The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-11-08
Early History OF
Union UO1l1ty
Historic and Interesting Incidents of the Old Days
of acknowledgements Description of Some of
the old Landmarks That Haze Long
Since Passed With Time.

bench
In 1912, Miss Mary Poulton came to
Union to take position at the Fe-
male Academy as music teacher un-
der Mr.. Curtis. Previous to this she
had taught in LaurenS, S. c., and
made friends with the young family
there.
On trip to Laurens, Judge Daw-
kins was entrusted with a message
from the Youngs to Miss Poulton: and
he called upon her, at Mr.. Clough
Meng's to deliver it.
He was widowcr at this time and
was much attracted to the young
school ma'am; the acquaintance ripen-
ed rapidly and they were married in
May, 1845, the marriage taking place
at DIR. Bobo's, the present site of
Berkeley Place." the home of Mrs.
John A. FAINT. The Bobo house was
rolled back and is now used as a ser
wants house. There was a spring
back of the Bobo place known as the
| ~ ySe"i opi ilS, anu d SHADY Upll near
by was known as Lovers Retreat, and
hither on Sunday afternoons the vii
lage swains and their swecthcarts
would stroll and while the hours awav
in sweet converse.
They went at once to live at "The
Shrubs name given by the young
bride to this house which was again
remodeled and partly refurnished.
The name was given in memory of q
family estate in England for Mrs.
Dawkins was young Englishwoman.
Some of the furniture for this house
was imported from England.
The Queen Anne bedroom set in
the bridal chamber abov, was "a
thing of beauty" but, alas, "not a 10.
forever" for it was destroyed in the
recent fire, along with other VALUABLE
articles. The solid gold candlesticE-
and the waiter an 2nuffers were fol-
tunately saved.
Mrs. Dawkins was woman of
broad and rare culture, and a charm
ing conversationalist.
She and her gifted husband kep,
open house for years, and il.ustr;ous
members of bench and bar, and nany
! ministers of the gospel sat at their
hospltable board as honored guests.
In July, 1850, Bishop Shand stopped
with them en- route from Glenn
Springs, popular ante-bellum resort.
and held service-the first Episcopal
service in Union.
When Sherman was on his wav to
Columbia, Gov. Magroth, with some
State officials, came to Union with
valuable State papers and records in
their possession. Judge Dawkins in
Vlted them to remain as his guests,
and Gov. Magroth decided to do So
Sentinels were posted on the lawn
and couriers were constantly going
backward and forward, to and from
Broad river, bringing news of Sher-
mans movements. u.
Those were stirring times, and I'm
ION was really the capital of South
Carolina for few days, for the gov
ernor and State officials and the
archives of State were here. "The IL
brary"-the small room behind the
drawing room-was called THE gov
ernor's office"
Judge Dawkins and his wife are
buried in the same grave in the Epis-
copal cemetery, and marble tablets
ITO their memory have been placed
upon the walls of the church.
When Gov. Magrath departed from
Union he left in Mrs. Dawkins' care.
silver service that had been present
ed to him by the ladies of Charleston.
This was hidden in the cellar. and
when the war was over it was re-
turned to Gov. Magrath, who was then
practicing law in Charleston.
One of the most interesting old
records that | found in studying the
history of Union was book of plats
showing the location of land and
houses in the early days of the vii
lage. These were mostly drawn bv q
man named Both Birdsong, commits
sion OF location, an office which has
been abandoned.
Union is rich in valuable relics and
some of these are at the Carnegie Lii
brary, founded in -, through the
earnest and persistent efforts of Mrs.
Is. q. Clifford, with the cooperation
OF some public spirited citizens.
Among other things there is an old
atlas, dated 1770-178O, showing the di-
vision of South Carolina into precincts,
and an old map of South Carolina, da-
ted 1854, with the roads and resi-
dences marked upon it. There are on