South Carolina General Assembly
123rd Session, 2019-2020

Download This Version in Microsoft Word format

Bill 3791

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE REPORT

February 5, 2019

H. 3791

Introduced by Reps. Brown, Bamberg, Kimmons and Rivers

S. Printed 2/5/19--H.

Read the first time January 29, 2019.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON

INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3791) to request the Department of Transportation name the bridge that crosses the CSX Rail Line along the Ace Basin Parkway in Colleton County "Molly Graham Memorial Bridge", etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JIMMY C. BALES for Committee.

            

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE CSX RAIL LINE ALONG THE ACE BASIN PARKWAY IN COLLETON COUNTY "MOLLY GRAHAM MEMORIAL BRIDGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THE BRIDGE CONTAINING THIS DESIGNATION.

Whereas, born a slave on Cypress Plantation in the South Carolina community of Green Pond, in Colleton County, Molly Graham went on to see the end of slavery and enjoy a fruitful life with her children and their descendants; and

Whereas, toward the end of the Civil War, as Molly Graham baked bread, her daughters, their uncle and others were working in the fields when they spotted a group of Confederate soldiers. The girls immediately ran to their mother for safety as their uncle hid under hay and straw in the barn; and

Whereas, according to documented American History, Confederate soldiers, realizing that Union soldier would free the slaves and enlist the males to fight against the Confederacy, began killing all male slaves before Union troops arrived; and

Whereas, upon finding Molly Graham and her daughters in the slave house, the Rebels inquired about the uncle at gun point. They all denied knowing anything about him at which point a Rebel officer told Molly, "If you value your life and your children's lives, you better leave here right now;" and

Whereas, the Confederate soldiers rode off and according to reports, Molly Graham's husband and brother were among those captured and killed by firing squad at Crooks Hill. Molly grabbed the freshly made bread, a jug of water, and with her three daughters, Sally, Sarah, and Effie, set out on foot towards Beaufort where they were told Union soldiers camped and would protect slaves; and

Whereas, walking by night and hiding by day, crawling across the Combahee River on a narrow plank as the bridge had been destroyed, the family continued its journey despite the risk of being caught by the Rebels or the natural dangers they faced; and

Whereas, being a woman of faith, Molly Graham and her daughters persevered, reaching the banks of the intracoastal waters at Fee Farm Landing where she could see the Union soldiers camp; and

Whereas, rescued by Union soldiers, Molly and her daughters stayed at the camp for several months until the war's end. They returned to Green Pond where all the daughters married and had children of their own. The family pooled its money and in time acquired several hundred acres of land which they farmed and raised poultry; and

Whereas, Molly was a naturopathic herb doctor who treated black and white patients, and former slave owners without prejudice. She developed a reputation for restoring patients to optimal health and for being used by God in treating conditions that baffled medical doctors at the time. Molly went on to add rooms to her home for patients who needed overnight care; and

Whereas, at their deaths, Molly Graham, her daughters and other family members all chose to be interred at Hickory Hill Cemetery in Green Pond, the closest burial site to the Combahee River and the area through which God delivered them to freedom; and

Whereas, it is fitting and proper that members of the General Assembly honor Molly Graham for her courageous fight for freedom and for her tireless contributions as herb doctor to the Green Pond community by naming a bridge in that community in her memory. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That members of the South Carolina General Assembly request the Department of Transportation name the bridge that crosses the CSX Rail Line along the Ace Basin Parkway in Colleton County "Molly Graham Memorial Bridge" and erect appropriate markers or signs at the bridge containing this designation.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on February 5, 2019 at 7:06 PM