Subject: Turbeville, SC
Resent-Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 10:21:02 -0700 (PDT)
Resent-From: SCROOTS-L@rootsweb.com
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 13:08:03 -0400
From: "Steven J. Coker"
Reply-To: Coker@geocities.com
Organization: http://members.tripod.com/~SCROOTS/index.html
To: SCROOTS-L@rootsweb.com
Turbeville, S.C. ;~~~~~~~~~~~~~;;
By Frances McCabe ; PUDDING //
; SWAMP //
Published in "The Lavender Line" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~//
Volume 1, No. 3 Spring 1983 //
Chief Editor: Doris Lavender Vilda //
Assistant and Corresponding Editors: //
Elinor Reid Parrott, Frances Tucker McCabe //
Dr. Abraham Donald Lavender, Cyril Ray Parrott //
When I was first asked to write an article on Turbeville, SC, I thought, oh no,
I've never been there or even known anyone who had driven through, much less
lived there. Doris, our editor, gave me a copy of an article "Turbeville, Known
as Pudding Swamp" from Cassie Nicholes' book, HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF SUMTER
COUNTY, It's Birth and Growth, and I decided to condense it.
Then, things changed. My husband, John, and I made an unexpected trip to New
Jersey. Bill McCabe, John's brother, had died suddenly. As we drove through
South Carolina on Rt. 95, I saw a sign, "Turbeville, 4 miles." I thought that
this can't be, then knew I'd go there on our return home to Florida.
After three weeks in New Jersey, we drove back and arrived in Florence, S.C.
late at night, stayed in a motel, then on to Turbeville the next morning. (This
was John's birthday, one we'll remember!) On the way, we stopped in Shiloh at
Shiloh United Methodist Church, and in a cold drizzle, I copied some names from
the Cemetery stones. The church is located on Rts. 48 and 58. We saw a very nice
white house across the street and saw the name, Leroy Green, on the mailbox. I
recalled the name, so knocked on the door and introduced myself to Mrs.
Elizabeth (Coker) Green, Leroy's wife. She told me that Shiloh Methodist Church
had been built three times, and was first founded in 1831.
While in Shiloh, we stopped at a store and were directed to "Aunt Bertha
Goodman" by a granddaughter of Carlisle Goodman. Bertha Goodman works and lives
in Olanta. She gave me the address of Alma Lavender in New Zion, S.C. Olanta is
a small, very quaint town with four or five businesses on one street.
I visited with Alma (Buddin) Lavender, widow of Carlisle Lavender, in her lovely
brick home. She said that she took care of her niece (Buddin) who was married to
Donald Coker. Alma's son, William T. Lavender was in a hospital in Columbia at
the time. Another son, Carlisle Lavender, lived in New Zion, and a grandson,
Carlisle Lavender, Jr. lives next door to her. Another son, James E. Lavender,
lives in Cayce, S.C. Alma told me that Leroy Green's father (Lowry Green) owned
our Benjamin Lavender's house in Shiloh near Shiloh Methodist Church on the
other side of the street, "down a ways." I tried to visit Charles E. Lavender
while in New Zion, but he wasn't home. His home must have been beautiful at one
time, and we'd be interested in knowing its history.
I took a few pictures, including some of Shiloh United Methodist Church, the
cemetery, Elizabeth Green, Alma Buddin Lavender, Charles Lavender's home, New
Zion Postoffice and others that will perhaps be published later on. How elated
and enthused I was to think that I could now identify with people who live there
along with the area where our ancestors once walked and brought up their
children.
Turbeville appears to be a progressive community of about 500 residents. It is
located in Clarendon County, along with New Zion. Olanta is in Florence County,
and Shiloh in Sumter County, all relatively close together.
Doris and I decided to write a review/report on Cassie Nicholes' Turbeville
article, sifting out facts related to Lavender connected names mentioned. Dr.
Abraham Donald Lavender, who calls New Zion his home town, identified the names
for us in the revision that follows.
Turbeville was formed in 1912 and chartered on August 18, 1914. Long before that
time, in 1840, the large land owners in the vicinity were Michael Turbeville,
Sam Smith, Malone Green (1) Nelson and Goodman Gamble. The son of Goodman
Gamble, Dr. C. E. Gamble (2) was to become one of the most outstanding citizens.
A son of Nelson Gamble, Dr. Beasley Gamble (3) later became a prominent leader
and beloved doctor in New Zion.
William J. Turbeville, son of Michael, built the first home in Turbeville around
1875. The land was purchased from John McFaddin (4) in Sardinia section.
William's brother, Clem Turbeville built a home next to William. The brothers
ran a very successful turpentine business using sap of the pine trees on their
land. They also built a large store in the community, then known as Pudding
Swamp.
After 20 years, the turpentine business gave way to tobacco farming. A railroad
came in about 1894, complete with a passenger train station and a barber shop
in the same building. This station was in Seloc, about one mile east of
Turbeville.
The First postoffice in Turbeville was established in 1898. Early postmasters
were Clem Turbeville (5) D.E. Turbeville (6), Miss Pearl Wheeler (7), Dorothy
Turbeville, Dicey Gibbons, Miss Alma Dennis, assistant, and Mrs. Cleo Coker,
Clerk. The first town Council was headed by Dr. C.E. Gamble. Wardens were W.J.
Turbeville, J.F. Turbeville (8), Alonzo Smith, H.S. Green, who was the Town
Clerk, and W.H. Smith, the Treasurer.
One of the first decisions of the newly formed Council concerned leaving horses
on the street hitched to vehicles. It was decided that owners were responsible
for any damage done. An ad was posted by the Clerk for a policeman. It read,
"Wanted: One policeman, single, salary $30.00 per month. No booze artist need
apply."
With the exception of the Depression years, Turbeville has thrived in spite of
two fires, one in 1938 and another in 1970. Clean-up days have been important to
the citizens. Dr. Issac W. Pittman was one of the first to suggest this ritual.
Dr. Kate Elizabeth Smith (10), the resident physician, attended medical school
in Charleston, S.C., then returned to her home town to practice. In 1973, her
nurse was Mrs. Johnny Calvert.
One old home still standing in Turbeville, one of the few to survive the fires,
was inherited by Mrs. Kathleen Green Thigpen, a daughter of Ed Greene (11). Ed
Green's father lived there, but it's not known just who built the house. Luther
Green's (12) father was the builder of another old house.
The history of the churches of Turbeville is a story in itself, the oldest being
Horse Branch Original Free Will Baptist, organized in 1859 with 12 charter
members. The Pastor was Rev. Wright Wilson. W.J. Gamble and Mrs. Mary Anne
Lavender Green (13) donated land for the Pine Grove Methodist Episcopal Church
South in the 1859's. Another church, organized in 1917, was the Turbeville
Baptist Circle, first considered a club. After securing a pastor, Rev. John W.
Guy, they met in a public hall, owned by D.L Green and John F. Turbeville. Less
than a year later, the circle or club became a church. Charter members included
Mrs. D. L. Green (14) and Mrs. J. L. Green. (15)
>From the ages of some of the pupils, the first school in the town of Turbeville
was built between 1870 and 1880, with a Mr. Wilkes believed to have been the
first teacher. A small frame building was later constructed, called Pine Grove.
This was approximately 1889. Some of the teachers included A.T. Helms, J.M.
Moss, T.G. Pugh, Annie Driggers, Viola Lavender (16) and Carrie Nabors. Olive
Lavender Gamble (17) and Ernest McIntosh (18) and Tom Dennis were among the
first pupils. Later on, another school built of brick, was constructed. It was
designed by W.L. Green (19). George Green (20) was one of the teachers. The
school burned in 1935, during the depression. Senators Ed Smith (21) and Jimmy
Byrnes influenced a loan for a new school that still stands today.
The names listed below were taken from tombstones at the Shiloh United Methodist
Church Cemetery, Shiloh, S.C. These are in addition to those printed in Vol. 1,
No. 1, Fall 1982.
MARY VIOLA KIRBY, b. 11-14-1881, d. 1-2-1897, dau. of J.L. and J.E. Kirby.
LEE PLAYER, b. 8-12-1912, d. 2-9-1973.
WM. HENRY PLAYER, b. 3-11-1841, d. 2-27-1891.
FERRELL LUCEAN PLAYER, b. 2-16-1910, d. 12-27-1928.
FLEETWOOD PLAYER, b. 6-23-1857, d. 4-10-1917.
WM. PLAYER, b. 12-7-1887, d. 3-27-1916.
CAROLINE PLAYER, B. 6-14-1849, d. 7-8-1889.
PAUL McELVEEN, b. 12-8-1862, d. 3-12-1888.
EMMA J. K. GOODMAN, b. 5-6-1866, d. 8-6-1880.
JOHN GOODMAN, b. 3-6-1868, d. 4-14-1888, son of E.R. Goodman.
E. R. GOODMAN, b. 7-8-1826, d. 5-19-1912.
ROBINS H. GOODMAN, b. 2-24-1859, d. 4-27-1933.
ARCHIE TOMSON BUDDIN, b. 11-8-1867, d. 4-20-1904.
ANNIE R. BUDDIN, b. 6-1-1895, d. 4-30-1968.
M.S. BUDDIN, b. 11-15-1883, d. 1-26-1930, wife of C.E. McElveen.
M. RUTH McELVEEN, b. 9-8-1912, d. 6-11-?
MARY M. GAMBLE, b. 2-23-1878, d. 9-19-1935, wife of W.I. Buddin.
LIZZIE JANE DENNIS, B. 5-7-1878, d. 8-18-1942, wife of W.I. Buddin.
WM. IRA BUDDIN, b. 12-25-1877, d. 3-19-1952.
INFANT SON OF R.W. & S.E.W. GREEN, b. 11-9-1897, d. 11-11-1897.
CLATIE GREEN, b. 11-30-1898, d. 4-17-1900, dau. of R.W. and S.E.W. Green.
ODESSA GREEN, b. 8-6-1895, d. 12-9-1896.
WM. KELLS, b. 1-31-1831, d. 6-13-1883.
BESSIE KELLS, b. 5-23-1862, d. 8-19-1876, dau. of Wm. Kells.
-------------------
Cassie Nicholes' book, HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF SUMTER COUNTY, two volumes, is
MUST reading for all who have roots in Sumter Co. S.C. The sketches were first
published in THE SUMTER NEWS from 1967 - 1974. Sumter County was first known as
Sumter District. It included Claremont, Clarendon and Salem Counties. Miss
Nicholes handles the subject in a very personal, intimate way. The book is
published by THE SUMTER COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION.
-------------------
LAVENDER CONNECTIONS by Dr. Abraham Donald Lavender
1. MALONE GREEN, founder of Green family; three Lavender-Green marriages: Alice
P. Lavender md. T.E. Green; Jane M. Lavender md. William Lewis Green; Mary Ann
Lavender md. Robert Wesley Green. All children of John Lavender who was a son of
Benjamin Lavender, Sumter Dist., S.C.
2. DR. C. E. GAMBLE and Charles Wells Lavender married sisters, Marian and Annie
Hicks. (Charles Wells and Annie were my grandparents.)
3. DR. BEASLEY GAMBLE, married Olive Jane Lavender, daughter of William Eaton
and Annie (Johnson) Lavender, and granddaughter of John Lavender.
4. JOHN McFADDIN (Unsure of his position in McFaddin family.) McFaddin family is
old and prominent family of nearby Sardinia, originally received land grant from
king of England. My sister, Marge, is married to Dr. Samuel Raymond McFaddin.
5. CLEM (SAMUEL CLEMENCE) TURBEVILLE, married Mary A. Eliza Lavender, daughter
of Daniel and Flavilla (McIntosh) Lavender, and granddaughter of John Lavender.
6. D.E. (DANIEL E.) TURBEVILLE, son of Samuel Clemence and Mary A. Eliza
(Lavender) Turbeville.
7. PEARL WHEELER, member of Wheeler family which is same family (different
branch) into which Isabella Lavender (daughter of Benjamin Lavender) married.
8. J.F. (JOHN FURMAN) TURBEVILLE, son of Samuel C. and Mary A. Eliza (Lavender)
Turbeville.
9. DR. ISSAC W. PITTMAN, married Alice Newell Turbeville, daughter of S.C. and
Mary A.E. (Lavender) Turbeville.
10. DR. KATE ELIZABETH SMITH, daughter of Dr. Charles Dorn Smith, Sr., descended
from Margaret Rebecca (Lavender) Rush; family owns "The Smith, House" (See Vol.
1, No. 1, THE LAVENDER LINE.)
11. ED (EDWARD NATHANIEL) GREEN, son of Robert Wesley and Mary Ann (Lavender)
Green.
12. (DANIEL) LUTHER GREEN, son of William Lewis Green and Jane McIntosh
(Lavender) Green; member of S.C. House of Representatives.
13. MRS. MARY ANNE LAVENDER GREEN, daughter of John and Agness Lavender, and
wife of Robert Wesley Green.
14. MRS. D. L. GREEN, "could be" Mrs. Daniel Luther Green, Daniel being son of
William Lewis and Jane McIntosh (Lavender) Green.
15. MRS. J. L. GREEN, married to John Lavender Green, he being son of Robert
Wesley and Mary Ann (Lavender) Green.
16. VIOLA LAVENDER, daughter of William Ellison and Annie (Johnson) Lavender;
married Robert McFaddin Cooper.
17. OLIVE LAVENDER GAMBLE, daughter of William Ellison and Annie (Johnson)
Lavender; married Dr. Eugene Beasley Gamble.
18. ERNEST McINTOSH, member of McIntosh family, cousin of Flavilla (McIntosh)
Lavender who married Daniel Lavender.
19. W. L. (WILLIAM LEWIS) GREEN, married Jane McIntosh Lavender, daughter of
Daniel and Flavilla (McIntosh) Lavender.
20. GEORGE (WILLIAM) GREEN, son of William Lewis and Jane McIntosh (Lavender)
Green.
21. SENATOR ED (EDWARD DuRANT) SMITH, U.S. Senator from S.C., no relation to
Lavender, but cousin of Dr. Charles Dorn Smith, Sr., owner of "The Smith House."
(See No. 10.)
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