LOWNDES COUNTY. 387 



Many of the streams disappear and are not seen for miles, 

 when they again make their appearance, and flow as tran- 

 quilly to their destination as if nothing strange or unusual had 

 happened to them. Others present caves in their banks, into 

 which a part of the stream is diverted, and at the entrance you 

 will often find a thriving mill. Among the curiosities of this 

 county may be placed the large open ponds, covering some six 

 square miles, without any tree or stump in them. A portion 

 of the surface of these ponds is covered with beautiful and rare 

 botanical specimens. The streams and ponds abound in fish 

 of various kinds. The woods are filled with game of all 

 sorts. 



Value of Town Lots, &c. — The value of town lots is 

 $9,162. Value of stock in trade, $18,035. Money at interest, 

 $37,434. 



Antiquities. — Within a few miles of Troupville are the 

 ruins of an old town. Large live oaks grow in front of the 

 ruins in straight rows, and so regular in their distance that it 

 is scarcely probable they are of spontaneous growth. Roads 

 are also discernible. These are wide and straight. 



Name. — William Jones Lowndes, in honour of whom this 

 county is named, was the youngest child of Rawlins Lowndes, 

 by his second wife, a native of Georgia. His father we be- 

 lieve was born in South Carolina. For talents and integrity 

 Rawlins Lowndes was one of the most distinguished men in 

 South Carolina before, during, and after the Revolution. His 

 son, Wm. J. Lowndes, was born in or about the year 1781, 

 and received his education altogether in Charleston. The first 

 school in which his talents became remarkable, was that under 

 the care of the Rev. Mr. O'Gallaher, a Catholic priest of great 

 learnirjg and liberality. After a while this seminary was ex- 

 tended by a junction with two other schools, one under the 

 Rev. Arthur Buist, a Presbyterian, and the other under the 

 Rev. Henry Purcel, an Episcopalian. In this academy 

 Lowndes was decidedly the best scholar, and the most dis- 

 tinguished for exemplary deportment. At the close of one of 

 the terms, Addison's Play of Cato was performed by the stu- 

 dents with great applause, and Lowndes acted the part of 

 Juba. 



