Sumter
County Genealogical Society Presented at the March 1994 Membership Meeting pictures shown are not in strict chronological order.
In March, they received their certificate of membership and elected the first officers. Officers were: Margaret McElveen, President; Donald McLellan, Vice President; Frank Jernigan, Secretary-Treasurer: Myrtis Osteen, Historian-Archivist: Mary Lucia Stuckey, Membership Secretary. They were officially the Sumter Chapter, South Carolina Genealogical Society.
They attended workshops and lectures, invited highly qualified guest speakers for monthly meetings, visited other archives, and met to exchange ideas and sources. They had a contest to find a name for the newsletter, and selected "the Sumter Black River Watchman," which had been the name of an old local newspaper. The bicentennial cemetery survey was undertaken as a state project, and 13 counties were assigned to Sumter Chapter. Chairman Margaret Atkinson gave tremendous thought and work to organizing this enormous task.
In 1975, a group attended the state annual meeting in Greenville. In 1976, Sumter hosted the state annual meeting. Guests were treated to a mid-town tour and a bus tour of Stateburg. Officers for 1977 were elected as follows: Mrs. Edward Atkinson, president; Mrs. Katherine Foxworth, vice president; Mrs. Laura Legrand, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Mildred Ducom, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Myrtis Osteen, archivist; Mrs. Mary Britton, representative to state.
Mrs. Irene Vaughan assumed the job of assembling a scrapbook. Mrs. Paul Ducom was appointed to begin work on our chapter constitution and by-laws. Thanks were extended to Mr. Ross McKenzie and Mr. Reed Beebe for their assistance in printing our Black River Watchman Newsletter.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Atkinson rewarded these hard working members with a Christmas party at their home. John Tindal reported that three additional cemeteries had been completed. The Jewish and catholic cemeteries would be completed in April and May. Don McLellan reported that Bloom Hill Cemetery had been completed. He read epitaphs from the gravestones of several slaves buried there. Mrs. Osteen reported that she had ordered the 1800, 1810 and 1820 census books.
In October 1978, following a short business meeting, members and guests walked a few blocks to the Society's archives on Main Street where Mrs. Don McLellan offered a prayer of dedication. President Atkinson cut the ribbon. Mrs. Osteen was thanked for her efforts in getting the archives. Mr. Frank McLeod was thanked for laying the carpet, as well as, painting. Mr. Moscoe Johnson donated the carpeting. There was much excitement and pride over this new facility. It was announced that the archives would be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, and by appointment. It was noted that the Sumter Chapter was the first in the state to have its own headquarters, and at that time, the only one. In March 1979, the board accepted the resignation of Mrs. Myrtis Osteen as archivist. Mr. Esmonde Howell was appointed archivist. In September 1979, the city took back the rooms in the Opera House that housed the Society's archives. Mr. Howell offered to store the records and books, and Mary Britton the fixtures and shelving until a place was found.
The year 1980 began with President John Bailey Tindal and Capt. Richard Anderson, President of the Historical Society agreeing that the move to the Museum was wise. The merging of the information gives Sumter, "one of the outstanding facilities for research in the state" said Sherman Smith, director of the Museum. The archives would be open from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Genealogist Esmonde Howell presided over the material every afternoon. He held the title of archivist for both societies. Mr. Howell said the Genealogical Society had added about 150 articles and about 75 hardbound volumes.
Mrs. Elizabeth Bryan, Mrs. Jennie Merritt and Mrs. Joe Dean attended a weeklong session at Stamford University, Birmingham, Alabama on genealogy. Members enjoyed other classes, workshops and field trips. Mr. Howell reported new acquisitions of family histories, church session records, and told of the opportunity to Xerox copies of the 1850 and 1860 Sumter county, and 1860 Claremont County census.
In 1983, twenty-nine rolls of 1910 census were purchased. In 1984, an all day workshop was held at Norman Williams conference center for the general public. Classes on genealogy were conducted at the shepherd's center. Those assisting president Jane Randle were Mary Britton, Jackie Baker, Gene McGrew, Don Johnson and Possie Atkinson. Seventeen attended the state workshop in Columbia in July. From august 6th to 10th, members participated in the celebration of Thomas Sumter's 250th birthday with displays and by answering questions at Jessamine Mall.
The Society gratefully received a microfilm reader and stand from the estate of Margaret McElveen in accordance with her will. Sumter hosted the state meeting here in October 1985. Dr. Thomas L. Powers presented a wonderful program on "Migration into South Carolina". A much needed copy machine was purchased by the Society. They felt this was a giant step forward. Carlyle Morgan came on the board of directors in 1985, and would remain on in one of several offices for the next nine years.
A big change was made in the archives. With the advice of Sumter County Library Director, Faith Line, books and materials were rearranged and cataloguing began. Numerous members were participating in the day-to-day operation of the archives now. The name of Sumter Chapter, South Carolina Genealogical Society was changed to Sumter County Genealogical Society. Mrs. Jennie Merritt was instrumental in securing for the Society a donation from United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Society would receive 9% of annual income from a trust fund. From 1987 to 1991, they received this generous donation. The Black River Watchman reported that Mrs. Jennie Merritt and Mr. Esmonde Howell were still working in the attic of the courthouse. It was their 12th year of faithful service. The first cemetery book was published in late 1987. It covered Lee County cemeteries. Only 85 were printed and all sold promptly, realizing a worthwhile profit. Members donating glass that was sold for recycling also raised funds. Five hundred pounds of glass brought $10. This did not prove to be a long-term project. Mrs. Myrtis Osteen brought to us wills, documents, and books from the late Mrs. Gertrude McLaurin Shaw, and Leah Nichols, niece of Miss Cassie Nichols.
Mr. Howell shared a true story in which a man is visited by his ancestor in a dream and is given help in finding this ancestor's grave and family property. Membership meetings continued to bring interesting programs and delicious desserts that made the social time even more enjoyable. In September 1989, Mrs. Shirley Howell requested consideration of extended hours for the archives. Approval was given to Shirley Howell and Margaret Dinkins to obtain volunteers and extend the hours to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday on a trial basis. This bold idea proved successful and was continued indefinitely. In November, President Tiny Killinger resigned and Mrs. Shirley Howell was approved as president. Mrs. Sybille Pierce became newsletter editor replacing Mrs. Possie Atkinson. Members sent flowers and best wishes to our longtime faithful member Mrs. Mary Britton who ill. In May 1990, President Howell announced that the museum has asked that we pay a rental fee. A motion to do so was approved.
Shirley Howell and Pat Stotler re-surveyed the Clarendon County cemeteries over a two year period, with Shirley compiling the information for publication. Robert Brunson and Margaret Dinkins risked their lives on one trip with Robert becoming a victim of killer ants. Thorn bushes provided additional hazards. Jane Randle did a wonderful job of indexing the book. The Clarendon county cemetery book was published in 1991. Faye Gammon was our president in 1992 and 1993. She and others assisted Camilla Carson in re-surveying Sumter County cemeteries. Camilla and her team worked very hard to cover Sumter County. They did a fine job of putting the information together with Jane Randle again preparing the index. That book was published in 1991. Both publications have been well received. Mr. Ross McKenzie and his board of trustees of the Sumter county museum, with Kay Teer, executive director, invited the Genealogical Society to join with them in creating a central research center in the recently purchased and restored Carnegie building. The move was made in January 1994. The Society now has thousands of books and manuscripts that had to be moved to the new location. A list of wonderful members and friends rolled up their sleeves and helped.
The membership is now approaching 300 covering 30 states. We expect up to 200 researchers a month this summer. We are contributing through rental and research fees a portion of the operating costs in addition to the daily management and operation of the center. We are having such a great time, we forget it's work. As Margaret McElveen's announcement said in 1973, come join us, and bring an interested friend.
This paper is not intended to be a comprehensive history of the Sumter county Genealogical Society, but all facts were taken from the permanent files of the Society--compiled by Dorothy Kinney Reynolds, President.
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In
Sumter, those interested in forming a Genealogical
Society began regular monthly meetings in January 1974.
At the February meeting, with Margaret McElveen
presiding, it was the unanimous decision to become a
chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society. Mrs.
Sara Ackerman, Miss Catherine Bass, Mr. Frank Jernigan
and Mr. Donald McLellan were appointed as a nominating
committee and asked to submit a slate of names for
officers at the meeting in March.
The
Sumter County Historical Society had sponsored three
classes on genealogy in 1973. They purchased the bulk of
Miss Janie Revill's abstracts, census microfilm for all
of South Carolina through 1870, some books, and gave
permission for meetings to be held in the Museum archives.
With the groundwork in place, these enthusiastic
genealogists moved into 1974-75-76 with total commitment.
During
that same period they were offered a fee of $200 to make
a special verification survey of the Sumter cemetery
prior to publication of a booklet containing names of
those buried there. This was under the leadership of don
"McClellan and "Myrtis' 'Osteen. The final
report in January 1976 by Mr. McLellan on this project
said they worked twelve days, putting in a total of 272
hours and recording 6,050 graves. There had been two
previous surveys by the WPA and garden clubs, and there
were discrepancies in all three. It was determined that
over the years some markers had been removed, some graves
moved, and some honest mistakes were due to bi-focal
eyeglasses. Mr. McLellan stated that, "while the
weather was unpleasant at times, nobody complained.
Everyone cooperated and worked with a will. Not an
unpleasant word was spoken." his wife said he
cracked the whip and kept the talkers apart. He said it
was a joy and pleasure to work with such fine ladies and
gentlemen.
As
if the above were not enough, preliminary contacts were
made regarding concern for historical records in the
courthouse attic. This project will be touched on later
in this paper.
Early
in 1977, a status report on the state cemetery project
revealed 63 cemeteries in Sumter County complete with
cards, 16 in Lee County, and 5 in Williamsburg. Committee
changes were made. Mr. Frank Jernigan became chairman of
the state project. The number of counties being worked by
our chapter was cut from 13 to 8. Counties dropped were
Dillon, Horry, Georgetown, Florence and Marion. John
Tindal became county chairman. President Atkinson said
they should regroup and begin again. It was reported that
a former gravedigger for Shelley-Brunson, now employed at
Savannah Square, was willing to assist in this
tombstoning project.
Work
had begun on cleaning up and organizing the attic room of
the courthouse, which housed the oldest records of the
county. This was not a simple job, and would not be done
quickly.
In
response to a written request to the Mayor and members of
City Council requesting space in the old Opera House, Mrs.
Osteen reported that the Society had been given
permission to use two rooms. A steering committee was
appointed. Lights, heat, as well as, donations of desks,
typewriter, and chairs were needed.
Mr.
Howell and Mr. John Tindal agreed to approach the
President of the Historical Society to seek space in the
Williams-Brice museum. At first, they were refused. A new
proposal was made, and an agreement reached. The
Historical Society would receive all materials belonging
to the Genealogical Society on a loan basis. To the end
that the Historical Society would not be responsible for
the care and maintenance of the materials, the
Genealogical Society would assist in the day-to-day
management and proper care of the archive. The term would
be for five years. The rental amount was $1.00 and to
fulfill the provisions of the agreement as valuable
consideration therefore.
1979
was drawing to a close. A covered dish Christmas party
was held at Cain's Mill Clubhouse with a traditional
roaring log fire.
Tombstoning
forays into Lee, Claremont, and Sumter Counties continued
when the snake hazard was not too great. A chairman was
sought for Kershaw County. Cemetery card parties were
held to transcribe surveys onto index cards.
In
February 1982, the attic crew completed indexing and
abstracting onto index cards court records dating back to
1795. They were praised for their work at the July county
council meeting.
The
Genealogical Society learned that the remainder of the
Janie Revill card files could be acquired from Washington
Memorial Library in Macon, Georgia. Archivist Esmonde
Howell traveled to Macon to pick them up.
In
1986, a contest was held for the purpose of choosing a
design for a banner for "The Watchman". Mr.
Marcus Brewster submitted the winning design.
Mrs.
Jackie Baker, our faithful treasurer for nine years,
retired so as to have time to spoil two expected
grandchildren.
A
copier was purchased on which the newsletter could be
printed. Thanks were conveyed to Wendy Coward at the
courthouse, and Martha Greenway at the Cultural Center
for the many issues of the Sumter Black River Watchman
they had copied for the Society.
We
have been fortunate in receiving several collections of
books, manuscripts, and personal research, namely, those
of Gertrude Shaw, Lois Doscher, Sybille Pierce, James
Morgan, Zadah Green DeLorme, and a part of the work of
Margaret McElveen. Mr. W. Esmonde Howell's contribution
consists of hundreds of books, and five file drawers of
research. He has assisted authors, who, in turn, donate
their books. For example, "Fair Were Their Dreams"
by tejoiin Boone of Boone Hall Plantation, and "Broke
by the War", a story of a Charleston slave broker,
by Dr. Edmund Drago. Mr. Howell still works diligently
several hours every day. He embodies the spirit of this
organization.
