City Directories and History: The Robinson home sat near the Irene Bridge over the Broad River, on the edge of York County. Older families along the river recall major floods on the Broad but also wonderful social events that attracted families from both sides of the river to dances, church events, wedding, and courtship.
“About eight miles north of the Pinckneyville Ferry, and between Smiths Creek and Howards Branch, John Bankhead established a ferry in 1792. In 1806 Joseph Howell bought this ferry. In 1813 William Howell became the owner and, in applying to the general assembly for a new charter, gave several insights into the importance of the ferry. Howell stated that “the ferry is the nearest route from the South eastern part of this state to Tennessee by way of Mills Gap. Also to the backparts of Georgia. It is also the route by which the mail passes on its return from Spartanburg to Columbia by way of Yorkville Courthouse.” In addition to periodically having to request new charters, ferry owners had to submit a copy of their rates of passage for various items that people sometimes wished to carry across a river.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
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Quentin Cabell Smith says
Joseph Howell married my maternal 4g aunt, Lucinda “Lucy” Smith. Her step brother, Myhill Smith (1769-1847) is buried near Irene Bridge on land he inherited from his and Lucy’s father, Josiah Smith, (1728-ca. 1818.)