The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-08-31

property and families, but which in
the lapse of time degenerated' into
lawless depredators.
The Abbeville colony soon became
prosperous, and it is said that before
the Revolution, it required 5000
wagons year to transport their
pelts, wheat and corn to Charleston,
the nearest market.
The first lawyer in Abbeville was
John Bowie, the precursor Of long
line of brilliant jurists and judges
who have called Abbeville home.
Among the number was a young man
who in 1907 hung a name over his
modest Office door that some years
later was known throughout the
United States, even today is probably
the most eminent Of all South Caro-
linians, John C. Calhoun. ~
In 1856 DR.. J. W. Marshall, one of
Abbevine's leading physicians bought
large tract of land on the outskirts
of the town which included Arsenal
Hill. Over the spot where the old
magazine had stood, he built. a hand
some residence, which was burned in
! 1875. A pretty modern cottage now
1
occupies the site, and is the home Of
his venerable widow, now nearing
her Goth year. To Mrs. Marshall's
fine memory and unfailing interest
in everything. pertaining TO her ma
tive place, every student of Ajbbe-
vile history is indebted for valuable
, assistance. Pointing to her dining
room floor, Mrs. Marshall says, "Just
there stood the ancient arsenal"
And then she shows to anyone who is
interested queer, heavy, perfectly
black brick, which she says was one
used in the building Of the arsenal.
When excavations are made near the
place, some of these brick are still
found. - 49,.
GAS before stated, the first seces-
sion convention was held in Abbe-
willie on Secession Hill. Edward
/ Noble, John A. Calhoun, Thomas
Thomason, John A. Wilson and D.
L. Wardlaw were elected delegates.
! to the state convention, and instruct
ed to cast Abbeville's vote for the
secession of South Carolina from
the Union. g..
Written by Wardlaw.
When war was declared, all of her
young men, and many who were not
young entered the service Of the
Confederacy. Francis Hugh Ward
.aw of Abbeville wrote the Ordinance
Etf Secession. The first soldier killed
was Clarke Allen Of Abbeviile. Af-
ter General Gregg fell, Col. Samuel
MCGOWAN of Abbeville took COM
mand of his brigade.
On that wild flight from Richmond
at the time of Lees surrender, Presi-
dent Davis and his cabinet stopped
for a night in Abbeville. He was
entertained in the home of Major
Burt, and there he called his last
real cabinet meeting, May 8, 1856.
Mr.. Davis, stubborn and determined,
could not give up the cherished
| dream of a Southern republic, and
at that meeting he urged that the
Confederacy make a stand further
south. He believed that johnson
could yet drive back the enemy. Un-
willingly persuaded that the cause
was hopeless, he covered his face
with his hands and allowed himself
to be led from the room. o.
At Abbeville the cabinet which so
far had travelled together, broke up,
some going one way, some another.
Mr.. Davis proceeded to Washington
Ca, where to the few still with him
he made another appeal, and met
with the same reply. There the last
members of his cabint left him, and
with his wife and one or two attend
ants he continued his Journey, and a
few hours later was captured.
On Secession Hill in 1876 Hamp-
ton held the second of his great cam
paign meetings. for the redemption of
the state from Republicanism.
! ,Ahheville is a tvpical Southern