COUSIN MONROE’S
HISTORY
of the
PICKENS FAMILY
COMPILED BY
MONROE PICKENS
REVISED AND PUBLISHED BY
KATE PICKENS DAY
Copyright, 1951
KATE PICKENS DAY
EASLEY, SOUTH CAROLINA
U.S.A.
Printed in the United States of America
By Hiott Press, Greenville, South Carolina
Contents
Page
Foreword------6
Sketch of the Life of Monroe Pickens ------8
193- o - 1950 ------12
Coat of Arms ------15
Chapter I – Pickens ------16
Chapter II – Who Came to America ------23
Chapter III - THE PICKENS FAMILY and the
Revolutionary War ------31
Chapter IV - Pioneer Andrew and His Descendants ------37
Chapter V - Pioneer Robert and His Descendants ------80
Chapter VI - Pioneer Israel and His Descendants ------192
Chapter VII - Pioneer Williams and His Descendants------224
Chapter VIII – Pioneer John and His Descendants ------248
Chapter IX - A Number of Family Records That
Are Incomplete ------263
Chapter X - The Andrew Pickens Reunion Association ------272
Index To Pictures
Facing Page
1. “Cousin Monroe” ------Frontispiece 8
2.Coat of Arms ------15
3.General Andrew Pickens ------40
4.Governor Francis W. Pickens------57
5.Pickens Family Reunion 1917 ------118
6.James Tarpley and Matilda Patton Pickens ------120
7.The Eight Sons and Daughter ------121
8.Lawrence B. Ray ------123
9.Francis T. Pickens ------133
10.Rev. and Mrs. Robert W. Pickens ------143
11.Reunion Association Presidents ------151
12.Martha Catherine Pickens Carter ------155
13.Margaret Susannah Pickens Ray------158
14.Col.Robert Pickens ------163
15.Col. W. Smith Pickens ------170
16.Robert Welborn Pickens ------171
17.W. Holbert Pickens ------173
18.Rev. Robert Mason Pickens ------183
19.Andrew Pickens Reunion, 1925 ------272
20.A Family Group ------278
D E D I C A T I O N
THE lives, noble deeds and simple virtues of these, our worthy ancestors, deserve more than a passing memory, and it is to them that this book is affectionately dedicated.
ALSO, we include future generations who bear the name of Pickens, sharing their pardonable pride in their ancestry, yet trusting that they will be imbued with a sense of responsibility to so live and labor that a record of their lives will add to and not detract from the annals of THE PICKENS FAMILY.
FOREWORD
Go with me in your imagination, back through a little more than two centuries, to the Old World and look in upon a people made poor by many wars, clinging steadfastly to their religious convictions although severely persecuted on account of them.
These people were of many countries and of different faiths, but all had a common desire to live where they might worship God according to the dictates of their consciences. Hearing of the new world across the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of these brave souls accepted its offer of freedom.
In Ireland at this time there were living families of Scotch-Irish descent by the name of Picken. These families were Presbyterians and had already moved from Scotland to Ireland. These were our ancestors who, filled with a desire for freedom and moved by the spirit of adventure, braved the rough seas, crossed the stormy Atlantic and landed on the shores of Pennsylvania. Here they took up the task of establishing themselves in a strange country, that with the exception of a few earlier settlers who had preceded them was inhabited by savage Indians and ferocious wild animals. These pioneers camped in the open country until they were able to build homes for themselves.
Before leaving their homeland the hearts of these people must have been heavy as they bade farewell to their loved ones. In America they were launching into the unknown-savages threatened them with destruction. They had to face starvation until crops could be raised. Was this better than living in the lands where they had been persecuted?
These forefathers of ours were consistent and devout. They brought their church letters with them and took part in the organization of new churches. They brought their Bibles and used them as a guide book for their daily living. In the evenings they gathered around their camp fires, sang the Psalms of David, offered thanks to God for his mercies and prayers for their safe keeping, then lay down to sleep in the midst of the attendant dangers of that vast wilderness.
Having long yearned for a Pickens family history, I have for many years been trying to pick up the broken traditions that have been handed down to us, and weave them together into a simple history, rich in quality and texture.
Many of whom I have requested information have responded willingly, and to them I am greatly indebted, however, in a few cases, it has been hard to trace relationships and there is little doubt but that many errors will show instances of this kind.
In my own behalf, I wish to say that while this venture had some measures of success, I have not accomplished what I desired. The task is hardly begun. I gladly turn over to those interested in the preservation of the family records what information I have collected with the hope that it will be used as may seem best, and that someone will take up the task and continue to gather together and preserve records of the family and that these will ever be a source of inspiration to future generations.
o –
With two pages of data this work has begun, and so those who have furnished the rest of the information I wish to express my sincere thanks.
Special acknowledgment and thanks must be given to Mr. R. W. Pickens of Easley S.C. who rendered valuable help in laying the foundation for the work; to Mr. Rupert T. Pickens of High Point N.C.; to Mr. John A. Pickens, Chattanooga, Tenn.; to Mrs. Grace Smith Pettijohn, Indianapolis, Indiana; to Mrs. R.D. Sturdivant, Berlin, Alabama; to Mr. Virgil P. Phillips, Adamsville, Tennessee; to Mr. Elmer Pickens of Ohio; to Mr. E. M. Pickens of College Park, Maryland; to Miss Eugenia W. Lore, Concord, North Carolina; to Mrs. H. D. Pickens, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; to Mrs. Ben Day, Easley, S.C.; to Rev. E. M. Sharpe of the Methodist church in North Mississippi; to Mr. James M. Pickens, Chevy Chase, Maryland and to many others for various lines furnished.
MONROE PICKENS
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF MONROE PICKENS
BY JULIA PICKENS HUNT
September 30, 1866 February 7, 1945
The above dates mark the beginning and the end of a useful and successful life in every phase; one whose influence will continue to live through the years. He gave his time, his talent and his means to those whose lives he touched.
Thomas Mason Monroe Pickens, son of Rev. Robert Mason and Marthe Burdine Pickens was born in Anderson County, South Carolina, September 30, 1866. When about three months old, his parents moved to Richard Burdine farm in Pickens County and remained there until 1880 which time they moved to Greenville.
After attending the public schools, he prepared himself for an accountant. He entered the service of the Southern Railroad Company February 12, 1896 in Charlotte, N.C., transferring to Greenville, S.C. the next year and remaining in the service at that place until April 1, 1938, on which date he was retired under the Railway Retirement Act. From then until the end of his life, he continued his interest in his fellowmen, devoting his time to home, civic and church affairs.
On November 4, 1891 he was married to Emma Medlock, daughter of James Travis and Martha Babb Medlock of Laurens County. With the exception of the short time spent in Charlotte, N.C. they lived in Greensville, establishing their home at 109 Lloyd Street.
Their only child, Julia Medlock Pickens, was born May 5, 1903. On March 27, 1937 she married Warren Wells Hunt, son of R.P. and Minnie Bowen Hunt of Dallas, Texas. They are at present living at 404 W. Croft Street, Greenville, S.C.
In Civic affairs he was often consulted on important matters where sound advice and counsel were needed. He was a member of the Board of Directors and President of the Carolina Loan and Trust Company; on the Board of Directors of the Mechanics Building and Loan Association, and the first Federal Building and Loan Company, being president of the latter at a time of his death. He also served as an officer in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a member of the Woodmen of the World.
insert picture of THOMAS MONROE PICKENS (1866-1945)…..
Being the son of a Methodist minister, it was natural for him to become affiliated with that denomination, joining Buncombe Street Methodist church on September 3, 1883 and becoming Superintendent of the church school in 1905, a position he held for many years. At one time or another he served as church treasurer, chairman of the board of education, superintendent of literature and classification; he was a steward, a trustee, secretary of the Church Conference, recording steward, district steward and a member of the Conference Board of Education. Although a layman, he was selected to stand at the table to assist with the Holy Communion on each Communion Sunday.
He did not do things for the honor he might receive but for the pleasure he derived in serving others. It was his custom to stand in the hall of his church each Sunday to shake hands with every one who came into the Sunday School. Almost any Sunday morning he might be seen walking through the halls with a baby in his arms that had become restless and wanted attention outside the class room. Scarcely a person entered the church whose life was not in some way touched by his presence. On his birthday following his death, Buncombe Street dedicated the Church Bulletin, carrying his picture on the front, to his memory. On that day a large picture of him was hung in the hall of the educational building near where he had so often stood to greet those who entered the church.
One of the greatest surprises of his life and one that touched him deeply was the banquet given on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary. It was fitting that his anniversary should be observed in the church for both husband and wife had been loyal workers and closely identified with the church throughout their married life. Appreciation of their close relationship was shown by the many gifts they received from the classes and departments of the church.
The following paragraphs, taken from one of his notebooks, explain why he decided to compile the data for a family history:
“In the northwestern part of South Carolina, along the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, lie many miles of beautiful country, slightly hilly and rolling, very rich and fertile. Before the Revolutionary War, these native forests were covered with a very growth of wild pea vine which furnished a luxurious pasture, summer and winter, for horses, cattle and game. Attracted by this rich and fertile soil and salubrious climate, many families from what is now Abbeville County, South Carolina, from Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina moved into this section to find and make new homes.
Among the settlers, there came one Robert Pickens from Abbeville County who settled on the head waters of Three and Twenty Creek, in what is now Anderson County. Robert Pickens established his home on land he bought from the Commonwealth of South Carolina. His plantation, the deed shows, was bounded on all sides by public lands, but soon other settlers bought homes near his and at an early date a church was organized, and the church building was located on the land of Robert Pickens.
“Men do not live always, for all men are appointed to die. Cemeteries soon became a necessity. The first chapel stood on a hill, and just across the road there was a gently sloping hill facing the east, forming an ideal place for a cemetery. About 1792, there was a grave made for the first person in the settlement to die. The father of Robert Pickens, whose name was also Robert Pickens, and gone to his reward. For over one hundred and fifty years this cemetery has continued to grow and many members of THE PICKENS FAMILY rest there.
About 1916, the names of the members of THE PICKENS FAMILY who are buried in this cemetery were recorded on a single sheet of paper, and along with this record was written the fragments of history then known to the writer.
“Now, in your imagination, go with us into the living room of a little home not many miles from the cemetery. It is in the fall of the year and the day is dying in the west. As the evening shadows lengthen the night sets her lamps aglow.
“Inside, on the library table lay the lone sheet of paper containing the record of the old cemetery. It is read and reread. Our thoughts turn from those who are sleeping to the living members of the family; those who are near and dear to us at home and the many others in far away parts of the country. Why not follow them up and get record of them, their families and their ancestors?
Would there not be an inspiration and a sense of pride in such an undertaking? Would not the friendship and comradeship, a knowledge of the love, joy and beauty in the lives of our living kindred to be worthwhile?
“This was the beginning of my resolve to search for material for the history of THE PICKENS FAMILY as found in the following pages.”
- o -
The successful, active life of Monroe Pickens came to an end on the morning of February 7, 1945, when he suffered a sudden heart attack and died immediately. He enjoyed life until that minute, and his loved ones have come to feel that this was a sweet way in which to make his departure. He had the respect of men and the love of little children, and his memory lives on through the years by all who knew him.
193- o - 1950
KATE PICKENS DAY
Upon being introduced to Cousin Monroe, the disparity in our ages and the distance of our kinship made it seem proper for me to address him as ‘Mr. Pickens.’ He shook my hand reprovingly, “You’re Pickens, aren’t you?” I nodded. “Then call me Cousin Monroe. I’m kin to anyone who has ever borne the name of Pickens!”
That no mere pleasantry of a gallant gentleman. Cousin Monroe meant every word he said. There was a special warm spot in his heart for all his kin and some of the happiest years of his life were spent, as he said, in trying to find out just how many cousins he could claim.
It was back in the early twenties, in the hey day of family reunions, that we met.
The North Carolina branch of THE PICKENS FAMILY was holding its annual get together the first Thursday in August and to my family was accorded the privilege of escorting his family to Weaverville, North Carolina, for the conclave. Cousin Monroe has been invited to speak on ‘Compiling a Family History’ and he was certainly well prepared. Not only did he have his subject in hand but he also brought along seven loose leaf binders filled with data he had collected.
In his speech he told of the years he had spent in the pursuit of his hobby, of his trips to old landmarks; of hunting records in old court houses, of corresponding with persons in a dozen different states. The seven notebooks bore the fruit of his efforts and the audience was impressed. Here they seemed to say is something concrete, something that ought to be preserved for posterity. As interesting as fireside tales handed down from generation might be, they could not complete with catalogued facts. It was just what the association had been wanting, not knowing how to obtain it, and in a burst of ‘group enthusiasm’ some one suggested that a special committee be appointed to investigate the possibility of publishing Cousin Monroe ‘s manuscript…. If he were willing. He was, and the committee was forthwith appointed. Having served on that committee, I know that there were some months, even years, of honest effort. New birth records were filed out, family changes noted, the manuscript revised and retyped, committee meetings held … in fact, it seems that just about everything was attempted that should have produced the desired results. But somehow, something was lacking- something failed to click. As reunion followed reunion the committee reported “ the material just about ready for the publishers,” but it never became reality.
Finally, in what history now calls ‘the depression’ it was very evident to all of us that we couldn’t publish the book, no matter how much we might like to do so, for the simple reason that neither the association nor any individual in it seemed to have the money to finance the undertaking.
As we look backward, we are always amazed at our own blindness, our own particular brand of stupidity. When the movement to table the effort to publish the history was made, it seemed a matter of no great moment to me. It could be done a few years hence I reasoned, just as well as now when things were more settled.
When things were more settled, with second World War just around the corner! When things were more settled, not reckoning on the changes twenty turbulent years would bring to a family numerous and as far flung as the Pickenses!