Bethune Ancestors Private Posts

I've created a second Bethune Ancestors blog called Bethune Ancestors Private Posts where posts that deal with religious and other personal matters will be housed. Access is limited to a list of approved viewers and I ask that any materials found on that site not be copied or distributed without permission.

These are the posts currently on Bethune Ancestors Private Posts:
1) Emma Jane Thomas Bethune Patriarchal Blessing
2) Mary Lucile Bethune Hucks Patriarchal Blessing
3) Daniel Malcolm Bethune Testimony - Liahona 1916
4) Daniel M. Bethune Story - Liahona 1941

Bethune, South Carolina

Images and information about Bethune, South Carolina.

From the Kershaw County Historical Society's website:

                                                                       Big Springs

Main Street 1907

From the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce website:

Europeans came to the Bethune area in the early 1800s, and at that time the Kadapaw Indians inhabited the area.  Bethune was originally known as Lynchwood when a post office was established there in 1828. 

When the railroad came to this area, it crossed property belonging to Daniel Murdock Bethune.  When the charter for the town was issued in 1900, the town's name was changed from Lynchwood to Bethune in honor of Daniel M. Bethune.  Mr. Bethune was one of the pioneer men of the Bethune area, which was predominately of Scottish decent.  Today you can find a Scottish burial ground between Bethune and Cassatt.  Scottish Cemetery, located on US Highway 1 South outside Bethune, has been the final resting place for local citizens since the late 1700s.  The history of surrounding communities is reflected in the names etched on the faces of the soapstone headstones. 

On high ground surrounded by the waters of Lynches River and Little Lynches River, Bethune is a quiet town where turn-of-the-century Southern charm reigns supreme.  Train tracks run beside Bethune Town Hall as a reminder of the rail's importance to this stop on the Seaboard Railroad.  Residents are carefully restoring historic homes to preserve the town's Mayberry-like character.  The bridge on Highway 1, north of Bethune, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only bridge spanning the same river three times.

Bethune was awarded the Governor's Rural Economic Achievement Trophy, and thus became the smallest of participating cities and towns in South Carolina to qualify as a "GREAT" town. "The People of Bethune" is more than just a phrase. It is four words that describe the dedication and drive of a community on the move.  Bethune is everybody's idea of a small town.  A wide main street, good schools, a good library, excellent medical facilities, beautiful homes and friendly people are found in Bethune.

From healing springs, to pottery, to agriculture, this Kershaw County town is proud of its heritage.  

1938 Bethune Reunion

1938
Mrs. E.Z. Truesdale
Mrs. J.W. Bethune, 1331 Calhoun, Columbia, S.C.
Mrs. D. T. Yarbrough
D.T. Yarbrough
Mrs. A Fletcher __________ ( Elsie Tiller, granddaughter of Eliza McLaurin and Ervin Tiller)
C.S. Floyd
R.E. McCaskill
T.R. Morse
M. G. King
A.B. McNaull      Columbia, S.C.
Neil E. Truesdell
Mrs. C D Terry (Esther) McCaskill    Gritman, Ga.
Mrs. J.A. McCaskill (Sallie Bethune) Bethune, S.C.
Mark King    Neeses S.C.
Mrs. Mark King (Ola Bethune) Neeses S.C.
Robert King  Neeses S.C.
Mark King Jr.  Neeses S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. D.M. Mays
Mrs. L.A. McDowell    Tampa Fla.
Caroline McDowell       Tampa Fla.
Mrs. C.S. Floyd
John Bethune
Frances Bethune
Mary        "
Jean          "
Johnsie      "
Carolyn     "
Mrs. Frank R. Morse
Carrie Yarbrough
Stella Bethune
Mrs. R.E. Bethune (Julia McCheney)
Mrs. M.G. King (Mac McCaskill)
Mrs. Margaret Marion (Margaret Yarbrough)
Robbie Newton Yarbrough
Mary McNaull Brown (Mrs. E.G.)
Mrs. A M McNaull (Kate Bethune)
Florrie Bethune King       Hartsville, S.C.
Mrs. Neil Truesdell
Mrs. Howard Hucks (Mary Bethune) Fayetteville, N.C.
Margaret Jane Fagan   Hartsville, S.C.
Mrs. B.L. Cobb (Louise Bethune)  Hartsville, S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. D. M. Bethune    McBee  S.C.
Mary Norwood                     McBee  S.C.
Beth Norwood                          "          "
Mary Ellen McLaurin             Bethune, S.C.
Cecilia L. King                      Bethune, S.C.
Rob Bethune                         Cheraw   S.C.
Sue Anderson Bethune             "             "
Susanne Bethune                      "            "
Bobby Bethune                        "            "
J.V. Fagan                               Hartsville, S.C.
Malcolm B. Fagan                         "           "
Margaret Jane "                              "          "
Mrs. A. B. McLaurin                Bethune, S.C.
Mary Allen McLaurin                    "           "
John Paul McLaurin                       "          "
M.G. King Jr.                         Spartanburg, S.C.
Mrs. M.G. King Jr.                        "              "
Gene McNaull                        Columbia, S.C.
Fletcher Spigman     (great grandson of Eliza McLaurin and Ervin Tiller)
Bessie Bethune Cagle & Sons    Hamlet, N.C.
(Hugh Bethune & Jackie Cagle)
Janie Kate Bethune Grant
Richard C. Grant Jr.

1937 Bethune Reunion

Aug. 12, 1937
Mr. & Mrs. T. R. M. Bethune
     Susanne Bethune
     Bobby Bethune
Mr. & Mrs. T. R. Bethune
     Tom Bethune Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Crowell Bethune   Bethune, S.C.
     Betsy Ann Bethune              Bethune, S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Bethune          Gastonia, N.C.
     Ernest E. Bethune                      "           "
     James Bethune                          "           "
     J. A. Bethune                        Lancaster, S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. J.B. Johnston          Trenton, Tenn
     Elizabeth Johnston                     "           "
     Mary Jan Johnston                    "           "
Mrs. D.T. Yarbrough                Bethune, S.C.
     Carrie Yarbrough                      "          "
     Robbie Newton Marion             "          "
Mrs. Sallie Robertson                Bethune, S.C. - Visitor
Mrs. Sallie C. McCaskill
     Christine McCaskill              Hartsville, S.C.
Mrs. M.G. King                        Bethune, S.C.
Mrs. C. O. Terry                      Gritman, Ga.
Mrs. L.S. King                         Hartsville, S.C.
     Kathryn McCaskill Terry     Gritman, Ga.
Mr. & Mrs. J.P. Bethune          Bethune, S.C.
     Frances Bethune                        
     Mary Bethune
     Jean      "
     Johnsie  "
     Carolyn "
Rose McLeod                         Bethune, S.C.  - Visitor
Doris Lane                                    "          "           "
Rev. Morse                                   "          "           "
Mr. & Mrs. J. N. Cagle           Hamlet, N.C.
     Hugh & Jack Cagle
Mrs. Kate Bethune McNaull
     Mary McNaull Brown
     Allen Eugene McNaull
     A. B. McNaull
Mr. & Mrs. Neil Truesdale      Hartsville, S.C.
     Sarah Isabelle Truesdale
     Althea Lee Truesdale
Mr. & Mrs. R. E. McCaskill   Bethune, S.C.
     Betty Gray McCaskill             "          "
Mr. & Mrs. M.G. Crossley (Faye Bethune)
     "June" Truesdale                 Bethune, S.C.
Mr. & Mrs. J.V. Fagan (Malcolm Bethune)
     Margaret Jane Fagan
     Richard Fagan
Mrs. R.C. Grant (Janie Kate Bethune)
     Richard C. Grant
Mrs. Mary Thomas - Visitor
Mr. & Mrs. D.M. Bethune
Mr. & Mrs. Orrin Parris (Annie Mae Bethune)
Dr. A.C. Bethune & Ron        Raeford, N.C.
              

1936 Bethune Reunion

1936

The second reunion of the Bethune Clan was held Thursday, Aug.6, 1936 with about 90 members and visitors present. The meeting was called to order by the president, D.M. Bethune. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J.T. Keels, pastor of the Bethune Presbyterian Church. After a most interesting talk by the president a history of the Bethune family was read by Neil Truesdale, historian. After the business session a delightful picnic lunch was served.
          Mrs. R.C. Grant, Sec.

Aug. 6, 1936
Mr. + Mrs. T.R.Bethune, Hartsville, S.C.
     Tom Bethune, Jr.
Mr. + Mrs. R.M. Bethune, Cheraw S.C.
     Susanne Bethune
     Bobby Bethune Jr.
Mr. + Mrs. B.L. Cobb (Louise Bethune)
Mr. + Mrs. Crowell Bethune  Cheraw S.C.
     Betsy Ann Bethune               "
Mr. + Mrs. J.P. Bethune   Bethune S.C.
     Frances Bethune
     Mary Bethune
     Jean Bethune
     Johnsie Bethune
     Carolyn Bethune
Mrs. Margaret E. Lee  Monroe N.C. Route 1
Mr. + Mrs. D.M. Bethune
Mrs. Margaret Marion, Bethune
Mrs. L.S. King, Hartsville
Mr. + Mrs. D, T, Yarbrough, Bethune
     Carrie Yarbrough, Bethune
     Robbie Newton _______, Bethune
Mrs. L.J. McDonald, Hartsville, SC
     Neil McDonald
     Isabel McDonald
     Harry McDonald
Christian McCaskill, Hartsville, SC
Mrs. Ola B. King, Neeses
     Mark King Jr  Neeses
     Mark King  Neeses
     Robert B. King, Neeses
Mrs. B.L. Norwood  McBee S.C.
     Beth Norwood        "          "
(Mrs. E.Z.) Kate B. Truesdale  Bethune S.C.
     Margaret                 "               "          "
Mrs. Ernest Barrett    Monroe  N.C.
     Julia Barrett
     Mary Barrett
     Eva Lee Barrett
Mr. + Mrs. Lonnie Baker
     Charlie
     Edwin
     Margaret
Mrs. Eva Morgaon
     Vann Morgan
     Forbis Morgan
Mr. + Mrs. M. G. King
     Billy King
Mr. + Mrs. A. L. Bethune
Mr. + Mrs. J. N. Cagle (Bessie Bethune)
     Hugh Cagle + Jack Cagle
Mrs. J. V. Fagan (Malcolm Bethune)
     Margaret Jane + Richard Fagan
Stella Bethune
E.Z. Truesdale Jr.
Mr. + Mrs. N.E. Truesdale
     Sara Isabelle + Althea Lee Truesdale
Emma Keels        Visitor
J T N Keels         Visitor
Morrison Graham   Visitor
Miss Mary Thomas  Visitor
Mr. + Mrs. J.A. Bethune
Mr. + Mrs. Howard Hucks (Mary Bethune)
     Patricia Hucks
Dorothy Hucks   Visitor
Annabelle Cobb    Visitor
Mrs. J.A. Stone  (Visitor) McBee, SC
Steve Lee, Norfolk Naval Hospital Portsmouth Va.
Mrs. R.C. Grant
     Richard C. Grant, Jr.
M. C. McCaskill  Visitor
Ernest Bearde    Visitor
William Bullock  Visitor

   

1935 Bethune Reunion

1935
On Thursday afternoon August 1, 1935 the Bethune clan met for the first time at Big Springs, near Bethune, S.C. A delightful picnic lunch was served late in the afternoon. After lunch a business session was held, and the following officers were elected:

Pres. --D. M. Bethune, McBee, S.C.
V.Pres.--J. A. Bethune, Lancaster, S.C.
Sec.--Mrs. R.C. Grant, McBee, S.C.
Treas.--Stella Bethune, Bethune, S.C.
Historian--Neil Truesdale, Bethune, S.C.
     "       --Carrie Yarbrough, "         "

It was decided to meet each year on the first Thursday in August at Big Springs and have an all day picnic.
                                         Mrs. R.C. Grant, Sec.

Aug.1, 1935
Mrs. J.B. Johnston (Kate Yarbrough) Trenton, Tenn.
     Elizabeth Johnston                              "          "
     Mary Lou Johnston                            "          "
Mr. + Mrs. A. T. Bethune, Gastonia, N.C.
Mr. + Mrs. Orrin Ray Parris, Gaffney, S.C.
     Eva Anne Parris,                   "          "
Margaret Yarbrough, Hartsville, S.C.
Neil McDonald,              "            "
Mr. + Mrs. John A McCaskill, Bethune, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. Neil Truesdale, Bethune, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. B.L. Cobb, Hartsville, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. L.J. McDonald,  "         "
     Franci McDonald             "         "
     Isabel McDonald             "         "
     Harry McDonald             "         "
Mr. + Mrs. J.V. Fagan, Hartsville, S.C.
     Margaret Jane Fagan,    "           "
     Richard Fagan,              "           "
Mabel Lee, Monroe, N.C.
Kathryne Truesdale, Bethune, S.C.
Mrs. Margaret E. Lee, Monroe, N.C.
     Watt Lee                   "           "
Mr. + Mrs. L.M. Yarbrough, Hartsville, S.C.
     Miriam Yarbrough                   "          "
     Betty Yarbrough                      "          "
Mr. + Mrs. Crowell Bethune, Pageland, S.C.
     Betty Ann Bethune                  "           "
Mr. + Mrs. Jake Bethune, Gastonia, S.C.
Mrs. E.Z. Truesdale, Bethune, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. D.M. Bethune, McBee, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. D.T.Yarbrough, Bethune, S.C.
     Carrie Yarbrough,               "          "
Mrs. Margaret Marion,             "          "
     Robbie Newton "                "          "
Mr. + Mrs. T.R. Bethune, Darlington, S.C.
Mrs. L.S. King, Hartsville, S.C.
Stella Bethune, Bethune, S.C.
J.P. Bethune + family (5), Bethune, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. Howard Hucks, Florence, S.C.
     Patricia Hucks, Florence, S.C.
Mrs. Kate McNaull, Columbia, S.C.
Mr. + Mrs. Eugene Brown,  "     "
D.M. McNaull,                    "     "
Eugene McNaull,                 "     "
Mr. + Mrs. John N. Cagle, Hartsville, S.C.
     Hugh Cagle,                       "            "
     Jack Cagle,                        "            "
Mrs. R.C. Grant, McBee, S.C.                   (70)

Neil Bethune Descendants Facebook Group

I've started a Facebook Group called Neil Bethune Descendants so that we can have a central online place to meet distant relatives. No ads, no weather reports, no religious or political statements...merely a place to put a face to a name of someone who shares some of the same DNA you do.