend and
relative we'll acquainted with ground. There
were still signs of the old tent posts. AS I
viewed the plSce, many, both pleasant and
sons, names, incidents, &C., crowded my
mind, / thought OF the time. when but a boy,
played with the blocks OF timber my father
sawed on while building his tent.
At our camp-meeting there, man. opposed
his wife taking interest in the meeting, went
under the stand. lead her out and abused her
greatly as the went home. But for the inter-
position OF friends, my father chiefly, he
would have served a term in jail ior his
smartness.
The people in that section (sharon) seem
to be prosperous and well 10 do. Good crops
were visible everywhere.
Among the friends / met was DR.. T. ].
Mabry. an old freud an neighbor Of my faith
er. Though to some extent showing age and
well, appears 10 be in fine spirits. The Doc
tor has served we'll his day and generation In
ministering to the afflicted. by whom he will
mind quite vividily severe atlack-almost
fatal-of congestive chills my father had
years ago. and through which the Doctor
brought him safely. Well do l remember
In his second chill, when all thoght that life
was about gone. l spent nearly two days
very pleasantly with kindred and friends In
the neignborhood OF my old home. Would
have been much pleased to have stayed lon
gor, and enjoyed their company and hospi-
tality, but duty called me away.
Monday evening went with Rev. w. H.
lS,
and spent few hours very pleasantly with
him and his estimable wife and family. In
the afternoon the rain, which began the
night before. increased and l spent the night
with cousin John G. Edwards while the rain
decended and the wind blew"
After supper, we, with others. who were
present, discussed old time, places, events, in
cidents and people, until the clock on the
mantle reminded US OF approaching mid
night. John Is somewhat connecting link
between the present and the past generation
Of merchants In A6oeville. and from long ex.
perience guess Is well posted in the quality
and prices Of goods.
Tuesday morning brought no abatement OF
wind and rain, and so having TO remain over
Gowan, former friend and counsellor of my
father and family; Mr.. Hugh Wilson, editor
Of the Press and Banner another TREND
Judge Lyo1 tWo other former ana
and fellow soldiers. Was glad TO find these
all looking we'll and hearty and doing we'll.
Abbeyille seems to be "lengthing her cords
and STRENGTHENING her stakes" especially in
that portion OF town l entered. The once un-
occupied lots west, are now filled with build
ings Of different kinds, among them the A. r.
Presbyterian, Episcopal and Baptist churches.
1t is pleasant TO see mora and religious pros
perity keeping pace with material. BY the
way is not Abbeville eligible to the title OF
city? So thought and asked as l passed
piled with goods. likely quite enough TO sup
ply the demand, if not exceed 1T, with cotton
at cents. SO far dis tested, quality and prices
compare iavorably with other markets; and
1t is not likely that Abbevilians would be
benefited by leaving their home market TO
seek better elsewhere.
After dining with my nephew and name
sake G. V. Hammond and his kind family,
went out to spend the night with Joseph
Hammond, another nephew living mile or
30 out OF town.
Wednesday morning, having cleared of
and looking bright and cheerful, l turned my
lace homeward, and that night just after dark