Along the Jefferson Davis Trail
BULLOCK’S CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Although organized in 1769, it had previously existed from at about 1765, as “Dan.” The first site was on hill on the west bank of Bullock’s Creek near the J.B. Comer Bridge. About 1874, the congregation built a meetinghouse on a newly acquired grant of one square mile of vacant land. During the Revolution, it was known as one of the “Four Bees in King George’s Bonnet” due to its congregation and pastor, Reverend Joseph Alexander, participation in the war. The present site is on Highway 49 about two miles north of the York-Chester County line and is accompanied with a seven-acre cemetery. This cemetery contains the remains of 25 Revolutionary War soldiers and more than 80 Confederate Veterans.
“In 1769 (other sources say 1765), Bullocks Creek Presbyterian Church was established by Reverends Azel Roe and John Close. Originally the church was called Dan, but the congregation preferred the name of Bullocks Creek on the waters of which the church was located. About a half mile west of the church, Bullocks Creek Academy was founded in 1787 by Dr. Joseph Alexander, who was also a minister at the church. The academy was the first of its kind to be established in the backcountry of South Carolina.11 The following family names appear in the cemetery lists of the church between the years 1770 and 1860 (note: this is not a complete list but only those families that seemed most numerous to the area.): Alexander, Ash, Atkinson, Bailey, Bankhead, Barber, Black, Blair, Brannon, Brawley, Brown, Carothers, Davidson, Dowdle, Feemster, Galloway, Gaston, Griffin, Gill, Good, Grier, Hamilton, Hays, Hemphill, Hood, Hope, Jameson, King, Kirkpatrick, Love, Meek, McCarley, McGowen, Neely, Plaxico, Plexico, Rainey, Robbins, Robinson, Russell, Sherer, Smarr, Smith, White, Williamson and many others. By 1860 Bullocks Creek was listed as a post office.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
On June 27, 1888 the Yorkville Enquire reported – “The BC Church is making efforts to procured an organ for the Sunday School. Later on Oct. 10, “the new organ has been installed at Bullock’s Creek Church and the pastor’s wife, Mrs. Smith is the organist.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on June 26, 1889 – “The ladies of the BC church has stained and varnished the seats in the church and have carpeted the aisles and the floor around the pulpit.”
The Yorkville Enquirer of Feb. 10, 1892 reported – “Work on the new academy at Bullock’s Creek has been suspended for sometime due to a lack of building material, but lumber is now in hand. The school continues under the management of Miss Ella Carroll of Yorkville, a recent graduate of Due West Female College.”
The YV Enquirer reported on April 13, 1892 – “Ms. Ella Carroll has closed her school at Bullocks Creek for the term and has returned to her home near Yorkville.”
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sylvia hinson says
Are you having some kind of celebration in June? This is my family home and I would like to visit this celebration.