What would you like to know about Kershaw County?

We have so many famous people from this area, alot of it is already on the internet, is there something special that you would like me to look into for you?

Events coming up
Cemeteries
Newspaper Articles at the Archives
People who made a difference in Kershaw county, that are little known.

Suggestions?

                                                                    Sarah K. Ayer
                                                              Barnwell, South Carolina


                                                       Kershaw County Wanderer..........

Herbert J. Dunsmore

Herbert J. Dunsmore born to Rhoda Leticia Prescott and Richard Dunsmore September 9.1910 in Ionia, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan as a Civil Engineer, Herbert was one of the first environmental engineers, he has written over 20 books on the quality of air, he helped clean up the air in the "Smoky City" of Pittsburgh. Herbert also helped clean up the steel industries in Europe. Herbert was married to Vera M. Hurd, they had 2 sons David and Roger. Vera passed away in 1987, she was the daughter of Roy M. and Mona Morrison Hurd.



Herbert was hired by the city of Pittsburgh July 22.1948. At that time he was a noted expert in food and milk sanitation, he became their first Public Health Engineer. Herbert's hobbies were photography, and the restoration of buildings in his hometown of Ionia.

Richard, Rhoda, Ruth, Herbert, Alice, and George Dunsmore at the family home.

Herbert passed away Feb. 7. 1999

Sarah Ann Babcock-Mather

Sarah Ann Babcock was born in Chester, Mass. on March 20.1820. Sarah spent her lift educating others, Sarah was educated at the Wesleyan Academy in Wibraham, Mass. and became a teacher of language and literature. At the end of the Civil War in 1865, Sarah traveled to Camden, S.C. in 1867 she established a private methodist school for african-americans.


In 1887 The Browning Home and Mather Academy opened for girls, they were taught basic education skills, social,family and religion. In 1890 boys were allowed to enroll.

Sarah returned to her home in Plymouth, Mass, and married the Reverand James Mather in July of 1869, she continued her teaching in the Plymouth area until her death May 14.1901.

In 1983 the school was closed. The building were torn down in 1995.

There is a Facebook page for Mather Academy, and more information can be found on google books for Sarah, and her wonderful contribution to the community of Camden. SC.

Laura Elizabeth Platts-John Brook Harter

Laura Elizabeth Platts-Harter-Monden

                                         Born January 10.1876           Died March 20.1950

Born July 26. 1873    Died August 31.1913

Laura is buried next to her first husband in the family cemetery in Ulmer, South Carolina, she was my greatgrandmother. Laura married William Watson Monden after her first husband John Brook Harter was shot and killed in Lena, SC.
This is the Newspaper article about the murder of my greatgrandfather;

My greatgrandparents had 6 children, Newman, Leacy, Cuemilla,John Brooke, Laura, and John Dexter(grandfather).

Dr. Jesse Horace Thomas

Dr. Jesse Horace Thomas was one of the first African-American doctors to practice in Camden, South Carolina. Born August 11. 1882, he married Hattie Smith of Sumter, they had no children, Dr. Thomas died  December 28.1954.  Dr. Thomas graduated from Claflin College in Orangeburg, SC., he attended the medical school at Temple University.

Dr. Thomas purchased the house at 707 DeKalb St. in Camden, in 1911, he practiced next door. This house now serves as one of the best resturants in Camden, I've had dinner there, the "BEST" catfish that I've ever had. The resturant is still like a home, you pick a room to eat in, and they are still cooking in the original kitchen.

Dr. Thomas is buried at the Cedar Cemetery, this cemetery is about a mile north of the Quaker Cemetery.

The Carolina Cup Steeplechase Race

The Carolina Cup Race will be held April 2.2011 At the Sprindale Race Course in Camden, South Carolina.
We as a small town grow from 6000 residents to over 100,000 visitors for this race, we sit on our front porch an watch the guest come to town, the young ladies with their fine hats, beautiful and carefully chosen dresses, the young men, with their bowties, pressed dress shirts, and twill or linen pants come by the bus load, convertable cars, or SUV's, well they come for one thing only, as they drive up Broad Street, not to watch a horse race, but to see who has the best tailgate party, and quite abit of the libations are consumed, the saying here is in these parts "If you saw a Horse it was a bad Day!", when they leave, they aren't so pretty, I have sat watching the gridlock of cars and buses trying to leave Camden after the race, they guest aren't as beautiful as they came, alittle dirty, some very sick, one time we watched the bus that was stopped in front of our house full of college students do the chinese fire drill, the police parked by our house could only shake his head. 

I'm not trying to deter anyone from coming, WE LOVE IT WHEN YOU VISIT! so please come the money helps our hospital here. So come on down, and we'll show you some Southern Hospitality!

Sharron Dunsmore McCargar

Sharron Dunsmore passed away February 4.2011 in Michigan, during surgery, She was born to Richard George Dunsmore and Ariel Agnes Denton June 2.1935 in Ionia, Michigan. Sharron was my 1st cousin 1x removed. Sharron was married 3 times, her first husband was Harvey Van Vleck, together they owned the Tasty Freeze in Charlotte, Michigan. They had 3 children. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1970.

Sharron was also a Probartion Officer for Eaton County from 1970-1975. Sharron moved to Medford, Oregon and was Vice-president for  Kirchner Ore and Refinery, she also sang with the "Sweet Adelines" in Florida, Oregon and Michigan. Sharron is survived by 3 children,and both of her sisters, she was preceeded in death by her 3 husbands, Harvey Van Vleck, Fred Kirchner,and Dick McCargar.

Burial was at the First United Methodist Church of Ionia, Pastor Larry Brown