Blackstock, South Carolina
Blackstock is an unincorporated community in Chester and Fairfield counties in the Midlands of South Carolina about north of Columbia. The elevation of the community is . Its ZIP code is 29014. The Cornwell Inn, located on Blackstock Road, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Government. Blackstock is an unincorporated community. Accordingly, it has no municipal government. Certain portions of the community are located in Fairfield County, while others are located in Chester County. As a result, both counties exercise a measure of control over the affairs of the community and provide services  to it. History. Edward Blackstock, an early postmaster, gave the community his last name. Attractions. A monument dedicated to the slave Burrel Hemphill can be found on the front grounds of Hopewell ARP Church. The monument consists of a small stone building with a placard that reads: "In memory of Burrel Hemphill, killed by Union soldiers February 1865. Although a slave, he gave his life rather than betray a trust. He was a member of Hopewell." One account of Hemphill's death states that he was tortured and killed by U.S. soldiers after refusing to disclose where his master had  hidden certain valuables. The story of Burrel Hemphill's sacrifice has been the subject of historical programs led by Dr. W.T. Holmes, a descendant of Mr. Hemphill's, as recently as 2017. A gymnasium which was once part of Blackstock High School has hosted bluegrass concerts on a weekly basis since November 1998. The venue hosts multiple stages where performers are permitted to play regardless of age or skill level. Although attendance is not taken, it is estimated that between 150 and 200 people attend the concerts each week. Posthumous pardon. On April 24, 1913, Confederate States of America veteran  John Q. Lewis was murdered in Blackstock. An investigation of the murder led to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of Thomas and Meeks Griffin - two African-American residents of the town. Doubts about the conviction inspired more than 150 residents of the town, including the mayor and a former sheriff of Chester County, to petition for governor of South Carolina to commute the sentences. The list of petitioners included "many white leaders of the community and ordinary white citizens." However, the men were executed on September 29, 1915. Research demonstrating the inequity of the matter was presented to the parole  board in 2009 and led the state to issue its first posthumous pardon in a capital murder case.