Image of a one row cotton picker invented in Filbert, S.C. Were they ever produced commercially?
“Roots and Recall is following a tradition of preserving homeplace history …….”
Recently, I came across a statement by antebellum author, Mr. Wm. Gilmore Simms, a distinguished South Carolinian, who wrote the following in 1845: “Perhaps no subject could be found more interesting to the general reader than to inquire into the origin of those names of places with which he is most familiar……” What a bold statement to write in his magazine some fifteen year before the Civil War! He astutely recognized preserving S.C. names and places was a worthy task, one that shouldn’t be forgotten. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a computer to easily record and share them. But it seems reasonable to think, that Claude H. Neuffer, (Head of the English Dept. – Un. of S.C.), and the editor of the magazine, Names in S.C., may have also read the author’s remark. Did this influence and perhaps stimulate the beginnings of Names in S.C.? We don’t know the answer but the two authors were truly kindred spirits and Neuffer’s magazine did successfully capture thousands of S.C. names and homeplaces worthy of preserving.
R&R seems to simply be the “modern” platform to facilitate and fulfill the aspirations of William Gilmore Simms and continue building on the life-time of work conducted by Mr. Neuffer. Even today, Mr. Simms decedents also continue loving and recording history. If you have not viewed the excellent documentary film, produced by Felicia Furman, at the author’s home, do take time! It is on R&R at:https://www.rootsandrecall.com/videos/ (Look for the title – Shared History)
Random R&R: (A member recently requested to see more about R&R, not just random pages of historic sites. So here goes!)
Small section of a map from the Lewis Turnout area of Chester Co., S.C.
The extraordinary amount of information being offered R&R is truly appreciated and we hope you will continue looking upon the website favorably. One large collection of items donated recently, included massive amounts of information on banking. One of the more interesting pieces found in the collection, however didn’t address banking but rather invention. An envelope we opened dealt with the invention of a one-row cotton picker by Mr. Neil of York County, S.C. The image on display, is of his invention, has anyone ever seen such a machine and was it ever commercially produced? Other recent donations included materials on the Gov. Richards home at Liberty Hill, S.C. and data-images on the Gaston family in Chester, S.C.
But perhaps the most exciting item of note are the Heritage Land Plats donated to R&R for display. This extraordinary compilation of digital 19th century plats from four counties in upcountry S.C. are a treasure of data on perhaps a thousand families. Watch for much more on this collections next weeks!
Offering Community Programs – we would be pleased to learn more about your preservation programs and interact with your historical organization. Interested in having a program on R&R? If you are already a member of R&R, there would be little expense – travel reimbursement please. R&R is also available to participate in your community festivals, just not the summer months. We would also love to help preserve items from your family reunions! Before checking on R&R’s schedule, do make sure your location has internet service. Send program requests to: rootsandrecall@gmail.com – Preserving S.C. one address at a time!
From the Porch – Blog @ RootsandRecall.com – 5.4.17
