Feaster History
Feaster History


Andrew Feaster, the first settler of the name (the name was then spelled Pfister) in 1740 emigrated to South Carolina from Lancaster Co PA. His father, Peter Pfister died on the trip to South Carolina and was buried somewhere in Virginia. From him was descended the present family of Feasters of the Beaver Creek Section of this County, better known as the Feasterville Township. He had a cousin, John Feaster, who came at the same time and settled in Edgerfield County. He was the great-grandfather of Laurens Feaster, of the "Dark Corner" section.
Andrew Feaster was twice married (first wife's name not known), by the first wife only one daughter, Martha, who married William Colvin, of the Sandy River section of Chester County, now known as the Halsellville Township, and near where John Simpson now lives. She moved with some of her children to Green County, Alabama, and lived to be quite an old lady, over 100 years. Most of her children died before she did, several going further West, into Louisiana and Texas. Her son, Tom Colvin, married Elizabeth Shannon, and their son, "long" Thomas Colvin's daughter, Mary married Nehemiah Cobb. Their son, Tom, married Dora Stelle, their daughter, Fannie, married Herbert Gosa, a great-grandson of David Roe Coleman.
Peter Pfister came to America from the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, wife and son, Andrew, and perhaps other children, sometime subsequent to 1735. They settled in Lancaster County, Pa. Andrew changed the spelling of the name to its present form about 1767. He married in Philadelphia, a widow, Mrs. Peter Cooper (whose maiden name was Margaret Fry). She had three children - Adam, Eve(or Elizabeth, or Eliza), and Peter. It is not known just when they left Pennsylvania for the south, some tradition saying 1770, others nearer 1780. Peter Pfister was then a very old man. There isn't a thing known about his wife, mother of Andrew.
Andrew feared the journey would be too much for him, and Andrew suggested waiting for his father's death before leaving Pennsylvania. But, he insisted on their going and bringing him along, saying "Heaven is as near one place as another, and if he died on the way, why bury him there." They were six months on the way, and Peter died in Virginia. Brave old man, and how sad the son must have felt, leaving that spot.
They traveled to Georgia, perhaps there were a number together, for its probable the Colvins came then. When they reached the Savannah River, news of the Indians being on the war-path further on caused them to come back to South Carolina, where they bought land. The first settlement we know of being the place known as the Wyall Coleman place, he getting it through his wife, Alley Cockrell, who was a grand-daughter of Andrew, and interited the land after the death of her uncle, Jacob Feaster, who left no children. The whole neighborhood around there for many years was known as Feasterville.
There is a Feasterville in Bucks County PA, and a family graveyard. The names on the stones and the traditions in the neighborhood go back to the same generaltion as Andrew Feaster, and there is a John Feaster, who might have been his brother. They have a tradition of two brothers, but nothing of any going South. They are not Universalist, but belong to some German Church. They do not know of Peter Feaster(Pfister), Sr., of Switzerland. They think they are Germans, but never heard who came to this country first, nor from where.
Andrew Feaster, Jr., was a silversmith, a cabinet maker, and Captain of South Carolina State Militia, and a Free Mason. He was much attached to his brother, John, and bequeathed his property to John's children. He died January 25, 1808, being shot by mistake for Ezekiel Woolley, his brother-in-law, who was the Sheriff. The latter had summoned a posse to assist in capturing a criminal, Shadrack Jacobs, by name, and Andrew Feaster, Jr., was one of the number. It was after dark, and Jacobs shot Andrew, who was riding the Sheriff's white horse, and had on the sheriff's hat. Twenty years later, he was brought back from Texas and was hung in Winnsboro for the crime. He, Jacobs, stated that he had supposed the rider of the white horse to be Woolley, whom he had sworn to kill, and regretted deeply having shot Andrew Feaster. The latter was carried to the old Governor Means Home, at old Buckhead, and died on the floor in front of the fire. It is said that blood stains marked the spot as long as the house stood.

UPDATE: 11/18/97 Additional information on Andrew Feaster, Jr. & Shadrack Jacobs:

src: Missouri Tombstone Inscriptions/Boulware; p 2
"Andrew Feaster, Jr. died a tragic death while still in the prime of his life. His brother-in-law, Ezekiel Wooley, a constable, had a warrant for the arrest of Shadrack Jacobs. As the two approached the vicinity of Jacobs house Feaster was killed by a rifle shot, fired by Jacobs. Jacobs fled to Georgia and some 20 years elapsed before he was returned to Fairfield County to be tried. Testimony at the trial brought out the fact that Andrew Feaster was riding Wooley's horse. The shooting occurred at dusk, and Jacobs had mistaken Feaster for the constable. For this unwarranted deed Shadrack Jacobs was sentenced to death and was hanged by Sheriff Moore in 1829."

src: Reginald Highsmith to Barbara Harrison Beegle
16 November 1997

"SHADRACK JACOBS, RS, 1757-1829, came from Fairfield Co SC to Wayne Co GA in 1809 or 1810. He lived there until 1829 when he was retuned to SC, tried, convicted and hung for a murder that he committed before he went to Georgia. The Jury that convicted him recommended that the Judge have mercy on him, but the Judge stated that it was up to his maker to determine any mercy. This crime occurred when an attempt was made to arrest him on a misdemeanor warrant. Information in the Winnsboro, SC Genealogy Library indicates that the State of Georgia requistioned his body.

We do know that his record in GA was quite different. He was a Justice of the Peace, militia captain, and served as a private in the War of 1812. His son, John, also served as Sheriff of Wayne County, GA.

We haven't been able to find much about him while in SC, other than he served in the Revolutionary War as a private in the South Carolina Militia. We have received some leads on his family and these are being checked out.

Any additional info you learn would be greatly appreciated, fact, fiction, or gossip."

If anyone can help Mr. Highsmith in his research, you may contact him at the following address: RBHighsmith@USA.NET

________________________

In the Office of the Historical Commission of South Carolina, W.W. Dixon in 1915 found the following records:

  • United States of America, Dr., to Andrew Feaster,Cr., To 50 Bu. of Oats
    _________________________
  • This to certify that Andrew Feaster has supplied Colonel Henry Hampton with a Mare.
    _________________________
  • This is to certify that Andrew Feaster has supplied Henry Hampton's Regiment Lt.
    Dragoons with 2 acres of Oats. Given under my hand and seal this 27th of June.
    Patrick Walsh, Com
    _________________________
  • Beaver Creek, May 16, 1785. Gentlemen, pay Thomas Lehre such indent or indents
    as may appear to be due me, from the State of South Carolina, or from the United States.
    (signed)

  • To the Commissioner of the Treasury, Book O, No. 321.
    Amt. 23 L, 45-3 1/4d.
    To the above receipt is given. Thoa. Lehr.

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    Andrew Feaster, Sr.

    Will of Andrew Feaster, Senr

    ___________________

    In the name of God Amen -
    I, Andrew Feaster Senr of the State of South Carolina & District of Fairfield - Taking into Consideration that it is appointed for all men Onst to die, do make and Ordain, Constitute and apoint, this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form Following-
    That is to say and in the first place - I give to my Beloved Wife Margarett, my Servant Man Cain, to be at her Disposal, and She to have the entire use of his Services, So long as she Shall live, & after her Death to be Valued by some Disinterested persons & Said Value to be Equally Divided Amongst the whole of my children & it is my will that according to the Choice of Said Servant Cain, that my Son John shall have, of him I also give to my said Wife Margaretta all my household furniture. Of every kind, to her and her heirs forever, it is also my will, that She Shall have an Equal Share of my Estate, with my children - So Long as She Shall Live, and after her death, to be Equally Divided, together with the valuation of Cain, amongst the whole of my Children. Secondly, it is my will and Desire to Give Something to the three Children of my Deceased Step Daughter Elizabeth Stone, late Elizabeth Cooper - as a mark of my Esteem to the Deceased Mother - I therefore Give to Each of them Thirty Three & a Third to be paid to them after my decease by my Executors. Thirdly I give to Hariot Beam Fifty Dollars to be paid to her, as aforesaid. Fourthly it is my will and Desire that the whole of the rest and Residue of my Estate Both real and Personal, after paying the before mentioned one hundred Dollars to the Children of Elisa Stone & Fifty Dollars to Harriot Beam, to be Equally Divided Amongst the Whole of my Children, that is Martha Colvin, John Feaster, Jacob Feaster, Margaret Wooley, Susanah Cockrell & Elicc McShane. Share and Share alike, provided My Daughter Margaret Wooley shall relinquish her Right of Dower to a tract of land I purchased of her Husband Ezekiel Wooley & in case of her refusing to do so, the said Dower to be Valued by three Disinterested free holders of the neighborhood & the Valuation deducted out of her share of my Estate, by my Executors. And whereas my Wife has grown old and is not able to Conduct her own affairs in the best manner, I therefore from the Great Love I bear to her & the care I think she will Stand in need of After my Deceas-- Do Therefore Appoint my son John Feaster and my Friend David R. Coleman her Guardian. And I hereby Nominate Constitute and appoint my Son John Feaster & my Friend David R. Coleman, my Executors to this my Last Will & Testament. Disannulling all former Wills by me heretofore made Declaring this to be my last In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand Seal.
    (signed) Andrew Feaster
    In presence of
    Jacob Feaster, Jur
    J. Feaster, Jr.
    D. R. Coleman

    Proved 22nd February 1822
    Jno Buchanan Ordinary
    In Will Book #8 / Page # 129




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    Faith Healer

    Andrew Feaster, Sr. -- Faith Healer?


    Andrew Feaster was an advocate of the Dunkard faith. German Baptists, or Brethren, as they were usually called, held to trine immersion with a kneeling position and forward bending of the body in the rite of baptism, which earned them their nickname.
    Andrew Feaster was credited with having the power to conjure, or "using", as attested to by an excerpt from an article written by William Ederington in 1880:
    "Being at leisure, I thought I would add something in regard to four or five Tunkers who were among the first settlers on Beaver Creek that I saw when a boy, viz: Andrew Feaster, Sr., Adam Cooper, William and Isaiah Mobley, and Matthew Hoosh, a Hessian. The first four wore long beards and I think the last did also. These were called Dunkards, and were the only men seen with unshaven faces then, and forty years afterward. This denomination is called in history, German Baptists. Andrew Feaster, Sr. was a native of Switzerland and removed here from Pennsylvania, as I was informed by his great-grandson.
    I rode with my mother about the year 1811 to Old Daddie Feaster's, a distance of six miles, her purpose being to get him to cure one of her arms which was paralyzed. On riding up to the house gate my mother halloed, and the first object that attracted my notice was the big white hogs, the next the old man's long white beard, the first I had ever seen. We alighted and were invited into the house by the good old man. I kept my eyes on him until we were seated in a chair when a long rope attracted my attention...this was used for the purpose of drawing up bags of flour into the loft. (After dinner), my mother was seated in a homemade chair. Exposing her bare arms to view, the old man knelt at her side, rubbing her arm from the hand to the shoulder and muttering unheard of language to me, all the time. This was called "using" for the purpose of curing maladies such as felons, wens, cancers, warts. Whether "using" cured the arm or not, or the faith she reposed in the old man's mystic art, or time, I know not, but it was after a short time well as before."




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