Bamberg County African-American History Resource Collection Opening in the Bamberg [South Carolina] Public Library

The Bamberg African-American Genealogical Society will hold the grand opening of the Bamberg County African-American History Resource Collection at 4 p.m. today (Sunday, February 15, 2009) in the lobby of the Bamberg County Public Library, in Bamberg, South Carolina.

The collection will include “Volume I – Church Histories,” individuals’ videotaped histories, community histories, names of cemeteries and schools, and other information about African-Amercians in Bamberg County produced by BAAGS from December 2007 through January 2009. It will become a permanent part of the Bamberg County Public Library and available for use by the public. For more information, call Vivian Halyard at 803-245-0535 or Alzena Robinson at 803-245-5903.

From the February 15, 2009 edition of the Times and Democrat.

36 Replies to “Bamberg County African-American History Resource Collection Opening in the Bamberg [South Carolina] Public Library”

  1. Good Morning. I am working on the family tree and have reached a road block. Slave schedules do not reveal names and my great great Grand mother Delia Hightower (Washington and Kemp were married names) born in 1846 in Bamberg, SC (now known as Barnwell?) I believe was owned by the Hightower Family that resides in Bamberg at the time. But there are many Hightowers and no bill of sales, deeds, wills listed anywhere with her or her parents name on it. We are in touch with one white Hightower family who are quite helpful, but again it is hard to know if this is the family that she worked for pre Civil War.

    Do you have any information on Bamberg deeds, bill of sales, or any paperwork showing slave names, marriages, etc? Any information on slave owners (particularly with the last name Hightower)?

    Thank you so much,
    Shameen Anthanio-Williams

  2. Hello Shameen,

    I am one founders of the Bamberg African-American Genealogical Society. One of our members is a Hightower and might be able to help you. I will forward your interest on to her. Please send me contact information.

    jnbennett2@yahoo.com
    803-793-5817

  3. I am researching the my family tree Abel and Cooper’s. My grandmother was Emma Lucille Abela and grandfather was James Harvey Cooper. My grandmother father name was Richard C. Abel and
    mother Mary Jean Carter. My grandfather parents were Washington Cooper and Maimy Franklin. Both of my grandparents came from Bamberg or Bamberg County. I would appreciated your help in my endeavors.

    Sincerly
    Diana James-Wynder

  4. I am trying to create a family tree and my family is from Bamberg, SC. I do know that the paternal part of my family were slaves who may share ancestry with the Bamberg family whom the town was named after…but I am not sure by which persons. My great grandmother was Annie Lou Hartzog (married name) or Annie Lou Handy (maiden) who was married to Shafter Hartzog. Their birthdates would be around the late 1890’s to early 1900’s.

    On my maternal side (it gets sticky). My grandmother’s name is Pretto Folk(s) (married) or Pretto Irons (maiden) ( dob april 1915?) and her husband Robert Folk(s). Pretto’s mother may have been named Sally Harten or Harden or something and we can’t figure it out as she was raised by relatives.

    Any information would be greatly appreciated that may aid in the search or point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

    Sincerely,

    L.C. Folk

  5. I would like help trying to research the Washington family of Bamberg S.C GG father George Washington spouse Margaret maiden name Irons, my Grand father Charles Washington BORN Bamberg SC 1897, I can only find them on 1900 census, I have read that the county of Bamberg was founded around 1855, trying to find out where family lived prior to Bamberg, family is listed as birth in S.C.. Grand father relocated to York, Pa in early 1900’s in 1920 census along with several of his siblings & with my grand mother Alberta maiden name Reid who was also from Bamberg her Dad was Richard Reid, Mom died when she was young unsure of mom’s first name.

  6. Over a year ago I wrote this message:

    I am researching the my family tree Abel and Cooper’s. My grandmother was Emma Lucille Abel and grandfather was James Harvey Cooper. My grandmother father name was Richard C. Abel and
    mother Mary Jean Carter. My grandfather parents were Washington Cooper and Maimy Franklin. Both of my grandparents came from Bamberg County, SC. I would appreciated your help in my endeavors.

    Thank You
    Diana James-Wynder

  7. Looking for information on family…Abel/Frohberg/Hiers…

    Hattie Abel brn in Bamberg SC..married John Henry Frohberg..one of their children Ricker Frohberg married Newton Hiers ..later moced to New York all before 1929.

  8. Hello I just spoke with my father and need any history on paternal great grandmother(Hattie Halyard)(Constance Halyard,Grandmother)and (Whelemenia Warren,Great Grand Aunt) all from Bamberg and moved to Queens, New York during 1930’s. Thanks and be blessed on this great work!!!

  9. Marilyn,

    I am an heir of John Henry Frohberg, I believe that he may be my great-grandfather. John H b??? d???–>Herman Calhoun Frohberg b 1901- d 1951 –>Herman Charles Frohberg b 1951-present –>Michael Charles Frohberg(me) b 1981-present. My family is from New York City by way of South Carolina. That branch goes as follows (a lot of the female first names are what I knew them as and not necessarily accurate, and I might be missing some folks, I am one of the younger heirs..) John H/Hattie Abel – children – Willie (d), Floyd (d) , Max (d) , Herman (d) , Nellie. Willie, Floyd, and Max did not have any children. Nellie – child – Arthur (d) Herman/Thelma Walker – children – John (d), Marie (d), Vicki (d), Eileen (d) , Fredericka, Lula (Amanda), Herman. John/Dianne ??? – children – Jennifer, Susan, Christian. Marie/”Feenie Greene” – children – Laura, Aaron. Vicky/ ?? LaViscount – children –
    Karen (d), Erik, Jason. Herman/Leslie Shackelton – children – Michael, Barbara. Christian/???? – children – Amber, 2nd Daughter???. Michael/Linda Virtue – child – Zoe Mykaela. This is a rough tree of the NY branch. Susan, Jennifer, Barbara, Christian, Amber, Chris’ 2nd Daughter, and myself still currently carry the Frohberg surname. Aaron and Laura carry the Greene surname. Erik and Jason carry the LaViscount surname. My daughter carries the hyphenated Virtue-Frohberg surname. Everyone, with the exception of Jason whom I have yet to meet, and the young children can be found on Facebook. I hope this answers your questions. Feel free to contact me at facebook.com/michaelfrohberg if you want to chat.

  10. This reply is for Shameen Anthanio-Williams who is looking for Delia Hightower. Delia Hightower was the sister of my great great great grandfather Jack Hightower they were indeed owned by a Hightower slave owner. I have more information if you need it as well as links to our extensive family trees, slave records, the name of the slave owner, the original African tribe they came from and other leads. I was actually looking for Delia Hightower’s family. Hope this helps. Lyricus

  11. I looking for any historical documents on the log bridge cemetery. Was it public/ private, associated with a church? At it’s founding was it designated for African Americans only? Any help you can offer with these questions or who they should be directed to, is much appreciated!

    Sincerely,
    Monica Reed

  12. My name is Clay R Williams. I am in the process of doing research from my father’s mother’s side of the family. My grandmother’s name is Senie Dickinson, her father’s name is Sam Dickinson. Sam’s birth year was 1878 according to the 1900 census for Buford Bridge Township, Bamberg SC. My grandmother mentioned a grandfather named Butler. Please assist if you can. Thanks

  13. Hi Im searching a Matthew Dickerson who was a freed Black man with Land . He was from Bamberg Does anyone know the history? ??

  14. My name is Olin Hiers. My grandfather was a black Hiers from bamberg south carolina his name was Willie R Hiers. I am trying to get information on how blacks came to have this name. I read on another site that they were owned by their white relatives and also that someone may have married an african woman. Does anyone know possibly what plantation they were from and if their are any slave bills? Thanks in Advanced.

  15. Lyricus,

    please contact me regarding Delia Hightower. My traces show her as being my great grandmother. My grandmother is from Bamberg, her mother’s name was Della Kemp (maiden name, and Jones married name. Cornelia Rhodes, who also had sister Verzeel. I am very interested to talk to you regarding the information you have on the Hightower Slave owner and the history.

    Shirley

  16. Hi my name is Sondra and I’m looking for any information on Alex Washington also listed as Ellicott or Allick. He was married to Rosa Washington and they had several children to include Oliver, Rosa, Henry, Gertie, George, Teresa, Carrie etc. George Washington was my great grandfather and I’m looking for any information on this family as I have nothing other than the census

  17. My father was born in Bamburg in 1919. I wonder if there are any resources to help me find out more about him and his family.

  18. What year was Thankful Baptist Church founded. I read that the church’s founding was in 1990’s. I know this is incorrect because my father was born in 1891 and this was his boyhood church. His mother was the organist of the church and his dad was a minister. Both were born before the civil war. My cousin, May Francis Harrison, served as organist and she is in her late eighties.

  19. I am interested in learning the history of Parler Cemetery. A portion of my Kearse famy are buried there and I’d like to know the connection we have with the Parlers, starting with Donald Parler…I think. I’m going to assume a Kearse martied into the Parlers.

  20. I’m looking to find information on my family from Bamberg. The last names are Dyches and Owens. I have information of my family being buried at Three Mile Creek Cemetery. I am coming to visit thier graves and wanted to look for more while I am in the area.

    Do you have slave records, plantation names, or possible more records to helpd trace backwards. I have a lead of a Plantation in Baldock, but was hoping local records would offer better clues.

    Tony

  21. I am looking for information on my a man from Bamberg South Carolina named Tobe Irons. Tobe my have been a nickname. I believe he was my great, great, great grandfather. My grandfather was Jahazel Irons. His father was James Irons, and I think James’ father was Tobe Irons. I am also looking for the Irons family slave history and origin in Midway township SouthCarolina, Bamberg South Carolina and Barnwell South Carolina, since Bamberg was originally a called Barnwell South Carolina. Thanks.

  22. I’m from an Hightower family my Grandmother name was Annie Mae Haynes I never met my grandfather but we are from the Bamberg area, do anyone know anything about them

  23. Hello,
    I’m looking for anyone related to or anyone who has information about the Shepherds and Atterberry’s of Bamberg. Both names are spelled different ways. I’m the great, great, great, great granddaughter of Dicie Williams who had a daughter named Barbary. Barbary’s oldest daughter, that I know of, was Carrie. Carrie had Ina Belle and she had Lily Mae. Ina and her sister married Atterberry brothers, Grant (Granton) and Earl. I’d love to make contact with other family members!

  24. Hello,
    I am looking for information about William Hightower’s (Abt. 1867-1916) parents, Ellie Hightower and Mary Simon. Their names are listed on his Death Certificate. They are from Barnwell. Also, I am looking for the parents of his wife, Martha Annie Kennedy (1865/1870/1875). Different birth years were on the census documents. Also, she used the name Annie, too.

  25. Hello, I am looking for any information regarding the Kemp family in Bamberg. I notice the name was mentioned above. I cannot seem to find slave owner info. I get as far as my 3rd-Greatparents, Robert and Patsey Kemp… then I’m stuck. Also, the Huto-Eaves family (as my 2nd great grandmother had this last name and is direct descendant of their family, but I cannot find any records other than their family cemetery. Her mother was a slave. She didn’t like to talk about or acknowledge her father’s side so it’s difficult to piece together. Any advice is appreciated.

  26. I am researching members of my family who originated based on census reports from Bramberg, South Carolina. The names are Wash Rice (abt 1823) and Eliza(beth) Rice named “Break of Day”. Based on our family’s oral history, there were both Native american. They had several children who included Eliza “Morning Star” (my great great grandmother – born abt 1843), Harry, Alexandra, Susan, Sam and Josephine. It is my understanding that “Break of Day” and “Morning Star” were renamed by slave owners. The family moved from South Carolina to Tennessee. The last names were changed from Rice to Fleming. One son’s surname was changed to Simmons. They eventually ended up on the Harwell plantation in that state.
    I am looking advice for the best way to trace their Native american heritage. I have not been able to find information on the Dawes rolls. I’m not sure if their heritage would have been documented, since they were enslaved. I am also looking to find the slave holders name and potentially the plantation on which they were held.
    I have been in contact with descendants from multiple lines of Eliza’s “Morning Star” children and most have an indicator that there is Native ancestry in their DNA results.

  27. Hello my name is Nicole Riley. I am trying to research my 3rd great grandfather Aaron Riley that lived in Bamburg born about 1849. I can’t locate his parents I believe the father is Moses Riley or his brother Nathan Riley (who owned slaves.)Any clues would be helpful. Thanks!

  28. My name is Dominique Holiday and looking for records on my 4th great grandfather Landy Hightowers parents. I recently found out that my 3rd great grandmother Janie Hightower’s family were enslaved in Bamberg, SC by the Hightower. I’m curious who Landy’parents are because I want to if Abram A. Filori an formerly enslaved West African born man is my 5 great grandfather or 6 great grandfather.

    My email is Domholiday6@gmail.com

  29. I am looking for the ancestors of Martha Harden, born around 1846 – died 2/24/1926. She was married to Philip L. Carter and buried in the Carter’s Ford cemetery on the border of Bamberg and Colleton Counties. No history is found for her prior to her marriage.
    leahtikva@gmail.com

  30. My maternal grandmother was from Bamberg SC. Her name was Sarah Hightower and her husband’s name was William Hightower. I’ve been looking for family there and also had been searching for my uncle. My uncle’s name was John Hightower I found out from a newspaper article he passed in Jan 2014 in a house fire.

  31. I am a descendant from the Slater family. My grandmother’s maiden name was Wilhemina Slater and she had a sister named Essie May Slater. Their father name was Rivers Slater (born approximately 1857) and their mother’s maiden name was named Betty Murul. My grandmother, Wilhelmina was born approximately 1886. They were born in Bamberg South Carolina. Are there any other Slaters still in that area?

  32. Hello, My name is Renee Bullie. My great grandfather’s name was Simon Peter Moody. He was born in 1840 in Bamberg County SC. He married Julia Hightower in 1881 and they had one child— Charlie Moody. Sadly Julia Hightower died in 1897. My great grandfather remarried in 1898 to Edith Paul (daughter of Gill Paul and Harriet). Edith Paul and Simon Peter Moody had nine children. Jim Moody was my beloved grandfather. If anyone can tell me the name of the Slave holders who owned my people, that would be great? If you are related to me and want to exchange history. My name is Renee Bullie (surnames; Moody, Daniels, Hightower, and Dowling) my email address is rbullie42@gmail.com.

  33. Greetings,

    I’m trying to trace my family roots and I’m looking for information on my family from around the Bamberg area. My Grandmother (Estelle Washington Frazier) whose parents was Simmie (Samuel/Simieon) Washington and Louvenia (Ford)Washington. I could only trace back to Simmie’s father Jack Washington. After that the hints become unclear; Jack’s parents may possibly be Jennings Washington and Caledonia Brown. And Louvenia’s mother may possibly be Delia Hightower. If any one has any information or records that they would like to share with me I would greatly appreciate it.

  34. researching the Carn family in Banberg. Hilliard Carn born 1847
    Any decendents available would be much appreciated

  35. Hi Lyricus,

    I am researching the Hightower family tree (my mother’s relatives are Hightowers, some born in Tennessee but eventually ending up in Texas.) I would be extremely grateful for any information you can provide. Contact at backuptwt@protonmail.com thanks!!!

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