City Directories and History: Demolished in the 1980’s to make room for a newer home, the old Bookout house and family gave their name to the dirt road that leads from Williamson to Brattonsville Road in the Bethesda community. The Bookout family, one of the area’s old and highly distinguished, were members of Bethesda Presbyterian church and farmed extensively throughout the Bethesda area. Most members of the family remain active at Bethesda church and are buried at the cemetery.
The exact history of the Bookout home is unknown. It belonged for many years to Mr. James Frances Bookout and his descendents. Family members recall very fond times sent at the house and remark on the lack of maintenance provided the old dwelling. One of the old log outbuildings remains on the historic site. Several members of the Bookout and Byers families were married and forged a close family relationship for generations. Besides farming, several of the Bookout ladies were educators in both Bethesda and Rock Hill.
J.F./James Francis Bookout was my father’s uncle, brother to my grandfather Hiram Ford Bookout, Sr. He is also listed in Bookout Family research documentation as James Franklin Bookout. (I understand that his death certificate listed him as James Francis Bookout.) He was – Born: 20 Aug 1865; Died: 25 Jan 1946. He is buried in Bethesda Cemetery, along with my great-grandfather, Marmon/Mauning Duke Bookout, and other family members. [Information contributed by J.D. Bookout – 2013]
The Rock Hill Record reported on Dec. 2, 1909 – “Mr. Hiram Bookout of Bethesda will move to Rock Hill to open a grocery store and meat market in one of Mayor Roddey’s new buildings on Railroad Ave., near the Overhead bridge. He will continue to run his farm.”
R&R NOTE: Take note of the close resemblance of this house and that of the Hefner – Gardner home on Mockingbird Lane. The two are remarkably similar and could have been easily constructed by the same individuals in such close proximity.
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