The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-04-21
"REMINISCENCES.
Prominent People of Good Old
Ebenezer NeighborhOOd.


as "the Ebenezer neighborhood" because
Ebenezer church, one of the oldest churches
in the county, stands in the center of it.
This church is within a mile of Rocky river
and directly on what used to be known as
the Abbeville road, leading from Anderson
to that place. It is distant about ten miles
from the city of Anderson, and about two
miles from Emerson's bridge. 1t is quite a
central point, several public roads crossing
and diverging near by. From time imme-
mortal public school has been located
there, at which many people now scattered
abroad have received part or all of their
education. Many hare gone to that bourne
from whence no traveller returns"
This neghborhood used to be noted as one
of the best, if not the best, in the county.
1t has, think, been so regarded by two we'll
known and observing citizens, Hon. B. F.
Crayton and Rev. W. A. Hodges, neither of
whom lived in this community. And so it
evidently was, for it was chiefly composed
of the right kind of people-good citizens,
intelligent, moral, peaceable and religious.
The last trait is evident from the number
of old churches of different denominations
in and around this center. We have seen
that Ebenezer, Methodist church, has had
an existence of one hundred years; while
Varennes, Presbyterian church, just on
the other side of the river, is not much, if
any, behind her in age, and Bethel, Bap-
.ist church, just below short distance, is
not far behind either. More recently others
have been organized at no great distance off.
Quite number of persons who attended
church or went to school at Ebenezerr en-
tered the ministry of the different 'ienom-
nations; three Brownies, one Norris, one
NlcLin, one Walker and several others,
names not remembered. Not only were the
people generally good citizens and christians
but they were industrious and frugal, which
naturally resulted in their being "well.to-
do in the world. Quite number of them
accumulated handsome property, much
of it in slaves, who were taken from them.
In giving sketch of few Of the more
prominent citizens of the Ebenezer neigh
borhood I will be obliged to confine myself
to those with whom it was my pleasure to
become acquainted. And, as believe, Col.
John Martin was the oldest man in it when
I became acquainted with that community,
I will write of him first. The colonel was
born Sept. 1, 1893, on the place on which he
lived and died, within half q
mile of Ebenezer church. AS well as known
his father was Koderick Martin, and lived
in or near the Varennes section. His
mothers maiden name is not remem bered,
but she was widow Taylor when Martin
married her. John Martin was the only
child by this marriage.
When about 10 years old lie volunteered
into Captain Thompson's company, made
mp on the line of Abbeville and, what was
then, Pendleton counties, and served
through the war of 1872 At the time of his
death the colonel was no doubt the only
surviving member of that company. For
bis services in that war he drew pension
up to his death.
Soon after his return from the army he
married Miss Cynthia, daughter of Jesse
Rutledge, who lived on the place now
owned and occupied by Jas. T. Drake. To
hem were born sixteen children, eleven Of
whom lived to be grown-eight sons and
,hree daugh tiers. All the sons have passed
away except one, and the three daughters
ire still living, two in this county and one
n Mississippi.
In his active days, Col. Martin became
very popular man, hard to turn down in
elections. Beginning as captain of the
Bear creek company of the militia he rapid
y went up to the position of colonel of the
tth regiment, an Office held by him for
some time. In 1882 he was elected to the
Legislature, and in 1886, Ordinary of the
county. He was elected Sheriff in 1916,
md then again in 1854 He was delegate
rom Anderson county to the State conven-
ion which passed the ordinance of secession
N 1859. When troops were called for he
in Capt. Anderson's company
and went with it to Columbia, taking with
him his old rifle he called "Old Friday"
The colonel being too old and feeble for
service, his friends persuaded him to return
home.
Col. Martin was great sportsman and
hunter. Though diligence in business"
vas his watchword, lie found time enough
10 do q great deal Of hunting and attend
shooting Matches" which were popular
IN those days. The abundance of game of
Ill kinds encouraged him in his fondness
for hunting. Wild turkeys were then
plentiful and these were his favorite game.
He has been known to go out early of a
morning on turkey hunt and return with
'our or FIVE fine gobblers. There was hardly
/ prominent pine tree anywhere near him
but had let drop at the crack of "Old Fri
lay" one or more turkeys.
A somewhat serio- -comical incident oc
Cured between Col. Martin and Rev. w. A.
Hodges. AS pastor of Ebenezer church,
Mr.. Hodges often visited the colonel, for
whom he had great respect and in whose
present and eternal welfare he felt deep
interest. The colonel had never made any
profession of religion and was then some
what advanced in years. 1t was often his
custom when visited by his friends in the
summer season to invite them over to his
mothers old spring, very pleasant, shady
and cool place. 1t was here that Mr..
Hodges embraced the opportunity of speak
ing to the colonel about preparation for the
life to come, reminding him Of his age and
feebleness, and the importance Of becoming
q christian. During the time the colonel
was looking around and about, and when
Mr.. Hodges finished his lecture he said,
"Mr. Hodges, do you see that tall pine over
yonder? Well, sir, on that tree once
killed one of the biggest turkey gobblers
you ever saw" Mr.. Hodges felt badly
''chawed." But the colonel took his ad-
vice, became q christian and Joined the
church afterwards, and died q christian.
Col. Martin was man of great iirmness
and decision of character, yet at the same
time one of the most sympathetic men l
ever saw. He could not bear to see anyone
suffer. Twice or thrice he broke himself up
by going security for people, and while
Sheriff, would sometimes pay people out of
debt rather than sell their property, Not.