History of Joshua Jameson and Wife
By Mrs. Minnie Jameson Orr
Given At Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church
August 1927
To Dedicate A Memorial Window in Honor of her Parents
Joshua Jameson was born in Pickens County, S.C. on December 12, 1822. He was the son of Rebecca Fowler and William Jameson, and had eight brothers and two sisters.
As he grew up good schools were not as convenient as today, and his education was somewhat limited, not having gone to school over one year in all. But he was determined to have an education, so he read and studied at home, most of the time at night by a home made candle or light wood.
There were no graded Sunday Schools in those days, and no literature except the Bible. He would carry his slate to Sunday School and the older ones would set copies of writing and figures for the children. He also studied the Blue Back Speller at the Sabbath School.
Mary Bowen Hunt was born in Greenville County, S.C., November 24, 1830, she being the daughter of Elizabeth Bowen and William Hunt. Her education was limited also, only in the common schools no high schools being available in those days.
Time passed quickly in the olden days as now and soon Joshua Jameson and Mary Hunt were grown. Joshua sought the “heart and hand” of Mary and they were married at the home of Mary's father, William Hunt, on the evening of December 22nd, 1846 by Rev. John Roberts of Greenville, S.C. Joshua was 24 years of age and Mary only 16.
This young couple started out in life with only each other to look to. However with hard work and many trials and discouragements, they bought a home in Pickens County near Easley, S.C. They lived in this place for many years.
In 1860 when the “War Between the States” was declared, Mr. Jameson volunteered his service and enlisted in Company G, 22nd Regiment, S.C. Volunteers. He was appointed Sergeant at the organization of this company, and later promoted to Lieutenant. In May 1862, this company was mustered in to service at Charleston, S.C. with Joshua Jameson as Captain and S.D. Goodlet as Colonel.
It was then that the hard part came, for him to leave his wife and small children, but he was a very courageous man and his courage never failed him. He bade goodbye to his loved ones and was gone. He served for sometime, then his health gave way and he was forced to go home and rest for several months. He was appointed Colonel about the time the war closed but there was no record of this, though he was always known as “Colonel Jameson” after the war.
In the year of Session, he and his family moved to Anderson County near Slabtown, and there he lived many years of usefulness and happiness.
There were twelve children born unto Colonel and Mrs. Jameson. Two died while young, ten lived to manhood and womanhood and married into families of their own. Only five are now living. They are: Mr. O. L. Jameson of Norcross, Ga; Mr. E. C. Jameson and wife of Greenville, S.C; Mrs. Mamie Moseley of Anderson, S.C; Mrs. Ida Long of Atlanta, Ga.; Mrs. Minnie Orr of Westminister, S.C.; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Brooks Jameson of Honea Path, S.C.; and one son-in-law, Mr. J. R. Orr of Westminister, S.C. Those who have passed away are: Mr. William Jameson and wife of Texas; Mrs. O.L. Jameson and Mrs. Mattie Bramlett and husband of Georgia; Mrs. Bettie Wingo and husband of Greenville, S.C.; Mrs. Ettie Smith and husband of Bethune, S.C.; Mr. Brooks Jameson of Honea Path, S.C.; Mr. John Mosely and Mr. E.W. Long on Anderson, S.C.
There are living today thirty-seven grand children, eighty-four great grand children, and two great, great, grand children making a total of one hundred and twenty-eight living descendants at this time.
Colonel and Mrs. Jameson lived a Christian life of usefulness ever ready to render such aid as was necessary in the church or community.
Colonel Jameson served his county as County Commissioner eight years and Magistrate for twenty years or more. He and his wife joined the Georgia Creek Baptist Church of Pickens County after they were married and in moving to this country they cast their membership with this Mt. Pisgah Church, and here remained as long as they lived.
Colonel Jameson was deacon of the Church for more than thirty-six years and Church Clerk for thirty-six years. He did not miss but twelve conference meetings during this period, and they were unavoidable. He was also clerk of the Piedmont Baptist Association for about twenty-eight years.
On December 22, 1896, Colonel and Mrs. Jameson celebrated their golden wedding; having been married fifty years on the day. Besides the children and grand children and other relatives, many friends were invited. Many nice and useful gifts received at this time proved that they were still honored and loved in their declining years.
Mary Bowen Hunt Jameson died October 20, 1899, at the age of 68. Colonel Jameson died December 10, 1906 at the age of 84.
The funeral services for this old couple were held in the old church by a life long friend of the family - our beloved Rev. D.W. Hiatt, who is present today. Their remains lie in yonder cemetery. Now their grandchildren have erected a memorial window to their memory in this beautiful new church.