City Directories and History: “Beckhamville, which is hardly more than a dot on the map these days, was once far more important and prominent than the neighboring town of Great Falls. Here a battle was fought in May of 1780 between a band of 200 Tories on one side, and 33 Patriots on the other. It was a decisive victory for the patriot group commanded by Capt. John McClure. He happened to be a nephew of a truly renowned local fighter named Justice John Gaston. In fact, practically the entire contingent of Americans that day was composed of Justice John’s nine sons and assorted relatives. Three of the fighting Gaston brothers were later to lose their lives at the Battle of Hanging Rock over in Lancaster County.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
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From the Yorkville Enquirer, June 18, 1885
We report the death of Major Benjamin F. Briggs, who lived six miles northeast of Yorkville. He was born near Fairmount Waterworks in Philadelphia in 1819. His father was an architect and builder who in 1823 was engaged by the State of South Carolina to work on the locks connected with the State Canal near Beckhamville in Chester County. He lived nearby in Lancaster County for a few years, then moved to Columbia. There he built the first permanent bridge ever erected at Columbia over the Congaree River. He then superintended the construction of the iron furnace at the Cherokee Iron Works and moved to York County. He acquired an interest in the iron works and lived there until his death. His son Benjamin worked as a clerk in the store at the iron works and then began working at iron works in Gaston County on the property of All-Healing Springs. In 1863 it was sold to Garrett Brothers. He also, previous to the war, was engaged in other mining enterprises and for several years operated the Kings Mountain Gold Mine. He moved to Yorkville in 1855. In the war, he raised a company in North Carolina. After the war, he served as a York County Commissioner, was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1870, and later served as County Auditor. After 1887, he retired to his farm where he was a successful farmer.
The book Historic Canals & Waterways of South Carolina by Robert J. Kapsch (USC Press, 2010) mentions Benjamin Brigg’s father (page 100-101). In the discussion of the canals on the Catawba River, the Catawba Canal (also known as the Fishing Creek Canal) was the first of three constructions at the Great Falls area. The state Board of Public Works contracted for the construction of this canal in 1820. The contractors listed were Thomas and Briggs. “A contract
has been made with Messrs. Thomas and Briggs, who erected some of the locks on the Schuylkill, for the first section [Fishing Creek Canal] covering three miles and requiring six locks.” By 1821, about one and one-half miles had been completed. By the end of 1822, work was nearing completion. “There have been constructed on this canal five stone locks of the best materials and superior workmanship. The contractors are entitled to the highest credit for the skill and faithfulness with which they have executed this work.” (Quotes are from the yearly report of the Board of Public Works).
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