BENJAMIN HAGOOD FAMILY, Pickens County, S.C. Subject: Newsletter, Volume I, Issue 1, Summer 2004 Version 1.0, 01-May-2003, GB-01.txt ******************************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/southcarolina/oconee.html DATAFILE INPUT : Paul M. Kankula at gcgenweb@bellsouth.net in May-2003 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Margaret "Gary" Hagood Brightwell at ghb90@hotmail.com in May- 2005 ******************************************************************************** EXCERPTS FROM: VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1, SUMMER 2004 A Newsletter for the descendants and kin of Benjamin Hagood & Adaline Ambler of Old Pendleton/Pickens District, SC EDITOR: GARY HAGOOD BRIGHTWELL State of South Carolina Pickens District In the name of God Amen. I Benjamin Hagood of the State and District aforesaid being of sound and disposing mind do make this my last will and testament in manner and from following: I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Adaline Hagood during her natural life. One half of the plantation whereon I now live. The following Negro slaves to wit, Harry, Molly, Gilbert, Clarissa, Peter, Harriett, Gilbert Jr., Berry, Caroline and two children and any increase she may hereafter have & Jerry. Also my Grist Mill with the tract of land as follows. commencing on Pine corner on Thomas Land running along the public road to where the ridge road forks near the old Barn taking a north direction toward Saul Porters along said road to the back line adjoining Porter then along my land to beginning corner on Pine. Also I will to my said wife all the stock on the Plantation that she may need of any kind all the farming tools smith tools wagons carts and there she may need in keeping up her said farm also one thousand dollars in cash. All my household & kitchen furniture I will to my wife Adaline to dispose of as she may think proper. My children are to have their grinding done toll free at the mill given to my wife. To my son James E. Hagood, I will and bequeath the Plantation where on he now lives being the same purchased from John Burdine and the following Negroes, Rose and four children, Dilce, Tomence. Tom & Jane & two Negro boys Jack & Bill. The Negroes now in his possession. To my eldest daughter Elvira C. Robinson I will and bequeath the following Negroes - Miles, Mary & girl named Martha. To my second daughter Elmina E. Hagood I will and bequeath the tract of land known as Caesar's Head with all the appurtenances there unto belonging. Containing 480 acres more or less. All the furniture belonging to the house & the turn pike road to her and her heirs forever. To my third daughter Eliza I will and bequeath one Negro girl named Mariah. To my youngest son John H. I will and bequeath one half of the plantation whereon I now live at his mother's decease. He is to have the half willed to her and in a final settlement of my estate he is to account for the said plantation at four thousand dollars. It is my will and desire that all my debts be paid. That all moneys due me be collected all the balance of my estate real & personal not herein willed to remain till some of my younger children arrive at lawful age than all property this property of every kind to be valued by these or five shareholders and all of my children that have arrived to lawful age to receive their share and the balance to remain till the next one arrives of age and then the property to be valued and divided as before and son on till the youngest arrives of age and those of my children that I have given property to are to account for the same at the price I have charged them in my family book. It is my will that any surplus property or any of the Negroes not willed that does not do well be sold and be divided as herein after directed. All the property given to my wife Adaline at her death except the half of the home plantation to be valued and divided as the other property. My mill and desiring that all my debts when collected and when my property is valued that it all be equally divided between my five children James E., Elvira C., Elmina E., Eliza and John H. so that they may all be made equal. I will and bequeath to Benjamin Holder the balance of the tract of land whereon he is farming known as the Ambler Tract after my wife receives the part laid off to her in this my last will and known as the Mill Tract the balance to the said Benjamin Holder also I give him three Negroes named Yancy, Jack Jr. & girl Lydia. I further revoke all wills made by me heretofore and declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have these unto set my hand and seal this 23 day of July 1852. Witnesses: ? E.H. Griffin W.D. Steele Signed, Benjamin Hagood Source: Actual handwritten will of Benjamin Hagood (in the possession of a descendant) IN MEMORIAM: Ben Folger Hagood Jr. (December 5, 1925- November 19, 2001) (2)BEN F. (3)JAMES E. JR (2)JAMES E. (1)BENJAMIN My interest in Hagood family history, and thus my interest in publishing this family newsletter, would never have occurred but for the influence of my father, Ben Folger Hagood Jr., a man supremely proud of his family and of his heritage. A man who had an unrivaled memory & passion for Hagood family history and genealogy. Therefore, this first issue is in loving memory of "Daddy " - a tribute to his devotion to and love of his family, his pride in the Hagood family's legacy, and his gift of lovingly imparting those passions to me . It is impossible to sum up a life in a mere obituary, because his life was so very much more..... I know that Daddy is smiling down on this newsletter and on all of you for whom family pride and love spur your desire to know more about our family-its human successes and failures.............. urging us all to shine on, shine on................ GARY HAGOOD BRIGHTWELL, DAUGHTER OF BEN FOLGER HAGOOD JR. & AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING OBITUARY: Ben "Bud" Folger Hagood Jr., 75, of 204 Harvest Drive, Easley, SC, died Monday, Nov. 19, 2001, at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Born in Easley, Mr. Hagood was the son of the late Ben Folger and Margaret Sellers Hagood. He attended Easley schools and graduated from The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Haven in the Pacific and Asiatic Theatres, he attended the University of South Carolina where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and The Cotillion Club. In 1948 he went to work for Pickens Mill, which later became Mayfair Mills, where he was elected Director and Vice-President in 1956. He continued in that capacity until his retirement in 1994. Mr. Hagood was a charter member of Pickens Rotary Club, where he served as a past President and was named as Paul Harris Fellow in 1992. He was a member of the State Development Board and was also named to the State Chamber of Commerce Board. Long active in the University of South Carolina Gamecock Club activities, he served on its State Executive Committee. Mr. Hagood had served as Chairman of Pickens County United Way Fund; President of Pickens County Country Club; Advisory Board Member of Bankers Trust; Board Member of Cannon Memorial Hospital; Chairman and member of Pickens County Planning Commission; and Advisory Board Member for Tri-County Tech. He had served on the Board of Faith Chapel in Cedar Mountain, N.C., and was a past Chairman of Caesar's Head Community Club. Mr. Hagood was a member of Pickens Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder Emeritus and formerly as Treasurer and Trustee. Mr. Hagood is survived by his wife, Jeanne Early Hagood, of the home; five children, Gary Hagood Brightwell (Mrs. Charles S.) of Walterboro, Elizabeth Hagood Lindsay (Mrs. Pickens M.) of Atlanta, GA., Ben Folger Hagood III of Anderson, Thomas Sellers Hagood of Fort Mill, and Jeanne Clark Hagood of Charleston; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Hagood Grantham. He is buried at Hagood Cemetery, just outside of Pickens, SC. ~ 2ND GREAT GRANDSON OF BENJAMIN HAGOOD & ADALINE AMBLER~ Peter Hagood A Tribute By: Mrs. T.J. Mauldin "Well-known Ante-bellum Negro Passes, January 5, 1921" In the death of 'Uncle' Peter Hagood, which occurred at his home in Pickens last Wednesday, Pickens lost one of its landmarks; and the ranks of those of his race who represent the older civilization of ante-bellum days lost its foremost leader. Peter was born on the old Hagood plantation, five miles north of Pickens, eighty-eight years ago. When he was eight years of age he became the personal attendant, or 'body servant,' as such position was then called, of Colonel Benjamin Hagood, and until the death of the latter at the close of the war, was his constant companion. Then, even though he had been given his freedom, he adhered closely to 'Ole Mistis,' for 'Master' had told him to be faithful to her. From the time of her death until the feebleness of age crept upon him, he was ever in the employ of the family and connections. How he delighted to talk of the 'old times!' What a position of importance he had attained when he was sent as a groom with the young 'Mistises' to school every day to look after their horses; or perhaps to pilot some guests of the family to Table Rock, which was then a famous resort for the low-country folk/ or, best of all, to go with 'Young Master' and the wagon train to old Hamburg for provisions in exchange for products of the plantation. But the greatest joy of his life was when the summer season rolled around and 'we went to Caesar's Head.' Perhaps he had his first intermingling with the outside world there. This spot had been selected by Colonel Hagood as a summer home, and when he erected a cottage for his family, soon the fame of the place spread and friends from all over the state began asking to share the delights of climate and scenery. Peter never tired of telling of the coming of these distinguished citizens of South Carolina with their retinues of servants, of the building of 'Tuckeesiege,' 'Buncombe' and the 'Cole House,' to be occupied by the Wardlaws and Perrins, McGowans and Cothrans, the Coles, Butlers, Hamptons, Haskells and others whose names are distinguished in the annals of the history of the state. His vivid memory of those times has portrayed a picture that the younger generation will ever cherish. Peter was ever faithful in the discharge of his duty. He was honest and true, all (always) courteous and polite. He made friends and kept them, and the attention of the white people of this community during his declining days bore evidence of the place he held in their respect and affection. The younger generation of his race would do well to emulate his splendid example. As he lay in the dignity of death -- the same dignity which always characterized him in life -- one thought filled the mind: ' "Well done, thou good and faithful servant.' ************************************************************************* Source: Original in Hagood Family Documents. Was Published by The Pickens Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Pickens, South Carolina in "Recollections and Reminiscences: 1861 - 1865", vol. 3, South Carolina Division United Daughters of the Confederacy. 1992 The author of this article, Frances Miles Hagood (later Mrs. T.J. Mauldin), was the youngest daughter born to James Earle Hagood and his wife Esther Benson Robinson. Her father, James Earle Hagood, was the son of Benjamin Hagood & Adaline Ambler. She was affectionately called "Queen," "Queenie," & sometimes "Jackie." (more on "Aunt Queen" in subsequent issues!)