The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-12-03

Until the year 1885 Newberry was
a part of the Ninety-Six district,
which stretched from North Caro-
lima to Georgia and embraced the
present counties of Abbeville, Edge
field, Union, Spartanburg, Newberry
and Laurens. During the Revolution
the history Of the Newberry district
was the history Of the Ninety-SlN
and consequently it is difficult at
present to separate the two, or rath-
er, more strictly speaking, the SIX.
"Whence came the name Newber-
ry? It IS impossible to SAY with GER
tainty. 1t has been said that it was
named for captain in Sunter's state
! troops, but whether or not there was
such an officer no one has ever been
able TO ascertain. Others think that
/ it was called after some place in
England or in the United States. It.
F.! is to be remarked that the names OF
similar sound elsewhere are spelled
differently. Our districts name is
uniformly spelled Nc-w-b-e-r-'-y
and pronounced with the accent on
the second syllable.
"There are still others who have
supposed it was fancy name sug-
gested by the beautiful appearance
OF the country which was covered
with forests intertwiped with vines,
while the ground was catpcted with
a rich cove4ing Of wild peas and stud
ded all over with fruit bearing shrub
berry. Thus it is imagined that the
early settlers encouraged by the
prospect might have said that 1t was
as pretty as new berry. This idea
accords better with the enthusiastic
expression of the Virginian, Col.
Rutherford, South Carolina is the
garden spot Of the world, and New
berry is the garden spot of that gar
den spot.
l. Settlements began before 1852 at
which time one was made on Dun
cans creek. It must have been fair
ly -ell settled by 1852 for in that
year Kelly and Furnas opened their
stc-e. .Sam'l Kelly said, "In the
spring it is the most beautiful scene
my eyes have everNbeheld. The open
woods present no obstruction to the
view. The hills and wales are cover
ed with pea vines and maiden cane;
the former in bloom, made it look
like a garden" :.
Newberry district, like the other
parts of the state, was settled by
people representing four nationali-
ties of Europe-namely English,
Irish, Scotch and German, with a
very sparse scattering from a few
others; and from Georgia, North Car
DINA and other states. No matter
from what region they came, nor
what nationality they were hardy,
brave, energetic, industrious, adven-
turous set of men-such as pioneers
must always be. Unfortunately we
do not know as much about the Rev
Folutionary activities of the inland
counties as those on the coast for the
historians of the American Revolu-
ton all lived on or near the ocean.
Many of the sturdy sons Of the for
est were therefore unknown to them
and the daring actions and patriotic
services of such worthy persons have
never been written Or published.
Consequently most facts regarding
the upper section Of South Carolina
have never become real history-for
they have been preserved only
sketchily by families or handed down
5y tradition.
Aside from the nationalities al
ready mentioned among the earliest
settlers there were two religious
sects-the Quakers and the Dunk
ards who had short lived but flourish
ing settlements in this district:
The Quakers or Friends made
their home in the Bush River sec
ton. Started in 1905 it was regu
lar sight to see more than 500 gath
e1ed at their principal meeting house
to worship God in silence. In 1900
a celebrated Quaker preacher passed
through. He was thought to have
the gift of prophecy. He warned the
Friends to come out from slavery or
they would meet the same fate that
befell the slave owners of San Do
mingo. This utterance produced a
panic. Removals to Ohio began at
once and By 1907 the Quaker settle
l.. e. LOT