I was born in the old "Castle" in Clarendon County, August 2nd, 1856 and the
first three years of my life were spent there, then my father, Col. Richard I.
Manning, bought a home in Sumter County. "Homesley" we called it; which means "A
Home For All," and truly it was so, for its doors were ever open and my
grandmother, aunt and two uncles with their families lived there.
I lived at "Homesley" until I married in 1879. The dear old house is now in
ashes and only a stable marks the spot almost sacred in my eyes, for the years
spent there were happy ones and most of those who made it happy have long since
passed to the Great Beyond and only their memory lives bright and fresh in my
heart.
A short time after we moved to our new home, "Homesley," the whole State was
thrown into wild distress and confusion for the Ordinance of Secession was
signed in 1860; South Carolina had seceded from the Union and the call to arms
had sounded. My father, although a hot non-Secessionist, promptly responded to
his country's call, formed and uniformed at his own expense the "Manning Guards"
and at their head as their Captain marched them to Columbia. He there declined
to serve further as their Captain but said he would go with them as a private
but this they would not let him do so he was appointed Colonel on Gen. P. H.
Nelson's staff and my uncle Brown Manning was made Captain of the Manning Guards
and was soon promoted to Colonel of that Company which formed a part of the
Hampton Legion in Virginia. From exposure and privation, my father's health soon
failed and on October 10th, 1861, he laid down his life and we were left alone.
How well do I remember the first gun fired and the terror it sent to my young
heart, fearing I knew not what, only something awful and mysterious. The years
that followed were full of care and anxiety until the close of hostilities, when
the proud South furled her banner and acknowledged her defeat.
South Carolina was the first to secede but soon followed by her sister States
and their cause became one and like South Carolina, they had to submit to
defeat, having fought bravely and well for four years for what they believed to
be right.
The raid was something I can never forget and the scenes of the awful days are
burned into my memory. For days and nights we did not undress, fearing what
might be even though we had a guard around our house and joyful news it was when
we heard that the Flag of Truce was coming and there would be no more
molestation.
With the reverse of fortune, things looked pretty dark and but for our brave and
noble mother, who in her widowhood had accepted the care of my sister, two
brothers and myself, fulfilling the trust as only a brave, noble and true woman
can, we must have fallen by the wayside in dull despair. She educated us, giving
us a year or more at a finishing school and we were taught also to accept the
inevitable with patience. So my life was spent, quietly but happily with her in
our quiet country home until things brightened and plenty once more crowned her
efforts. You who have seen "The Birth of a Nation" can, in a feeble way,
understand the terror of those days and but for the wonderful Ku Klux Klan, the
State would have been deeply dyed in gloom. Had I time and space I would tell of
many things but suffice it to say it beggars description, so let it rest.
Although but a child, I could understand much and grew old beyond my years. As
the news of the many terrible battles would come, each would anxiously scan the
list of the missing, wounded and dead, to see if the name of some loved one was
there and the cry of anguish would rend your heart as the loved familiar name
was read. But those days are past and gone. The hatchet has been buried long
since and South Carolina is once more numbered with the Union.
Then came my young ladyhood! Times had changed; the war cloud had rolled away
and you could scarcely remember that only a few years had passed since war had
torn the length of our beloved South Carolina, carrying destruction in its wake
and causing heartaches and terror. In my "Recollections of the Sand Hills" I
have told of some of the bygone days, so I will not repeat it here. The young
people would constantly meet, dance, and plan for more fun. My father, as I have
said, died when I was only six years old, but my oldest brother did all he could
to make life bright and happy, taking me for visits and having house-parties,
etc. and every winter I would spend weeks in Charleston, the City by the Sea,
taking in everything that presented itself: balls, theatres, etc. Thus passed
the years, all too swiftly and Christmas seemed to follow Christmas in rapid
succession but what a joyous season it was. The family gatherings, the exchange
of gifts, and each Christmas morning at dawn we would be roused by "Merry
Christmas" by the band of servants in hall and passageways, with fiddle and
banjo to keep time to their happy feet while waiting for their glass of eggnog
and piece of cake; their gifts were eggs and chickens.
Those servants seem to have existed so long ago that I can hardly realize a
thing as slavery has ever been. I would not for worlds have it back but I love
to think of our faithful friends, our old Mauma heading the list. Their
faithfulness and loyalty were wonderful and our mothers felt perfectly safe in
leaving us with these loyal friends of our childhood.
Well, so went year after year, until I began to feel that I had I enjoyed the
idleness of youth, and began to think more seriously of life, so in August 1879
I became engaged to Richard C. Richardson and in December, 1879 we were married
and then life really began for me, for I was happy and had no cares. We were
married at "Homesley" by the dearest old gentleman, Mr. Edward Miles, a
life-long friend of the family, and under whose ministry I was brought into the
church. Homesley was surely a scene of life and joy; servants flew from place to
place feeling their importance and the house was full to overflowing with the
friends of my girlhood, and on the eventful nights bonfires burned in front, at
the sides and back of the house making all as bright as day and until the wee
hours of the morning the sound of fun and laughter could be heard. In a few days
I moved to my husband's home where his dear mother received me as her own and
life went on like a happy dream.
A few years before I married, my sister and my oldest brother married and a year
after I married, my youngest brother married and moved to his own home and my
mother went to live with my sister and the old home passed into other hands. I
never went there after my mother moved away. I could not bear to see strangers
where the loved ones used to be.
My husband and I were very happy living with his mother and sisters and a bright
and happy home it was. So we lived for a few years and then my husband's brother
and family were burned out and they too came to live with us. Ah! Those
evenings! I can close my eyes and see the happy crowd; dear old Mother so calm
and peaceful, enjoying the wonderful music of piano, violin and voice. For two
years this went on, then Henry and his family, having re-built, moved to their
own home. Oh, how we missed them! But the two houses were almost as one, for not
a day passed without an exchange of visits. We had eleven children and they are
all grown to men and women, but they are still our "children." Our youngest was
four years old when our lovely home full of valuable things associated with the
past was destroyed by fire and only a few things were saved from the ruins.
Never can I forget that day nor the feeling I had when I saw the home where I
had gone as a bride and where my children first saw the light, go down in ashes
an we were without a home. Henry, our brother, took us to his home and we spent
two months there, then moved to Sumter, bringing Mother with us.
One short year she was with us, then the summons came and a beautiful life was
ended. After a short illness born with Christian fortitude and patience; she
died as she had lived, calmly and peacefully and went to join the loved ones
gone before. In a few months after this sorrow, my own beloved mother, just such
another beautiful life, was called, so within six months our two mothers were
taken, their places never to be filled and the sad longing for their counsel and
advice is ever present. Two truly beautiful lives they were, which all would do
well to follow.
We have made many warm friends in Sumter, who have never let us feel like
strangers in a strange land. My youngest brother was living here then, which
greatly added to my pleasure but has since moved to Columbia, having four years
ago been elected Governor. For years we have lived quietly and happily here.
Four of our sons and one daughter are now married but living near us, so once in
a while we see them.
Now again the war clouds have gathered and the length and breadth of our land is
torn by distress and anguish, for the call to arms has once more sounded
throughout the land, and the Union, once divided, stands shoulder to shoulder
fighting for the same cause and each true to the colors and the Stars and
Stripes floats proudly from every place and with reverence each salutes it and
sends up a silent prayer that it may never have to be furled.
It was with pride and yet with pain, that we saw our three single sons leave.
They proudly enlisted in their country's cause and are faithful servants of
Uncle Sam. Two are officers and the third is in a training camp hoping for a
commission and each one is determined to do his bit to win in the cause in which
they have enlisted. Thousands of our boys have crossed and are daily crossing
the seas, thus facing dangers untold but are anxious to join the Allied Forces
and win for Democracy, Truth and Justice and with heads held high, wave the
Starts and Stripes in Foreign lands, putting down autocracy and the terrible
things that belong to it. This is the most awful war in the World's history, for
trench warfare has never been known and it carries death for miles. There is
scarcely a home throughout the Union that has not given one or more to fight for
just cause and while there is a feeling of pride that our sons are ready to do
their bit, way down in the heart is a pain so great that you feel sometimes as
if it is more than you can bear, for who can tell when we shall meet again, so
we lift our hearts in prayer to a merciful God to bless, protect and keep our
loved ones and bring them back safe and well, for full well do we know that God
rules land and sea alike; is all-powerful and will not put a burden on us
heavier than we can bear.
Our once happy home circle has been broken and with aching hearts we have said
good-bye to our two officer soldiers; they are going over-sea, and yet there is
untold pride in seeing their manly forms as they step off with brave hearts and
a stern determination to do their duty and to bring honor to the name they bear
and which for generations has been nobly born, for they are descendants of
General Richard Richardson and Col. Lawrence Manning, both of Revolutionary fame
and whose names have gone down in history.
Our home is sadly changed and yet there is a silver lining to the clouds for we
have our three dear daughters with us, who do all they can to share the anxiety
and to make life bright, so we feel how blessed we are and that the dark clouds
of war will soon roll away and peace once more reign in our land and the
blessings which come to those who trust in a merciful God, is the earnest prayer
of each mother and family whose loved ones have responded to duty's call and
that they will return safely and well.
November 7th: Since the above was written, our city, Sumter, S. C., has been
visited by a most terrible epidemic; the Spanish Influenza, which has brought
terrible sorrow to many homes and now that it has left us, we pray that we may
never again be called upon to witness such distress and trouble.
November 11th: God be praised! Once more we are to have peace! The Germans have
signed the Armistice! With a heart well nigh bursting with gratitude, I fell on
my knees and thanked God for his goodness and mercy, when at 8 o'clock we heard
the town bells ringing, whistles blowing, automobiles dashing by with flags
flying and every voice raised in joy at the joyful news that peace had been
proclaimed and arms laid down and the Germans admit their defeat and today the
grand Old United States heads all nations and our grand President, Woodrow
Wilson, stands first of men. "Glory be to God on High," rings in my ears and
when our boys return our joy will be complete.
December 20th: A few days ago our hearts were made glad by the return of our
youngest boy from Camp Taylor in Kentucky, honorably discharged from service and
I pray there never will be another call to arms.
February 5th: Nothing yet of our over-sea boys. While we were willing to give
our boys to do their bit in this great war, we are anxious, now that it over, to
get them back, for we have had many heart aches and anxious hours. Deas is in
Germany with the 42nd Division (The Rainbow), which speaks for itself, for their
wonderful and gallant deeds have gone down in history and the Rainbow Division
will ever be thought of with pride and our hearts will beat quicker as we think
of the wonderful, terrible sacrifice, endurance and gallantry, which has been
their pride to give, in this great fight for Righteousness.
February 6th: Yesterday we received a notice from Headquarters in France about
Irvine and it is needless to say what we felt. I could not repress the
tears—tears of joy and pride, for the notice reads: "Among the men particularly
commended for gallant and meritorious conduct by the Commanding General, is
Lieut. Irvine M. Richardson of Sumter, South Carolina, U.S.A., who at Manheulles,
France, Sommediene Sector—at Verdun, Nov. 11th 1918, during heavy bombardment
including mustard gas, when his men were scattered in shell holes, left off own
mask so as to make more rapid progress wire and debris to warn his men of the
presence of gas and as a result was gassed but continued to lead his troops in
the second advance on the enemy."
On this I make no comment save to say that I thank God from my heart that He
guided our boy through these dangers safely and well and while he was forgetful
of himself, thinking only of his men, the Everlasting Arms were around him
shielding him from harm.
June 4th: Our dear boy, Deas, has returned and we are too happy for words. He
shows what he has been through but is happy to be with us again and our hearts
are full of thanks to Him who has brought him back safely and well.
July 1st: Our hearts again are gladdened. Irvine has come, looking well and so
happy to be with us. God grant that our land will never have to take up arms
again, for we have seen dark and gloomy days and now that peace once more reigns
and the war clouds have rolled away, I pray, forever and our hearts are full of
gratitude to Him who doeth all things well.
March 5th, 1923: Since the above was written, God's hand has been laid heavily
upon me. The beloved companion of my life has been taken, so the joy has gone
out of life for me and I can only pray for strength to carry on the duties he
has left me which we shared together; once a pleasure, now a burden. On December
31st, 1922, he gently and peacefully fell asleep and was with those he loved. I
pray we shall follow his example, for he was truthful, gentle, loyal and brave,
never shirking what he felt to be his duty. God grant when my summons comes, I
may join him and be with those we love.
Jan. 8th 1931: Just a few more words to speak of the happy reunion of my family
on Christmas Day, 1930. Few have had the joy of having so large a family
together at one time and I realize my great blessing in having so many to love
and care for me.
A picture of the 44 gathered together here, has been taken and this completed
the happiness of the day. The newspaper clipping added here speaks for itself,
and tells of the gathering.