Excerpt from A History of Marlboro County: With Traditions and Sketches of Numerous Families It is sad to know that many who were living when the work was commenced, and who, in many instances, gave information to the author, have passed over the river. Many have dropped by the wayside who would have found pleasure in perusing these pages, for the sake of the author as well as for the contents. But the indulgent friends who tarry yet for a little while, will, it is hoped, pardon mistakes, omissions, and shortcomings. Much of this is due, not to the conscientious, loving author, but to the fact that his work was transmitted to the far less capable, but willing hands of his son. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXVIII.. Blenhe1m. On August 13, 1704, the celebrated battle of Blenheim was won by the Duke of Marlborough. This signal defeat proved fatal to the plans of Louis XIV. of France, for the French and Bavarian army was almost annihilated in the battle. The Duke of Marlborough, the hero of a hundred battles, was rewarded by his King for the successful issue of the struggle. The manor and honor of Woodstock were conferred on him by the King, and the Queen ordered that a palace should there be built, to be called Blenheim, and there to-day in Blenheim Castle resides the young Duke of Marlborough, who a year or so ago, came to this country and persuaded (?) an American girl to return with him and act in the capacity of Lady Marlborough. Blenheim, a little town lying seven miles south from Bennettsville, was named in honor of the battle of Blenheim, or more properly speaking of the castle of Blenheim. The late Donald Matheson saw the propriety of so naming it, and suggested the name. He doubtless often wondered why the county seat of Marlboro should have been called Bennettsville, instead of Blenheim, and when the opportunity arose for having a Blenheim in Marlboro, he gladly embraced it. Mr. Matheson was born in Alladale, Ross-shire, Scotland, July 19, 1810, and landed in this country at Charleston, November 29, 1825. He remained there two years or more, spent a year in Sumter, went from there to Marion, and from Marion came to Marlboro. For a while he taught school, both in the Brownsville and Parnassus neighborhoods; and for a few years was employed as a salesman by the Messrs. DEGREESTownsend near Parnassus, and afterwards by John McCollum at Bennettsville. He married Miss Margaret McLeod, and settled first in Brownsville, but in a