Marlboro County, located in the northeast corner of South Carolina, was established in 1785 in the Pee Dee region of the state (see Gregg's Early Pee Dee Settlers in the Main Catalog under "South Carolina"). It is believed that the area was inhabited solely by Indians until about 1730. The book presents chapters on the county's early history and settlers; industrial affairs of the early settlers; the American Revolution and the build-up toward it; operations on Pee Dee; Bishop Gregg; members of the legislature; Scottish settlers; the town of Clio; the courthouse; Bennettsville; Brightsville; Blenheim; the "Confederate War"; early ministers; Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches; the town of McColl; Adamsville; educational matters; "The Colored People"; 1886; "Down to the Twentieth Century"; and families such as David, Evans, Wilds, Hodges, Irby, Pegue, Rogers, Brown, Magee, Carloss, Mason Lee, Coxe, Townsend, Henagan, Bruce, Kolb, Pouncey, Cochrane, Spears, Vining, Terrell, Thornwell, Gillespie, Ellerbe, Forniss, Pledger, Thomas, Parker, Ammons, Fletcher, Easterling, Ayer, Covington, Eden, Meekins, Wilson, Campbell, McColls, McLaurins, McCall, Hawley, Weatherly, McRae, Hinshaw, McLeod, McLucas, Bennett, Stubbs, Moore, McInnis, Huckabee, Matheson, James, Williams, Bedgegood, Pugh, Breeden and Adams. In the chapter on the "Confederate War" there are rosters listing more than 800 soldiers, and an everyname index lists over 3,200 names. A fold-out map of Marlboro County and a map of the Old Marlborough Court House complement the work.

Nestled in South Carolina's Pee Dee region, Bennettsville serves as the seat of Marlboro County. In the early days, agriculture moved the city forward, quickly turning it into one of the Palmetto State's wealthiest communities. Legend says that the land is so rich, it was once sold by the pound. Stately homes dating back to the agricultural glory years still stand, reminding residents of early prosperity. Many downtown buildings have their original Victorian store fronts and are considered to be architectural gems. Even today, Bennettsville's Main Street exemplifies the American small town from the turn of the 20th century.

The South Carolina Historical Marker Program, established in 1936, has approved the installation of more than 1,700 interpretive plaques, each highlighting how places both grand and unassuming have played important roles in the history of the Palmetto State. These roadside markers identify and interpret places valuable for understanding South Carolina's past, including sites of consequential events and buildings, structures, or other resources significant for their design or their association with institutions or individuals prominent in local, state, or national history. This volume includes a concise history of the South Carolina Historical Marker Program and an overview of the marker application process. For those interested in specific historic periods or themes, the volume features condensed lists of markers associated with broader topics such as the American Revolution, African American history, women's history, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. While the program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, most markers are proposed by local organizations that serve as a marker's official sponsor, paying its cost and assuming responsibility for its upkeep. In that sense, this inventory is a record not just of places and subjects that the state has deemed worthy of acknowledgment, but of those that South Carolinians themselves have worked to enshrine.

It was the aim of Capt. Thomas, in writing this history of Marlboro County, South Carolina, to make it so full in the matters of tradition and genealogy as to leave no room for complaint, but in spite of his zeal, industrious inquiry and research, he was unable to procure from some families, facts and data, whilst some others were unable to give information sought, having preserved no family records, and having no traditions stored up in memory. The Rev. J. A. W. Thomas endeavored to write this piece of local history of a people loyal to the State, valorous in war, law abiding, industrious and thrifty in time of peace. The citizens of Marlboro should feel deeply indebted for the history of the people who have ever been true to themselves and their State in time of war, and who, in peace, by quiet industry and exemplary thrift have made Marlboro the garden spot of the State.

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