The prompt for 52 Ancestors this week is Storm, and I have a story for that.
1875 was the year of the tornado for South Carolina, it seems. There was a large outbreak of tornadoes on March 19-20, 1875; but I’m writing about a tornado that took place on March 15, 1875 in Richland County, South Carolina.
Tornado!
This ‘fearful storm’ supposedly started on the Lexington County side of the Congaree River which divides Richland and Lexington Counties. I have created a map below to show you its approximate path based on the info I have.
First, a damage and loss report
Before the map I’ll tell you about the people affected along the way according to the Daily Phoenix newspaper. I’ve also assigned a map key for each person/family.
Mr. PADGETT on the Wilmington, Columbia, Augusta Railroad; 9 miles below Columbia; lost his dwelling, his mill house was blown into the pond, and he suffered additional property damage. One or two people working at the mill that day died. (P on the map)
William DAVIS‘ house was wrecked and his young daughter was killed when the chimney fell on her. William Davis is likely one of my Davis relatives, but I haven’t confirmed it. The Davis’ are hard to trace. (WD on the map)
James THOMAS (1828-1912), ½ mile for William Davis, was my 2nd great-grandfather. His house and every building were destroyed. No one was injured or killed. (JT on the map)
Browns Chapel, very close to James Thomas’ property, was demolished. (BC on the map)
T.D. COOK‘s settlement lost nearly every house. This settlement was 1 miles for James Thomas’ house. (TD on the map)
Frank STRICKLAND, about 2 miles from T.D. Cook, lost his house (FS on the map)
The storm dissipated at about old Ancrum Ferry Road, not far from the Strickland home, leaving behind a path of destruction four to five miles long.
Approximate tornado path
A little more about James Thomas
James Thomas was a farmer, and an injured Civil War veteran. At the time of the tornado, he was 47 years old. He was married to Elizabeth Jane DAVIS THOMAS (1828-1911), and they had five children. He was farming on the 1870 and 1880 census so he must have rebuilt his home and other buildings.
James Thomas and his wife, Elizabeth Jane Davis Thomas
On the map, I am sure of the location of Browns Chapel since I’ve visited that cemetery. I am fairly sure of the location of the Thomas and Davis properties. The others are my guesses based on the info I found in the newspaper. If any of the folks are your family members, and I have the locations wrong, please let me know.
Copyright © 2018 Nancy H. Vest All Rights Reserved
What does Mr. Thomas have on his jacket?
I also have Davis ancestors. Maybe we’re related!
Thanks for your blog!!
Coleen,
Thanks for asking! I think it’s a ribbon of some kind to commemorate his service in the Confederate Army. It’s hard to tell, but it looks like a palmetto tree on it which is the SC state tree. Are you Davis people from Richland County? If so, who are they? There were two Davis families living in Richland County, so we have a 50/50 chance of being cousins! You can email me at nancy@nancyhvest.com if you’d like.
Thank you so much for your time writing and research. Appreciate and enjoy reading! Great story!
Thanks, Suzan. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Happy 4th blogiversary! I’ve just discovered your blog because your anniversary was highlighted in Geneabloggers Tribe. 🙂
Thank you very much!