The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Nov. 13, 1884 – “The mill house of Terrace and McAfee near White Oak in Fairfield County burned on last Thursday. The loss is estimated at $1,000.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Feb. 7, 1894 – “The have a good school here in White Oak under the management of Mr. J.M. McNaull with between 35-40 students.”
140 Patrick Road
City Directories and History: White Oak Historic District is significant as a very intact example of a late nineteenth to early-twentieth century rural community whose development centered around the Patrick family in the 1870s. It serves as an example of the importance of a trading community in rural areas after the Civil War through the early twentieth century. The district consists of nine properties constructed between ca. 1876 and ca. 1925, and includes three large frame residences (including a manse), a frame church with steeple, two frame store buildings, a cotton warehouse, and two vacant, wooded lots, some of which reflect Victorian
stylistic influences. Prior to the 1870s the community was known as Cockrell’s or Cockrell’s Lane, named after a prominent family that resided there until immediately after the Civil War. The Patrick family moved to the area from York County around 1870 and was instrumental in developing the community by building houses, stores, and a church. The village was relatively prosperous around the turn of the century with a cannery, at least two stores, and a school. Thomas G. Patrick opened a general merchandise store around 1876 which served the surrounding rural area. Listed in the National Register December 6, 1984. [SCDAH]
REFUELING STOPS: Killian’s Mill, Campbell’s Mill, Ridgeway (Fairfield Co), Simpson’s (Fairfield Co), Robertson’s (Fairfield Co), Winnsboro (Fairfield Co), Albion (?), White Oak, Youngsville, Blackstock, Cornwell, Chesterville, Lewis T. O., Smith’s T. O., Ebenezer / Rock Hill (Along the Landsford Road, by Wm. B. White, Jr. Vol., I – 2008)
This is most likely the location of the home of John Cockrell, the individual who gave the name to the White Oak community, which was often called Cockrell’s prior to the Civil War. He was connected to the tar and feathering of the Rev. Thomas Kendall. A Kendall descendant provided the following information: “Any history of Archibald Whyte should include why he left the Associate Presbyterian Church. Doing a current study of an ancestor Rev. Thomas Kendall I found information in a letter written by Thomas Kendall in 1840. He was recently returned to Ohio. He had been sent by the Synod to visit churches in the Carolinas and dispense ordinances from the church. A group of about 20 angry men denounced him as incendiary. Mr. Kendall tried to defend himself, where someone in the crowd said, ”We don’t want to hear from a — abolitionist.” It appeared that they were going to hang Mr. Kendall. After Mr. Kendall tried to explain he was following the Bible and the law of the United States they took him to the home of John Cockrell eight miles north of Winnsborough where he was locked for the night. The next day a group of thirty to forty men took him to a secluded area and tarred and feathered him. Some names from this group of people include John Cockrell, John L. Young, Thomas McClintick, Dwight, Debousk, Bell and Sterling. Their striker ‘in Kendall’s words’ was Archibald Whyte, he was not in company with these ruffians but Kendall was shown a letter from Mr. Whyte alerting the men of Smyrna (Chester County area of SC), that Kendall was arriving preaching doctrines contrary to the laws of South Carolina and ought to be stopped . Mr. Kendall continued to preach against slavery.”
Open the MORE INFORMATION / PATRICK FAMILY HISTORY / PDF link (found under the primary picture), to view an enlargeable, 1896 Postal Map of Fairfield County, S.C.
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 on 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!
WHITE OAK RECEIPT GALLERY – Cooper Collection, 2017
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Vance Cooper says
I found your site to be very interesting and informative. I have some receipts from T.G Patrick & Co. White Oak, S.C. dated 1919 that were in an old hat box that I purchased at an auction last spring. I am glad to find the photos of the store and other buildings along with the information on the area and the people who settled there..
rradmin says
Thank you for your information. R&R would love to digitize these items and post them for everyone to enjoy. Or if you wish just email them through the Share link. Merry Christmas!
Wade Fairey, Co-Founder