Speakers-James Benson, W.J. Megginson

Audio Quality-Good

Location-Clemson, SC

Cassette 1

Side 1

00:25--James Benson was born at home on June 23, 1905 in Central, South Carolina.

1:16--Mr. Benson's parents were Patrick and Annie Reese Benson. They are both from the Central, SC area as well. Patrick Benson's parents were Isaac and Emily Benson. Isaac was a slave from the Spartanburg, SC area. Annie Reese's parents were Jim and Tila Cannon Reese. Mr. Benson cannot recall their occupations.

5:58--Mr. Benson now lives in the town of Clemson, SC, just off of Benson Blvd.

7:00--Abel Baptist Church was founded in 1868. Mr. Benson has been a member since 1925. New Hope (Little Abel), Golden View, and Silver Springs Baptist all were founded by former members of Abel.

8:34--Harrison Haywood was the Clerk of Church at Abel for many years; his daughter Susie Haywood took over his job after his death. Susie put together a four-page paper about Abel's history. Both Harrison and Susie are buried in the church cemetery.

9:50--Mr. Benson talks about the job of Superintendent of Sunday school. He attended many classes for it, including several at Morris College. Mr. Benson also talks about his current job as the cemetery caretaker at Abel Baptist Church. He has been doing it for twenty-five years.

13:37--Mr. Dave Whitt and Mr. Jim Cannon were the caretakers before Benson; there have been only three since the foundation of the church in 1868.

16:01--Mr. Benson informs Megginson that there are three cemeteries and that the church keeps maps and records of whom are buried there. There are very few tombstones or markers in the first and second cemeteries because of their old age.

17:29--In 1868 Dave Whitt was in charge of the first burial.

18:28--Benson talks about where the three cemeteries are located. The first cemetery is the oldest; it is located on the southside of the church grounds. It has the fewest number of tombstones. The second cemetery is in the rear of the church and the third cemetery is the newest and adjacent to the first cemetery.

24:47--Mr. Benson explains how the church does not restrict its cemetery to members of their church or even Christians. Members of other churches in the area are buried at Abel.

25:42--Burials in the area in the old days were different than today because there were no funeral homes. The body stayed at the family's house until the funeral. The funerals were quick; most of the family lived close by. The community acted the same way towards death; family and friends would gather with the family to grieve.

31:21--Benson explains how there was no need to purchase a plot in the cemetery because the plots use to be free, even to non-members. Today non-members pay for a plot in the cemetery.

31:44--Audio ends.

Cassette 1

Side 2

00:06--Mr. Benson talks about burial insurance. It was not as much as it is today, about twenty to twenty five dollars. It could be paid in installments that amounted to five to ten cents a week.

3:01--Funeral services were usually no longer than thirty minutes. The family often requested that it be short.

4:15--Mr. Benson remembers his grandparents' deaths and their funerals, but does not recall specifics.

6:40--Benson explains that there were no family plots in the cemetery. People were buried in the order of their death.

8:51--The two men move the interview out into the graveyard. Mr. Megginson describes the scenery around the three cemeteries.

9:41--Mr. Benson and Mr. Megginson go through cemetery one and examine grave makers and describe the scenery. Cemetery one is closest to Abel Street and Highway 93. There are about 500 people buried in the cemetery; very few are marked.

12:17--A few names mentioned are T.H. Thompson (1870-1918), John Singleton (1841-1918), T.W. Williams (1886-1901), John Drayton (1891-1908), Isabelle Collins (1889-1906), and Samuel Green (1853-1923).

18:43--Mr. Megginson notices a family of three buried together. The Foster family includes James Foster (1876-1919), his son (1897-1917), and his wife (died in 1918 at the age of 38).

21:19--Mr. Benson mentions C.E. Washington, who was born in 1813. This is one of the earliest birth dates in the cemetery.

22:28--Megginson points out the most prominent monument in cemetery one. It belongs to the Manager family. Henry Edward Manager (1878-1912) and parents Simon (1785-1884) and Krecia Manager (1808-1894) were all buried next to each other. They were likely a prosperous family judging from the monument's structure and material.

24:08--The two men continue reading names off markers: Hamp Reese (died 1925) and B.B. Reid (1887-1910).

28:24--Mr. Benson discusses The Fruster family. Fannie Fruster is Mr. Benson's great aunt; she is buried in cemetery one.

31:04--Audio ends.

Cassette 2

Side 1

00:20--Benson and Megginson continue to walk around and look at the grave markers in cemetery number one. Elias Fruster (1866-1914) was the son of Thomas and Fanny Fruster.

1:03--Mr. Benson describes how Matthew Fruster (1897-1916) was killed while working on the railroad double-track. He was the son of James and Leah Fruster. Another marker close by is that of Reverend Ed Reed (died 1918--aged 53 years).

3:39--Megginson names a few more grave markers (the two men are now in the middle of cemetery number one). Mary Cannon died in 1912 at age sixty. Hal Hill (1899-1913), has a broken stone marker.

5:00--Corinne Miles was 16 years when she died. William Reese (1868-1908) was related to Jim Reese, Mr. Benson's grandfather. Lucinda Whitner (died 1909--aged 77) "Gone But Not Forgotten". Among the Watkins family are: James (1876-1904), Hattie (1878-1901), Rev. William Watkins (died 1912), Warren H. (1879-1895), and Susan H. Watkins (died 1918).

9:15--Benson and Megginson come to the two final graves marked in cemetery one: Birdell S. Williams, daughter of W.C. and Isabella Williams (1892-1909) and Mary Simpson (1841-1905).

10:41--Megginson describes the oak trees around the churchyard as the two men enter near cemeteries two and three.

11:16--They are between Margaret Harris's marker in cemetery two and Donald Austin's marker in cemetery three.

12:54--Mr. Megginson describes cemetery two. It stretches behind the church; most of the sites have markers. The oldest sites are the farthest from the church in proximity.

15:19--Mr. Benson starts in the back corner of cemetery two. Matilda Green was married to Will Green. She had a heart condition and died when she was fifty to sixty years old during a meeting at Abel Baptist.

17:41--Mr. Benson is states that there is plot of small children from the Gantt family who died from the flu. They were all eight to twelve years old.

19:00--The next grave was Mr. Benson's father Patrict Benson. He died in February 1926 around the age of fifty-two years. Mr. Benson's sister Lilly Marie died in June 1926 at the age of twenty-five. Annie Reese Benson, Mr. Benson's mother, also died in June of 1926.

21:34--Megginson continues to read names from the grave markers. E.D. Reed (1868-1926) has elaborate markings on his tombstone. This is the brother of Rev. Ed Reed.

23:00--Mr. Benson briefly describes the qualifications regarding the position of Chairmen of the Deacon's at the church.

23:59--Mr. Megginson continues to identify marked and unmarked gravesites. Matilda Kremmel [Tremmel, Trammel?] died in 1930. John Collins was a South Carolina Private in the 49th Volunteer Infantry (died in 1938). Lucille Williams lived from 1905-1929. Ola B. Williams' marker is deciphered.

30:21--Megginson is at line two of cemetery number two. Luecenie Hamilton (1910-1926) has diamond shaped stone. [?] Haywood, son of J.H. and Lucy Haywood lived from 1897-1930.

32:29--Audio ends.

Cassette 2

Side 2

00:07--Benson describes the pictures that are located in his living room.

2:03--Megginson asks about voter registration and if the blacks voted when Mr. Benson was younger. Mr. Benson explains that it was not until the 1940's that blacks started to register to vote. Benson first attempted to vote in 1948 in Central, SC; a few white young men tore up his ballot in front of him. He still continues to vote but does so in Clemson, SC.

9:38--Mr. Benson discusses how few black men where voting at that time [1940's] but now the numbers are increasing.

10:20--Megginson explains that Prince White registered in 1890. He had three sons and also had an important role in the Masonic Lodge.

11:30--Mr. Benson explains that black Masonic Lodge's have different burial rituals than white lodges [he does not go into detail].

12:01--Megginson is describes the oak trees in the churchyard.

12:25--Megginson dictates a few measurements that he took the day before regarding cemetery one. The cemetery is sixty by ninety yards. He notes that the newest graves are by the road.

12:55--Mr. Benson and Mr. Megginson are located on the third row in cemetery two. There are three unmarked graves.

14:03--Megginson begins naming grave markers with Mr. Benson's help. Rosa Bet Hill [Bethill?] was born in 1903 but the death date is submerged underground. Mamie Simmons (1894-1933) was a member of the PBA [Burial Aids] Society. Rosa Preston (1882-1934) and daughter Berenice P. Jones (died in 1980) are buried next to each other.

17:56--Truman Brown Jones (1895-1983)--US Navy, WWI was Berenice P. Jones's husband.

18:40--Megginson continues to name from grave markers. Aaron Mansion [?] (1858-1939) and his wife raised Mattie Furgason (1913-1939) and her 8 other brothers and sisters after the death of their mother. John Watson (1880-1941) and John H. Dawson (1879-1950) were members of the PBA Society. Dean Nathan Reese died in 1980. Williams L. Earl lived from 1947 to 1985. They come across the marker of Polly Reid. Benson explains that Butler Reid was married twice; he had families with both Leah and Polly Reid.

28:59--Kato Sherman was one of the first clerks of Abel. Ann Elizabeth Jones (1921-1929) was the daughter of Minnie Bell Jones. Julia Reid (1902-1922) was the wife of Robert Reid.

32:34--Audio ends.

Cassette 3

Side 1

00:21--[Benson and Megginson are in cemetery two and continue to identify grave markers]. John Collins lived from 1885 to 1930. His grave had the letters FLT (Friendship, Love, and Truth) engraved in it. The engraving is associated with the Odd Fellows Club.

1:33--Mr. Benson explains that the Masonic Lodge Hall is in the center of Calhoun near Golden View Church.

2:19--They continue naming grave markers. Jimmy Fruster lived from 1878 to 1933.

3:49--Rena B. Phillips (born 1865) was the mother to Willie E. Forman (1894-1951). They are buried next to each other.

4:10--Katie Bennett (1938-1980) was not a member of Abel Baptist. Mr. Benson explains that non-members are buried in cemetery two. Cemetery three is saved for members only.

6:04--Edith R. Williams died in 1982. She was also a non member. George Ferguson lived from 1902 to 1987.

7:29--The final person buried in rows four and five is Marcus J. Connelly (1965-1988).

9:35--The Smith plot contains Russell B. (1972-1985). Mr. Benson recalls that Russell was killed in a car accident. He was very involved in high school and was talented in athletics.

11:18--Joseph Earl lived from 1946 to 1985. Sara G. Gallaway lived from 1909 to 1981.

14:25--WWI veteran George O. Smith (1890-1956) was a Private in the SC 1st Company--156 Depot Brigade. Will Hill lived from 1873 to 1946. Marion Patterson died in 1944.

18:00--Hattie Watkins died in 1938. She was the daughter of William Watkins.

19:16--Mr. Benson recalls George Richard Shaw Sr. (1857-1931). Richard was from the lower part of the state but moved to the upstate during the early construction of Clemson College; he was a prison laborer. Afterwards he became very successful and owned a large portion of land. His land that is now close in proximity to the location of the Comfort Inn.

22:58--Harvey Hill lived from 1900-1930. Bonnie Reid (1886-1936) was a member of the PBA Society. Joe S. Payton (1888-1933) was an Odd Fellow. Susie Bird was born in 1865; the death date is submerged in the ground. Ms. Bird (Aunt Sue Bird) worked in the boarding house of Mr. Megginson's grandmother.

27:36--Jannie H. Reese (wife of Hamp Reese) died in 1945 at the age of sixty-five. Alphonso C. Martin (1921-1946) served in the SC Regiment 497th Engineers during World War II.

30:33--Audio ends.

Cassette 3

Side 2

00:31--Mr. Benson explains the Ms. Annie Greenlee designed, placed, and paid for her grave marker while she was still living.

1:36--Bill C. Greenlee has no death date but Mr. Benson recalls his wife Annie Reid Greenlee (daughter of Mr. Butler Reid) died before Bill did. They are buried next to each other.

2:35--Chapiohe Williams ("Hun") lived from 1880-1955. Karen Ruth Cannon died in 1982 (age 43). Thriso [pronounced Cicero] Hamilton, Jr. is her first husband.

5:30--Mr. Megginson notices that there is a grave with a bronze army marker. Hubert Martin (1924-1984) was a Private in the US Army. He served in World War II. Alphonso Martin is his brother.

6:58--Brenda E. Freeman (1955-1986) was not a member of Abel Baptist Church. Ezel Abraham lived from 1891-1986. Buried next to this individual is Edna Mae Abraham. Edna died in 1985 (age 64). Adams Mortuary buried the Abraham's.

10:23--Mr. Benson recalls that his youngest sister Polly Austin (1912-1984) had three husbands: Dawson, Jones, and Austin.

11:24--Mr. Benson recalls 104-year-old Ransome Tremmel [?].

13:41--Sally Jenkins (1876-1935) married a Whitener. Williemena Williams was born in 1920; the death date is under ground. Quilla Woods was a WWII veteran (Private in North Carolina 77 Coast Artillery); he was the son of Mabel Fork.

16:39--Albert B. Chapmen lived from 1933-1982. Deloris Alexander died in 1983; her family used Johnson's Funeral Home. Raymond Reese died in 1983; Adams Mortuary was used for his burial. George Cannon died in 1984. Nathan Cannon lived from 1923-1985. These two are not related.

18:30--John Henry Walker Jr. (1932-1986) was US Army Private in Korea. John Whitt (1888-1937) was a member of PBA. Perry Whitt died in 1939. They were brothers; their father was the first cemetery supervisor for Abel Baptist. Perry Whitt's grave marker stated Calhoun, SC, which was one of the first that Mr. Megginson had seen noted this way.

20:31--Charley Hicks was a SC Private in the 810 Pioneer Infantry during WWI. He died in 1939.

21:40--Mr. Benson recalls Lavonia Butler (1901-1944) who was apparently beaten to death.

22:59--Benson recalls his son David A. Benson. He lived to be two and a half years old. He died in the hospital in 1945 because of a breathing ailment.

24:11--Ellie M. Walker lived from 1906-1948. Benson recalls White Durham (1869-1952) and his wife Nancy J. Childress.

27:00--Mr. Benson explains that Willy Williams did the grave markers that are not very legible; the sand content of the concrete caused many to deteriorate. Sue Reed's grave is not marked. She was the wife of Ed Reed.

29:16--Megginson continues to read names. France S. Hairston died in 1983. Crawford Reese died in 1985, his arrangements where carried out by Superior Funeral Home. The two approach the Galliard family plot. Joivery Benson Galliard is married to Matthew W. Galliard. Sr. (both were still living at the time of this recording). Dorothy G. Brunson lived from 1915-1988. She is Matthew W. Galliard Sr.'s sister.

31:39--Audio ends.

Cassette 4

Side 1

00:39--Benson describes two stumps that used to be Oak trees in the west end near the rear of the church; his aunt Caroline Reese is buried between the two stumps.

1:51--Mr. Benson names grave sites starting in the west end of cemetery two, moving toward the east. Ralph Durham died in 1940. He was a cook in the SC 371 Infantry, 93rd Division. Martha Dawson (1883-1940) is the wife of John Dawson. Ms. Dawson was a member of the PBA.

2:58--Megginson states that he has come across a book in Anderson, SC called Black Business Men, and notes that many pages discuss the PBA Society.

3:52--Isaac Brown had a twin sister named Rebecca Brown. Charley Heets [?] died in 1939. He was a WWI veteran (Private in the 810 Pioneer Infantry).

6:01--David Dupree (1880-1940) was the Officer of Deacons at Abel Baptist. He was a PBA member and was related to Alec Dupree.

6:55--A large family plot contains Lula Simpson (1873-1948). Ms. Simpson is buried next to her son James (he predeceased her).

9:12--Sam Orr, husband of Maggie Walker, is buried close by. Laura Banks (1883-1948) was a PBA member and wife to John Banks. Mary Kay lived from 1882-1948. Lavonia Brown lived from 1871-1948.

12:02--Mr. Benson recalls the way John Henry Walker (1906-1959) was murdered by his brother-in-law. Mr. Walker's family still lives in the house where the incident took place.

13:45--Mae Bell Fuller (1909-1951) was the wife of George Fuller (1910-1952). Ms. Fuller was Isaac Butler's daughter.

15:56--Mr. Benson describes a large plot. Helen Williams Reid 1893-1958) was married to Robert M. Reid (died in 1975). Robert Reed's father was Butler Reid. Benson again describes the situation surrounding Butler Reid's two families. Anna Maxwell Reid (1911-1969) is also buried there. She married Toby Maxwell (from Pendleton); they had two children. Benson states that Maxwell's father was a white man [the white man's surname may not have been Maxwell].

21:09--Rebecca Reid Galliard Ludlow (1909-1980), and Sara Reid B. Kibler's father was Robert Reid. Kibler's husband is buried in Seneca. Rebecca died in a car accident.

24:14--William Cannon (1899-1983) was married to Vennie Cannon (1897-). Mr. Benson states that the Benson, Reese, and Cannon families are soon to hold a family reunion. Andel Elrod (1965-1986) was killed in a car accident.

27:20--Abel Baptist burned in 1928. Thereafter the parish met in a local schoolhouse until Golden View volunteered their church for meetings. Abel had service the second Sunday of every month at Golden View. The new church took nearly three years to rebuild (finished in 1931).

31:30--Mr. Benson recalls the death of William Cannon's daughter (she was around one when she died).

32:43--Audio ends.

Cassette 4

Side 2

00:07--The tape begins mid sentence Mr. Benson explains Elsie Jane Watkins' history. She died in 1958. She married Rev. Watkins. After his death she married Jim Poole from Pickens, SC. Mr. Poole apparently killed Mr. Benson's aunt Floride Reese.

4:45--Mr. Benson continues identifying grave markers. Betty Goldman (1867-1949) was a member of the PBA and was married to Jimmy Goldman. He was the first clerk of Abel Church.

6:03--Inez Green (1898-1949) was the wife of Ed Green, who was a Deacon at the church. Mr. Green was married to Mr. Benson's aunt Mary Reese before he wed Inez. Mary Lou Owen (1891-1949) was Ed Green's sister; she married Henry Owen.

8:09--Johnny Earle (1873-1950) was the secretary of the Masonic Lodge for many years. Lizzie E. (Butler) Dupree (1903-1952) was married to Thomas Dupree. Mrs. Dupree's father was Isaac Butler. Mattie Johnston lived from 1900-1953.

14:15--Pat and Carrie (Vance) Benson died in the 1950's. Pat is Mr. Benson's brother; these graves are unmarked. Robbie Freeman's (1924-1982) marker has a bronze military plaque. He was a Major in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Mary Freeman is his wife and was still living at the time of this interview.

17:36--Ella Richie (1893-1942) was a member of the PBA and was married to Henry Richie. He was a Deacon at Golden View Baptist Church. James (Jim) Mack (1878-1944) was a member of PBA and is buried next to his daughter Maggie Dunn. Maggie Dunn (1909-1944) was married to Carl Dunn and was also a member of the PBA.

20:20--Leah Fruster (1885-1950) was married to Jimmy Fruster. Mrs. Fruster was a Wilson before marriage; her mother was Julie Wilson, Anne Reese's cousin.

22:15--Lillie B. Cannon (1868-1950) was the mother of Alto Singleton; she married Jim Singleton. The Singletons had two children. Annie Whitener died in 1951. She was the niece of Jim Singleton's sister. Annie Whitener was married to John Whitener. John Knowles' grave is unmarked.

25:26--Bessie Reid (1899-1957) was the wife of Erskine Reid (1894-1963) [one of Butler Reid's children by Polly Reid]. Pauline Reid Hicks (1898-1976) was married to Charley Hicks. His father was Simon Hicks.

29:03--Louis T. Williams was a SC Private First Class with the 3302 OM Truck Company in World War II. He lived from 1916-1950. Betty (Webb) Cannon married Jim Cannon; she predeceased him. Her father was Wayne Webb.

32:11--Audio ends.

Cassette 5

Side 1

00:32--Jim Cannon has no marker and his death date is unknown, but Benson states that he died before he became the cemetery caretaker.

1:36--John C. Reese (1882-1951) was Mr. Benson's uncle. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Janie (Fruster) Reese (1888-1985) was his wife. John F. Fruster was her father; he worked in the mess hall at Clemson University. Mr. Benson lived with him and his family for a few years. James (1893-1953) and Gay Fruster (1895-1955) are Janie's brothers. Both were World War I veterans.

8:16--Rachel (Singleton) Walker died in 1956; she was married to Brady Walker. John Singleton was her father. Kate Haywood Reid (1887-1967) married Ed Reid (his father was Butler Reid). Kate's parents were Harrison and Lucy Haywood.

11:01--Susie Haywood (1899-1979) was longtime clerk of Abel Baptist. Her father Harrison Haywood is also buried at the church; he has no marker. He was a local farmer and the second clerk of the church. Jimmy Goldman and Kato Taylor were among the clerks that held the job previous to Harrison. Lucy E. Haywood was his wife. Their children were Susie and Harry Haywood. Susie became clerk of the church when her father died. She taught school in Central, South Carolina and was known for her beautiful handwriting. Her brother Harry (1892-1982) was in the US Army during World War I.

18:51--John Keasler, Jaddie Holmes (died 1951), and Mattie E. Williams (1912-1952) are buried near each other.

23:34--Isabelle Cannon Garvin lived from 1906 to 1953. Fleta Knowles (1888-1955) was from Atlanta, GA.

25:56--John C. Whitt was the son of Lucy Fruster Whitt. Lucy Whitt's father was John Fruster. The children of John Fruster are: Lucy, Janie, Ellen, Gideon, James, Gay, and John Jr.

29:13--Megginson mentions that they are identifying the next to last row of burials in cemetery two. Larrie Boggs (1893-1953) was a SC Private--Company M in World War I. Willie M. Boggs was his wife; she lived from 1900-1982 and was in the Eastern Star organization.

32:04--Audio ends.

Cassette 5

Side 2

1:11--Rev. George Hunter (1883-1956) was a local minister but did not belong to any particular church.

2:07--Janet Chriswell was a local missionary. Next to Chriswell is Mr. Benson's great aunt. She had three brothers: Jim, Hamp, and Wiles Reese.

4:01--Margaret Reese Harris (1895-1979) is Mr. Benson's first cousin on his mother's side. She was married to Melvin Harris.

5:30--Cemetery three is very well organized. There are markers at most of the grave sites; it has been is use for the previous twenty years.

6:39--Donal Lawson died in 1970. He is the first buried in cemetery three; he was married to Jane Lawson. William F. Shaw died in 1973, Pablos Shereann died in 1975.

8:21--Verdale Lamar Reese lived from 1971-1978. Jared D. Williams died in 1981. Michael James Penson (1985-1985) [lived 2 months] is also buried in cemetery three. Jenny Lee's child is buried there as well; she lived only two months.

11:59--Mr. Benson and Mr. Megginson head into the church to look at the records.

12:43--Audio ends.