Wednesday, April 17, 2019

The Switzerland of South Carolina


If a book is designed to contain a potpourri of historic resources, only one of which is the featured attraction of the diary concerning the home of one's ancestors, it would be natural to expect such an eager reader to jump straight to the desired entry. But I resisted the temptation.

Though Clarissa Adger Bowen's diary about her years residing at the Ashtabula Plantation in Pendleton, South Carolina, was the prime reason I bought the 128 page book, hers was only one of several resources included in the volume. To set the stage—as well as bring us up to speed on the history of the location—editor Mary Stevenson included large sections quoted from other material. How could I skip over such mood-setting details as the quote from a book describing an Englishman's visit to the Pendleton District in 1837, or annotated maps describing the principal residences of the region during that time period?

And so, doing my due diligence to absorb the entirety of the Ashtabula book, I resisted the temptation to jump ahead and cut straight to the chase of the Bowen diary. Fortunate that I did, I stumbled upon a two page quote—plus sketch of Pendleton dating from 1823—of material about the area drawn up by Robert Mills. The chapter, at least in the Ashtabula book, was called "The Story of Pendleton, 1755-1823," and was assembled from various of Mills' publications.

Robert Mills, in case the name doesn't ring a bell with you, was—at least at the time of his sketch of Pendleton—the Engineer and Architect of the State of South Carolina. He wasn't, however, there for long. In 1836, Mills won the competition for the design of the Washington Monument which, though only one of several notable buildings he designed, is by far the best known of his works.

In several of his writings, Robert Mills detailed his observations about his visits to Pendleton District, location of Ashtabula, from which we can glean a sense not only of what the place was like, but how someone of his outlook observed it. It was he who, quoted in the Ashtabula book, fashioned the region as "the Switzerland of South Carolina," remarking that "a pure air, cool, translucent water, and all the necessaries of life to be found, are here."

What better way to set local history's stage for the arrival of my ancestors than words like these? How could I skip over such details, just to get to the part I was anticipating? I'd have missed all the stage-setting and ambience. Lights, camera, and action will come soon enough.

6 comments:

  1. I think that, after that description, we are all planning to move to the Switzerland of South Carolina!

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    1. Of course, that was what Pendleton was like in the 1820s. Even so, Miss Merry, it was enough to convince me this is a go-to destination for my future genea-travels.

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  2. I'm sure you already know of it, but just in case - there is a wonderful book full of Pendleton and the Broyles - "Far, Far from Home." It is the collection of letters written by two brothers who were first cousins to your set of Broyles.

    I also am reading the marvelous "A Faithful Heart, Journals of Emmala Reed." Because it's a diary, it's a little harder to read (her mind jumps around a lot), but it has loads of wonderful passages about Anderson, Pendleton, and the extended Broyles family. Emmala was desperately in love with Robert, one of the sons who had lived at Ashtabula before they moved. I love this book. It gives me many connections and hints for further research on my own project.

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    1. I sense a Mother's Day gift in my near future...

      Thanks for mentioning those books, Lisa. I had heard of the first one, for it is concerning the story of "Tally." One of those get-to-it-someday items that need to be moved to the top of the list.

      Now that you mention that second book, I realize that Ozey Broyles' mother's maiden name was Reed, if I remember correctly. Now I'll have to see whether there is a connection between her and Emmala Reed. Sounds like another interesting resource.

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  3. Sounds like a great place to visit! You have set the scene well:)

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    1. Doesn't it, Far Side?! Sure makes me want to plan a visit--especially considering the house has been converted to a museum.

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