ROCK HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CEMETERY, Pickens County, SC a.k.a. > Version: 3.0 Effective: 8-Nov-2006 Text File: P262.TXT Image Folder: P262 ******************************************************************************** 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 recording contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the following USGenWeb coordinator with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn (visit above website) SCGenWeb "Golden Corner" Project Coordinator Anderson: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scandrsn/ Oconee: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Pickens: http://www.rootsweb.com/~scpicke2/ DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Jan-2005 Debbie Kellogg in Jul-2006 GPS MAPPING .... : Gary L. Flynn at (visit above website) in Jun-2006 HISTORY ........ : ____________ at ____________ in _______ IMAGES ......... : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Jun-2006 RECORDING ...... : Robert G. Dodson at robertgdodson@aol.com in May-2006 ******************************************************************************** CEMETERY LOCATION: ------------------ Cemetery is 3 miles north of Central on Lawton Road. Church is located in Norris. GPS = Latitude N34 44.025 x Longitude W82 46.043 CEMETERY HISTORY: ------------------------ This cemetery is next to the New Olive Grove Cemetery. The casual observer would not realize there are two cemeteries at this site. o----------o NORRIS - Among the places of worship in this Pickens County town, Rock Hill Presbyterian Church stands out as one of the oldest. It was around the turn of the century that a small group of religiously inclined black citizens became interested in organizing a church for the community. The group was headed by Ransom Hill. Mr. Hill went around throughout the Norris area securing names of persons who would later become charter members of a church. He met with untold success. Charter members of the church became Mr. and Mrs. Zack Reid and family, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Robinson and family, Will Hallums and family and John Simpson and family. The newly organized group under the leadership of Mr. Hill decided to become a Presbyterian affiliate. They named the new church "Rock Hill Presbyterian Church" because of the numerous rocks in the area and the location which was on a hill. The first elders of this institution were Zack Reid and Sidney Collins, Sr. The first deacons were Jim Young, James Simpson and Henry Craig with Jim Peppers and Jack Welborn later becoming members of the deacon board. Services were held initially each second Sunday, with the fourth Sunday services being added in later years. The church maintains this schedule until this day. The Rev. Dr. McDowell of Greenville was chosen as the first pastor and made an outstanding record as the church's leader. It was some time after organizing that a permanent building was erected in 1905 for the congregation to worship. The building is yet used by the members. It was dedicated in the same year by the Rev. Dr. Dillon, one of the leaders of the denomination from Columbia. Other pastors succeeding the Rev. Dr. McDowell were the Rev. E.A. McCorkle of Fountain Inn, the Rev. E.L. McAdams of Greenville (brother of the former Rev. McAdams), the Rev. Olin Pearson of Due West and the present Rev. Efford Haynes of Seneca. Land for Rock Hill Church was given by the late Jake Garrett who resided in Norris and was very much interested in the religious development of the community. Ransom Hill went on organizing Presbyterian churches at Seneca and Pendleton. He never wanted to become a minister or an elder or a deacon. He simply wanted to see that those around him had a place to worship. Of the three organized, only Rock Hill survives today. And Rock Hill is the only black Presbyterian church in Pickens County, the nearest such churches being located at Greenville and Anderson. Why Rock Hill became a Presbyterian church, no one knows, not even those who worship there today. Baptists live throughout the area, but there has never been a black Baptist church in Norris. An effort to get a Baptist church in motion was begun a number of years ago in this town of 757 (1970 census), but after several meetings in the old schoolhouse, those making up the group decided to return to their former memberships. The only charter member of Rock Hill living today is Mrs. Estellar Reid Griffin, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Zack Reid. Mrs. Griffin is well informed on the history of Norris and Rock Hill Church. She needs no written notes to state facts about the area and church. When up in age, Mrs. Griffin has a memory that serves her as well as it did when she became a member of Rock Hill. She recalls the first services, the first pastors and all the members across the years. She recalls the great fellowship that prevailed, the all-day gatherings with dinner on the grounds. When this reporter visited Mrs. Griffin and her niece, Mrs. Luella E. Walker recently, Mrs. Griffin made it known that she does not attend regular now because of her health, but that she keeps abreast of what Rock Hill is doing. Mrs. Walker is also a member of the church and looks forward to a Woman's Day service planned for the last Sunday in May which she is helping to organize. Present elders of the church are Walter Peppers, grandson of Ransom Hill, Joe Chapman, Lawrence McClure, J.C. Hunter, Furman Peppers and Mrs. Griffin. Church deacons are William Oglesby, Dennis Jamison, Mrs. Daisy McClure and Miss Ernestine Evans. Trustees are Furman Peppers, chm., Elbert Welborn, M.C. Collins, James T. Peppers, Walter Peppers, Jr., J.C. Collins, Carl Foster, Gregory Peppers, Thomas McClure, Mrs. Jennie V. Keesler, Mrs. Frances McClure, Mrs. Jackie Sims, Miss Beatrice Peppers and Mrs. Gladys Harris. Lawrence McClure is the Sunday School superintendent, Mrs. Willie E. Peppers is the Clerk of Sessions and Mrs. Bobbie Foster is president of the Women's Missionary Society. The church has 45 members listed on its roll and 27 being active. The church has never owned a cemetery. Members' burials have taken place at nearby New Olive Grove Baptist Church between Norris and Central. Rock Hill Presbyterian Church congregation is made up of a group of concerned members dedicated to their church. Many are related, either by blood or marriage. Now over 75 years old, the membership has future plans of erecting a new structure that will take the place of the present building. With many youthful members, the church has a bright future. One never knows the effect that a person's work will have upon people or a community. The tireless work of Ransom Hill, started early in the 1900's. The work of Mr. Hill continues today and judging from the planned efforts of the present members, Rock Hill Church will be around for many years to come. TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: ------------------------------ a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife Located at edge of P216 New Olive Grove Cemetery. Includes P075 Jamison Family Cemetery NOTE: The following tombstone inscriptions do not fully represent what has actually been recorded. A more detailed recording can be obtained by purchasing the Pickens County Black Cemetery Project publication from Anne Sheriff - Editor, 988 Old Shirley Road, Central, SC 29630-9337, sheriff@innova.net Acker, Andrew b. 14-dec-1895, d. 19-feb-1983 Acker, Lucile Benson. b. 15-feb-1921, d. 7-oct-1987 Acker, Ruby. K. 1981 Acker, Willie. b. 20-may-1918, d. Alexander, Laura b. 1874, d. 1935 Anderson, Emmaline b. 1826 d. 1926 Antney, Anna d. 11-apr-1901 Ashmore, Sofronia b. c. 1866, d. 2-jan-1961 Benson, Essie A. b. 12-oct-1910, d. 10-jul-1996 Benson, Levis b. 1915 d. 1977 Black, Florine b. 1915 d. 1994 Boozer, Pearl J. b. 4-sep-1910, d. 16-jul-1973 Burt, Joe b. 24-dec-1905, d. 23-dec-1957 Chamblee, Fletcher d. 19-dec-1955 Chamblee, Iris Chamblee, Naomi b. 21-jun-1924, d. 10-apr-1925 Chapman, Fred, b. 20-may-1924, d. 8-dec-1924 Chapman, James b. 18-may-1935, d. 3-oct-2000 Chapman, Janie Crane, 15-dec-1909, d. 23-dec-2005 Chapman, Joe b. 1902, d. 1978 Chapman, L. C. b. 1927, d. 1987 Chapman, Tilda Ann Chapmon, Lawrence b. 26-apr-1937, d. c.1973, a. 36y Chaptman, Sam b. 1869, d. 27-feb-1938 Clark, Ada b. 5-jun-1975, d. Collins, Dorthuler b. 9-dec-1907, d. 19-mar-1963 Collins, J. C b. 25-nov-1917, d. 22-jun-1955 Collins, Julia b. 1890 d. 1943 Collins, Sidney b. 1881 d. 1936 Collins, Silas b. 18-nov-1897, d. 28-apr-1927 Crain, Roosevelt T. Crain, Sarah E. d. 1967 Crane, Ella b. 1886 d. 1949. Crane, Joe b. 1857 d. 1949 Crane, Luther b. 6-feb-1903, d. 21-feb-2004 Crane, Worren d. 1967 Cristwell, Olar S. Mrs. Gantt, Pete b. 6-jun-1933, d. 1958 or 1-mar-1992 Gex, Florence C. b. 13-feb-1895, d. 31-jan-1928 Grant, Lillie Maude Peppers b. 29-sep-1946, d. 14-aug-2004 Hallum, Ferman b. 20-apr-1886, d. 3-jan-1927 Hallums, Annie P. b. 26-aug-1889, d. 2-sep-1962 Hallums, Bertha R. b. 13-mar-1893, d. 10-mar-1955 Hallums, Clement b. c. 1912, d. 24-aug-1993, a. 81y Hallums, Cora Virginia Doyle b. 15-dec-1889, d. 2-dec-1936 Hallums, Ella Mae b. 24-dec-1913, d. 10-oct-1970 Hallums, Horace b. 28-may-1891, d. 31-oct-1924 Hallums, Houston b. 25-apr-1904, d. 4-feb-1981 Hallums, James Theo b. 17-sep-1915, d. 15-dec-1989 Hallums, James Theo Jr. b. 29-aug-1940, d. 12-aug-1967 Hallums, Lizzie 4-jun-1874, d. 25-jan-1925 Hallums, Murphey b. 22-sep-1879, d. 11-mar-1947 Hallums, Ollie M b. 16-may-1905, d. 10-jan-1991 Hallums, Thomas Hose b. 16-jul-1882, d. 16-jul-1967 Hallums, Thomas Jr. b. 15-may-1912, d. 6-may-1949 Hallums, Tuck b. 9-apr-1889, d. 3-feb-1974 Hallums, Verner b. 25-apr-1902, d. 12-mar-1968 Hallums, William "Will" b. 1-oct-1869, d. 19-jan-1961 Hamilton, Andrew b. 1861, d. 1926 Hamilton, Earnest b. 1906, d. 1960 Hamilton, Mary H. b. 1871, d. 1960 Hamilton, Roy b. 1900, d. 1945 Hicks, James Clinton b. 28-sep-1952, d. 24-sep-1981 Hill, Andrew J. b. 11-mar-1909, d. 6-jan-1958 Hill, Raymond b. 13-jin-1933, d. 5-aug-1969 Hill, Vinie S. b. 9-feb-1903, d. 25-dec-1988 Hill, Vinnie S., b. 9-feb-1903, d. 25-dec-1988 Hunter, J. C. b. 10-aug-1910, d. 13-jan-1979 Hunter, Maebell. 1979 ---------- Jamison, A. J. b. 10-jan-1920, d. 21-oct-1932 Jamison, Bailus b. 22-feb-1880, d. 11-jan-1962 Jamison, Barry. 25-aug-1965 Jamison, Cassie W. b. 19-oct-1891, d. 18-feb-1973 Jamison, Claude b. 10-sep-1911, d. 14-aug-1991 Jamison, Cody B. Mrs. b. 14-jun-1911, d. 12-jun-1991 Jamison, Columbus b. 10-jun-1878, d. 26-apr-1940 Jamison, Estelle H. b. 1907 d. 1976 Jamison, Hannah b. 1855 d. 1936 Jamison, Kelvin L. Sr. b. 16-nov-1964, d. 12-jun-1998 Jamison, Lawrence b. 15-may-1888, d. 7-nov-1957 Jamison, Louise b. 16-mar-1911, d. 14-mar-1905 Jamison, Murry b. 13-jan-1900, d. 27-nov-1957 Jamison, Ninevah b. 22-sep-1878, d. 14-dec-1960 Jamison, Roy Sr. b. 1908, d. 1986 ---------- Kelley, Ann L. Welborn b. 8-oct-1922, d. 16-apr-2003 Knight, Ezeree M. b. 8-apr-1931, d. 5-nov-1978 Knox, Edward b. 1881, d. 1965 Knox, J. Foster b. 18-mar-1856, d. 19-may-1951 Knox, Lena Wright b. 15-aug-1867, d. 2-jun-1950 Knox, Vernon b. 3-jan-1902, d. 24-sep-1959 Lewis, Leila C. b. 9-nov-1912, d. 8-mar-1998 Lewis, Thomas J. b. 4-jan-1885, d. 19-jun-1969 Ligon, Emma K. 1983 Ligon, Foster K. b. 23-aug-1923, d. 11-jul-1994 Ligons, Harold b. 28-may-1912, d. 2-may-1927 Littlejohn, Anna b. 1883 d. 1939 Littlejohn, Grover C. b. 1917 d. 1989 Littlejohn, Thomas b. 1881 d. 1963 McClure, Daisy Hill b. 14-oct-1904, d. 7-oct-1997 McClure, Lawrence "Bud" b. 14-nov-1905, d. 4-may-1982 Merritt, Floree Knox b. 17-sep-1907, d. 24-dec-1977 Moore, Etie Jon Twon C Din Moore, Ida F. b. 6-may-1901, d. 21-jan-1991 Moore, James H. b. 9-jun-1924, d. 8-oct-1945 Moore, Walter Lee b. 9-mar-1900, d. 14-dec-1956 Oglesby, Junior b. 20-jul-1919, d. 9-jun-1979 Oglesby, William d. 5-oct-198?, a. 70y, 5m Patterson, Hubert L. b. 28-oct-1917, d.26-sep-1987 Patterson, Theatrice W. 4-dec-1932 Peppers, Beatrice. b. 1918, d. 2000 Peppers, Billy N. b. 1928, d. 1998 Peppers, Charlena. b. 1916, d. 1977 Peppers, Edward. b. 1930, d. 1930 Peppers, James P. Jr. b. 1922, d. 7-jan-2001 Peppers, James Sr. b. 1889, d. 1957 Peppers, Lillie H. b. 1891, d. 1930 Peppers, Walter E. b. 1923, d. 2001 Peppers, Walter E. b. 23-jul-1923, d. 19-sep-2001 Poole, James b. 23-sec-1900, d. 5-jan-1992 Poole, Maybell O. b. 23-may-1916, d. 10-may-1982 Reese, Frances H. 5-jan-1913 Rhome, Allean M. Rhome, Charlotte C. b. 20-jan-1915, d. Rhome, J. V. b. 20-feb-1915, d. 22-nov-1985 Rhome, Paul Rhome, Pauline Simpson, Adgie b. 31-mar-1896, d. 15-apr-1977 Simpson, Carl W. 5-may-1910, d. 8-feb-1989 Simpson, Geraldine b. 21-apr-1932, d. 19-nov-1946 Simpson, Hattie E. Baker. b. 6-feb-1877, d. 18-jan-1943 Simpson, John. b. 19-jan-1867, d. 11-nov-1924 Simpson, Willie b. 20-aug-1920, d. 14-feb-1985 Stokes, E. D. b. 30-jul-1909, d. 2-jan-1906 Watkins, Ernest b. 22-nov-1915, d. 14-may-1995 Watkins, Laura T. b. 1913, d. 2000 Welborn, Ada R. b. 11-aug-1899, d. 3-oct-1960 Welborn, Hattie C. b. 20-oct-1901, d. 27-dec-1990 Welborn, Jack L. b. 2-apr-1895, d. Welborn, L. V. b. 1921 d. 1974 Welborn, Wilton. b. 8-nov-1908, d. 25-jun-1979 Williams, Susie C. b. 19-jul-1907, d. 2-dec-1993 Wright, Arron, b. 1935, d. 5-jan-2001 Wright, Buford b. 1903, d. 1969 Wright, Viola, d. 6-oct-1980 Wright, William b. 18-jun-1931