The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-11-08
Pickens County From Colonial Times
By MISS MARGARET AIKEN

i N - "A'SS "AEN
Before the Revolutionary War this
section was inhabited mostly by Indians,
the C]herokees being the dominant tribe.
Their capital was called Keowec. and
was situated on the westbank Of Keowee
river, in the present Oconcc county.
The Kcowee river is now the dividing
line between Oconec and Pickens coun-
ties.
In 1913 Governor Glenn built Il fort,
on the east bank Of the river, just OPP
positc the Indian village Keowce, and
called it Fort Prince George, in honor
of the king Of England.
There were several battles between
the Indians and soldiers, as we'll as the
citizens generally. Most of US remem.
Der having heard the story of the girl,
who left Fort George, to inform her
lover at N~inety-Six, that the Indians
were planning an attack on that fort,
and how in her long and faithful jour
ncy she named the streams on the way:
One Mile, Six Mile, Twelve Mile, Eight
cen Mile, etc. Of course this heroic
event had a happy ending.
The soldiers and officers Of Rcvolu-
%tionary fame came here early. About
l7Sl Gen. Andrew Pickens made Il treaty
with the Indians at IIopewcll, on the
banks Of the Seneca river near Cherrys
Crossing. by which Grecnvillc, Pickcns,
Oconec and Anderson were ccded to the
state.
This territory was called Washington
District. 1t was about one hundred
miles square. The court house and Jail
were located at pickcnsville, near the
present town Of Easley, in Pickcns
county. ~Pickensvillc was named in
honor Of Gen. Andrew pickens. as is
also the county and town of Pickens.
The old stone church now in Oconce
county, near Clemson College, was
erected in 1890. The Rev. Thomas
Reese, II native Of Pennsylvania. and a
graduate of Princeton College, was the
first pastor. He died early, and was the
first person buried at this famous spot.
The church's organization was of Pres
byterian faith. The first building was
Of wood, but was burned by accident,
and thep present stone church was built
by John Rusk. il Revolutionary soldier.
General Andrew Pickcns and other per
sons OF distinction are buried there.
mention with pleasure the names Of
some of the notable men of this section.
Col. Andrew Pickens, q son of General
Plckcns. was a brave soldier. He was
also governor of South Carolina. The
Hon. John G. Calhoun, who lived at
Fort Hill for MANY years, was vice
president of the United States, and also
held other high Federal positions.
In a lew years the Jail and court house
nj Pickensville were accidentally burned,
and were never rebuilt. 1t wa then
decided that Washington District was
TOO large. and in 1889 the legislature
divided it, and made Greenvillc and
Pcndleton Districts.
In 1926 Pendleton District was d.
vlded. and Anderson and Pickcns Dis
trlcts were created. Pickcns Court
House was located on kcowec river near
old Fort Prince George.
Communication by water with liam.
burg and Augusta was considered ia
vorablc. Boats were constructed and
cotton was sent down the Savannah
river. For years produce had been
hauled to Charleston by horse power
n railroad from Charleston to Aupust,
changed the market, and we sent uro-
ducc to Hamburg and Augusta, a dis.
lance Of n hundred and twenty miles
instead of the longer trip to Charleston
Later the Grccnvillc and coIumh;o
Railway brought the market ,till ncarcr
home.
By his time most of the Indians had
gone west, except few friendly tribes
who had settled in North Carolina
They made good citizens, and served
faithfully in the civil war.
At this time our country was torn
and divided by the war. Most of ~.
men and boys were away from homo