The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-09-01
A Family Reunion.

Mr.. EDITOR: The most enjoyable day
of the season was that Of a birthday din
ner and family reunion at the beautiful
home of our venerable friend and neigh
Dor, Mr.. N. A. j.. Greer. who lives two
miles west of Honea Path.
Fourteen years ago, Mr.. Gresr gave a
his good lady not being physically able
to make such extensive preparations.
their children and grandchildren took it
upon themselves to furnish it.
At an early hour on the day mentioned
the children with their families, together
with the invited guests, began to pour in.
Every one, old and young, seemed to
realize that it was a day set apart for real
family enjoyEv.-, lid all were deter
mined to make it a success.
At 1880 a. N. the line was formed to
march to the stand-about n hundred
yards from the house, in a beautiful
grove-where a speakers stand and seats
had been provided for the occasion.
Rev. M. MCGEE, present by special in
vitation, took the stand, and, after some
appropriate remarks, read the 9th Psalm.
Then, by request of Mr.. Greer, "Psss me
not, o Gentle Saviour" was sung, it be-
ing his favorite hymn.
The meeting then took a recess for din
ner, which vas spread on O table of per-
haps forty feet in length, near the stand.
It was a grand sight to see the aged pa
rents, children, grandchildren and great
| Observation-Disclosures in number
together with half as many more rela-
tives and friends, surround thu table.
| Oh, it was a day of feasting and of joy and
happiness! Everything that heart could
rrsoh m Cofiofp tho innpr man UQQ hQ.
| fore us. Every u seemed to realize
| thai it was a double occasion birthday
| and reunion), and we made double use Of
time. Ate dinner it was decided that
not more than half of the good things pro-
| Yidsd had been eaten.
After Half hours rest and social chat,
we re-assembled at the stand, where the
| writer was asked to give a brief history
of the Greer family, previously prepared,
as follows:
David Greer, father of N. A. J. Greer,
YVES born in Ireland, and died in Honea
Path in 1855, aged 105 years. His wife
was Polly Simms, daughter of Thomas
Simms, of Abbeville County. Martha
Greer, wife Of N. A. j. Greer, was the
daughter of Laban Massey. Her mother
was Esther Dowdle, daughter Of John
Dowdle, who lived four miles southeast
Of Anderson, G. II. N. A. J. Greer was
born the 18th day Of August, 1919, and his
now 70 years old. He married Martha
Massey in 1910. She is two months his
junior. They have lived in this COM
munity all their lives, except six years
spent in Pickens County. They have had
born to them thirteen children-fve sons
and eight daughters-fve of whom are
dead; forty-one grandchildren, four of
whom are dead; twenty-five great-grand-
children, with six dead. Counting sons
in-law and daughters-in-law and hus-
bands and wives of married grandchil-
drel, we have a grand total of eighty-six
souls.
In 1857 he Joined the Barker's Creek
Baptist Church. His wife joined the
same Church twenty years earlier. They
have lived consistent Christian lives, and
have set an example before their p~osteri-
ty that is worthy Of imitation.
Hymn, "Nearer, my God, to Thee,"
was sung, by request OF Mrs. Greer. who
says that is her constant prayer, as she
grows older, that she may set nearer and
nearer to her Lord and Master.
After a fervent prayer by Rev. B. P.
Mitchell, we repaired to the house, where
we found an artist, who arranged all to
his liking, and took the group, the house
being the background.
Thus the 25th day of August, 1897, wa
passed-a day long to be remembered by
those present.
The aged couple are reasonably stout
and active, able to attend to their domes-
tic duties, and bid fair to see the return
of many more birthday occasions.
A. r. Cox.