7<)2 TOWNS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 



In 1850 it was 6,0G0. In 1860 it was 8,052. In 1870 it was 9,298. In 

 1880 it was 10,030. Since the latter date the population has increased 

 about 1,500, and since 1876 the returns of taxable property have in- 

 creased $750,000. The growth which set in in 1850 was much increased 

 during the war, to be swept off during the single night Avhich Sherman 

 occupied the town, by the great fire which destro3''ed it almost as com- 

 pletely as it was possible to destroy a town at one effort. During recon- 

 struction an unhealthy growth was stimulated by the corrupt politicians 

 who congregated here. This has passed away, and the city has entered 

 a promising period of normal and substantial progress. 



KERSHAW COUNTY 



has three towns and trading settlements, with eighty-four stores, to-wit : 

 Camden, seventy-eight stores ; Flat Rock, five stores ; Welche's, one store. 

 Of this number six sell liquors, two hardware, six dry goods, twenty-on'e 

 miscellaneous articles, and forty-nine general merchandise. Four are 

 kept by colored persons. The estimated wealth of the store keepers is 

 $380,000. 



Camden, the county seat, is on the east bank of the Wateree river, a 

 mile from the stream, and at an elevation of one hundred feet above it. 

 The river is navigable to this point, and the town is one of the termini 

 of the South Carolina Railroad. Pine Tree creek and Belton's branch 

 wash it on three sides, giving it a position almost insular. It is the 

 oldest inland town in the State, being settled by Quakers in 1750 ;' it was 

 laid out into regular squares in 1760, and chartered in 1769. In 1825 

 the population was 2,000 ; in 1840 it was 2,300 ; in 1850 it was 1,133 ; 

 in 1860 it was 1,621 ; in 1870 it was 1,007 ; in 1880 it was 1,780. There 

 are four large churches for the whites — Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyte- 

 rian, and Baptist. Two large colored congregations — Baptist and Meth- 

 odist. Two weekly newspapers. About 20,000 bales of cotton are shipped 

 here annually, besides large amounts of naval stores and rice, the pro- 

 duction of the latter article is becoming very considerable and profitable 

 in the vicinage. A private bank in the town affords facilities for the 

 transaction of business. 



CHESTERFIELD COUNTY 



has six towns and trading settlements, with sixty -seven stores, to-wit : 

 Cheraw, fifty-six stores ; Chesterfield Court House, five stores ; Hornsboro 

 and Jefferson, two stores each, and Irvington and Old Store, one each. 

 Of this number four sell liquors, twenty-one miscellaneous articles, and 

 fortv-two general merchandise. 



