City Directories and History: “Moore, Maj. James Sinkler of “Wedgefield,” Wateree River, plantation and “Woodville” in Stateburg. Born Apr. 7, 1831 (S.C.); married June 7, 1853, Margaret Mary Rees (Apr. 15, 1832-Mar. 11, 1859) and 1859, Mrs. Margaret (Vaughn) Allen; died 1881. Education: College of S.C. (left in 1850-51); University of Va. (1852). Church: Episcopalian (Vestryman, Church of the Holy Cross). Public Service: Major. Slaves: 210 (Sumter District).”
The Last Foray, C. Gaston Davidson, SC Press – 1971
Perhaps there were larger plantations in Stateburg than Woodville; but as I found it described as having the home place on one side of the Fish Road and the “Negro quarters” on the other, it must have been one of the largest.
The earliest resident, and probably the builder, was Mr. D. B. Brownfield (1874). The next owner was Mr. John Sinkler Moore, who married Mary Margaret Rees. I must digress here to mention the tombstone erected to this Mrs. Moore. It “stands tall” among the other stones and monuments nearby in the yard of the Church of the Holy Cross. It is unique in its material and design—marble perhaps, with a wreath at the top of a ten-foot shaft and an open book at the bottom. The inscription belies the word epitaph; it is a eulogy, appearing not on the shaft, but on a flat tombstone just opposite. Mr. Moore s family or heirs conveyed Woodville to Mrs. Theodosia Dargan, wife of Colonel John J. Dargan (1881). For a number of years thereafter it was used by the Dargan family, who apparently sold off smaller tracts…..
R&R HISTORY LINK: Colton’s 1850s Map of Sumter County
(Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC)
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R&R HISTORY LINK: Colton’s 1850s Map of Sumter County
R&R HISTORY LINK: Church of the Holy Cross
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