The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-11-27
A SKETCH OF
OLD PENDLETON.
Some Stories of the Towns I'M
portancc and Glory in the Long
Ago.
Anderson Daily Mail.

Those of the younger generatio
who arc familiar with the quiet littl
village of Pendletcn at the preser
time can scarcely realize it's former i'm
portance and prosperity.
Far back in tho dim regions of tn
past this dull, quaint town was tn
center of refinement, wealth and cul
ture. Surrounded by fine agricn!
tural section, the farm lands afforded
to the wealthy Shareholders ample op
portunity for the successful cultivation
of various products. Along its rura
streets echoed the footsteps of famous
and gallant men, whose names nov
adorn the pages of history, and noble
beautiful women, whose gentle, re-
fined natures and domestic qualities
rendered them capable of dispensing
the hospitality for which this section
was famed.
Perhaps our readers who chance to
give the present town casual glance
would be interested to know for fu-
ture reference that PendletOn was once
large district, comprising what is
now the counties Of Oconce, pckens
and Anderson, covering an area of 60
or 70 miles square. 1t was obtained
from the "1croKee Indians in 1777
but the set. .ement was deferred until
after the Revolutionary war Of 1888.
The district was named in honor Of
Judge Henry Pendleton, O native Of
Virginia and one Of the judges of the
court Of common pleas of South Caro-
lima. He was nephew Of Judge Ed
mund Pendleton of Virginia, born in
Culpeper County in 1850 and died in
Greenviile County in 1887. He volun-
teored in the first regiment organized
in Virginia and served under General
Greene in that State. At the close of
the war he settled in South Carolina
and was elected judge of the law
court. He originated the county
court act which was passed in 1885,
WAS one of the three judges appointed
to revise the laws of the State, and
was member of the constitutional
convention of 1888.
The first court house at Pendleton
was built of logs, located in the edge
OF the town on beautiful branch.
The only trace of the spot now visi-
bio is a slightly elevated grassy knoll,
near which the school children are
wont to assemble on festive occasions.
Toward this historic spot the lawyers
wended their way from all parts Of
the immense district to attend court.
1t is said that tho original Bible upon
which the oaths were sworn is now
preserved in the archives of the new
court house at Anderson.
There are very many points of inter-
est ill and around Pendleton connected
with the remote past.
Here is to be found, situated upon
an eminence, "Lowther Hail." bought
by Lord Lowther of England at cost
of.$1O,O 900 for shooting box on ac-
count of the large quantity Of game IN
the county. This building commands
a magnificent view of the stately Blue
Ridge mountains.
Further down the street we come to
the time worn cottage of John Miller,
we'll known in connection with the
famous Junius letters. John Miller
was a native of London, and was one
of the parties who owned the Evening
Post.
When The letters of Junius were
published by John Woodfall in the
London Daily Advertiser and the at
tempt was made to discover the au-
Thor of the letters, who was man of
splendid genius, John Miller, the
printer of the letters IN the office, fear
ing he would be implicated, fled 20
America, landed at Charleston and
pushed his way to Pendleton, where
he settled. lie died in 1909 and was
buried OF the Old Stone church. He
left, behind him many highly respected
citizens. He was the founder Of the
Pendleton Weekly Messenger, the first
paper published in tho State outside of
Charleston and Columbia.
Col. Francis Kinloch Hugor was
once d resident of this town, and his
life is interesting III connection with
the history of his attompt to rescue
General Lafayette from the prison OF
Olmutz, in Austria. The attempt
failed, and he was himself imprisone ed
eight months, and was only released
upon the condition that he would
leave the country never to return.
Another feature of interest at Pen
dleton is the old sun dial to be seen ii
front of the farmers Hall, which wat
presented to the municipality by Gen
T. K. IIuger. at short distance
from the hall on another street w
come to the law Office of the Hon
Warren II. Davis, member of Con
gress, the greatest wit and handsomes
,tmaprof his time. He was tho brother
in-law of John G. Calhoun, and tn
/, owner Of: the. beautiful residenc
known as Keowee.
=, This court house which followed tn
old log building stands in the cente
. of the square, and the Jail, brio
1''bhiiding Of antique design, may b
seen not far away.
!: This churches Of this rural town ar
also interesting. st. Paul's is the ole
est Episcopal church in the Stat
above Columbia. In tie cemetery II
burIed many prominent citizens of til
place, viz, Gov. Frank Burt, Ger
Barnard Bee,., who gave to Goner'
Jackson the famous soubriquet ,
ttStonewall. - Gen. Clement Stephen