The VEREENS are definitely among The First Families of South Carolina.

Papers show “Names of 18 Fr:Protestants going to Carolina be transported for Ashley River or other part of Carolinas lying more Southerly than 34 Degrees of North latitude in the Richmond (1650-1680)on the Maties Frigot. Among the list “Jacque Varin &c of Rouen of Normandy with famillie...2”, but the passenger list of perhaps, the Maties Frigot, shows Mr Varin, 1 man, 1 woman and 1 child (#4). It also listed others that sailed with them. They arrived April 29, 1680.

The first home of the Vereens was in Charleston, lots 297 & 298 south east corner of Meeting & Water Street. The second and third generations resided in the Parish of St. Thomas and St. Dennis in Berkeley County. The next home was on the Santee River along the Georgetown-Williamsburg County line. The next home was on the Horry Strand. Early Maps and land plats show Vereen homes at Yauhanna and below Plantersville in Georgetown County and in Horry County at Withers Swash, Singleton Swash, Windy Hill, Long Bay Plantations No. 1 and No. 2, a plantation near the present Crescent Beach, and one at Island Landing. This Island Plantation was originally an Alston place. William Vereen had a plantation adjacent to this. He bought this place for his son Jeremiah who in turn gave it to his son Joseph Jeremiah Vareen.

The faith of the first Vereen was French Huguenot. Each Vereen at some time should visit the old French Huguenot Church in Charleston and realize that this was the first spiritual home of the Vereens. Perhaps the first ancestor and his wife are buried there in unmarked graves. The second and third generations were members of the Episcopal Church. They worshipped and are buried at the ancient Church of St. Thomas and St. Dennis in Berkeley County. Each Vereen at some time should visit this old church. The next generations of Vereens were also members of the Episcopal Church and worshiped at St. James, Santee and at All Saints near Murrells Inlet. The next generations were Methodist. They were among the founders of the Methodist Church at Little River. Today the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and other Christian Faiths number Vereens among their members. Some are members of the Catholic Faith.

The Varins in Quebec and in France are mainly Roman Catholic in their faith. For the preparation of this history, we are indebted to the papers of the late Rev. Alexander R. Mitchell, an Episcopal minister of Greenville, S. C. His grandmother was Mary Eliza Vereen Magill. Mrs. Magill was a daughter of Eliza Porcher Wilkes and William Vereen and a granddaughter of Jeremiah Vereen of Windy Hill. This Jeremiah Vereen was host to President George Washington while on his Southern tour.

NO- 1-FIRST GENERATION

SAMUEL HORRY b.1630 France in. 1658 to JEANNE DUBOIS I 1642 France are the first proved ancestors of the Vereens of Little River. It is not the purpose to go into the history of the Horry Family in this sketch. They were members of the French Huguenot Faith. In the name of Horry you have an honorable heritage. General Peter Horry of the Revolution is of this family. Horry County S. C. is named for him. When the Vereens came to old Craven County in 1750 to settle in what is now Horry they little dreamed that this area would later in 1800 be named for the maternal side of the Vereen Family. Among the children of Samuel and Jeanne DuBois Horry was a daughter whose name was Susanne Horry. She married Jacques Varin and came to South Carolina in 1680.

NO. 2—DAUGHTER OF 1

SUSANNE HORRY 1659—1725 was born in Chatell in Switzerland married in London in 1674 to JACQUES VARIN 1650-1689, anglotized his name to James. A tradition for more than 200 years in the Vereen Family is that Jacques Varin’s father was Jeremie Varin b. 1520 France. By an old deed from Theophilus Paty in 1686, Jacques Varin gives his occupation as a Joiner, he received some land grants for farm lands from The Lords Proprietors. In 1686 he purchased Lot No. 27 in Charles Town on the Great Street leading from the Sea to the Market Place. His wife was a member of the Huguenot Faith. He was dead by 1690. Records show “Bordering on the Creek to the South were Lots 297 & 298 of Grand Model, Granted on September 12, 1692, to Susannah Varin, “nee a Neu Chatell en Suize, Veuve de Jacques Varin, fille de Sam Horry et Jeanne Duois. They left children, Jeremie, William and Samuel. There may have been a daughter named Susanne. Records show “A warrant, To Mrs. Sussanna Varin, for one town lott at Charles towne (by indenture) dated ye 18th day of Auqust 1694. Signed by the Hono Tho. Smith Esq. Land grave and Governor. Also “Laid out unto James Varin Two hundred and Ten Acres of Land being Soe much due him for the arriveall of himselfe, wife and son, the 29th of April 1680. Also laid out, unto James Varin one Towne Lott at Charles Towne” dated This five and twentieth day of February One Thousand six hundred Eighty three. Also records show “Varin, Jaque (Joiner, Merchant) arrived 29 April 1680 his wife Susanna and eldest son, Jacob and daughter, Suzanne Varreen, Jeremiah arrived before 21 November 1698”. By 1696 the wife of Joel Poinsett whom he wed in 1695 was nee Susanne Varin. She could have been either the widow or the daughter of Jacques Varin. The Ship’s List shows one child was born from the time he signed to sail and when he was listed on the Ship.

Joel Poinsett signed his will 26 Jan. 1743. No wife is listed. His children were sons, Peter and Elisha Poinsett and daughters, Mary DuPre and “wives of Isaac Holmes and Edward Richardson. This wil1 is added as a possible clue as to a Vereen wife or Mother of this Joel Poinsett.

NO. 3-SON OF 2

SAMUEL VARIN 1683-1745 was born in South Carolina. The name of his wife is unknown. He moved to the north side of the Santee River and died there. His plantation was along the present Georgetown-Williamsburg County line. According to church records he had a son, James Varin who died aged 1 year. His will was signed 1 Nov. 1744. He lists 2 daughters, Anne E. wife of Francis Harbin and Mrs. Crousby Deceased, granddaughters, Martha and Elizabeth Crousby, daughters of a deceased daughter and Elizabeth Harbin..grandaughter and is to have her own slave girl. Records show” Early settlers of Soccastee, road from Soccastee to Pine Island” Sam Vereen, Farmer and a Slave owner” Clues to possible surnames of the wives of the earlier Vereens show in the Mitchell papers and in the old deeds and paper of John Ephraim Vereen of Little River.

NO. 4-SON OF 2

JEREMIE VARIN 1675-1710 was married according to data in his will to JANE EVENS(b. 1685-d.1743) also (Jean Avant) m. abt 1705 after he moved from Charleston to the Parish of St. Thomas and St Dennis in Berkeley County. He is burned in that ancient church yard. From church records and from his will he had two children, Jeremiah Vereen born 6 Jan.1706 and Mary Vereen born 23 June 1709 The will reads “After my funeral Just Depts were paid. To my Brother in Law Jon Evens my Stone Horse, unto my Sister in Law Patience Evens my young mare. Beloved Wife Jean Varin as her share and part of my Estate Two Negro women one called Mary and the other Keat and also a third part of all the rest and Residue of my Horses, Mares, Cattle, Sheep, Moneys and household goods. Son Jeremiah Varin my Negro man Anthony and my Indian woman Phillis my Negro girl called Amorith my Negoe Boy called Sambo and also one hundred acres of land, lying between the lands of John Evens and Thomas Munk. Also one third of my Horses & etc. Unto my daughter Mary Varin, My Indian girl called Violet and my Indian woman called Dinah, also one third of my horses & etc. Dated Sept. 20, 1710. The will of Jeremie Varin was not probated until years later when his son reached the legal age of 21. However, Records show “Jeremiah Vareen a Warrent for 360 Acres of Land in Berkly County This 31st day of July 1711,” The widow, Jane Evens Varin married again on the 10th of Feb. 1712 to Moses Plumer and had children by him.

NO. 5-SON OF 4

JEREMIAH VAREEN 1706-1768 in 1735 moved from the Parish of St. Thomas and St. Dennis to a plantation on the Santee River near his Uncle Samuel Varin. His second wife Mary had inherited lands at Singleton Swash in Horry County. He also had a home there and was the first Vereen to settle on the Horry Strand. He was married twice. Both wives were named Mary. His first wife as shown by church records, b.1709/10 died 25 July 1733 and was buried in the church yard of St. Thomas and St. Dennis in Berkeley County.

According to church records and his will he had two children by the first wife, William Vereen born 23 Nov. 1729 and Elisabeth (called Ellis) Vereen born 14 Nov. 1731. Elisabeth married John Sullivant. Two other daughters named in the will as Ann Jenkins and Sarah Lewis (their married names) may have been by the first wife. Children by the second wife as named in his will were sons Jeremiah and Ebenezer Vereen and daughters Rebecca, Hannah, Rachel, Jean (named after her Grandmother) and Martha. The Little River Vereens decended from both wives of this Jeremiah Vereen.

Mary the second wife of Jeremiah Vereen according to Mitchell was flee Mary Coachman. She had a large inheritance of land at Singleton Swash but from whom she inherited it is not shown. The Singletons and the Coachmans intermarried. An Ebenezer Singleton shows in the early records of Horry County. Mary the second wife of Jeremiah Vereen was alive in 1830. The census then shows her as “Aged over 100”. She made her home with her son Jeremiah at Windy Hill on Long Bay. She greeted Gen. Washington when he was a guest in that home. She died at the advanced age of 105 years and was buried at the Windy Hill Cemetery. She gave her lands at Singleton Swash to her son Jeremiah, with the provision that he care for her as long as she lived. When her son Jeremaih died that obligation passed to his son, John Ephraim Vereen who inher ited this plantation. The aged Nary Vereen then made her home, until her death with her grandson, John E. Vereen. The daughter Rebecca Vereen married Jonah(Joseph) Bonhoste Apr. 25 1770 as shown in the Diary of Rev. Samuel Fenner Warren of St. James Parish, Craven Co. “ To his well beloved children William and Elizabeth, for Natural Love and Affection, as follows. To William 2 Negroes Joe & Lucinda; to Elizabeth 2 Negroe girls Dito & Allis (Book o.p. 134 18 Nay 1734 Deed of Gift)”.

NO. 6-SON OF 5

WILLIAM VEREEN was born 3 Nov. 1729 in the Parish of St. Thomas and St. Dennis where he was baptized as a baby. He died on the Horry Strand 20 Sept. 1789 and is buried here at the Island Landing cemetery. He was active in the Revolution. Record “Issued the 13th May 1785 to Mr. William Vareene for thirty two Pounds, is-Sterling-for Provisions forage for Militia use in 1780 81&2—Negro Hire in l779—& a Horse lost in State Service in 1782. This action took place under General Francis Marion. His Marker is here today. He was married 20 Nov. 1754 to Elizabeth Lewis, a daughter of Capt. Chaflas and Martha Lewis (father of his sister Sarah husband). . She was born 30 Nov. 1734 and died 7 June 1779. She was buried here. The legal records were destroyed in Georgetown County in 1865 and since Horry County was a part of Georgetown until 1800, no will or estate is to be found for this William Vereen. Fortunately his Bible has been preserved with this inscription on the title page ‘William Varin, His Bible”. From the Bible we know the names and dates of his children. His Sons were, William Jr., Charles, Jeremiah, John and Daniel. His daughters were Martha E married Daniel Morrall, Mary Elizabeth married Nathan Huggins who lived at St. James Santee Parish and owned 91 Slaves, and Mary (b. Dec 10, 1774). He, William Vereen was the first to purchase land at Little River. His son Jeremiah (shown in 1790 cen as Jeremiah Jun) inherited this plantation called The Island. Land record mentions William Vereen Sr. & Jr. and James Vereen Jr. that once belong to James Coachman who purchased it from Joseph Allston. His marker is here today.

NO. 7-SON OF 5

EBENEZER VEREEN had a plantation on the Pee Dee River near Yauhanna in Georgetown County. In a marriage settlement signed 8 Sept. 1784 he married Catherine McIver who is also shown as MacKiver. The settlement states that “She to have full control of all her slaves etc.” In some land grant papers Catherine Vereen in 1791 shows as the widow of Ebenezer Vereen. It is not known whether he left any children or not.

NO. 8-SON OF 5

JEREMIAH VEREEN 1748-1808 was a soldier in the Revolution. Records Show” During l778, he served at Haddrell’s Point. He served as a Sargent under Capt. Dwight Anderson, Col. McDonald and Gen. Francis Marion. Record “Issued the 13th May 1785-To Mr. Jeremiah Vareene-for Twenty Two Pounds,1s4-sterling for Militia Duty in 1779, 81&82”. His marker is here at the Park. His wife is shown as Susanne Blanchard Vereen. It is uncertain as to whether this Blanchard was her middle given name or her surname. Susanne Blanchard has come down as a first name generation after generation in the Vereen family. This Jeremiah Vereen was the host for one night when President George Washington made his tour thru South Carolina. A historical marker commemorating this visit of Washington to Jeremiah Vereen stands on the road from Myrtle Beach to Little River. The Court Minutes of Horry County show that Jeremiah Vereen died in 1808. The estate Index shows a file for him but this file has been misplaced in some way. It is difficult to document all the children’s names. From deeds and other documented data it was able to list all of the sor as William, Alexander and John Ephraim Vereen. Two daughters unable to name. The other daughter Elizabeth married Robert Livingston. Jeremiah and his wife are buried in the destroyed cemetery at Windy Hill. They had a monument. Records of 1790 shows he had 2 males above l6yrs old including himself, one son under 16 and 43 females including his wife and 3 slaves, living in All St. Parish.

NO. 9— SON OF 6

WILLIAM VEREEN JR. was born 27 Jan. 1756. He was a soldier in the Revolution. His marker is here today. Records show “Issued the 13th May 1785 to William Vareene-for thirty two pounds, is-Sterling-for Provisions forage for Militia used in 1780, 81 & 82-Negro hire in 1779-& horse lost in State Service in 1782. After the Revolution, he was Captain in the Militia of S.C He married soon after 1790 to Elizabeth Huggins. She is listed in his will signed 9 Jan. 1811. His children listed in the will are Charles and Jeremiah and also listed several nephews, nieces and brothers. His widow Elizabeth Huggins Vereen entered a marriage contract 7 May 1812 with Samuel Commander of Georgetown County.

NO. 10-SON OF 6

CHARLES VEREEN 10/29 1757—- 4/8/1811. He was a soldier in the Revolution. Records show “he served one hundred sixty-eight days in the Militia during 1779, 80 & 82. Record shows “Issued 9th December 1784 to Charles Vareen for twelve pounds sterling for one hundred & sixty eight days Militia duty in 1779, 80 & 82. His marker is here. He married Mary Withers who was seemingly a widow. They had no children. His home was at Withers Swash. He owned several large plantations in both Georgetown and Horry. In his will sign 8 April 1811 he gives his estate to his nephews and nieces. His plantation at Long Bay he gives to his nephew Charles the son of Capt. William Vereen. He established a fund for the restoration of the old monuments in the family grave yard at Windy Hill and provided a wall for that cemetery. 1790 census shows “Charles Vereen himself 3 males under 16, wife and 42 Slaves. At his death were listed more than 100.

NO. 11-SON OF 6

DANIEL VEREEN (b 20 Aug. 1777 d.5 Jan 1830) His home was between Singleton Swash and Little River as shown in 1820 maps. His estate was administered 5 Jan. 1830. The will of his widow, Hester Vereen was signed 13 Aug. 1833. Children were Charles William Jr., William Pinckney (b. 1820), Hester m. William Henry Lewis Hemingway, Martha Rebecca m. James G Dewitt, and Sarah. Daniel and Hester Vereen were buried at Windy Hill.

NO. 12-SON OF 6

JEREMIAH VEREEN ( 6/3/1760— 8/14/1813) Referred to as Jeremiah Jun. He was a soldier of the Revolution. He has a marker here His home the Island Plantation where this ceremony is taking place. He married Elizabeth B. Daniels, daughter of Robert and Amelia Daniels of Horry County. Records of 1790 shows he “Jeremiah Vereen Jun two males over 16 including himself, no wife and no daughter and 9 Slaves. 1850 census shows a Female “E.R. Vereen 72 yrs. old” living with Joseph Jeremiah Vereen. This was possibility his mother, if so she was born 1777/8 and was dead by 1860. Elizabeth H. Vereen is shown in 1820 cen. The estate of Jeremiah Vereen was administered in File 9-13-3 in Horry County in 1813. His Widow was Elizabeth B. Vereen. The following children died small or unmarried, Robert Danie Mary Ann, James (1802-1811), Elizabeth L., Martha M. & Sara G. A daughter Amelia married Cornelius Thomas Sr. A son Joseph Jeremiah Vereen married Susanne Blanchard Vereen Hemingway, a Widow.

NO. 13-SON OF 6

JOHN VEREEN was born 12 May 1765. The tradition is that he to Georgia and died there. His widow, Jane Vereen shows in Horry County in the 1800 census. She disappears from Horry before 1810, they had children.

NO. 14-NOT IDENTIFIED.

CANDACE VEREEN, her estate was administered 6 Oct. 1853 by Mark Reaves. No list of heirs show in her file. She may have married Young Stone. (Stone’ Records). If so, she is buried in the cemetery at Little River, S.C.

NO. 15-SON OF 8

ALEXANDER VEREEN shows last as a witness to the Revolutionary claim of John Roberts in Horry County. This was between 1793 and 1799. He may have died before 1800 since there is no mention of him in the deed and estate records of Horry County. Neither does he show in any S. C. Census.

NO. 16-SON OF 8

WILLIAM VEREEN born 1775, resided in Georgetown County at a plantation call, Guendalos; which was inherited by his wife Eliza P. wilkes, whose marriage contract was signed 15 Oct. 1800 with Cornelius DuPre as her trustee. She was a wealthy heiress. The Georgetown Gazette issue of 18 Oct.1800 states” Mr. William Vereen was married last Thursday evening to Miss Eliza P. Wilkes of Georgetown.” In the Gazette issue for 27 Dec. 1800 there appears an advertisement Re. the Estate of Lemuel Wilkes, deceased. Then in a still later issue there is an advertisement “For sale the plantation of the late Mr. Samuel Wilkes situated on the Sampit River. If interested contact Mr. Samuel Hasford of Waccamaw or Mr. William Vereen Jr. of Little River”. Georgetown legal records were burned. This family was pieced together from the Mitchell data and from marriage contracts. He is shown in Census of 1820 living near Margaret Coachman. The following children are known William b.1800/O5?d.1858/60?m. Mar 1828 to Mary Costello Donnelly b. 1814?, Mary Eliza wife of John D. Magill of All Saints Parish and Ann G. wife of Ervin James of Marion County. One other Son and daughter whose names are not ye known, show in the 1820 census and the Mitchel data. Mrs. Magill called Thomas Livingston Vereen her first cousin. Mrs. Magill often told the story of her father, William Vereen chatting with George Washington when he spent the night at Windy Hill on Long Bay.

NO. 17-SON OF 8

JOHN EPHRAIM VEREEN (1775-1839) resided at the Long Beach Plantation No. 2 and Windy Hull (shown in 1820 census). His daughter said he told her the Ephraim in his name came from the Mikell and Mitchell family. John E. Vereen had three wives. The first wife, Jane Livingston and the last wife Frances, widow of Thomas Brantley. In his will he states “My ten children”. The will was signed 10/20/1838 and besides his wife and step daughter he lists his children as follows: by Jane Livingston, Frances (1804) wife of Hartford Jones, Thomas Livingston (1806) um., Susanne Blanchard (1808/82 married John Thomas Hemingway, and later Joseph Jeremiah Vereen with step daughter Frances Ann Brantley, Samuel Porter     (1810/83) married Rebecca F. Wilson(listed as owning slaves in 1860), Eliza Jane(1812/34) married Joseph Aiston Wilson, William Henry Green (1815/8?) married lst (unk), 2nd Charolotte Amanda Fullwood. Children by 2nd wife Mary Ann (Dewitt?), were Jeremiah(1817/48) married Sarah Stone, Eliza Jane(1817/92) married Joseph Alston Hemingway, Joseph Dewitt (1819/86) died in Pasco Co Fla. married Sarah, John Ephraim Jr.(1821/4?): by his 3rd wife Frances Harris, Jackson Harris (1830/86) married Eliza E Randall. Some of the names of husbands are taken from the files of the estate of Thomas L. Vereen. Thomas Livingston in his will in 1815 mentions his deceased daughter Jane Vereen and her children, Thomas L., Samuel P. and Susanne B. Vereen.

NO. 18-DAUGHTER OF 17

SUSANNE BLANCHARD VEREEN 1809-1882 married first to John Thomas Hemingway and resided at Goshen Plantation in Williamsburg County. At the division of the lands of John Thomas Hemingway his heirs showed as his widow, Susanne B. Hemingway now the wife of Joseph J. Vereen and the following children: Jane E. Hemingway wife of Corenlius Thomas Jr. (1825), Susanne Durant Hemingway wife of Joseph Parker, Sophronia S. Hemingway wife of Maham Grissett and Charles V. Hemingway, minor son of Samuel Hemingway, a deceased son and his wife Julia. This Division was in 1855 and after all the children had reached the age of 21 years.

NO. 19-SON OF 12

JOSEPH JEREMIAH VEREEN 1812-1873 lived at the Island Plantation and is buried here. He married a distant cousin, Mrs. Susanne Blanchard Hemingway nee Vereen and daughter of No. 17, John E. Vereen of Windy Hill. They had the following children: Amanda(1835) married Francis Justice, John F.(1838) married Lucy Permenter, Benjamin F.(1841)(Cooney’s father) married Bettie Livingston, Jeremiah J.(1843) married Martha Bellamee(1846) (daughter of James Bellamee), record show “Treated for Gun Shot wound Mar-May 1863, shown as a Merchant in Little River in 1870. Martha (1845) married John Gause, Caledonia (1847) married Maham Vereen, and Hartford J. (1849) married Florence C. Frink. It is thru this marriage of Joseph J. Vereen to Susanne B. Vereen Hemingway, that the Little River set of Vereens descend from both the wives of Jeremiah Vereen No. 5 and also Jeremiah Vereen (son of 17) and wife Sarah Stone, living on the north side of Mullet Creek. In 1847 he received the following slaves from the John Thommas Hemingway Estate Via his wife Susanne, widow of John T. Hemingway: Jasper, Mariah and child Peter, and Judy. His real estate was worth $800 and personal $450 and only Hartford (his son) living with him in 1870.

NO. 20-SON OF 18 and 19

HARTFORD JENNINGS VEREEN married FLORENCE C. FRINK. They are buried at the Little River Methodist Church yard. There you will find their dates. Children were Thomas, Grover Cleveland and Percy Copeland; all of whom died unmarried. The children who married were; Sarah Gertrude married Benjamin H. Justice, Orbie Fletcher married Geneva McGinn, Susan Pauline married George F. Parker, John Ephraim married Eva Dell St. George, Samuel Gourdin married Kathaleen Vereen (daughter of Jeremiah son of * 21), Jackson Hiram married Martha Leslie, Elizabeth (Lizie) Mary married William Warwick Abbott, Bonson Mitchell married Allie Hemingway, Hartford Jennings Jr. married Leila O’Quinn, Joseph Jeremaih married Essie Moody, Trezvant Gibbs married 1st Maida Bell Stewart 2nd to Evelyn Luke, and Henry Noble married Jewel Adams.

NO. 21-SON OF 17

JEREMIAH VEREEN (1817/48) married Sarah Raven Stone (1810/72). They lived their entire life between Mullet Creek and Calabash on the old homestead. The house is gone but the bed that George Washington slept in is still in the house Roland built about 1938 next to where the original house stood. Molly, Sally and Willie (grandchildren) lived there until the old house was destroyed in the early 40’s, then moved into Roland’s house (next door). From the Land Division book dated 6 Oct. 1858 and from the 1850 and 1860 Census we complete this family data. The children were John Wesley (1837) who has a Confederate marker here, married Sarah Amanda Gore, Mary Ann (1839) died before 1860 and buried at the cemetery where the monument stands. Eliza Jane(1842)married Benjamin Franklin Gore(school teacher) Maham T.(1840) who was called Mim, married Caldonia Vereen(1845) his aunt’s daughter; Calhoun (1845) unm. and Jeremiah Kelly (1847) married Sarah Mathews.

NO. 22-SON OF 11

CHARLES W. VEREEN (1815) married Christy (1814) had his estate administered in Horry County 22 Sept. 1855 by William L. DuBois. No wife is listed. From the Land Division books we find his children were: Joseph A. (1842) died young, Daniel (1847) m. (1) “Fanny” Frances Bridgers (2) Rose Ellen Bennett, William P. and Charles J. The daughters were Hester Ann (1838) wife of Matthew Linguish, Sara C (1843) wife of H. E. Doyle, Mary J.(1839) wife of George Mills, Costello D. wife of A. C. Lewis and Cynthia J. G. Vereen. Additional children were: Postel R., Joseph A. (died young). Charles J. applied for Confederate Service Pension, listed as 73 yrs. old in 1921.

NO. 23

Elizabeth, Charlotte Ann Rebecca Vereen, Sara M. Vereen, & Caroline J. Vereen were listed as minors in 1855/57. They were Children of William Pinckney who married twice. The first is unknown, and Elizabeth was born. Second he married Martha G. Vereen On May 22 1857 she married Simon Stephen Herring. Charles W. Vereen signed his will in Horry County 3/25/1834 naming his wife as Maris Vereen and “All my children to share equal” William Vereen of Choctaw Co. Miss. gave his Power of Attorney in 1855 in connection with this estate of his father, Charles W. Vereen.(as per William Pinckney descendants)

(NO. 24)

JOSEPH DeWITT VEREEN (1819/86 in Fla.83) Son of John E. and Mary Ann. His Confederate marker is here today, married Sarah? had one child:, William Joseph(1840) m. Mary C. Thomas. His second wife was Susan A. Lee Vereen (1830/86) as shown in the 1860 Census and with children in 1860 named as Susan D. (1846) m. Abraham M. Bellamy, George W. (1848) died young, Lemuel A. (1850) m. Ellen Portia Stanley, James S.(1852) m. Drucilla, Aldrich Stacy(1854) m. Mary Jane Stanley, and Samuel P.(1850) m. Sarah Ann Tharpe.

There are many Vereen records, which have not yet been checked, and hence they are not shown in this sketch. The Vereens are highly indebted to these three men, Jeremiah C. Vereen of Miami, Fla., Jackson Hiram Vereen of Mandarin, Fla. and Joseph Jeremiah Vereen of Raleigh, N. C. for planning the restoration of the cemetery and erection of the memorial. It was the leadership and direction of these three men that made the ceremony on August 11, 1957 possible.

JEREMIAH KELLY VEREEN SON OF 21

BORN 1848 MARRIED (1872) SARAH (SALLY) AMELIA MATTHEWS (b.l851) dau of Wm Matthews. Lived his entire life in Little River on the old home place of his father’s, north of Mullet Creek. He was fiddle player and played at a lot of the local dances. He had the following children: William “Willie” Hiram (b.1874) unm., Mary(Mollie) Amanda(b.1876) unm., Joseph Jackson(b.1878) m. Bessie Darden, Jerry C.(b.1879), Rolan McNeal(b.1881) m. Docis O’Quinn, Dellia J.*(b,1883), Sarah “Sally’ Amelia(b.1884) uniti., James Augusta (b.1887) m. Mary (Mamie) Barrington, Catherine “Kate” Ellen(b.1889) m. Samuel Gourdin Vereen. Lucian Adrian (b.1892) unit, served in World War 1, later was killed by a truck in Little River by the road. Jerry, being a good “fiddle” player had had many square dances at his and Sally’s home. His son, Jim played the banjo and his nephew Charlie also played a fiddle while Orbie called the figures. He was also known to have a “scary” nature. His sons Roland and Jim, along with Charlie, his nephew would play tricks on him and his wife would fuss at him for getting angry. Later Willie and Jack came to Wilmington and started Vereen’s Gros at Front and Wooster Streets. There was a house attached to the store where Jack and Bessie, his wife, lived and raised their family. Jim and his wife, “Mamie” also moved to Wilmington after the Hammer Mill was destroyed. James, his son was the first of his children born in NC. *Buried @ Cemetery @ Monument.

NO. 25-SON OF 21

MAYHAM T.(THOMAS?)(HEZEKIAH MAHAN also MARION T.) Jan. 18, 1840 died Mar. 28, 1906, married CALEDONIA (1860/1? dau of 19). Lived his entire life between Calabash and Little River. The track of land where the monument stands from the Swash (Mullet Creek) to the cemetery is known as “The Mim Track”. This Track of Land was given to Caledonia along with the slave girl, about her own age by her father, Joseph Jeremiah. Possibly the one mentioned he received through the Hemingway inheritance of his wife Susan. He carried the mail route from Wilmington to Conway. Their home was first on the old road close to where the cemetery is and was burned before 1880. They then moved to Calabash at Hickory Hall, (built about 1812 by Samuel Frink father of Dr Lorenzo Frink) which still stands.

Samuel Frink killed himself after loosing all of his slaves and etc due to the War. His son Lorenzo, found him and threw the pistol in the river. Mrs. Lella Thomas Simmons daughter of Sam Thomas, (married Georgia Jennerette of Paraway) who was brother of Putt Thomas and Lizzie who married Raleigh Stone and Grand daughter of Cornealious Thomas Jr.(see 18) who married Jane Hemingway. Putt married Lizzie Frink, sister of Florie Frink. This made the people who owned Hickory Hall Mint’s cousin. There Caledonia bore a son, Charles. Their house was then built just south of the Swash (Mullet Creek) on a hill, about where the picnic grounds are now. The house had two front doors, one went to the upper part of the house where their ex-slave and her daughter lived and served the family. The one given to Caldonia by her father when she married Mim. She eventually moved to Wilmington and went by the name of ____________ Vereen. She died some time in the 40’s at a ripe old age. He married Winnie J. Lancaster daughter of Jessie & Nancy Lancaster (Lockwood Folly) after the death of his wife Caledonia, due to childbirth of Joe. The name on the application for marriage license dtd. Mar 12, 1888 was MR. MARION T. VEREEN AGE 40, she was 25. The J.P. was MR. JOHN H MINTS. The actual LICENSE dtd Mar 25 1888 showed MR. M.T. VEREEN The Wedding was at John H Mints home with Win M. Mints, C.E. Hawes and T. Mints (poss. Wife)as witnesses. Winnie was a school teacher in the Southport area. She later adopted a girl name Alice. She is buried in the family cemetery near Varnum Town on her father’s farm. He returned her to her father after she tried to kill him by pulverizing glass and feeding it to him with Epsom salts.(about 1889 or 90). The Ex-slave caught Winnie red handed doing the act. He took her back home to her Father’s home, she never returned. Mim joined the Confederacy at the latter part of the war and was stationed at Georgetown, for just a short time. He never saw any combat. The story was told that he went home on leave and over stayed his time; but on the way back he developed a rash and when he got back to camp, his Commanding Officer sent him back home. The war ended before he got well. He is buried at the Little River cemetery along with four of his children: A.P., Joe, R.E. & Amanda Susan. Also R.E.’s 1^st wife Cora (Sis) (Sam Livingston’s sister). Other children were, Emory(1O/22/1866)*, George O.(11/1/1868) Killed by a horse, Robert E. 5/6/1871—1906), Mary M.(Dec 5 1872/1886), Susan A.,(Mar 5 1879—Dec.5 1938), Charles M.(July 5 1881—1962), Albert P., July 28 1883-1907; by blood poison, Joe Callie, November 15,1886; drown in Little River Inlet on Thanksgiving Day. All the children died with out any descendents except Charles and Robert E. Robert Married Mary Etta Lewis (who had been married to William P. Vereen and had Robie, Benny and Empie and only one son by Robert: Hurbert. Mim was known as “an onerous old man, and drank a lot’. There were ill feelings between he and his wife’s family, so much that they would not allow him to be buried next to his wife in the old cemetery. He is buried at the Little River Cemetery. The 1850 Census shows he was 7yrs old (b.1843). This makes the 1840 birth date possible error, like wise the 1860 and 1880. The monument says Emory was born in 1854 and died in 1867 but this would mean Caledonia was only 14 years old, if she was born the year of her husband(1840). The best I can come up with, she was born in 1847 and died 1886(1860/80 census). They were married in 1860 (at the age of 13 as Charlie always said) and Emory was born shortly after. He died in 1867 at the age of 6 or 7 years old. Mim and Caledonia were listed in separate families in 1860 census.  It is my belief, after doing much research and the “Family Records” and things Charlie and Amamda (Mannie) talked about, Mim was born in 1840.

During the 20 years he was sick off and on Bobby and Charles carried the mail route for him.

NO 26 DAUGHTER OF 19

CALEDONIA VEREEN, married MAHAM VEREEN, born 1847 (census 1850\60\8O) and died after giving birth to a child Joe Callie 1886. She is buried in the old cemetery where the monument now stands. Her son, Joe was raised by Mim’s cousin Raliegh Stone and Wife, in Wilmington. N.C.

NO 27 SON OF 25 AND 26

CHARLES MARTIN VEREEN married MAGGIE RUTH STEVENS (Stephens) (1893-1974) daughter of William A. (Stephens) Stevens of Wampee, S.C. on June 30, 1915. He was born July 5, 1881 at Hickory Hall in Calabash, N.C. He lived most of his early life around Little River, S.C. He went to school three months out of the year for three years. His school teacher was his Uncle Frank Gore who was a very scary man, and he and Sam Livingston would play tricks on him. After his marriage, they first lived in the old Vereen House back of the cemetery where Cooney is buried now, North Myrtle Beach. This was the Home where Washington spent the night. They then moved on the Mill Yard of Hammer Lumber Co. where he worked. His sister Amanda and nephew Hurbert, lived with them. There their first three children were born. He had the following children, Gertrude M, Mamie F, Charles W., Artice P., Robert E., Leo G.,. He died in Wilmington, N.C. on April 29, 1962. He is burned in Greenlawn cemetery ( Wilmington) along with his wife and sons, Charles W. & Artice P

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THE FAMILY OF CHARLES AND MAGGIE VEREEN

They were married on June 30, 1915 in Horry County by Rev. J.E. Cook. His sister Amanda gave them a nice reception, Uncle Whitman, Maggie’s brother was the only one of her family attended. Their first home was a two story house owned by Cousin Cooney. It was located behind what is now Greenlawn Cemetery, side of Cousin Cooney’s and Ada’s house. The house later burned down while Cooney and Ada were living there. Charlie was working at Hammer Lumber Mill Located at Little River Neck and, as soon as a mill house was available, they moved into one. Amanda and  Hurbert moved in with them. Uncle Joe and Aunt Minnie, Cousin Jim and Mamie Barrington Vereen also lived on the mill yard. Here Cousin Jim’s two children: Lurine and Violet were born.

On July 6, 1916 GretrudeM. was born, on Oct. 30, 1918 Mamie F. was born and on Oct. 4, 1920 Charles W. (Bubba) was born.

After the Mill was destroyed by a boiler exploding (May 27, 1918), they moved to Wilmington in 1921, and lived with Uncle Joe who got Charlie a job at the Ship Yard. He rented a house on the west side of  7th Street between Wooster and Dawson Streets where Uncle Joe Lived. Some of the neighbors were Thomas, Williams and Stokley. Here Artice P. was born on June 12, 1922, Maggie had a mid-wife and Charlie took Gert, Mamie and Bubba down to the corner store (Bridgers) and bought them some balloons while Artice was being born. He took Artice to the store to see how much he weighted after he was born. Charlie then went to work for Eubanks Lumber Mill after the Ship Yard closed. We moved to 1607 North 10th Street known as the Castle Hayne Rd. After a highway was built behind us where the under pass is, we moved into the center house 1603. Here Earl was born on Feb. 1, 1927. There was a Service Station built and owned by Mathews and later operated by Allenders. Gert and Mamie got chased by a bear over in the woods not far from the house over by Smith Creek. The next house we lived in was 1601 No 10^th which was across from the Boyle Ice Plant. The Mortons moved into the center house. Also this is where we were living when Artice hurt his leg while trying to get into the revolving doors with Aunt Amanda (who was a little hard of hearing) at the Murchison Building at the corner of Front and Chestnut Streets. Artice went into the hospital in May of 1929. It was here Leo G. was born on May 12, 1930. Poor little doodle took sick with double Pneumonia the following winter and almost died. During this time, Charlie lost his job at Eubanks because he was accused of fooling around with Mr. Eubanks wife. Charlie did odd jobs, like cleaning up bricks in Wilmington for a while. Everything closed down due to the Great Depression so we moved to South Carolina in a tenant house on Granddaddy Stephens’ farm at Deep Branch the Spring of 1931. We then moved into one of Mr. Milligan’s houses the next summer. The Porter’s lived across the road from us. We lived in South Carolina app 1.5 years. Bubba found $15.00 and Mama took it and came back to Wilmington with Leo and Bubba after Christmas of 1932. We again stayed with Aunt Minnie and Uncle Joe at 620 South Second Street. Mama got a job at Block’s Shirt Factory and rented the house at 912 So. Second Street owned by Henry McCalaster. The house had no electric lights, the water faucet and toilet was on the back porch. The rest of the family followed in February. Charlie went to word at Bates Lumber Co. for about $5.00 per week

Hurbert worked there also along with Earnest Vereen (distance cousin). Maggie and Mannie went to work at the Strawberry Plant. Gert and Mamie went to work at Block’shirt factory, while Bubba and Artice sold peanuts on the street. Artice later got a job at Postal Telegraph Co. Bubba went to J.B.’s (Kooney’s) to help run bootleg whiskey. Here Barbara was born on Oct.22, 1934. Ina Bell and Nina Lee(Robie Vereen’s twin daughters) came and stayed with us for awhile and got a job at the shirt factory the fall of 1936. Gert met Dennis Connor at the Bus Station and they went to Conway where Ina Bell was living with her father (Robie) and her Grand mother(Etta). They went to Judge Borne in Conway, Ina and her boy friend (Leo) went with them. They were married at 9:00PM, caught the Bus back and went to Aunt Minnies and she let them spend the night after they showed her the marriage license. It was Sunday May 31st 1936. The next day Aunt Minnie went and told Mama. Monday Gert and Dennis moved in up stairs of Dennis’s fathers house 918 So Sec St. Dennis Jr. was born Apr 14,’37. Mr. & Mrs took Mamie and Marion Mason to Wrightsboro Baptist Church for them to get married with out Mama or Daddy knowing it. When they got back Mamie stayed home and Marion went home with his parents. Marion came back that night and told Mama. Mamie stayed home that night, and the next day she moved into the Mason’s home at 618 So Ft St. Pat was born Apr 27, ‘39. Bubba went to work at Futrell’s Drug Store, but went into the C.C.Camps the fall of 1938. The summer of 1938 we moved to 107 Queen Street, Artice went to work at Saunders Drug Store.          Leo began selling magazines on the street and Earl got a job selling papers for the Star News. It was here when Aunt Manie took sick and died on Monday app 8:00 AM Dec 5, 1938. The casket was brought to the house and displayed in the living room. Mr L.C. Williams had his son, Leon Jr. to drive us to the cemetery at Little River. Earl and Leo sold the Sunday morning paper when England and France declared war on Germany in 1939. Artice went into the C.C. Camps July 1, 1940. Bubba came home and married Dot Vernon. War started and Bubba went to work at the ship yard. Artice was transferred into the Army. He was then in the hospital in San Francisco Calf. Artice came home from Calif. in June 1941 and worked for L.E. Williams, then went to work at the ship yard. Earl went into the Navy Jan. 2, 45 and was sent to the Philippines just before the war ended. He brought home some very gruesome pictures of the dead Japanese. Artice Married Edna Radcliff and lived with us off and on. Mamie had divorced Marion and married Leo J. Rosiere, and it was here Mary Ruth (LuLu) was born Dec. 20, 1944. After the War Mamie moved to Augusta, Kans. with her husband, and made her home there until after his death in 1968. Earl got out of the Navy in April of 1946, got his High School Diploma and went to Kans. to work with Rosie. Sometime during this period, Bubba served a short term in the Army. We moved to 705 So Third Street May 4, 1948. Artice, Edna and Bubba (who had separated from Dot) moved with us. Earl came home with a 36 Chevy. He and I took a trip to visit kin at Myrtle Beach that summer. Earl and Putt went back to Kans. Later that year Earl went back into the Navy. We lived there until Gert moved to Wrightsville Beach. We moved into the house she was living in, Oct 30, ‘48 at 618 So. Second Street. Earl came home from the Navy and worked for Carl Winner at Carolina Beach and got his Pilots License. Leo graduated from NHHS on June 10 ‘49 and went to work on June 9, ’49 at France Neckwear, his first check was $11.41. Earl and I bought a 1941 Pontiac together. Earl went back to Kans. the fall of 1949. We also moved to Lake Village at 61 West Dr. the fall of 1949. Leo got drafted into the Army Feb 21, 1951 during the Korean Conflict. Leo returned home from the Army Feb. 1953, and went back to work at France Neckwear, Earl came home from Kans. joined the Wilmington Police Force. Earl Married Verna Horrell, Leo married Carol Kelly, Barbara married Russell Watters, Bubba married Joyce Smith and Artice married Ina Bell daughter of Robie Vereen (his uncle Bobbie’s Stepson). Mama and Daddy moved to 1503 East Plaza in Huston Moore Terrace the summer of 1956. There Daddy fell and got hurt and died on April 29, 1962 and was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Wilmington. Bubba had separated from Joyce and was living with Mama. They moved to 9M Lake Village, and lived there until her death on Jan. 9,1974, Bubba died the following year.