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TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ERVIN JAMES, FOUNDER OF JAMESTOWN IN FLORENCE COUNTY, AND TO CELEBRATE THE RICH CONTRIBUTIONS HE MADE TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY, AGRICULTURE, AND COMMUNITY GROWTH AT A TIME WHEN MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly take great pride in commending the significant role that Ervin James played in agriculture, community development, and African-American history in our fine State and throughout the South; and
Whereas, after the Civil War, Ervin James purchased a one hundred five-acre tract of land near Florence from Eli McKissick and Mary Poston in 1870, which he developed into far more than a family farm; and
Whereas, during the last two decades of the nineteenth century, his tract grew into a small rural community that thrived for seventy years, and through his vision and hard work the community expanded through cooperative purchases made by his five sons and one son-in-law; and
Whereas, the practice of cooperative purchase continued into the third generation of the James family, and the presence of several surnames on the 1915 deed suggests that other African-American families had established themselves in the community; and
Whereas, after the Civil War, freed African Americans found significance in owning land where family members could be reunited, live, and work together, and the tract at Jamestown passed down to the family heirs of Ervin James in each generation, who collectively owned the land of their ancestors; and
Whereas, the rural community boasted a population of some two hundred fifty residents and included the Summerville Methodist Church, the Jamestown Cemetery, and the Summerville Elementary School; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly note with deep and sincere appreciation the foresight and contributions of Ervin James to the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor the life and legacy of Ervin James, founder of Jamestown in Florence County, and celebrate the rich contributions he made to African-American history, agriculture, and community growth at a time when many African Americans struggled to survive.
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