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South Carolina C.S.A.
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South Carolina C.S.A. |
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Company G Sixteenth South Carolina |
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Wounded at the Battle of Atlanta, Senior Captain and Regimental Commander at Franklin and Nashville |
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When his sword was turned into a plow-share Captain Boling did not make a less worthy citizen than he had proven a most meritorious soldier, and his neighbors called him with confidence to fill various positions of usefulness and honor. He was not an office seeker by any means, and yet he had filled a number of places with conspicuous fidelity to his constituents. As county commissioner he rendered valuable service for two full-terms and he understood the needs and interests of the people by coming in contact with them. He also served in the Legislature and was known as a conscientious member, whose judgment was fair and impartial. When the new county government went into operation, Captain Boling was chosen to represent Saluda Township and he was always at his post in the board of commissioners. In his public life he was modest, unassuming, but firm and unyielding when principle was involved. Captain Boling was a consistent and zealous Christian, and was one of the strong pillars of the Ebenezer-Welcome Church in whose graveyard he was laid to rest. He was twice married, and his first wife was Miss Newby, who bore him fifteen children. His second wife was a sister of Captain W.C. Humphreys of this city and she survives him with one child. The sorrowing relatives and nearest friends will have the consoling reflection that there are hundreds all over the county who deeply sympathize with them in this sad affliction. |
Captain Boling's Grave at Ebeenzer Baptist Despite the threatening weather a large crowd attended the educational picnic at Mary Dell, which is near Captain J.W. Boling's residence in Saluda Township..... The speakers stand was erected in a shady little dingle near the spring, just in front of Captain Boling's house and a large number of seats had been provided, but they proved insufficient for the big crowd so the men sat on the hillsides, which surrounded the stand, and in this way made the valley appear like an old Roman Amphitheater.... The thanks of all the picnickers are due to Mr. B.Y.H. Shumate, who has developed into a first-class weather prophet. But for him Colonel Rice would have cut short his speech on account of a sprinkle... Our party was divided so while one enjoyed the hospitality of Mrs. Thomas Benson and family, the other accepted an invitation from Captain Boling... As Captain Boling lives in close proximity he simply invited all his guests up to his pleasant residence where in his spacious dining room they enjoyed a dainty and elegant collation, consisting of everything that was nice. He is as accomplished as a host as he is competent as a County Commissioner. Mrs. Boling did the honors in a very graceful manner and with great cordiality. Mary Dell was named for Captain Boling's wife. |
Captain Boling was a native of that section and devoted his life and energies to the betterment of his county and people. He was endowed with a bright mind, his education being the usual type that falls to the lot of the average country boy. At the call to arms, upon the outbreak of the late war, he was among the first to respond and went as a first lieutenant of Company G in the famous Sixteenth regiment. He was made Senior Captain and during some of the severest conflicts he was in command of that battle-scarred band. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to his native heath and entered as heartily and zealously upon the duties of life as he had served in the war. The deceased served two terms as county commissioner and gave such general satisfaction that his constituents called upon him as a candidate to the legislature and he was elected in 1880 by a handsome majority. His service to his people was acceptable, and he retired to his farm and did not enter public life again until he was appointed trial judge by Governor Richardson. He was retired from the position upon the advent of the present regime, but was serving as township commissioner at the time of his death. Captain Boling was twice married. His first wife, Miss Newby, bore him fifteen children. His widow, Miss Humphreys has but one child. The deceased was a prominent member of the Masonic order and one of the most faithful member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the funeral was held yesterday. S.C. Boling is his only surviving brother. Captain Boling was 64 years old at the time of his death. |
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Captain Boling is particularly compelling to me, not simply because he was the most senior, but also because he so represented the entire unit. He was also compelling because although he survived and his descendants flourished in Upper Greenville County, little seemed to remain of him but the stories told by men the age of my father. Even his relatives seemed to have little trace of him beyond the stories. This is his Odyssey, his journey, and like the old and revered hymn I have heard my father quote so often, I can almost hear Captain Boling saying, "through many troubles, toils and snares, I have already come," as I view him in the family picture. This is what remains of his long journey and the journey of his generation. John Washington Boling, loving father, devoted husband, Commissioner of Schools, Representative of the people to the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, Redshirt, pillar of the church at Ebenezer and Confederate Warrior, a Captain who once commanded a regiment in a lost cause with a broken starved out army. A man with the audacity to go to war with a corn stalk and fight successfully against an emerging industrial giant for five long years... this was one confederate odyssey... and there are thousands like him. Thank the descendant who furnished this from half a world and a sea of time away |
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Captain John Boling's Children 1. Luther Landrum Boling 2. John Washington Boling Jr. 3. Mattie Boling Johnson 4. Nannie Boling Fuller 5. Nora Boling Hester 6. James Boling 7. Benjamin Boling 8. Joseph Boling Twins 9. Patience Boling 10. Sue Boling Henderson 11. Mary Boling Gilreath 12. Pearl Boling Coggins Child with 2nd wife Mary Humphries: 1. Janie Boling Edwards Capt. J.W. Boling's sister, Jane Boling was married to Young Batson who was killed in the war. (Hezekiah Young Batson, G Company, 16th S.C.V. was killed at Franklin and buried with his friend Ellis Hall, G Company, 16th S.C.V. They were removed to the Mcgavock Cemetery outside the McGavock home, Carnton. From that generation to my own, we are grateful for the gift of this beautiful cemetery. It is believed they were first buried in front of or in the works near the Carter House. Hez or Young is listed as N.Y. Batson in the McGavock rolls and is in Section 84 Grave 19. Ellis Hall is in Section 84 Grave 20. There is a marker for Hez at Ebenezer Cemetery as well.) Captain John Boling's home is located above Travelers Rest, South Carolina. When I took this picture I was joined by the current owner, he said he hated to tear it down and pointed to a huge cedar that was certainly planted in Captain Boling's time. "There were two of those, he said, I cut one because it was hollow and it was full of bees and honey." This would please the Captain I think, that his cedars, the symbol of eternal life had lived, and it would please him more to know they had given honey to a hand unknown to him, in a time he could not have imagined. This is the south, a place where such things still matter... and be not sad, for although his house falls and his body is still, that was not his legacy, the legacy is those who live on and continue to honor him, those who can taste the honey that was a life well lived and smell the sweet scent of evergreen and eternal life. |
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These letters are addressed to Luther Landrum Boling. I think he was maybe the second child, born around 1860. He is not in the group photo with Captain Boling & 2nd wife. Luther went to business school in Lexington, KY and went directly from there to the Washington Territory in 1887. (It became Washington State in 1889). He never returned to S.C.. He was the only one to go out west. His brother J.W. Boling Jr. did visit him in Washington with the intention of staying, but he returned to S.C. Luther married Myrtle Robb (her father was an artilleryman in the Union Army) in 1896. They had three children, Marietta, Leroy and John Landrum (my father). Luther started in eastern Washington (dry country like you see in old western movies), went to Yamhill, Oregon for a while and ended up in South Bend, Washington, which is toward the coast and at the time covered with old growth forests and lots of rain. He worked for and owned stores, homesteaded a timber claim, preached the gospel, he also grew and sold produce, the quality of which is mentioned in his obituary. He died in 1932. I did not know him. I was born in 1941. John and Barbara Marydell March 6th, 1891 Mr. L.L. Boling South Bend Wash. Dear Son - We received yours of the 12th of Feb. a few days ago and was very glad to hear from you and learn that you were still enjoying good health. But sorry to know that you were having some trouble about your business matters. I hope that you will come out all right but if you should happen to sustain a loss you must try not to be disheartened, just as little as possible. When we have worked hard to make a little and someone manages to get it for nothing it naturally goes hard with us but it has always been so and perhaps will be so in the end. The honest people will have to support the dishonest to a certain extent. But although this is the case, the honest man is the one that enjoys himself in the world, if anyone does, for there is no enjoyment equal to a clear conscience. Then hold up your head and be an honest man if it should cause you to die in the poor house. If you can't make a living out there in the new state, there is plenty of room here for honorable upright business young men. It does seem to me that we have a very sorry, worthless, set of young men now in this section and they seem to get worse instead of better. More drinking and loafing. This country never needed men any worse than it does now. There is so few that you can depend upon. We have the rainiest winter that I can remember to have seen in this county. It has rained nearly all the time for six weeks. The land has not been in order to plow since Christmas. We have not sown any oats or planted anything in our gardens. We had rain, sleet, and snow today. The land is as wet as it can be. Will be the tenth of the month if it quits now before we can do anything. If you have nothing to do out there, I wish you were here to help us to make a crop this year. We have plenty of land but it is hard to get reliable help to cultivate it. We received the circulars and advertisements and we are very much pleased with the description of the soil, climate, etc of Wash. and think we would like to live there, if we were not settled on a good farm. Tom said you would send us a poem you had composed while in your lovely home, that we have not received. But we would like to have it. We got a letter from James dated the 27th of Feb. he wrote they were all well and that he thought he would remain there a while longer, we have just finished a long letter to him and I thought it would be better for him to remain where he is a while. If he was doing any good for himself, if he is making enough to board and cloth himself it is about what he can expect for a while. We are glad that you think of coming home sometime but it seems that you have set the time as some time off. Your Uncle Lee Childs sent Miss Corrie a fine gold watch the other day. They expect to get married in a month or like. Court will come off at Greenville next week. There are several murder cases to be tried. I will attend the County Exchange Board at Greenville next week. Our CH&NRR has not gotten to Marietta yet but it is doing a considerable amount of business. They carried about 250 passengers into Greenville on Monday last and as usual came out more heavily loaded that they went in. I think it is a curse rather than a blessing to some men. They go down and get drunk and cut up before they come back. You have a good many friends here that have not forgotten you. They often inquire about you. Write to us often. We are always glad to hear from you. Love from all Your Father J.W. Boling |
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How different the world looks from a distance of thirty years...May 14, 1891... another unremarkable day, or was it? An 1891 letter from Captain Boling to his son in Washington, postmarked from Marydell. The contents are exactly what we would expect. No revelations of war or hints of an extraordinary life... a simple inquiry, lettered with love and laced in concern... the questions all parents have for and about distant children. Marydell, S.C. May 14, 1891 Mr. L.L. Boling South Bend, Wash. Dear Son - We are getting very anxious to hear from you. The last letter we got from you was sometime in March, and all of your friends are inquiring when we heard from you. We hardly know how to begin to write to you there has been so much change since you left here - we do not know what would interest you most. We have had a hard spring to prepare for a crop. So much rain through the winter and early Spring and since the rain ceased it has been so dry, and the land so hard, that it has been very hard on both hands and stock, but the people have worked hard and are getting on very well, considering the circumstances. Your uncle, Lee Childs was married to Miss Corrie Boswell on the 26th of last month. Your ma and I were invited and Johnnie was over and we had a nice time. The Bride and Groom spent ten days in visiting friends and relatives in this section and they went to their home on Sandy Mush (located in Buncombe County, North Carolina) - apparently very happy. We received a letter from Nannie this week. They were well and seemed to be getting better satisfied. Jim had been to see them on Sunday before they wrote and he was getting on all right. Got a letter from Dr. W. Hester yesterday, they were all well and getting on well. I saw Stephen Powell Sunday he says he is getting very anxious to hear from you. The little dry spell that we have had ended yesterday when it commenced to rain, it is still raining and the ground is now wet. The cotton crop as a general thing will be a little late. We have the best garden that I have seen; we have peas and will have potatoes in a few days. The fruit crop is not a full one and we will have plenty of peaches, apples, and berries for home use. The grain crop is backward but can be a fair one yet. The Hon. Ben Terrell of Texas, the natural leader of the farmers alliance, was in Greenville on the 11th and 12th, as far as I have heard all were pleased with his instruction and advice. How is the alliance in Washington? Write soon and often, we are always glad to hear from you. Your father, J.W. Boling |
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Thanks to Mann Batson 8/12/1885 Mr. John W. Boling Jr., one of Captain J.W. Boling of this county sons who has for the past one or two years been living at Sandy Mush in Buncombe County, North Carolina has been on a visit home and last Saturday gives us a call. He is well pleased with his new home, being engaged in merchandising with a maternal uncle. We bespeak for him prosperity and happiness in old Buncombe. 11/10/75 Captain J.W. Boling In the Greenville County Agricultural and Mechanical Association Fair, J.W. Boling, best sample pumpkins. We now know that it was not Sand Marsh but rather Sandy Mush, North Carolina, and an everyday event, a blue ribbon at the fair. |
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Travellers Rest, S.C. May 6, 1887 Mrs LL ---------J.W. Boling, Dear Cousin: Yours of the 28th of April in hand as ever, truly glad to hear from you, and To now you reached home safe and sound. the day you left was the rainiest day I ever saw on this side of the mountains, it looked like it would blow everything away. We are all well and getting on splendid with our farming we are plowing over. Corn it begins to get tolerable dry but had a splendid shower this after noon. Cotton is getting up, an early stand I planted since may(?) Rain until to day and it is looking splendid. E.S (?) Powell’s family are getting on fine. ES had the headache this morning but is better. he stayed at his sister Anne’s last - night - one of her children died last night given(?)& wer buried to day at Ebenezer & the funeral preached by Rev. John Dill. Well boys, you can tell your Aunt Susan that I put up the Tombstone to your Aunt Evngaline's and Tomica’s Graves as I promised you to do. They are very nice. I also harrowed up the graves to, if they had some white sand over them now they would look some better though they are very nice as is. LL, you spoke of the feathers, we were speaking of, I will see how many I want and let you know in my next letter. Save all, if good, for me, as I think will want them. Well boys, I was glad you enjoyed your trip to see us as I were afraid you would not enjoy it as it being such a busy time with us that we could not nock round with you. As I haven’t any thing else that will interest you will close, Your Cousin H(?).B. Batson. I had a little more trouble with the lettering in this letter but found it wonderful in its description of the care of graves and sanctity placed on the care of those graves by the people of that time... how many people even know or care where the bones of those who bore them lie today. Again, it is a wonderful thing to know that your grave will be cared for by those who have some desire to know about you... it is why this page has any importance at all, and should be of primary importance to all, as death will come to each of us in his season. |
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These letters are to Landrum Boling as he makes his way across the nation in the mid 1880's to the place where he will settle and leave his generations. He will travel half a world away to Washington State to find his future. John Boling Jr. would find his way there as well but would not stay. They would first go to Sandy Mush, North Carolina where Landrum would find affection with some of those "big old North Carolina girls". He would then go to Kentucky and finally to Washington State and Oregon. His story, like the story of many of the sons of confederates would be played out in making America the stage from which world events would play in the next century. This is manifest destiny at ground zero and the natural continuation of the confederate journey. |
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February the 10 in 1884 Greenville Co S C Dear Cosin Hit is with plesure that I seat my self to inform you that wee are all well and I hope that those few lines will find you and John well. I have not much to rite but I want to let you no that I am a live yet and have not forgot you. Aunt patsy and janes (Maybe James) folks are all well but (W)will and mack and my folks have to keep close for the measles are thick Mr. Helums folks has got them and (W)Hills? Coleman and Jane Brown but I think that they are all getting a long with them right well. Stephen Powell s folks all had them at the citty and Thomas dide with them. Well I wold like to se you and talk with you I cold tell it all. I saw Miss Emer (Emma) on sonday and she sez that she wants to see you very bad. She sez that she wont marry till you come back. Se looks as modest as ever. Cory McCalley and Miss June Batson is married and will and myself went with them to get marid and had a big time. Miss Allis Carter is … at Mrs. Whimires now and will sta a while so I hear. Johney sez that you are lost and he sez that if I will let him have –eet and some body will go with him that he will go and hunt you. Mary and the children sez tell you howdy and that they want to se you . Landrum let them big fat girls alone but I want to no if your sweet hart chews tobacco or not you tell John that I hear that hes is a bad one and if he don’t mind that some of the girls will spit amber in his eyes. Take good cear of your self and rite to me soon and tell me all of the news. Come to se us when you can good bye friend E.S Powell |
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June the 29th in 1884 Greenville Co. S.C. Dear Cosin hit is with pleasure that I seat myself to rite you a few lines which will inform you that we are all well at this time and hope that they will reach you in due time and find you well I reseaved your most kind letter and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you and the girls out there was getting a long so well but I was sorrow to hear that the bugs was so bad on your melons vine but I hope that they will leav the patch I hant nothing mutch to rite we all agetting a long slow with our crops for hit just rains nearly all the time and cotton is small and bottom corn is small and yellow and we cant get to work hit for hit is so wet up land corn is good and grass looks fine and they is a heap of sicknes in this county at this time. Edward Helams and Rody has bin very low but they are some better to day Captain and Jimy was down hear on Sonday and they was all weel Jane and Will and Wash are all well. Landrum the girls are all powerful saucy about hear and I hear some of them tlking about you some and think they will have a big time when you come I herd that one sez that you are a coming after her in a short time but I hant saw her in a good while but I think that you will let me no when you come after her for I would like to a big time in town. Landrum I wold like for you to be hear to go with us to the lodge for we have a heep of fun and if nothing happens next time we will have work in all the degrees and if you was there you coul see all the road that you past over and hit would bring them fresh in your mind. Mary and the children sez that they want to se you and send howy rite to me as soon as you get this and all the news. True friend E.S. Powell (Written down the side) Aunt Patsy is at Easley Tell John howdy and to write to me. |
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This February the 15 188? Greenville Co S.C. Dear Cosin Hit is with great pleasure that I seat my sself to rite you a few lines which leaves myself and my family well. Except bad colds and I do hope will find you in good health landrum I hant got mutch to rite there are a hep of sicknes in the this country and some deaths Pery Duncan dide last wekk and left amer (Emma?) with four little children. Landrum I have looked for you tel I have give you out you sed you had a fine time over there a xmas a ------ them big fat girls around and I am uneasy about you for fear some of them big fat N.C. girls will get you down and drag you off in some of them hollows and will keep you there I think that Mr. Childs had better put a large bell on you so if they do that they can find you or put a whistle to you. Landrum I think that some the girls on this side is waiting with patitence for you yet you rote some time ago a bout youar money on this side and hit is all reddy for you and money is scarce hear and if you don’t come and get it I am frade that I will spend mine for hit is hard to keep money when he needs hit and so you had been come over and se us all for I would rather see you than anyone at this time. W.E. and family is well aunt is at Easley Captain J.W. Bolings family was all well last week except bad colds the bad colds on this side is the worst that I ever saw excuse my bad composed letter and rite to me soon as you get this and rite all the news so I remain your true friend as ever by by E.S. Powell. |
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Greenville, S.C. February 7, 1886 (maybe 1884) Mr. L.L Boling I take my pen in hand to in from you that I am well at present hope when these few lines come to hand will find you in enjoy the same. B.T. Coleman has had the measel he can go in wher he wont too now. Aunt Mary Coleman is ded and burd yesterday and Torney Powl (Tony Powell?) was buryed this day one week ago. I would like to see you now – I have looked for a leter from you but havae not reseced any from you yet. Bles you in this lif . Trust the entries in you prars for me I hope you will remember me in your prarars for me and I will remember you. If I don’t meet you in this life I to meet you in Heven where parten will be no more I wont you to riet mean dtel me how you ar giten along in this life and gve me all the news. Then I will com to see you this fall. W.E Batson, An, G, WB is well and gran ma is well at present . don’t forgit to rit to me anser soon to me Mr. J.W. Boling Good morning sur I take my pen to inform you that I have not for got you yet but you have forgot me by the way you rite to me. I would like to see you and have some fun again rite to me an let me now how you ar gitene along in this life an tell me how you ar giten along in this life, Ley (?)Coly and John Batson ar going to see hern ma at Jones Chills (John Childs) this afternoon at 3 ½ clock. I must close for this time hope to hear from you soon. Pick me out a garl out for me when Icom out thar this summer to see you. So good by red hea yours truly. G.W. Coleman When I think about you an the red long (?) cant hep from lafen about hit. |
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Travellers Rest Greenville, S.C. Sept 14, 86 Mr. Landrum Bolin Dear Cousin It is with much pleasure that I attempt to write you a few lines. You will please excuse my long delay. Times has been very lively, the candidates have been electioneering for the last two or three weeks. The election is over and some of them is very much disappointed. We experienced a very heavy shock of an earth quake on the first of September – there is much excitement all over the state – Should take the time to describe it, however there is no damage done in this section, all is quiet now. Ma has been very ill and is still very low, she was taken 6 of Sept was taken very sudently. She was taken wit like head ache and she has ben blind and her mind is badly affected but she can say a little some times and her mind is improving but it is very slow. The farmers are about done pulling foder cotton is appirring (appearing) in some localties Protracted meetings are going at most all the churches in this section except Ebennezer ther was 12 baptized at Enoree last Sunday. And there has been a large member added to Maraiatta Baptist Church and some to Methodist. Wash Coleman has joined the Methodist and Loc(?) Springfield and a great many more of the rowdy boys. Our Sunday School is still going on and prayer meeting is held every Sunday morning. Aunt Nora Runion up and will stay a few days. I will close for this time. Love to you and John pleas excus bad bad writing as I am in a hury. Write soon You affect Cousin. Jas E. Hellams |
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Greenville County, S.C. Sept 20 86 Mr. L.L. Boling Dear Cousin I recd your letter a few day ago & was glad to hear you had such a fine time at the camp meeting. I wish I could have stayed and of gone with you. I think I would of enjoyed it my self. I wish you wer hear to go with me to Ebenezer to night to church. The protracted meeting commenced Saturday & will go on all this weeak I think. They has ben the most protracted meetings goion on over hear you ever heard of. The babtizing at Enoree was the second Sunday 12 were babtized at Reda river (Reedy River) b sund’ 27 babtized at Marietta last wednsday, 17 wer babtized yesterday 3-30 oclock pm, 6 babtized. I will mention a few of the hardest caes that joined at Marietta, John Bates, Nellie Good, Jasper Bates, Frank Bates so on I hope they will hav a good time at old Ebenezer too this time although we are very busy just yet for a few day foddering. The earthquake preached the biggest surmon over hear that has ever ben preached in one night. The people has ben stured up in jeneral on the earth quake subject. Well Landrum I must tell you how well I enjoyed my trip I enjoyed it the best I ever did a trip in my life. We had a livle time cuming home we left Ashville on the next morning after we left your house & came on the same road we went till we got out to orders then we taken the left hand & went out across French broad at Fanings Bridge on out on Millses River & there we saw the finest bottom lands I even saw. Then back across French broad at Kings Bridge and on to Hendersonville that night stayed at Mccarters that night started for home next morning got out in town met up with Henry Hawkins, he insisted on us to stay till next morning we just drove out to his house put up our stock stayed tell next morning then his family came down to his fathers with us. Stephen is still talking a bought our trip yet and sez he did enjoy it so much thinks he could afford to take a nother trip over on your side, eye know I could my self it I could get the chance to come over a bought Christmas but I know I will not have the chance to com then but you must come over to see us then if you can. I could talk a bought our trip all night almost. Sep. 22 Dear Cousin I will try to finish my letter I started to write Monday the meeting is still going on yet wer four morners last night & one to day I did not go to night my self Wash is gone now. They wer an other Earth qake last night in Chalston & shcuk down severel mor house so I heard to night Well I recon I must come to a close for this time. This leaves all well hopin it will find you all well have my best respects to you aunt sue & cousin caraie, Write soon & tell me all the good news, your cousin W.E. Batson I like to for got to ell you a bought aunt fanie being sick ben very bad but better now. Sept 22 1886 Mr J.W. Boling Dear Cousin I will send you a line or too to let you know I have not forgotten you yet. I hope you are enjoying your self just as well as you wer weh we wer together laist I hav had sum fun since I came home think if you had of come with me we could have had sum more good old gun over hear. I have ben with one or too girls and I got back & enjoyed myself vary well. I recon you had a fine time at the camp meeting, John you must come over soon as you can & see us. I would be glad to see you as I havent vary much to write. I will close for the present, write soon & give me all the news Your Cousin, W.E. Batson |
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Travellers Rest, S.C. November 13, 1886 Mr. L.L. Boling Dear Cousin I rec’d your letter some time ago and was truly glad to hear from you and know you was well & getting on with you business so well, We are all Tolerable well I have had head ache to day but is better to night, - I hav ben vary busy gethering corn & cotton & neglected to rite to you. I hope you will not hink hard of me ritin no sooner . I will try and do better in the future, Wash is staying at greenvillle now going to school to Professer Perry’s Business College. Edward Hellums is going two started first Monday in this month Wast wen up on Thursday the 4 and went to Jame sHill’s wedding. Josie & James are married at last. They has not ben miney weddings on this side this fall yet, but the girls are just as good looking as ever. I haven’t saw your girl sence you left- I am not going for many of them now myself. I recon you will fall in love with some the North Carolina girls if you stay over hear much longer & then you will conclude to make N.C. your home & go to making tobacco ight you rote you maid such a good success with your crop this year I was glad to hear you had good luck with your crop. We will make a better crop than intiaitly thought we could make we hav got out H ½ bals of cotton & made about 3 hundred bushels of cron. Stphen has got a better crop two than I thought he would make. We have had very dry wether hear rained a light rain yesterday. Cotton has been the prettiest this fall I ever saw. It has been to dry to sow wheat on red land. Grad Ma says she would like to see you the best sort of. I wish it was so you could come out hear a bought Christmas time. I haven’t made my collections for you yet but think I will before long. Benjamin Goodlett sez he wants to pay up if he can this fall Simsons not is no due yet his is making a good cotton crop they say he hhun traded John Morgan off. Landrum I would like to have fifty, sixty or 75 lbs. Of fethers if you hav them on hand or can get them for me. Reasonable nuff & send them to me. Rite to me weather you can fill the bill or not & at what price. I like to of forgot to of told you a bought the Texas folks getting back. J.W. Powell & family got in the 4 of this month & looks helthy and well they say. I haven’t saw them my self Calvin did not come he is going to school they say. John hasent rote to me since I came home you write son & gave me all the news. Your Cousin. W.E. Batson |
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May the 31 in 1887 Greenville County S C Dear Cosin, It is with pleasure that I seat my self to rite you a few lines which leaves us all well and I do hope will reach you in due time and find you well. I have not much to rite, times are close and hard work plenty. Crops looking fine and a good season this has bin too wet to plow since we planted but we have had a heap of nice showers and farmers is the fondest that they have bin in several years. Cotton is all up to a stand and looks well. Landrum Aunt Patsy come over home last Saturday and she is a bout like she was when you was hear. She has bin a little better but she is not doing so well now. But I think that the trip coming over home is the cause of hit. nan and bell come home with her and is hear now and is well as common. Landrum there is a heap of sicknes hear and a heap of them a dying they was 5 bered at Enoree Church in 8 days and among them was William Miller and sister anor (NORA?) dunkin bered too of her children at Ebenezer in less than one week and they is several more that is not expected to live but they are none right close except T I Williams. The disease is disentary or flux the last I heard from the Captain’s folks they was all well. Mr. Love’s folks is all well. J.W. Batson was down to see them Sunday and said that they was talking of you. They said that if you was a going to Ky that they would invite you to a went and saw there connection that is there. Miss Bridget Love sez that she stayed there three months and Mr. Love’s girls would like to see you very much. J.W. and W.E. Batson is well and sez tell you that they will rite to you soon. Landrum I received your kind letter and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well and to hear that some good stock out there. Landrum you can feel around and see if you can get any boot for me and if you can git enough to pay my expenses out there and back I will bring plet ? out there and swap for that twenty year old horse if you think that he will suite me but if he don’t suite me if I can sell him for twenty (?) I will just sell him and come bac and be satis fide any how and buy me a old rip and go to swapping rite Landrum I want yo to com back as soon as you can for I would like the see you and the girls in this country all want you to come back they say that you do look so well and if you want a wife I think that you can get one without any trouble and any that you want for they all want to marry Landrum as nan and W.E. has sent some news to put in with mine I will close for the time I hope that I will have more news to write next time and something that will interest you more. Excuse bad riteing and spelling rite to me as soon as you get this and rite all the news. I think by the next time I rite that I will have some news from the city. So rite to me soon and rite all all the news for I would like to hear from you every day or so. I remain your cosin a true friend til death E.S. Powell |
 No family was more devoted to Ebenezer Baptist Church than this one. In 1904, once again, prosperity had returned to South Carolina and to the Captain's family. The new pulpit furniture at Ebenezer was given to the church in their name. It consisted of pulpit chairs and a desk. At least one of these chairs survived and is pictured here. |
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