City Directories and History: This is a compilation of images provided R&R by the S.C. Dept. of Archives and History which date to the 1992’s. The Chappell’s cotton gin burned in circa 2005. Also click on the History Thread (rt), for additional images as well as images of the Chappell’s Diary buildings in R&R’s Chester County section.
“As a 59 year old African American, I have fond memories of hearing my older family members speak about growing up in this area. My father’s parents last name is Feaster. They grew up on the Darby Farm in Chester and they had other family members who lived on or near the Brattonsville Plantation. My mother’s family last name was Cook. Her grandfather’s last name was George “Pop” Cook. Her mother’s maiden name was Hattie B. Degraffenreid or “Reid”. They all lived on or near the Chappell Farm in the New Zion community. I will definitely share this information with older family members who might recall this location.” Written and contributed by Ray S. Feaster – 2015

Pratt cotton gins were highly popular in the Carolinas and were often used in turn of the century gin houses. This ad ran in the Yorkville Enquirer Newspaper in ca. 1900.
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CHAPPELL IMAGE GALLERY: Courtesy of the Chappell – Neely Collection, 2017
- Left – Right: Pete Chappell, UN, Mr. Jack Chappell, Tom Williams of Williams Cotton Company
- Chappell Family – See enlargement and ID
- Unidentified workmen at the Chappell’s farm.
- Pete Chappell operated the gin and farmed for decades on much of the same land his father had also planted.
- Another 1st bale being ginned by the Chappell’s and sold to the Williams Company.
PRESERVING THE STORE – 2019
- Before the move and cleanup!
- Mr. Joe saw to it that the store was preserved.
- Friend Rusty helped make it possible – one more time!
- Greg was so excited, his first preservation move! What a good guy.
- Four tons of metal hauled to be recycled and over 1,400 lbs of debris removed from the store.
- Morning light before the move on Sept. 27, 2019.
- On the way….
- Making it to the farm in one piece….the real work begins!
- Oh, I have lost my mind?
- ABC Moving Co., moves another one for Wade Fairey. Does this make the 7th in forty years?
- Setting it down gently….after seventy years, a new life for Ms. Eva’s Store.
- No more store at Chappell’s but a happy day for preservationist!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
I am Kathryn Chappell Wingate, I am named after Curwood’s Dad’s sister, Katherine Chappell,Whitlock…”Kate” as she was called, married one of my grandfather’s uncles, Franklin Marvin Whitlock. They started out in Union, SC, and later moved to Columbia, SC. I remember when Aunt Kate\s youngest daughter, “Flossie” passed away, I had been to visit her when she was ill with diabetes. She lived in what was the “Woodrow Wilson Home” in downtown Columbia. I took a cousin and her husband who were nearing 90 y’o at the time, to visit Curwood from Columbia, and we had a wonderful visit. Curwood’s lady friend, just recently deceased, had prepared a wonderful lunch with the help of her daughter, and we had a most enjoyable lunch and visit, we just melded together and agreed on all the important things, which made for a really good day. Curwood was so kind to give me one of the last copies of his book, which was read from cover to cover by cousin Joanne and her husband and a daughter, and by myself, and I was so thankful for that gift, it meant so much to me…now, Joanne has passed on just about Christmas, and her precious hubby has descended into dementia, at 92,and is happily situated in a nursing home with other VETs in Columbia. Chatting with Curwood on the phone is a joy, he is always upbeat…I’m so glad I was able to meet him and read about the lives of Curwood, his parents and siblings, on that great property of theirs. I live near another Chappell cousin, Anne Chappell,, age 96 by now, and we talk often and I share my conversations with Curwood with her…they are well acquainted. Thank you, Curwood for sharing stories with me, and I hope I get to visit you at least once more, before it’s too late. Much Love, Kathy Wingate