List of tales:
Memoir for James Simmon Hawkins
Memories of Mary Jane Hawkins
Funeral Service for Maggie Hawkins
Thomas Frederick Hawkins
Capt. Thomas Epaphroditus Howle
Francis Howle
Francis Wilson Howle
MEMOIR for James Simmon Hawkins
When the subject of this sketch fell to sleep on the morning of
January eight 1921, about dawn, one of the purest and most consecrated
members of our church passed from the toils and sufferings of an earthly
career to the unspeakable joys of an eternal home. The writer considers
himself fortunate to have become the friend of such a man; although our
acquaintance was of a very short duration, because he slipped away early in
the year, and I never knew him until I came to his pastorate. Brother
Hawkins would at once impress you, with his noble life, which would show
itself in the interest and welfare of others, and his purity and
uprightness of conduct, caused him to be recognized by all that knew him as
a devout Christian.
James Simmon Hawkins, the third son of William and Mary Hawkins was
born in Darlington County, near Hartsville, South Carolina, on the
thirtieth day of November 1860. He had two brothers; David and William,
and two sisters; Mary Carrie and Pricilla.
Brother Hawkins joined the Baptist church early in life and was
consistent a member of the same. In later life he joined the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and held several positions in same. He was
trustee of church property, Superintendent of the Sunday School for
thirteen years, elected District Steward of the Florence District, South
Carolina Annual Conference. He was teacher of the ladies adult bible
class, and they have asked me to write this memoir as an expression of
their love and high esteem in which they held him. Brother Hawkins, a
devout and loyal member of his church, was found in his pew every Sunday
unless providentially hindered. He attended the funeral of Brother Daniel
Boone on Sunday, stood by the pastor at the grave and while the casket was
being lowered into the grave, Brother Hawkins saw to it that everything was
properly done. The following Sunday, Brother Hawkins was laid to rest in
the same city of the dead by the pastor.
“Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of
thy Lord.” Thou art gone to thy well earned rest, and we will not mourn as
those who have no hope, but shall with confidence, expect to meet thee in
the heavens.
Brother Hawkins was a farmer, accumulated property, and was interested
in community life. His opportunities for an education were limited, but he
gave all of his children the opportunity to obtain an education, some of
them attended college.
His fine cultivated taste and high instincts were demonstrated in his
love for flowers. He grew pansies, sweet peas, dahlias, roses, pinks,
poppies, cosmos, sweet Lithia, hyacinth, narcissus, tulips, ferns, and
other pot flowers. He cultivated these flowers with his own hands, He
found his greatest joy in sharing them with the sick, and kept fresh
flowers in the church, and gladly furnished them for school
entertainments. This shows that he was a lover of the beautiful in
life. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not,
neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his
glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
On December twentieth 1883, Brother Hawkins was married to Miss Mary
Margaret Howle, daughter of Mr. J. T. Howle. They became the parents of
eleven children, nine of whom lived; namely, Mary Jane, Jim, Coke, Earnest
died in infancy, and another infant that died in infancy, Sue, Lula,
Lawrence, George, Marion, Carlisle. Mrs. Mary Margaret Hawkins passed to
her reward in 1907.
On the ninth day of March 1911, Brother Hawkins was again married to
Miss Hessie Newsome, daughter of Mr. J. T. Newsome; no child was born to
this union. God in his divine plan called his second wife to her reward on
June 26, 1915.
As the writer saw Brother Hawkins, a slender built man, six feet tall,
weighing 160 pounds. He ate dinner with his pastor the day he arrived to
his new work. Would come to call on him very often, inquired into his
needs. The week before he passed away, he come out to my woodpile and
said, “The doctors seemed to do me no good.” And looking straight at me,
as though his very soul was speaking to me said, “Brother Henderson, it
will not be long, and I am ready when the Good Master calls me to my
reward.” On Tuesday before he passed out on Saturday, the writer went to
see him. He was cheerful, and had his daughter, Mrs. Sue Teal to play some
sacred pieces on the Victrola, and the writer read the last chapter of
Revelations, and he followed us out to the car, against our protest. On
the night before he passed away the next morning, Doctor McLeod of Florence
remarked to the writer, “Mr. Hawkins will not live,” and then went on to
remark, that he had never met a more impressive character. He had known
him a long time.
Rev. Carson, pastor of the Baptist church, with his congregation
attended the funeral, brother Carson assisting. Prominent men from
different section of the county and other places were present. A fine
index to his great life was the largest attendance that has ever been seen
at Bethlehem to a funeral, although the weather was very bad, raining most
of the time.
“Soldier of Christ, well done.
Praise be thy new employ;
And while eternal ages run
Rest in thy Savior’s joy.”
W. O. Henderson; Pastor
MARY JANE HAWKINS
September 18, 1884-October 5, 1958
Mary Jane (Janie) Hawkins was the daughter of James Simmeon and Mary
Magdalene Howle Hawkins. She was born on August 18, 1884 in the Byrdtown
community of Darlington County, S. C. near the town of Hartsville. She was
the oldest of her siblings and learned the role of “mothering” early in
life. She was constantly looking after the welfare of the younger sisters
and brothers. My maternal grandmother told me that Janie was like a
mother hen where the younger ones were concerned. She hardly ever had them
out or her sight. (The two grandmothers were in school together and knew
each other from early childhood.)
When Janie was 23 years old her mother died leaving young children in the
home and she helped her father care for them. Janie married Thomas
Frederick Hawkins, son of James Leonard Hawkins, on December 4, 1910 when
she was 26 years old. She raised her seven children who reached adulthood
in their home on the farm that she inherited from her father.
Janie was a beautiful girl and retained her dark curly hair well into her
later years. Her eyes were dark brown and her complexion was olive. She
was barely 5 feet tall and I think that as she aged she became even shorter
than the five feet. Her step was lively. It was difficult to walk beside
her, as she would leave one behind with her accelerated pace. She worked
hard at what ever she did. She loved flowers and there were many varieties
grown in her yard. Poppies, snapdragons, zinnias, flocks, sweet Williams,
roses, wisteria, daisies, and larkspur to name a few. She even had a spot
in the woods behind the house where some shrubs were grown. She had the
art of healing, likely out of necessity, with the care of so many in her
charge.
Their first home burned when J. S. was a baby and the second was built
slightly forward of the first. The latter consisted of a front and a back
porch, a center hallway, kitchen, and three bedrooms.
On the front porch a sink and counter or shelf were located on one end.
Here the washing of clothes with the Maytag wringer washing machine took
place on Mondays. The hands were scrubbed clean and fresh vegetables from
the garden were washed at this spot. Janie “washed” the grits for
breakfast here early in the mornings before she began the biscuit making.
On the other end of the porch were the handmade swing and a few chairs.
There were also shelves that held the potted plants. There were always a
few different ferns and a pot of geraniums.
The kitchen was a wonderfully warm and inviting place. Janie was a good
cook. Her vegetable soup was filling and delicious. One could count on
fresh blackberry cobbler in its season. Her caramel nut cake was a
Christmas treat. The green and ivory wood cook stove stood there and was
replace by an electric stove in the later years. My best memories come
from the wood fired one. Biscuits could be found in the warming ovens at
the top. A quick snack of a biscuit with a hole poked with the finger and
filled with syrup was always handy. Near the rear wall was the table.
Granddaddy sat at one end and T. C. sat at his left. There was a bench on
the far side and the children sat in a row. (Archie anchored the end.)
Grandmama sat on the other side of T. C., when she sat. Usually she was
buzzing about and I wondered if she ever sat for an entire meal. She
canned the bounty from the large fenced garden here. The produce was
prepared and sealed in the tin cans. Then the cans were cooked outside in
the washpots, and cooled in the tin tubs. This meant that there would be
warm baths that night. There was a small shelf with a radio, a china
cabinet, and a cupboard in the room. The sink and cupboard were built to
her frame. Since she was short, the height of these fixtures was
surprisingly low, I discovered as I grew up. After harvest the sacks of
flour and corn meal or grits had a spot. Above the door, which was never
used, to the “Boys” bedroom hung a picture of fruits and vegetables. The
kitchen was also the creamery. The milk from Bessie, the milk cow, was
separated and the butter was churned here. Her hands fashioned the mounds
of sweet butter into small molds, sometimes in the wooden one and more
often into round balls. The floor had linoleum on it.
The center hallway held many wonders. There was the double-sided roll top
desk where Granddaddy worked and kept his records. The pigeonholes were
filled with needed things and a set of small red leather bound books, which
had belonged to his father. Near the desk was a framed print of a Palmetto
tree and a verse. All along the hallway were framed pictures of bearded
family members dressed in the finery of the day. There was a desk for the
children, the refrigerator, later the freezer, a few tables, the cot where
afternoon naps were taken, and at one time the Victrola.
The bedroom Janie and Tom occupied was the parlor too. In addition to
their bed there were several chairs, the heater, the treadle Singer sewing
machine, a chest of drawers, and a “wardrobe” in this room. The wardrobe
was Janie’s place and she kept her treasures here. I recall quilts and
tablecloths and her purse in this place. The radio sat on a shelf beside a
small cabinet at the side of Tom’s chair. The only closet in the house was
in this room. It held a hand woven split oak clothes hamper along with
other items of clothing and things in storage. On the mantle was a clock
and over that was a mirror with pictures of English cottages on either end.
The girl’s bedroom was behind the parent’s bedroom and the boy’s bedroom
was behind the kitchen.
On the back porch were a “pie safe” and an old wooden ice chest, long ago
out of use and used for storage. Grandmama placed her baked cakes and pies
in this “safe” when the weather was cool.
Janie’s home was the gathering place. Her family and Tom’s came to call.
Her sister, Sue, lived with her family a short distance across the creek.
Her brothers, George, Lawrence and Marion had their farms on nearby lands
that touched on the borders. Sister Lula lived in the town of Hartsville.
Janie was had a close relationship with her cousin, Will Hawkins. She was
born a month before him and they shared the early years. There is a lovely
picture of the two of them made during their teen years of which I am happy
to have a copy. During his lifetime Will visited almost weekly. It was his
custom to arrive before nightfall on Saturday and spend the night. Will
attended church services, ate dinner and then return to his home.
Because of the limitations of caring for T. C., her first born, she seldom
left the home for long periods of time. It was a special event when she
did leave. She told me of one such trip when she went on “Excursion” with
the church group. It was to the beach and she enjoyed gathering sea oats
and walking on the dunes. I have wonderful memories of her visit to my
first home in Bennettsville shortly after my marriage. It was a privilege
to have her there for the day.
Her family and friends surprised her and gave her a birthday party. She
was spirited away for a rare church service and when she returned the
family and community had gathered at her house. It was a wonderful day
with an outside picnic under the pecan trees. Thank goodness, we have
pictures of her smiling and enjoying the day.
Janie’s hands were crippled with arthritis. The bent joints never seemed
to slow her. It was amazing what those little hands accomplished. She
sewed, cooked, gardened, and cared for all around her. The family needed
very little in the way of “groceries” because most things were grown
there. The shopping list for a week would consist of a pound of cheese, or
a sack of sugar. She made a wonderful home for her husband and seven
children. They all proudly called her “Ma.”
After the death of her husband, she and her daughter, Maggie and son, T. C.
lived on the farm until her death in 1958. Janie remained active into her
74th
year.
Her first stay in a hospital was for a gall bladder removal. After the
surgery she returned to her home and seemed to be making a full recovery.
Then there were complications from the medication taken for the arthritis.
It had been detrimental to her stomach. She died of a bleeding ulcer in
her home surrounded by some of her children.
Janie knew a life of sacrifice to her duties as mother. She was never one
to complain. Her family loved being with her and respected her. She
worked along with the best of them, and put younger people to shame with
her endurance. She gave my brothers and me a lifetime of memories as we
grew up. Many of our “first” took place on her farm and in her home.
Milking a cow, picking blackberries, churning butter, and watching her sew
are warm recollections. Being a part of her life made me a better person.
Her example of what a wife and mother should be remains forever in my
mind.
Written by my Aunt Ginger (Virginia Margaret Hawkins Huffman)
Funeral Service for Maggie Hawkins
Bethlehem United Methodist Church
January 30, 1988
Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our
faith as we celebrate the life of Miss Maggie Hawkins. We come together in
grief acknowledging our human loss. May God search our hearts, that in
pain we may find comfort, in sorrow – hope, in death resurrection.
Miss Maggie Hawkins, age 68, died unexpectedly Saturday, January 28,
1989. Maggie was born in Darlington County and was a daughter of the late
Thomas F. and Mrs. Mary Jane Hawkins. She was employed as an aide to the
elderly and was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and the
Ladies Bible Class. Surviving are brothers, Bruce Hawkins of Laurens, J.
S. Hawkins of Lugoff and Archie and Coke Hawkins, both of Hartsville; and a
sister, Mrs. Jean Ressmeyer of Aurora, Colorado. I know that Maggie will
be missed by both her family and friends.
Sometimes it is difficult to understand the mysteries that life brings
us. As we gather together today, there is an extra sadness in the fact
that Maggie’s death was an unexpected event. There had been hope that
Maggie was going to recover from her illness and now a short time later we
find her gone. All that remains here on earth is the body, which is now
just an empty shell. The real Maggie, the part of her that was most
important and the part of her which will live forever has departed. As
human beings we look for explanations to events such as these. For this
reason it is important that we seek answers of the proper sources for our
understanding. In times like these we should direct our questions to God
and make him the source of all our understanding. In the scriptures we
find the wisdom of the Proverbs exhorting us to:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your
own understanding. Proverb 3:5
Let us begin our celebration of the memory of Maggie Hawkins trusting
in our God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the understanding
that is necessary in times such as these.
There are two things I have consistently heard about Maggie over the
last several days. The first is that she always had a smile on her face.
The second is that she liked to talk. I made an observation, as people
would tell me different things about Maggie. The observation was that the
person telling me about Maggie also had a smile on their face and they,
too, talked a lot. It appears to me that there was something about Maggie
that affected other people.
I also heard many other things about Maggie. These things were that
she loved children and she loved the elderly. It was said that she was the
happiest when she was with her nieces and nephews. She rarely, if ever,
forgot a birthday. It was the simple things in life that made her happy.
She was a good-hearted person. She was a loving person. She was someone
who was protective of those she loved. She never wanted to be a burden.
Maggie had certain limitations in this life but within those limitations
Maggie was able to find a way to helping others in their time of need. As
we remember Maggie from the perspective of our memories, we should find
comfort in the choices that Maggie made during her time with us on this
earth. In a time when we hear of so many people making the choice to do
evil, we should rejoice that Maggie chose to do good.
We would be doing an injustice to God if we come together today
trusting only in our own judgment concerning Maggie and the life that she
lived. As the people of God gathered together today we must judge Maggie
and ourselves by the example given us by God in the person of Jesus
Christ. With this standard, the standard of Christ, we come together today
to declare that Maggie was s believer and a follower of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. This is the real test of Maggie’s and our faith.
The result of Maggie’s faith is a new life. It is a life that is
infinitely better than anything that she has experienced. Maggie no longer
carries the burdens of this life for she has been transformed into a new
creation. A creation that knows no limitation of joy, peace and love.
Maggie has found a new home among many old and new friends.
We do not know what it was about the time of the place that resulted
in Maggie being taken from this earth this past Saturday. This mystery is
concealed form all of us during this life. Someday, I believe that we will
have a perfect understanding of the mysteries of life and death. Until
that time, we must patiently endue this life, placing our trust in Christ.
The scriptures till us that there is a time for all things. There was a
reason that Maggie was taken from us. Maybe, just maybe, God too, at times
has the need to see a smiling face. A face like Maggie’s. Amen
Prayer: O God, all that you have given us is yours. As first you gave
Maggie to us, so now we give her back to you. Receive her into the arms of
you mercy. Raise her up with all your people. Receive us also, our
selves, our souls, our bodies, and raise us into a new life. Help us so to
love and serve you in this world that we may enter into your joy in the
world to come. Amen
Thomas Frederick Hawkins
Son of
James Leonard Hawkins
And
Sallie Chapman
Thomas Frederick “Tom” Hawkins was born on October 31, 1886 in
Darlington County, South Carolina. He was the first born in his family. I
know little of his early years, but I never forgot the date of his birth.
I seemed so unique to me as a child that his birthday was Halloween. I had
the opportunity to spend a year with him and Grandmama as I recovered from
illness and summers always brought at least a month’s visit on the farm.
Memories of him are sweet. He was a tall, quiet man. I loved to sit
in his lap and have him read to me. I laughed at the way he pronounced
certain words. “To” was “tow”, and “a” was “ah”. “Why?” I asked. He
informed me that this was the way his teacher taught him to enunciate these
words when reading.
He was a man of deep reverence. He could always be found in the same
pew of Bethlehem Methodist Church on Sunday mornings. For as long as I
remembered he served his church as treasurer. I can still see him at his
double-sided roll top desk making out the report and readying the deposit
for the bank. At evening time when he and his wife, “Janie,” knelt at the
bedside for the nighttime prayer, the whole house fell quiet. My daddy,
Bruce, said that he had never heard the utterance of a profanity or an
unkind word by his father.
He smoked Camel cigarettes. Some of his children were smokers, but none
of them ever smoked in his presence out of respect. Tobacco played an
important part in his livelihood, as it was the major cash crop produced on
the farm. The crop was one that demanded intense labor. Tobacco beds,
planting, suckering by hand, worming, topping, harvesting, stringing,
curing, grading, packing and marketing it took skill and dedication.
Gathering tobacco was a social event as it was shared with other families
and their hands. Remember those cool drinks of water from the common
dipper? Men were served first, women second and then the children.
Singing and laughing, catching up on the happenings in the community filled
the gaps when the work was slow. Lunchtime was a welcomed break. I have
memories of Granddaddy stretching out on the front porch for a few moments
of rest. Dirty hands??? Never thought we would get them clean! He taught
me how to rub my hands with sand to clean the tar off. The smell of the
nicotine tar lingers still in my mind.
Tom grew other crops as well. There was corn grown for the mules,
chicken and pigs to eat and to provide the family with corn meal and
grits. Wheat provided the flour needed. The sacks were stacked up high in
the kitchen; ready for making the hot biscuits that were smothered in
freshly made butter or filled with syrup. Trips to the mill to have the
grain ground provided the visiting grandchildren a chance to play and swim
in the pond while waiting. I’m sure that Granddaddy lingered a little
longer than he would have just to give us more time to enjoy this treat.
His span of farming covered time of many changes; from mule to tractor,
from tobacco barns fired with logs to kerosene fired burners, from windmill
pumped water to electric powered pump. In his day the cotton was picked by
hand. He would be amazed to see the changes of today. But that would
mean no fresh milk and cream, no butchering of the hog and no smoke house
filled with the hanging meats. The memories wouldn’t be as vivid.
Vehicles at the farm were the 1940 Mercury and the truck. The Mercury was
used for driving to church on Sunday mornings and to drive into town if
more than one person went. Then there was the blue 1937 GMC pickup truck.
It had running boards and lights mounted on top of the fenders. That is
what I loved. Granddaddy would let the children ride on the fenders
sitting under the lights and holding on. I felt like I was flying. Even
though the ride only lasted from the tobacco barn to the house, it was
wonderful!
His children called him “Pa”. He provided well for the family. You could
see his handiwork everywhere. He built the house that was their home. He
also made the desk at which they studied and the crib in which they slept.
There were wooden boxes about the house to be used as stepladders because
although the men were tall, the ladies in the house were small. These
little boxes were handy as they provided three graduated steps from the
rectangular shape depending on which side it lay. They got years of use
because the corners were worn smooth. He made the kitchen table and the
swing on the front porch. He designed and built the shower house. It was
a wonderful convenience as it had running water! The temperature of the
shower was the temperature of the day. Hot summer days with cool evening
showers. There was a dressing room attached and after dressing for bed
there would be a quick run across the warm sand to the house and into
bed. Tom Hawkins was a self-sufficient man and he passed that trait on to
his sons. He could fashion or make almost anything needed around the farm.
His brothers, Lewis and Wiley, and their wives often visited. Usually on
Saturday or Sunday afternoon. They sat around the kitchen table in the
winter and on the porch in the summer. These were pleasant times.
In the spring of l953 he became ill and suffered a stroke. His last days
were in his home, being cared for by his family. His daughter, Jean, who
was a nurse, came home to be with him and share in the care given by his
wife, Janie and daughter, Maggie. The night before he passed away I sat
beside his bed while the rest of the family slept. He opened his eyes and
after not speaking since the stroke, he began to pray. I shall never
forget it. He held my hand and asked for God’s mercy. I am sure that God
smiled and granted his last plea. Surrounded by the family, united in
love, we watched as he slipped away. He was gone but never has he been
forgotten. He died on April 21, 1953.
Written by Aunt Ginger (Virginia Margaret Hawkins Huffman)
Captain Thomas Epaphroditus Howle
Thomas Epaphroditus Howle, only son of James Howle and his first wife,
Margaret A. Keith Howle, was born August 19,1825. He grew up on his
father’s plantation in Darlington District, receiving his education in
schools of the county and from tutors whom his father, with other planters
in the community, employed.
James Howle was thrice married and was father of sixteen children,
twelve of whom lived to maturity. Of his six sons who reached maturity,
five bore as middle names surnames of ministers who were friends of the
family, and the name of the oldest son, Thomas Epaphroditus, is found in
the Holy Scriptures.
An atmosphere of strong Christian faith pervaded the home of James
Howle, where family prayer was engaged in daily in the large front room
where all members of the family gathered for study of the Bible and a short
period of worship. This service later included grandchildren who stayed
with their grandparents while attending school.
In early manhood Thomas participated in the management and cultivation
of his father’s plantation, later becoming associated with a merchandising
firm at Leavensworth, S. C. In 1854 he purchased the business as evidenced
by a letter dated Feb. 16,1854, to his brother-in-law, Dr. A. R. Vann,
Brookville, Granville County, North Carolina. Besides being a planter and
merchant, Thomas was Postmaster at Leavensworth.
On Nov. 19, 1852, he married Elizabeth Sarah Vann of “Woodlawn Green”,
near Auburn, S. C. Betty Vann was the only child of William Vann and his
second wife, Sarah Jones Vann. Betty received her education in the school
provided by her parents, later attending a private school for young ladies,
located at Doneraile, near Darlington.
Thomas Epahroditus and Elizabeth Sarah Howle were members of Black
Creek Church, affiliating with it early in their lives. Here he served as
deacon for many years. He participated financially and by service to the
erection of the Old Black Creek Church. This beautiful elifice, typical of
its era, was destroyed by fire in 1922. Tradition has it that in the
construction of the church a letter from a deacon was placed in each
pillar, one of which was written by T. E. Howle. The pillars of the old
church are still standing.
In 1858 Howle served as Clerk of the Welsh Neck Association; September
of 1860 finds him Superintendent of Sunday School, with an enrollment of
one hundred fifty pupils. While serving as deacon, he was instrumental in
purchasing the first permanent silver Communion Service, contributing a
large part of its cost. This service is now on display in the New Black
Creek Church, located at Dovesville, South Carolina.
When the Darlington Grays organized early in 1861, Thomas E. Howle was
among the first to volunteer. This Company was composed mostly of citizens
living in the vicinity of Society Hill, Dovesville, Lydia and Stokes Bridge
in Darlington District. He was elected First Lieutenant of the Darlington
Grays, which became Company F of the Eighth Regiment of S. C. Volunteers.
On April 13, 1861, the Companies of the Eighth Regiment were ordered
to Charleston, S. C., but when they reached there the next day, Fort Sumter
had fallen. Lieutenant Howle led his man into Virginia to join General
Beauregard’s Army at Manassas Junction, where the Eighth Regiment fell back
to Bull Run and held the crossing at Mitchell’s Ford. On July 21, the
Regiment reached the battlefield (Manassas) in time to join the general
advance which broke the enemy’s line and caused a stampede, thus taking
part in the first serious battle of the War, and where the first blood of
Darlington men was shed.
On November 20, 1861, while the Regiment was encamped at Canterville,
Howle was promoted to Captain. Early in the winter of 1862 Captain Howle
got about one half of Company F to re-enlist for the duration of the was
and, in accordance with an Act of the Confederate Congress, was granted
leave to return home. Using the re-enlisted men as a nucleus, he recruited
enough men to form a company. He returned with eighty-five men. The
company recruited by Captain Howle became Company M of the Eighth South
Carolina Infantry. The Eighth Regiment, including Company M, led by Capt.
Howle, engaged in many bloody battles, among them being several of the
battles of the “Seven days fight around Richmond”, Maryland Heights and
Sharpsburg, where he gave his life for his country.
His brothers, who had fought by his side, and his sister Sally’s
husband, Andrew Harris, made a pilgrimage to the battlefield and supervised
removal of his body, bringing it to tits last resting place in Old Black
Creek Cememtery. At the death of his wife on January 15, 1913, she was
laid to rest by his side.
Of the five sons of James Howle who wore the Gray, Captain Thomas E.
Howle (being the only one married) was the son called upon to leave a
family at home. At the outbreak of the War there were four children:
William James, Thomas Epaphroditus, Jr., Lawrence Keith and Maggie Jane.
Shortly after his enlistment his youngest daughter, Sara Elizabeth (Sallie)
was born. She became the wife of William T. Campbell.
Captain Howle was man of splendid qualities. A perusal of letters by
him gives an insight into the sweetness of his character. One notes the
thoughtfulness and care for the comfort and well-being of others; his
willingness to accept responsibility; his integrity, moral strength and
love of home and family.
Letters received by him and his wife from friends in other states
attest to his charm of manner and conversation and, which characterized him
as a man of broad knowledge and as a Christian gentleman. It has been said
of Capt. Howle by one who knew him well that he was one of the outstanding
men of his time, that he possessed grace of manner, ability and gifts which
would undoubtedly, had he lived, been used largely for the advancement of
his county, and state. Even so, the memory of his short life is yet
preserved in tradition and in the annals of history in his county.
Francis Howle & wife, Margaret Sparrow
Francis Howle
The Byrdtown Clan
By Jimmie Howle
Francis Howle first appears in the U. S. Census as head of a household
in 1840. He is living in the Antioch Township of Darlington County, head
of a family that includes two males under five, a female between ages of
five and nine and a male and a female between the ages of 20 and 29.
When in 1850 the Census names all members of a household, Francis is
shown with Esther (like Francis, age 37) and females Elizabeth, Epaphra,
Jane, Margaret and Caroline: males John, James and Elias.
Subsequent data contradict the 1850 census. The data show that
Elizabeth was only 15, not l7 as shown, and that Epaphra, a female, was in
fact, Epaphroditus, a male. However, the Census does confirm that Francis’
household was located in that section of the Antioch Township knows as
Byrdtown. The remains of that home were still standing in 1984.
Francis lived all of his adult life in Byrdtown where he had two wives
and l5 children. According to his grave marker in the cemetery of
Bethlehem Methodist Church, Francis was born on Christmas Day, 1813, and
dies Aug 25, 1899.
On his 19th birthday, December 25, 1832, he married Esther Davis. Her
parents have not yet been identified, but according to a gravemarker at
Piney Plans Church, she was born April 14, 1814 and died May 15, 1875.
Ten children are known to have been born to this union:
Elizabeth, January 1835
Epaphroditus, December 19, 1835
John David, 1838
James Thomas, June 21, 1841
Elias David, August 28, 1843 - November 2, 1916 CSA
Mary Jane, 1845
Margaret, 1847
Caroline, 1850
Francis Wilson (Dock), September 9, 1851
Catherine (Kate) 1855
After the death of Esther, Francis married Margaret Jane Sparrow. The
date of that marriage is not known, but according to the 1900 Census, it
must have been in 1877.
Francis had been dead nearly 10 months at the time of the 1900
Census. His son Francis Wilson is listed at head of the household that
includes “Margaret J., Stepmother.” She is recorded as having been married
for 23 years.
Margaret Jane was born January 27, 1847 and died July 27, 1925. She
is buried beside Francis at Bethlehem. She was a daughter of John H.
Sparrow (1822-1894) and Malissa A. Petty who died in 1861.
Francis and Margaret Jane are known to have had five sons:
William Henry, January 11, 1878
Edward Dargan 1881
Evander Griffin, March 30, 1884
Evan Lide, June 23, 1885
Samuel Wilkins, December 26, 1889
What follows is an account of the lineage of the 156 children sired by
Francis Howle.
4 generations of Howle men
FRANCIS WILSON HOWLE
The following is a portion of the newsletter, “hOWLes and Other Birds
written by Jimmie Howle pertaining to “Uncle Dock” as he was affectionately
known.
“Francis Wilson Howle was the ninth of 10 children born to Francis
Howle and Esther Davis. In a number of references we’ve seen the
abbreviation “Jr.” after his name. That appellation was inappropriately
placed-Uncle Dock was no junior.
A couple of times Francis and Francis Wilson bought and sold property
together. In each case the documents were signed “Francis Howle” and F. W.
Howle.” In no instance have we found the name “Wilson” of the initial “W”.
associated with the father’s name. There is no designation of “junior” on
Uncle Doc’s grave marker.”
The following is copied from a document found in the papers of
Miriam “Frances” Howle Hawkins. The copy is exactly as found with no
corrections to spellings, etc.
Francis Wilson Howle
“Words spoken by Pastor, Rev. W. O. Henderson at the burial of Brother
Frances Wilson Howle, Saturday, January 20th, 11 A.M 1923. Bethlehem
Church, Bethlehem Charge, South Carolina Conference. Methodist Episcopal
Church South.
“Frances Wilson Howle, the son of Mr. Frank and Mrs Easter Howle, Born
September 18th, 1857 and dying January 18th, 1923 at 4:30 p. m. Brother E
(dward) D(argan) Howle and Ban(Evander Griffin) Howle, was with him at the
tobacco bed. He laughing and talking and remarked to Brother Ed, how about
the fertilizer, and brother Ed said that he did not think to bring it, and
then Uncle Dock, as the people of the community always called him,
said, “We”ll we will wait until to-morrow.
“Just after the conversation, he fell back into a small ravine.
Brother Howle thought he had just stumbled, but after he saw that he
remained there longer than he thought that he should, he then went to his
side, and was immediately that he was dying, taking his head in his lap, he
and Ban together, putting some water on his face, then Doctor’s was
summonds but did not arrive until after his spirit had left this mortal
tarbarnacle and past into the great beyound.
“The deceased was born near Old Sardis Church on the Camden Road, and
joined that church. He was nominated Stewart by Rev. J. E. Rushton, and
served in that capacity about twenty five years, and afterwards as Honorary
Stewart. He loved his church, and was always found in his pew, unless he
was sick or otherwise providentially hindered.
“His house was always the Preacher’s home, and he greeted everybody
with a smile and made friends where-ever he went. Brother Howle, has
worked hard all of his olive, in the capacity as a farmer. He always herd
the call of the suffering and distressed, and give himself and his means
for the benefit of others.
“The deceased had nine brothers, and five sisters. Sisters as
follows. Elizabeth, Jane, Margaret, Caroline, Katie Howle, all of whom are
dead. Brothers E. Dwight (Epaphroditus-called Dite), John D(avid), J(ames)
T(homas), Ellis (Elias) Howle. Half Brothers Edwin (Edward) D., E(Vander-
called Ban) G(riffin), Evans L(ide) and Sam W(ilkins). (Another half-
brother, William Henry, had died in 1907). His only whole brother living,
J. T. Howle.
“Brother Frances Wilson Howle, was not only a half brother to his half
brothers, but he practabily raised them, as his father was old and feeble,
and Uncle Dock took care of the children. Uncle Dock never married, but
God used him in a wonderful way to render service to his own family, which
work will shine brighter now than ever before.
“Truly as one of his brothers said to me, “Well, the best friend I
have on this earth is gone. Gone, but not forgotten.”
Postnote: By Jimmie Howle:
Uncle Dock kept on giving. In the late 1930s it was discovered that
he had left some money to my father, Purvis Howle, about $300. At least it
was enough to buy a car, a lot of clothes and the lot on which Purvis built
the house he lived in for most of his life.
