Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1915-05-26

South CarOlna-and especially of
Richidnd church-and to present it
in compact and regular form, |
have attempted to collect some facts
and dates which may have histori-
cal value to some in subsequent
years. | am indebted for much and
valued information to DR.. Howe's
History of Presbyterianism in South
Carolina, 1st and I'd volumes, and
also to the session books Of the
church now II existence A part of
the record (from it's organization to
1859 was lost. What remains
fails, in many instances, to have the
signature Of any one, but is confirm
ed by coincidents mentioned in DR..
1owe's History. Therefore | shall
rely upon these sources for inror-
nation unless specially mentioned
by living witnesses.
Indians Ccdc Territory.
At the close of the Revolutionary
War the Indians, being subdued in
this part Of the State, and by terms
OF peace, ceded to South Carolina
in 1777, the territory Of Pendleton
District, later divided into Anderson
and PickenS Districts. Then began
the influx Of the people from the
middle and lower part of the State.
which might be termed northern
movement, as the Indians were
driven to the verge Of the noun
tains. Settlers followed closely
upon their recession. After a time
the Indians were forced to begin
their western course, and religion
and civilization resumed it's western
direction in fulfilment of the pro-
phetic announcement Of the Star"
in the east.
Prior to 1855 all the Presby cries
of the Carolinas were subject to the
supervision Of the Synod of New
York and Philadelphia. Soon there
after the Presbytery of the Caro-
linas was formed Chat is, North and
South Carolina and part of Geor-
gia). The first Presbytery Of South
Carolina was held at Waxhaw, April
II, 1855. In 1889 the Synod of
Carolina was formed, embracing
North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia and Alabama and a part of
Tennessee. Soon thereafter the
PrcSbyterv of South Carolina was
divided inlO the First and Second
Presbyteries ny line running along
the waters of Broad river through
the whole State-the First Presby-
terry on the east side of the river,
and the Second on the west The
Second South Carolina Presbytery
has been subdivided until Piedmont
Presbytery Con November 8, 19O9D
was formed from the South Caro-
lima PreSbytery, known so well to
all. Piedmont Presbytery occupies
the identical boundaries Of Old
Pendleton District, to wit: Ander-
son, Oconee and Pickens Districts
(now called counties since the Con-
Stitutional Reconstruction Conven-
tion in 1868 changed the name to
counties).
The first church in the territory
known now as Piedmont Presbytery
was Broadway, organized March
II, 1883. Good Hope and Roberts
were organized April 4, 1889; Hope
well, October 13, 1889, (now called
Stone church,; Richmond, April
10, 1887, (now called CarmeD
Nazareth or Beaverdam church was
organized on September 70. 1903,
by Rev. Andrew Brown. This church
was situated about three miles south
OF Townvillc, near the Mahaffey
farm, on the road leading to Ander-
sonvillc by Hatton's Ford. the only
possible crossing Of the Tugaloo
river at that time. Varennes was
organized in 1915. but was not re-
ceived By Fresbytery until Septem-
Der 20, 1920. The first communion
held was in June of the same year.
Sandy Springs was organized Octo-
ber D, 1882. and was changed to
Mount Zion on September 20, 1912.
Midway church was organized Octo-
ber 3, 1888. All of these churches
are in Anderson county.
Bethlehem and Philadelphia Cor
Ebenezer). in Oconee, were organ
iZed in 1890. Bethel, in 1905, was
evidently organized upon the ashes
of Bethlehem, which | will show
later. Westminster was organized in
1884, two miles below Westminster,