The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-05-12
THE QUAKERS AND TUNKERS.
a History Of the Old Burying Ground
Near S. S. Paysinger'S- Sadly IN
Need Ef Church Building.

About hundred years ago there was
hourishing settlement of Quakcrs, or
Friends, as they preferred to be called,
on, or near Bush River; and not far
from MendenhplPs mill, and few
miles away, on the road leading to
Stoney Batter, was another settlement
of people, kindred in religious senti-
ment and feeling. These were known
as Dunkards, or properly, Tmlcrs, the
meaning of which word is Dippers.
They We're Baptists, but instead of I'M
mersing in the usual manner of other
Baptlsts, the person to be baptized
knelt III the water-a stream of flowing
water was dipped forward by the
officiating minister three times, until
the body was completely covered by the
water. Both these sccts were COM
posed of men and women who believed
IN peace and good will, and both tried
TO eNemphfy in their lives the spirit of
peace. Both sects vanished from New
berry County long ago. and their meet
ing houses have long since disappeared,
though many people remember when
the Quaker meeting house was still
standing; and it is probable that MANY
persons remember hearing funeral
sermon preached in it by Rev. Me-
Swain, when he was pastor of the
Methodist church here--probably the
last sermon ever preached in it.
The Tunker meeting house disap-
peared near, if not quite, a hundred
years ago; but the graveyard is still
used as a burying place by the descend
ants and some of the friends Of those who
once worshipped there; but there is no
Westinghouse nor church building near
for the friends to meet in and hold the
funeral services. 1t is very pleasant.
quiet spot, and the grounds are kept
neat and clean by the pious care of
5. 5. Paysinger. who lives near in a
house built by the first, and probably.
the only pastor the Tunker Church
proper, in Newberry, ever had. He
sleeps there, and also Joseph Summers,
whose daughter he marricd-and MANY
others of former days, as those of
recent years. Many of the family of
Hawkins are buried there, and also that
of Dennis and Summers. and others.
whose names are not now remember, q.
The oldest marked rock is that Of
Prather, 1911. Many were buried there
before that time. James Howe, an
English gentleman, a relation of Adj
mlral Lord Howe, lies buried near the
centre of the graveyard, spot not
marked. The place is still used as a
burying ground by several families, and
may be, and ought to be. for MANY
years to come.
Now, in order to assist in holding the
place sacred and to keep it from being
profaned by any unlawful hands, would
1t not be well to erect building of
convenient size, dedicated to religious
uses, especially the services generally
in use in the burial of the dead The
amount necessary for this pious purpose
could be easily raised by those, and the
friends of those, who still bury their
dead there. The house could be used
occasionally for meetings for the wor-
snip and praise of GOD at other times
than for funeral services-and bv all
denominations of Christians. The near
est houses of worship are, at least,
three miles distant Ebenczer, Colony,
st. Lukes, often called Stone Hills
This place being central, and already
rendered sacred by many sainted dead
who rest there, might in this way be
rendered exceedingly useful and become
a centre of spiritual influence for good
for many generations.
Think of it friends and brethren and
, neighbors, and if your hearts give
throbs Of earnest approval as they
must, you will give your names as sub
scribers to MIR. S. S. Paysinger, who
lives near the spot, and whom you all
know; or to Mr.. E. H. Aull, the editor
and publisher of this paper, The Herald
and News, who will very cheerfuIy do
all he can to aid any enterprise as wor-
thy as this.
Your friend and brother,