Subject: Frederick Augustus ("Gus") Haddock account book From: Steven Coker Date: February 12, 1998 Frederick Augustus ("Gus") Haddock account book Manuscript volume, 1861-1863, of Frederick Augustus ("Gus") Haddock is a valuable acquisition relating to the subject of the mid-nineteenth-century turpentine industry in South Carolina. The coming of the railroad promoted the development of Williamsburg District's pine forests. Turpentine beat cotton as a cash crop; it boosted the region's economy. In the early 1850s, experienced North Carolinians began moving in and buying up pine lands cheaply. They set up turpentine farms and distilleries, established a skilled labor force, and gained membership in the community. Haddock was a native of North Carolina; his tombstone in Union Cemetery says that he was born 29 August 1829 and killed by a falling tree 22 October 1892. He settled near Black Mingo Creek along the Georgetown-Williamsburg county line, and in addition to his turpentine business he superintended river dredging in the area. His account entries begin in the spring of 1861 and end in the summer of 1863 about the time he left home to enlist in Co. A, 7th South Carolina Cavalry. The accounts are indexed by name and record dealings with a number of local firms and families: J.F. Carraway, McConnell & Britton, Ange & Brothers, Furnifold Rhem, J.B. Anderson, J.A. Hemingway, Dr. J.J. Steel (for medical attention to slaves), Marion Britton, and James Snow. The listed items refer most frequently to barrels of turpentine, tar, and rosin, but the book also includes a list of hides in tan, including "22 Hides from Gov. [R.F.W.] Allston." In a separate account appears a reference to "Elm Grove distillery," evidently owned by Haddock. And like many plantation account books, this one contains a register of Haddock's slaves. Source: http://www.sc.edu/library/socar/uscs/1997/haddoc97.htm The Manuscripts Division of the South Caroliniana Library collects and preserves a wide variety of unpublished materials significant to the study of history and culture in the Palmetto State. This represents only a small portion of the finding aids available in the Manuscripts Division. For further information, please contact the Manuscripts Division staff by e-mail or at the following address: Manuscripts Division South Caroliniana Library University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208 Tel: (803) 777-5183 Fax: (803) 777-5747 [email protected] ==== SCROOTS Mailing List ==== Go To: #, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, Main |