The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-29
NOTABLE OCCASION.
Re.UniOn of an Old and Influential
Family.
Greenwood Journal.

Greenwood Journal.
Mr.. Editor: There Is an antiquated build.
ing in the suburbs Of Greenwood, known as
the "old Blake house." The chimney was
built OF hewn stores, on one OF which Is In,
scribed "Ebenezer 1s0l.' This dilapidated
structure is a portion of the original residence
of the ancestors Of our enterprisipg young
townsman, Mr.. r. P. Blake, who conceived
the idea of having a grand reunion OF the
Blake generation. that the descendants OF his
pious great grandfather might again raise
their Ebenezer to the praise Of the God OF
their fathers. Mr.. Blake sounded his 6ugle
loud enough for the call to be heard in Geor-
gia and North Carolina, SO the gathering Of
the Blake can on the 18th Of August was
something worthy of being chronicled in the
history Of our little cily: There were "a ABOUT out
feast, assembled under the magpifcen: water
oaks in the rear Of Mr.. Blake's residence.
where on q long table his lovely wife dis
pensed bounteous hospitality to the large
Seven heads of the various branches Of the
family were present, PROF. j. 4. Blake, pr. L.
Mrs. ]. c. Alexander, the widow of Rev: J. G.
Alexander deceased, of Greensboro, n. c.,
Mrs. DR.. Thomas Williams. Mrs. II. B: Rey.
nolds, Mrs. Z. ]. Plowden, Mrs. NJ: j. Bell, the
eldest sister, and Andrew Blake, the youngest
brother, we're absent.
Mrs. Milton Blake, Mrs. II. A. Tennent, Mr..
j. r. Blake, Jr., our popular County Treasn-
Blake.
Two sons of Swansey Blake, deceased, are
filling honorable positions In PelZer mills. 80
they were not able TO attend.
Our little town Of Greenwood has history
which though not quite so pretentious as the
clarum venerable nomen OF our "classic" Sis
ter city is still worthy Of being recorded. The
old Greenwood was settled by citizens OF
steady vigorous stock now the ancestors of
many Of our present prosperous families.
The McGhees, Calhouns. Baileys, Blakes
and Weirs were men prominent Tor morality
ank religious principles.
John Blake and Thomas Weir emfgrated
from the county Of Antrim In the Northern
part OF Ireland about the beginning OF this
century. The old Weir house still remains
about two miles west OF the town. II is deslg-
mated in the county records as 'St. Patrick's s
cross" He owned a large landed estate en-
bracing much of the present site Of Green
wood John Blake settled on adjoining lands
south OF him. He owned the public square
ani most Of the area south Of II including the
"Bailey land" which recently brought In our
market from $500 to $500 per acre, while the
original price was So per acre. Both OF these
steady Hishmen reared large families, none Of
grandfather of MIR. r. P. Blake.
He married Elizabeth Weir, the only daugh.
ter of his nelghbor, Mr.. Thomas Weir. Aided
by her energy, industry and wise council he
was able to educate his family of eleven chill
dren In the best schools of the country, he
was always an important factor In the edusa-
tional enterprises which made Greenwood IA
NOUS in this and adjacent counties. The va
rious branches OF his family are prosperous
Long live the Blakes! "May the God of
their fathers be their God and portion ever
MORE"