I was drawn to the historical marker on this overcast Sunday morning. And even though it was Sunday, the church appeared to be closed and secured. Due to the rain, I opted not to explore the cemetery. The marker points out some of the earliest history of settlement in this area. The marker reads on the front, "Jeffcoats' Meeting House C 1775. Erected as a log structure, Jeffcoats' Meeting House was a Wesleyan meeting house and school to Big Pond Branch, a small community along a branch of the north fork of the Edisto River in an area known as The Indian Head. This meeting house was founded by English immigrants and missionaries Smuel and William Jeffcoat outside of the established townships of Orangeburgh, Amelia, Saxe Gotha and New Windsor, in an area known to have been inhabited by Native Americans. The region and the meeting house were visited by Bishop Francis Asbury three times by 1816." On the reverse, "Jeffcoats' Meeting House was recognized as part of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1819. The log structure was raised in 1825 and a new milled-lumber structure was erected. In 1862, the name changed to Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church, South. "Ebenezer" survived destruction by William Tecumseh Sherman's troops on his scorched-earth campaign in 1865. These troops crossed the north fork of the Edisto River at Jeffcoats' Bridge just south of this location. The church, settlement houses and mills were left intact. The surrounding towns of Orangeburg, Lexington and Columbia were largely destroyed." There is space to stop by the road and view the sign, or you can park in the grass lot in front of the church itself. [Review 16851 overall - 882 in South Carolina - 364 of 2022.] read more

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An amazing part of American history is embodied in this church. The church was placed with the help of Lady Selina, Countess of Huntingdon and her benefactor Jacob Jeffcoat. She was George Washington's cousin-advisor. George and Martha slept with her portrait at their bedside. She was known as the Queen of Methodism. The first Methodist conference was held in her home at 11 Downing Street, which is the home of the Prime Minister today, an official address of the Crown. Selina's best friend was Benjamin Franklin, who assisted her in her missions in America. She influenced many. This settlement where the church stands today was her first and only known in America. read more