We of course began with the Church of the Holy Cross, Episcopal, built in 1850 in the unusual pise de terre (rammed earth) method of contruction. It is closed right now, waiting on a law suit with a termite company to get settled so they can do repairs. Behind the church is the grave of Joel R. Poinsett. The historical marker identifies his grave, but doesn't mention he was ambassador to Mexico (1825-1829), and brought back a beautiful red flowered plant which later was named after him. What would Christmas be today without our poinsettia plants?
We stopped by an abandoned mine, that once extracted smooth stones for paving and landscaping. They left a lot of equipment behind to rust. Interesting but not so photogenic.
And so it was on to Horatio, SC to the store Tom wanted to visit, the oldest country store in S.C. Mrs. Carrie Lenoir is the 7th generation to operate the store (since 1808 the historical marker says). The present structure dates to 1878, is home to the Horatio Post Office, and basically sells RC colas and moon pies (as well as a few other snacks and vegetables). But the family has kept the shelves lined with old products which makes the place interesting.
And so it was on to Horatio, SC to the store Tom wanted to visit, the oldest country store in S.C. Mrs. Carrie Lenoir is the 7th generation to operate the store (since 1808 the historical marker says). The present structure dates to 1878, is home to the Horatio Post Office, and basically sells RC colas and moon pies (as well as a few other snacks and vegetables). But the family has kept the shelves lined with old products which makes the place interesting.
Mrs. Lenior, in her 80's, is quite an active and engaging person. She kept my brother Houston intrigued with stories and pictures of famous persons visiting the store. And, of note, she used to drive the fire truck for the local volunteer fire department.
I took them to the small park that has the family grave site of Revolutionary War hero General Thomas Sumter, the "Gamecock," (who, it was said, wore a cock's feather in his uniform hat.) As you can see from the photo, the place looks pretty deserted and pitiful in my opinion. The marble memorial to Sumter is seen behind the little chapel, and his actual grave is hardly marked, immediately behind the chapel. The chapel houses the grave of the wife of Thomas Sumter, Jr., Nathalie Marie Louise Stephanie Beatrix de DeLage de Volude Sumter (1782-1841). As you can surmise from the name, she came from French nobility.
The final stop was at the High Hills of the Santee Baptist Church, organized in 1772. Aside from its early history, this church is famed as for ordaining in 1774 a young preacher named Richard Furman, for whom Furman University in Greenville, SC is named. Rev. Furman served the church for 13 years before accepting a call to a church in Charleston. Note in the interior shot, the slave balcony, which is accessed only by the door leading to separate stairs.
My brother Tom has a nice post about the trip on his Random Connections site, and much better photos. And except for Tom's cold slowing him down, it was a nice morning out with my brothers.
