History of Edgefield, (Edgefield County) South Carolina United States of America

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Biographies:

Preston Smith Brooks, representative, was born in Edgefield district, S.C., Aug. 4, 1819. He was graduated at the South Carolina college in 1839, and in 1843 was admitted to the bar. In the following year he was elected to the South Carolina legislature, and in 1846 served with distinguished bravery in the Mexican war as captain of company D, Palmetto regiment. He was elected a representative to the 33d Congress in 1852 as a state rights Democrat, and was reelected to the 34th and 35th congresses. Senator Sumner in his speech on "the crime against Kansas" in the U.S. senate, May 22, 1856, by a personal reference to Senator A. P. Butler, uncle of Brooks, greatly offended the people of South Carolina, and after the adjournment of both houses Brooks entered the senate-chamber, and, while Senator Sumner was writing at his desk, approached him and struck him rapid blows across his head and shoulders until the assaulted senator fell to the floor. Meantime the southern congressmen had gathered around the desk, and with force and intimidation for a time prevented Mr. Sumner's friends from coming to his rescue. Mr. Brooks was not expelled from the house, as his accusers failed to obtain a two-thirds vote, one hundred and twenty-one voting for expulsion and ninety-five opposing it. Mr. Brooks then resigned his seat, and at a special election was unanimously returned by his constituents. Subsequently a debate in the house led to words from Representative Anson Burlingame of Massachusetts to which Mr. Brooks took exception, and he at once challenged Burlingame to mortal combat. As the challenged party, Burlingame named rifles as the weapons, and Canada as the place of meeting. Mr. Brooks failed to appear, excusing his breach of the code by stating that he could not reach the grounds without "passing through the enemy's country." The incident of the assault on Senator Sumner greatly widened differences between the two sections of the Union. Mr. Brooks soon after died, and his monument in the cemetery at Edgefield, S.C., an obelisk some twelve feet high, is the most conspicuous object in the quiet inclosure. Each of its four sides has an inscription. One of them records the few facts given above as his history. On another are carved designs of a palmetto tree and shields with the words: "Animis Opibusque parati." "Dum spiro, spero. Spes." On another, the words, "Preston S. Brooks will be long, long remembered as one in whom the virtues love to dwell; though sad to us and dark the dispensation, we know God's wisdom orders all things well." He died suddenly in Washington, D. C., Jan. 27, 1857.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Andrew Pickens Butler, senator, was born in Edgefield district, S. C., Nov. 17, 1796; son of William Butler, revolutionary soldier. He was graduated at South Carolina college in 1817, was admitted to the bar in 1819, and soon rose to a prominent position in his profession. He became a member of the state legislature in 1824, commanded a cavalry regiment during the nullification troubles of 1831; was a judge of the general sessions in 1833, and of the state court of common pleas in 1835. In 1847 he was chosen by the governor of South Carolina to fill the vacancy in the U. S. senate, caused by the death of Senator McDuffie. Subsequently he was twice elected by the legislature as United States senator, and retained his seat during the remaining years of his life. The memorable assault made by Preston S. Brooks on Charles Sumner was provoked by some remarks which the latter addressed to Judge Butler, who was a relative of Mr. Brooks. The ability, eloquence and humor of Judge Butler made him a conspicuous figure in the senate, where he took an active part in all debates, especially those bearing on the interests of South Carolina and the other southern states. He died at his home near Edgefield Court House, S. C., May 25, 1857.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Pierce Mason Butler, governor of South Carolina, was born in Edgefield district, S. C., April 11, 1798; son of William Butler, soldier in the American revolution. He was educated for the army, and entering the service in 1819 he soon displayed ability which led to rapid promotion. In 1829, having attained the rank of captain, he resigned his commission and engaged in the banking business at Columbia, S. C., returning to the army in 1835 upon the commencement of the Seminole disturbances in Florida, and winning renown by his gallantry on several hotly contested fields. In 1836 he became governor of South Carolina, and upon the expiration of his term of office in 1838 was appointed by President Van Buren agent for the Cherokees west of the Mississippi, retaining the office until the beginning of the Mexican war in 1846, when he entered the army as a colonel of the "Palmetto" regiment, which he had organized. He distinguished himself by his bravery at the battle of Cerro Gordo and afterwards at the battle of Churubusco, where he was twice wounded, in spite of which he continued to lead his men into the thickest of the fight until he was shot through the head. He died on the battlefield Aug. 20, 1847.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Armistead Burt, representative, was born in Edgefield district, S. C., Nov. 16, 1802. He was educated as a lawyer and practised in Abbeville and Willington, Abbeville district, S. C. He was a representative in the 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd congresses, 1843-53, and was elected speaker pro tempore of the 30th congress, serving during the absence of Speaker Winthrop. He was a secessionist, but held no office under the Confederate government. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention in New York in 1868. He died at Willington, S. C., Oct. 30, 1883.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor