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in Gladys Martin Family

The tornado of 15 March 1875

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The prompt for 52 Ancestors this week is Storm, and I have a story for that.

Color photo of threatening dark clouds

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.

B&W map of current Richland County, SC, with color markings showing place locations and approximate tornado path

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.

B&W photo of elderly couple in Sunday clothes. Woman with hair pulled back and wearing black blouse. Man with longish hair and a long white or grey beard. Wearing a white button down shirt and a dark jacket over it. He is also wearing an award of some kind pinned to her jacket, perhaps something from his service during the Civil War.

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

 

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Comments

  1. Coleen Saylor says

    April 22, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    What does Mr. Thomas have on his jacket?

    I also have Davis ancestors. Maybe we’re related!

    Thanks for your blog!!

    Reply
    • Nancy H. Vest says

      April 22, 2018 at 7:25 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Suzan Martin says

        April 23, 2018 at 12:58 am

        Thank you so much for your time writing and research. Appreciate and enjoy reading! Great story!

        Reply
        • Nancy H. Vest says

          April 23, 2018 at 11:07 am

          Thanks, Suzan. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

          Reply
  2. Linda Stufflebean says

    April 26, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    Happy 4th blogiversary! I’ve just discovered your blog because your anniversary was highlighted in Geneabloggers Tribe. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nancy H. Vest says

      April 26, 2018 at 3:33 pm

      Thank you very much!

      Reply

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