Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-02
Straps ot gutal aistury,
"REMINISCENCES Of YORK.
Valuable Bits Of Local History Pre-
served by a Septuagenarian.
DR.. Maurice Moore in The Enquirer Of 1870

DIR. Maurice Moore in The Enquirer Of 1870.
THE TURKEY CREEK NEIGHBoRHooD
Was settled, in great part, by families
from the lower portion Of South Caro-
lima. Among these were the Palmers,
Williamses, Marions, Kings, Normans,
Pierces, and Cotruriers. Some Of these
came up prior to the Revolutionary
war-some after it's close. They were
wealthy, and brought with them into
the district, a large number of Negroes.
Being high livers and poor managers,
they soon scattered among their thrift
ty up-country netghbors, number Of
their slaves, as it was quite common
rule with them, to sell one or two Ne
groes each year, to bring in revenue
for next years expenses.
Although they were not enterprising
and money-making citizens, these fam
lilies were a valuable accession to York
district. They were people of high tone
of character, warm hearts, genial hos
pitality and courtly manners. This
mingling with the earlier settlers. had
softening influence in social life, and
introduced a gentler element Of modes
and means. I distinctly remember old
Captain Joseph Palmer, the very en-
bodiment Of an old-school gentleman,
always wearing tile beautifully plated
ruff1ed shirt, we'll BACKED top boots,
and riding fine horse; with bow Of
grace and elegant dignity, old Sir
Charles Grandson could not have sur
passed. During the war he was, part
Of the time, commissary for Colonel
Edward Lacy's regiment Of mounted
infantry. After peace was restored, he
held for many years the office Of mag
istrate. He was q surveyor by pro-
fession, and one of the most accom-
plished Of his kind. His plats were
models for their accuracy Of measure
ment and neatness Of execution. He
was universally looked up to and re-
spected. Even stranger was bound to
feel the power of his finished manner
and courtly address. It was really an
advantage to the youth Of his vicinity
to enjoy the opportunity Of initiating
held him a good deal in awe, for they
we'll knew that gauchere or rudeness,
would not pass, in. his presence, uncor-
rected. Over the broad mantel-board
in the hall Of his house, during the
Christmas holidays. in plain letters.
easily deciphered, he would chalk the
following quaint distich:
Pray stand aside, sirs, 'tis every ones
desire,
AS we'll as you, sirs, to see and feel
the fire."
And the shivering little urchin who
would thoughtlessly plant himself in
front Of the blazing logs. to the exclu-
sion of others, would hang his head
abashed, and step deftly to one side,
when his attention was pointed Ito the
writing on the WALL"
Some Of these families, after a few
years, sold their purchases and return
ed to the low-country. Others made
York their permanent home, and their
descendants still reside in the district
When I was boy, numbers Of the HUI
guenot families of Pineville would, ev
cry summer, travel up in their carria-
ges, spending the season in our more
salubrious climate, with their relatives
and friends, who were settled here.
| To Septuagenarian, nothing Is more
striking than the change Of social GUS
toms within his recollections. A
young man wanting to address a girl,
in the olden time, would ask Of the
father or guardian Of his inamorata,
"the liberty Of the house." This being
granted him, whether the attentions
were agreeable or otherwise to the
young lady, she was bound by respect
to her father and every sense of polite
ness, to receive the swain's attentions
with courtesy till he came directly to
the point with her; when she could give
him a decided refusal or acceptance.
recall a practical joke played by a
gay and beautiful young widow, Mrs.
NJ, and her niece, Miss Betsy M, who
was not far inferior in attractions. It
would now be deemed jest unrefined
beyond fastness-in those days merry
humor, though I cannot say would
not now question its propriety, If COM
mitted under my tutelage. But those
who perpetrated it, would have shrunk
with bushes, from the indelicacy Of
round dance.
| It was Christmas week and hog
killing time. Two young gents-Jimmy
NJ. and Mansfield G.-concluded to go
a sparkling, and the charming widow
and Miss Betsy NJ. were, to each, an
attraction. The ,heery blazing fire In
side was a pleasant contrast to the
snow on the ground outside. So cozily
did the day roll round, they concluded
they would remain during the night.
About the hearth, the circle gathered;
told stories, asked riddles, and the
evening passed away merrily. When
the hour for retiring came, the ladies
made an excuse that the candles were
out and that they had not yet another
supply-the fire light must serve the
gentlemen in their stead, and by it,
they hoped they could make their way
to the bed. Jimmy M. said he knew
their quarters, having occupied them
before. Mr.. G. was equally complacent.
Good-nights were exchanged, and all
went to their different apartments. G..
disrobed before his bed-fellow and ran
and jumped into bed. AS he slipped in
he hastily drew up the covering to eX-
clude the frosty air. Out he bounced,
crying at the top of his voice, Snakes!
snakes! snakes in the bed
"Snakes!" exclaimed the astonished
Jimmy. Snakes, and snow on the
ground?" And seizing a blazing pine
knot, he ran to the bed, threw down
the covering, lying about the middle,
coil of-expanded hog entrails.
There had been larger amount than
was needed prepared for the sausage,