The group arrived in Bradley County, Ark., in March of 1853 after 99 nights of camping out.
Pettus: Moving West
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Nov. 3, 1886 – “The residence of Mr. Peter Garrison in Ebenezer Township about six miles from Rock Hill was destroyed by fire last Saturday. The smoke house and kitchen also burned. The Garrisons were away at the time visiting their son in law Mr. S.A. Fewell. Mr. Eugene Garrison was at home and was able to escape safely. The loss is over $2,000.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Nov. 11, 1886 – “Mr. Peter Garrison has contracted with Mr. A.D. Holler for the building of a new house on the site of the one burned week before last. It will be one story somewhat after the pattern of the B.N. Craig residence.”
City Directories and History: This is the home of my 3rd great grandfather, Peter Garrison of Ebenezer Township, York County, S.C.
This photo is believed to be circa 1885. From other photos I have located online and from family still in South Carolina, that is indeed Peter
Garrison on the top left of the stairs. Additionally, these are three of his sons that remained in Ebenezer/Rock Hill, with their wives and children. Also, the woman closest to him, but down one step is most likely, his second wife, Tirzah Carothers Garrison. His first wife, my 3rd great grandmother, Cynthia Louise Hall passed in 1861. She was the daughter of Major Temple Hall, also of York County, and Elizabeth Brown. His son, Major Brown Garrison, was my 2nd great grandfather and moved to Brakley County, Arkansas after the Civil War.
Peter Garrison served in the South Carolina legislature, and was an Elder at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, where a large number of Garrison family members are buried. A school house from those days still stands on the premises and is on the National Historic Register. Peter Garrison’s grandfather, Arthur Garrison, served in the Revolutionary War. As did the grandfather of Cynthia Louise Hall. Her grandfather was John Hall. Her grandmother was Prudence Patterson Hall, who family legend says served as a “spy in a petticoat,” smuggling information across British enemy lines into Charleston. [Written and contributed by R&R user Beth Garison Wylie – 2015.]
“Peter Garison (Garrison) served longer than any other ruling elder in Ebenezer’s history-60 years! Ordained on November 29, 1845, he served until his death on July 24, 1905. Peter Garison was born on October 9, 1820, near Ebenezer Church, the son of Josina Garison, an elder for 40 years, and he was educated at Ebenezer Academy under Mr. Bishop and others. He served in the Confederate army. Although past the age of service, when the call for older men went out, he volunteered. In 1878, he served in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
He first married Miss Cynthia Hall, daughter of M.T. Hall. She died June 20, 1861, aged 37 years. Of this union eleven children were born, ten sons and one daughter. His second marriage was to Miss Tirzah Carothers, daughter of William and Dorcas Carothers, on November 25, 1862. Three children were born to them, but all died in childhood.
His grandfather was a revolutionary soldier, his father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and he and two of his sons served in the Confederate Army. He was a man of earnest Christian character, devoted to his church, gave freely of his time, his talents, his money to its welfare. He was a man of prayer. He frequently attended Synod and Presbytery, and was twice chosen to represent Presbytery at the General Assembly in 1855 and 1873. He was for a long time superintendent of the Sabbath School, and was the leader of the choir for many years, using a tuning fork to “heist the tune” in the days before organs or pianos were used in the Presbyterian Church. He had a special chair which he used for many years.
On December 1,1895, the church observed the fiftieth anniversary of Mr. Garison’s ordination as a ruling elder. It was a grand occasion with a large congregation and former pastors present. One who was present described the service by writing: “Never perhaps in the history of the church has such a touching service been held there. There was the old servant of God, crowned with almost a perceptible halo of glory, weighted down with the cares of life, but still at his post of duty. There was their beloved pastor, whom they welcomed from the dead, after his long and severe illness. And there were the former pastors, for whom the people of the community had the tenderest affection. When they looked upon their pastor, helpless in his weakness, when they heard the recounting of the glorious past by the speakers, the tears could not be repressed and their emotions became audible.”
Rev. J.G. Hall, a nephew of Mr. Garison, presided because of Doctor Thornwell’s inability. Greetings from Allison Creek were brought by the pastor, Rev. J.M. McClain. William Choate and Col. W.B. Allison, the surviving charter members of Allison Creek, were also present. Greetings were also brought from theFirstChurch of Rock Hill by Rev. Alexander Sprunt and from the White Memorial Church by Dr. W.E. Massey. J.M. Spratt represented the Fort Mill Church.
Dr. W.T. Hall, a former pastor of Ebenezer, preached using as his text, Matthew 22:21 ‘Then said he unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” During the service two of Mr. Garison’s favorite hymns were sung, the 137th Psalm, second part (I Love thy Kingdom, Lord), and Come thou Fount of Every Blessing. Rev. John G. Richards, another former pastor of the church delivered a congratulatory address and presented Mr. Garison with a pair of gold spectacles and a set of shirt studs and cuff buttons engraved, “1845 – Peter Garison – 1895,” gifts from the Sabbath School and friends in Fort Mill. Mr. Garison then attempted to reply to Mr. Richards, but the hallowed memories which had filled his soul could be restrained no longer, and he could say little. “My friends, I can say little more than this, I thank God that I been spared so long, and hope my life has not been spent in vain. Capt. Faris and myself are all that are left of the old officers of the church. I want to bear testimony to Jesus Christ. He has been my Saviour for 55 years, and he has upheld me in ail my afflictions, which have been many. He sustained me through the loss of my wife and children who all lie buried in your cemetery. Excuse me, I can say no more.” As the venerable man sat down, the congregation burst forth in the singing of, “Oh to grace how great a debtor.”
Peter Garison died July 24, 1905, in the 85th year of his age. His second wife preceded him to the grave on March 6, 1905. At the 1895 commemoration Dr. Sprunt expressed the wish “that the ten years may be added to his (Peter Garison) life, which will complete the century which he and his father will then have served as ruling elders of this church.” The wish was granted.” (Information from the History of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, by S.B. Mendenhall – 1985
Click More Information under the first image – column, to view the Garrison property as shown on the 1840s Catawba Indian Lease Map, as well as pages from the Garrison Family Bible.
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