City Directories and History: “Removal of the planters from the Welsh Neck on the Marlboro side of Great Peedee River, to Long Bluff on the west side in what is now Darlington County, was made between the years 1748 and 1752. The name Long Bluff was given this settlement for its extensive bluff, extending without a break for about three miles along the west bank of the river.
About the year 1785 the name Long Bluff was changed to Greenville, so called in honor of General Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary fame. The Circuit Courts of the Cheraws District were held at Greenville until the year 1791. Charles Mason, Evander Mclver, Thomas Powe and William Dewitt, set forth in their petition to the legislature that they had laid out the Town at Long Bluff on Peedee, out of their own property, had given the streets, several lots of land, Town House and Market Place. In December, 1778, St. Davids Society was incorporated, “for the purpose of instituting and endowing a seminary of learning in the District of Cheraw.” The first building was erected near the site now occupied by the Welsh Neck Church, and as the inhabitants began to move into the hills about half a mile from the site of Greenville, they gave the name Society Hill to the new settlement, named for the St. Davids Society. This was about the year 1798. The Welsh Neck Baptist Church, founded in the year 1738, erected their first “Meeting House” in the Welsh Tract in what is now Marlboro County. Soon after the settling of Society Hill, about the year 1798, the Church was moved to its present location. In the year 1840 a very large, imposing structure was built at the same location, the steeple of which could be seen from miles away. This fine structure was
struck by lightning and burned to the ground. The existing brick church was erected several years later.
The St. Davids Academy, founded in the year 1778, is still serving as the center of learning for the Society Hill community. Trinity Episcopal Church was founded in the year 1834. The original building is still standing.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: