Seeking data on these families that are associated with the
BRELAND families of Colleton County, SC: Please look at the
web site http://www.cwoodcock.com under the name of William Woodcock, Sr. by Edward Breland to see relationships: I have
various amounts of details on the following surnames: Varn,
Breland, Crosby, Kearse, Cone, Creech, Preacher, Colding, Dell, Williams, Black, Fender, Ulmer, Ritter, Avant, Beach, Herndon, Caldwell, Bryan, Gooding, Goodwin, Walker, Sanders,
Harrison, Smith, Hudson, Benton, Connelly, O'Neal, Sauls, Googe, Mole, Mims, Rims, Shubert, Plus many others. Please contact me at brelan@ifx.net if you have corrections, additions or leads to names or dates on the family members,
Thanks Edward Breland

We are searching for info on all of the above named families
in Colleton County. Thanks, Pat & Wanda

Pat and Wanda, noticing the surnames you are searching, many are frequently mentioned throughout a book published in 1998 entitled "Railroads and Sawmills, Varnville, SC 1872-1997." If you're interested and don't already have a copy, let me know and I'll give you info on obtaining one.

Fay Rentz
faycin@aol.com

would like info on the book mentioned Railroads, Sawmills, and ........... does it have much on the above family names?? Is there much history in the book about the Islandton area?? Where can it be purchased?? Thanks su

Old Sardis Cemetery: HWY 336 - Leaving the town of Ridgeland, SC towards Tillman. Go 1.2 miles, then take road #22 to the right. Look for sign that says Great Swamp
Baptist Church. Follow Rd. 22 for approximately 2.2 miles. The Great Swamp Baptist Church will be on the right. Take the road just before church to the right. This will be Rd #39. Stay on Rd 39 for 3/4 mile. Look for sign on the left
:Old Sardis Cemetery. Turn left here. This is Rd 149. Continue down on 149 for 1.2 miles. At this point, the
road will become a dirt road. Follow the dirt road
into Old Sardis Cemetery. My understanding is this cemetery is near the Colleton county lines. ?
Listed:
Name
Born
Died (if no second date (died) assumed to be living>)

Gladys H. Cook
27 Sept 1912
7 Dec 1955

Arthur W. Cook
13 Jul 1905
11 Aug 1975

5 unmarked

Bell Smith Hodges
15 Mar 1883
26 Jul 1931

J.Henry Hodges
17 Nov 1879
15 Oct 1952

Louis Leroy Hodges
29 Aug 1915
28 Jan 1935

Grady Hodges
30 Jun 1909
3 Sept 1982

Mattie F. Hodges
20 Jul 1914
12 Aug 1997

infant son and daughter of
Mr. & Mrs. Grady Hodges
13 Aug 1938

Jeffry M. Hodges
27 Oct 1961
1 Oct 1988

Lora Lee Hodges
22 Feb 1957
3 Apr 1961
daughter

Paula Brown Hodges
B. 25 Apr 1940
not dead

Lewis Leroy Hodges
"Roy"
3 Jun 1936
18 Jan 1984
QM1 US Navy
Vietnam

John E. Daley
12 Sept 1867
3 Oct 1934

Lillie C. Daley
16 Nov 1886
22 Nov 1955

Clyde Daley
20 Dec 1918
7 Sept 1919

Eliza D. Getsinger
"Dolly"
5 Jun 1926
4 Aug 1985

Lena D Garbade
30 Jun 1931
18 Nov 1995
mama

Fred Garbade
10 Jun 1923
16 Apr 1986

Thaire H. Daley
"Boy"
28 Nov 1928
still alive

Eleanor VanDyne Daley
29 Jul 1925
19 Mar 1993
mama

Beaulah Nell Lowther
27 Jul 1931
27 July 1931

James Lowther
29 Mar 1916
29 Mar 1916

Hazel Lowther Kight
6 Jan 1922
1 May 1987

Jesse James Lowther
18 Apr 1893
31 Aug 1950

Jessie J Lowther
15 Nov 1893
1 Oct 1975
father

Nellie M Lowther
28 Jun 1895
7 Sept 1974
mother

Louise Mills Lowther
28 Jul 1924
5 Jun 1979
wife

Hiram Mack Lowther Sr
9 Oct 1918
18 Apr 1981
husband

Arthur Edward Lowther
25 Oct 1885
9 Mar 1966

Edna Florence Rowell Lowther
15 Sept 1884
11 May1911

infant s/o Arthur and Edna F Lowther
11 May 1911

infant s/o Arthur & Edna F Lowther
July 1903

infant s/o Arthur & Edna F Lowther
1904

infant s/o Arthur & Edna F Lowther
8 June 1915

Virgina
d/o Arthur & Edith B Lowther
18 Jun 1936

Lottie Lowther
12 May 1897
15 Mar 1900

David Lowther
20 Jun 1899
12 Apr 1900

Josephine H Lowther
12 July 1865
18 Nov 1933

Charis E Lowther
4 Jan 1861
29 Nov 1919

unmarked (2)

Iola May Woods
3 Mar 1909
6 Jan 1923

James Edward Woods
15 Apr 1869
1 Jun 1948
father

Sarah Nettles Woods
8 Jan 1872
27 Jun 1963
mother

Millard Woods
B. & D. 19 Dec 1916

Iwillda Odehelia Woods
13 Jun 1898
25 Sept 1901

Celia Vanzell Woods
12 May 1896
15 Oct 1899

unmarked

infant s/o D.D. & Idella Woods
17 Nov 18__

Grover Garfield Price
13 Mar 1892
24 Nov 1925

Ada V Price
31 Jan 1889
3 Mar 1967

Marvin L Lovell
23 Nov 1931
17 Nov 1988
Cpl US Army
Korea

W.A. Vaigneur
4 Apr 1879
23 Mar 1917

Mary Rebecca Vaigneur
8 Apr 1859
17 Jun 1915

L.S. Vaigeur
27 Dec 1846
30 Nov 1903
62 years, 11 months, 3 days
father

wooden marker

Mary L. Johnson
14 Jul 1866
23 Jun 1894

John M. Johnson
14 Jul 1866
20 Sept 1915

Emma Johnson
13 Sept 1835
25 Feb 1907

Benjamin F. Johnson
28 Aug 1840
18 Mar 1903

Praylow Proctor Johnson
12 Jul 1876
25 Jan 1959
a man who lived by faith

Brittany N. Boyles
15 Jun 1992
d/o Michael & Ella Boyles

H. Luther Woods
11 May 1884
27 Jun 1966

Anniee Hodges
20 Sept 1854
22 Apr 1922

Lewis Hodges
20 Sept 1839
14 Feb 1901

many(21) unmarked surrounding
Lewis and Anniee Hodge's graves
confusion over footstones and headstones
all unmarked

Geniva Dean
15 May 1910
3 Jun 1910

William Proctor Dean
1 Jul 1879
15 Apr 1899

2 heavy marble headstones turned over and facing downward
unable to read

6 unmarked headstones

Grace Ann Bell
1974 - 1974

Jessica Ann L. Weber
16 Nov 1991
18 Nov 1991

Grace Broadway Lamb
1913 - 1956

William Francis Lamb Sr.
28 Jan 1900
8 Nov 1976

Julia Edna Mosley Lamb
1904 - 1944
wife

Harriet Mulligan Lamb
14 Feb 1868
2 Apr 1934

Warren Winston Lamb
12 Oct 1921
12 Jan 1950

Eline L. Atchley
17 Oct 1921
28 Jul 1989

Grover Dewitt Atchley
30 Oct 1921
5 Jan 1993
Pvt. US Army
WWII

Elizabeth G. Woods
13 Feb 1836
__________
mother

Joshua Woods
29 Mar 1832
4 Feb 1909
father

George M. Woods
9 May 1873
25 Oct 1894

Keziah A Woods
22 Jul 1856
25 Feb 1866

Georgia E.F. Woods
13 Oct 1863
23 Oct 1863

John B. Woods
1 Aug 1854
21 Aug 1859

Emma H.
w/o Andrew G. Mulligan
died 17 Oct 1910

Andrew G. Mulligan
died 27 Dec 1911

Irene Estelle Robinson
8 Dec 1882
21 Oct 1938
sister

John J. Robinson
8 Mar 1878
17 Jun 1925
son

Rosalie Edna Robinson
w/o R.G. Powell
12 Feb 1898
30 Mar 1919
sister

Susannah Hodges
w/o James Edward Robinson
8 Oct 1849
5 Oct 1910
mother

William Robinson
12 Mar 1885
7 Sept 1890
brother

James Edward Robinson
19 Nov 1840
10 Feb 1899
father

Mary Robinson
w/o B.J. Malphrus
15 Jan 1868
16 Aug 1888
sister

James I. Robinson
18 May 1871
10 Oct 1871
brother

Emma Harriett Robinson
23 Nov 1875
16 Oct 1878
sister

Lela Ottis Morgan
d/o
F.L. & I.R. Morgan
16 My 1907
26 Oct 1909

Eliza V. Morgan
d/o F.L. & I.R. Morgan
6 Dec 1896
2 Feb 1909

Sarah
w/o _.S. Morgan
16 Apr 1870
19 Sept 189_

Eliz S. Dean
w/o TAA. Hodges
20 Apr 1870
20 Aug 1912

T.A. Hodges
8 Apr 1847
19 Oct 1913
A. Nelson Hodges
8 Feb 1870
30 Aug 1924

Robert F. Hodges
1876 - 1934

headstone with a guitar on it
R.F.H.

Charlie Hodges
25 Oct 1953

Samuel Paul Rivers
4 Dec 1925
16 May 1985
GMG1
US Navy
WWII Korea

Debbie T. Hodges
19 Dec 1931
headstone only - still alive

A. Nelson Hodges
28 May 1930
20 Dec 1992
Msgt US Air Force
Korea Vietnam

Lionel T. Roy
28 Jun 1920
24 Oct 1965
Maine CCK US Marine
WWII

Thelma D. Roy
11 Dec 1917
19 Nov 1970

infant s/o
Lionel & Thelma Roy
23 Feb 1946

Richard John Hodges
"Ricky"
23 Aug 1988
22 Mar 1991

by: MC Woods

Yes, POLK and RENTZ surnames are heavily mentioned in the book "Railroads and Sawmills, Varnville, S.C. 1872-1997." The JOHNS surname is listed in the index for only 3 individuals: Emma JOHNS (see Peeples), Harriet "Hattie" JOHNS(see Peeples), Mrs. (?) Johns. Islandton is listed on pg. 93, and in 2 footnotes. In answer to your other question as to how you might obtain a copy of this book, it was recently published (1998) by the Varnville Community Council. My parents gave me a gift copy about a year ago. I was born in Varnville. I've asked mother how others might obtain it and she called the past mayor, Frank McClure, who handles mailing books for the City Council. The price is $25.00 plus $3.00 postage. If interested, you can make the check payable to Frank McClure and mail it to P.O. Box 366, Varnville, S.C. 29944. I'm fairly new to all this geneaology research, love the exchange of "free" information, and trust I am not violating any forum rules by mentioning a good book that has a cost involved. I just enjoy passing along hopefully helpful information. Good luck in your research!

My name Cleatus Lee Murdaugh,born Blytheville Arkansaa
June 28th 1931

My Fathers name is James Samuel Murdaugh,born Dyersburg Tennessee 1901.

Grandfather James Murdaugh.born Tenn,1881

Great Grandfather: George Washington Murdaugh..December 1845

Great-Great Grandfather Robert Murdaugh 1802

I hope this may help you in your search.We may be realated?

I have access to the Bishop Family book (Bishops from 1785 to 1985) by Charles Lawrence Bishop. There is a section on the related Varn and Rentz families. Most of the research includes early families from Barnwell and Colleton Counties, S.C. Many of the names you are looking for in Colleton County are in this book. My grandmother was Mary Anne Bishop Blocker; her daughter married a Crosby and there are many connections to other of the names!

I would be happy to "look up" a particular name/names for you. Dianne Blocker Reynolds

The book that you have mentioned "Railroads and Sawmills in Varnville S.C." doesw it mention anything about the names of Belger,Chassereau,with the Rentz names? So far you have been most helpful. Thanks so much

Yes Debbie, Belger and Chassereau are both mentioned. The index lists:

BELGER
Andrew J., Annette Berry, E., Henry A., Henry Jr., Roy, Van

CHASSEREAU
Bart, Carl, Dorothy (see Nix), GAA.

Do any of these ring a bell for you?

Sorry, but the first names mentioned doesnt correspond to info I have, however Sarah(Sallie)Chassereau and Uzziah Rentz are the families that I am looking for. And also their daughter Rosha Ann Rentz married to James C. Belger in which is the family name that really evades me(James' father)

1Gen: Jeremiah William Bishop mar.Jan.13, 1848 to Cordelia Ann Kinard. Both buried at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church Cemetery, Ehrhardt, SC.

2GEN: Their daughter: Susan Elizabeth Bishop, b.Dec.4, 1848, d. Mar 25, 1931, marr.on Nov.1, 1868 to Little Berry Rentz, Sr. b.Nov.1, 1847, d.Sept.8, 1926. Both buried at Memorial Free Will Baptist church Cemetery, Surrency, Georgia. Little Berry Rentz, Sr. parents were: Aaron J. Rentz and wife Susan Georgianne Polk.

Susan Elizabeth Bishop and Little Berry Rentz, Sr. had 10 children as per 1900 Census but their family Bible only listed nine:

Matthew Cornelious Rentz. b.Jan 31, 1870
C.R. Rentz b.Mar 19, 1871
Polly A. Rentz b.Sep 1, 1872
Obadiah Berry Rentz b.Oct. 8, 1876
Ida Rentz b.Sep 22, 1878
Susan Alice Rentz b.June 7, 1882
Little Berry Rentz, Jr. b.Mar.26, 1888
Aaron Jeremiah Rentz b.Mar.26, 1888
Raymond Shannon Rentz b.Feb.23, 1891

Hope the above helps!

You are very generous to offer lookup assistance. I have a copy of a portion of the 1870 Broxton Township, SC Census and am interested to connect Little B. (Berry?) RENTZ who may have married a a Susan Elizabeth BISHOP. I believe her mother may have been a KINARD. The census lists them having one child, Matthew, age 6 1/2 in 1870. Would Little B. have been a child of Aaron and Susan E. RENTZ? Any help would be most appreciated! Thank you. My Email address is faycin@aol.com.

I ordered the Kinard book before it was even published and in fact I submitted the single page entry regarding James Quillie Kinard and his possible parentage. The book has no further information on my family except what I submitted and some of the information given to them was entered incorrectly. I know that a majority of the Kinard families from Colleton county were covered by that book and it was a tremendous help to many people. I keep hoping to find that one book or legal paper that will help me to fill in my missing information!

The book "THE KINARD FAMILY OF BARNWELL DISTRICT, SC 1789 - 1996" is available from: Mr.Charles Lawrence Bishop, 2472 Bear Den Road, Frederick, Md. 21701. It contains information
on the KINARD Family and allied families primarily from BARNWELL, Colleton and Orangeburgh Counties. A great source book.
Carter

Could you look for a James Kinard (b. 1832) who married Mary Delilah Fender (b.1834) who might for some reason be listed in the Bishop book. I believe his father to be a John Andrew Kinard (b. abt. 1791)who married either a Mary or an Elizabeth. The other children born between 1814 and 1845 would have been Miley, Charles, Alfred, Martha, Joseph, Calvin and George. Some of the Fender siblings married into the Bishop family and I thought perhaps the Kinard siblings might have done so also. It's a stretch on my part but I have been unable to locate a copy of the Bishop book and would appreciate any assistance you could give me.

Are you kidding? Yes, this helps a great deal, Dianne. Susan and Little Berry's son Matthew is the only child listed on this 1870 Broxton Township Census. You have confirmed that Little Berry was indeed the son of Aaron J. Rentz and Susan Georgianne Polk, which is great. I am attempting to confirm my gggrandmother Mary Rentz's (b.1830) parent/child relationship with Jacob and Rebecca, whom I believe were also Aaron's parents. Thank you so much!

Fay Rentz
faycin@aol.com

Hi Edward!
I graduated from Columbia College in Columbia, SC. The organ professor was named Dr. Walter Breland. He was from Walterboro, SC. (Colleton County Seat) He might still be at the college and/or live in Columbia. When I was a child, I knew his mother. My mother is from Walterboro.

Also searching for relatives. Do you show a Caroline Rentz--b.Nov. 10, 1834 and d. Mar 10, 1916?
Also, are the the Dianne Blocker who finished WHS in 1967?

My grandmother's parents are buried here, as are some aunts and uncles. This cemetery is located in Jasper County, South Carolina

Ginger, Do you possibly have a connection to a Allen C. and Sarah J. in the Grahamville S.C. area? That is where they lived. Their daughter, Ella Jane was my g-g-grandmother. I am trying to confirm Allens parents whom I think was John and Racheal. Don't know Sarah J's and Racheals maiden name. I know where Ella Jane is buried but before that is anyones guess. Thanks if you can share. There also seems to be a mixup in the spelling that I found minus the "r" but in a family bible I did find an "r". But in the census, none.Thanks if you can help clear anything up for me. Debbie

I have relatives in Colleton County, Walterboro,SC. I visited them when I was very young and was told stories by my father, Gordon McKay Breland, born No 1901deceased May 1974. His father was Charles McKay Breland deceased near 1950. Charles McKay Breland Had 2 daughters and 4 sons (from 2 wives ..my father's birth mother died when he was very young and he never mentioned her name).the names of the 2 daughters also from Colleton County are Mae Breland Crosby of Ruffin SC and Ruth Breland Beach of Walterboro SC.(both deceased) The 4 sons are (1)Gruber Charles Breland who is deceased. Gruber has a son Charles Breland who the last I remember lived in Charlston SC( in prison)(2) George Lagree Breland deceased, who lived in Tamps FL He has a son George Lagree Breland,Jr in Greeenville SC. He is still living but must be in his 70's (3) Gary Breland, deceased who never married but lived around Walterboro and Charleston all of his life. He had no children.(4) Gordon Breland who is my father. He has 2 daughters, Ruth Breland Reynolds and Virginia Kay Breland Slaven(that's me) The "Kay" is short for McKay since my father has no sons and thus the McKay. I have a son Dean McKay Slaven and He has a son Chrisopher McKay Slaven.

I believe that McKay is a maternal family name from my Grandfather, Charles McKay Breland and has been handed down to his descendants for 3 generations.

My Uncle George Lagree Breland would have more information on the family lineage than anyone. He lives in Greenville, SC and I don't know how to get in touch with him I know that he is in bad health. He has a son Mike Breland that I believe lives in Greenville as well.

I have an aunt, Mae Breland Crosby, and an aunt, Ruth Breland Beach, both were of Colleton County. Me father, Gordon McKay Breland passed away in 1976. He was the son of Charles McKay Breland. Charles Breland, of Colleton County had 6 children of different wives. 2 daughters, Mae Breland and Ruth Breland and 4 sons Gordon Breland, George Breland, Gruber Breland, and Gary Breland. I am replying to the inquiry of Edward Breland concerning information regarding Crosby and Beach families. All of my relatives I remeber are deceased. The oldest living relative that would have extensive info on our family background is George Lagree Breland of Greenville, SC. I hope this was helpful.

Hi Virginia Kay Breland Slaven: Sorry to have taken so long to respond to your very helpful additonal data on the Breland family. what I have is posted at http://www.cwoodcock.com under the second data base entitled William Woodcock, Sr, just click on his name and you will find the index and all of the material I have. I did not know that the middle name of Charles "Charlie" Jacob Breland was also McKay. I will add this to the name. I checked back and did not find any other individuals with that as a surname, but it could have been more generations back that what I have. I will try to talk to the ones you mentioned, as I have a first cousin living in the Greenwood area and need to see him. thanks so much, Edward.....I think this makes us about 4th cousins.

Thanks Victoria: Sorry to have taken so long to answer, but old age, interrupted e-mail service and lots of "chores around the house" have kept we away from responding. I have the data that you so kindly furnished posted to my data base and it will be in the next update to the web site. I had found that your father died in 1974, is that an error? I also talked to a cousin of ours - Margie Crosby Breland, daughter of Lula Mae and neice of Ruth Alma Breland Beach. I knew Cousin Ruth well as a child. Still looking for data on Lula Mae's husband and his family. Web site is http://www.cwoodcock.com the second data base, just click on William Woodcock, Sr.'s name and you will find my material. Thanks so much. Edward