Fairfield

Fairfield County is part of the Old English District of South Carolina.

Fairfield County is part of the Old English District of South Carolina. Although the reason behind the county’s name remains uncertain, it seems to have come from Lord Cornwallis. While headquartered in the area during the Revolutionary War, Lord Cornwallis supposedly said that the region had “fair fields.” Cornwallis was not the only important war figure to have left his mark in Fairfield County. General Sherman invaded Winnsboro during the Civil War.

Historically, the county’s economy depended on the production of cotton and a special type of granite known as Winnsboro Blue Granite. Today the county remains rural with an estimated 2015 population of about 26,000 people. Fairfield County was founded within the Camden District in 1785, and Winnsboro serves as its county seat.

Welcome to Fairfield County, South Carolina. Accessed June 03, 2016. http://www.fairfieldsc.com/

Dorothy Wilson | Blythewood History
Episode 1

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Dorothy Wilson talks about her grandfather, William Griffin. The history of William Griffin goes back to 1886. The Griffin family were sharecroppers and farmers. Her grandfather purchased 80 acres of...
Frances Davis | Blythewood History
Episode 3

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Francine Davis' family moved to Blythewood in 1940 so she can attend the only black high school available in District 2. There were several church-based schools for black children to attend, but...
Ruby Brice | Blythewood History
Episode 4

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Explore the African American community through the experiences of Blythewood resident, Ruby Brice. Brice's paternal family lived in Blythewood since the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, her maternal...
Constelena Kelly | Blythewood History
Episode 2

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Constelena Kelly's great-great grandfather, a Caucasian man, was married to a Cherokee Native American who lived on the reservation. A time came when she was not allowed to live anywhere but on the...
Naomi and Matty | Blythewood History
Episode 5

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Naomi and Matty share memories of their father and growing up in Blythewood. Their father was a farmer and activist, encouraging people in the community to register to vote. This was during the time...
Winnsboro
Episode 5

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In this segment, Joanna Angle takes us to the village of Blair, and visits with Nancy and Bill Hendrix, owners of the quintessential country store, R.M. Blair General Merchandise. Also known as the...
Winnsboro
Episode 4

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Winnsboro is known as the place where South Carolina’s lowcountry and upcountry meet, which is architecturally illustrated with the numerous raised cottages found in Winnsboro’s neighborhoods, called...
Winnsboro
Episode 2

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Bethel Associate Presbyterian Church is one of Winnsboro’s many historic churches. Nelle McMaster Sprott was the organist for over thirty years, and played a major role in teaching music to...
Winnsboro
Episode 1

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The town of Winnsboro features a landmark which has the longest continuously running town clock in the U.S. Winnsboro was named in honor of Colonel Richard Winn, a hero of the American Revolution...