Bloomsbury Inn

General James Willis Cantey, Sr. 10 May 2012, 7:14 am

General Cantey (1794-1860) was born on Town Creek, approximately one mile south of Camden. At an early age he was taken to Sandersville, Georgia, and placed in the tutelage of Colonel Morgan Brown.

After the declaration of war in 1812, he made the decision to enlist in the Army. His father wanted him to gain an appointment to a unit that would see service in the northern frontier, then the scene of active operation. Failing in this, he joined a corps of volunteer cavalry under Captain John Irwin and was mustered into service at Fort Hawkins, GA in 1813. Serving as the Sergeant of his company, he saw action against the Creek nation and was engaged in the battles of Ottosee and Talassee in 1813. In his discharge papers, reference is made to his gallantry during hand-to-hand combat with Creek warriors.

Cantey returned to Camden in 1814 and in 1821 became Sheriff of the District. He was married to Camilla F. Richardson on March 26, 1822. By 1835, he had grown sufficiently wealthy to built a handsome home on Hobkirk's hill on the site where Hawe's Virginians had fought during the revolutionary battle. The location is now west of Broad Street, north of downtown.

His military career continued when he was elected Brigadier General of the 5th Brigade in 1834. In 1836 a call went out for the recruitment of one company, 76 mounted men, from Col John Chesnut's regiment for three months duty in the Seminole War. The regiment was paraded on February 8th, and General Cantey read the order for a draft, if sufficient members did not volunteer. John Chesnut's company saw combat at the Seminole Villages of Abram and Micanopy. They then moved to a location near Tampa Bay at Peay's Creek. The company returned to Camden in mid-May.

General Cantey was then appointed Adjutant and Inspector General of the state militia. He served in the Legislature from 1846 to 1848 and was quite active in local politics. He died August 20, 1860 at the age of 65. His tombstone in Quaker Cemetery is a memorial and reads:
To the memory of Gen James Willis Cantey.
Born Nov. 30, 1794. Died Aug. 20, 1860
And his wife Camilla Floride Richardson
Born July 30, 1798. Died Dec. 19, 1866
He was a Camden native but was buried in Alabama

Colonel Henry G. Nixon 28 Apr 2012, 4:04 am

Colonel Henry G. Nixon (1800-1829) was a darling of the Camden community. Well-liked, polished, and generous, Col. Nixon was a local attorney and politician. With differences to settle, on January 15, 1829 he and Thomas A. Hopkins (1803-1831) met to dual at the Sand Bar Ferry near Augusta, Georgia. The genesis of the dispute started in 1824 when the Hopkins family sued the Nixon family. William Nixon, Henry Nixon's father, was accused of fraud in a land deal. The Hopkins family won the dispute in court. Both men were in the militia with Henry Nixon with the rank of Colonel while Thomas Hopkins was a Major. Folklore has it that the duel was because of a critical remark by Nixon regarding the maneuvers of Hopkins' regiment. The duel was held at one o'clock. Col. Nixon is described as wearing a fancy coat with a white handkerchief showing from his breast pocket. Legend says that Hopkins believed that "the man has marked his heart for me to hit." Hopkins had practiced his marksmanship in the Quaker Cemetery in Camden firing at the grave stone of Neil Smith. You can still see the pit marks of bullets on the back of the stone. Hopkins, a superb marksman, was the first to fire hitting Nixon in the right breast and he fell instantly dead with his pistol going off harmlessly Hopkins regretted the necessity of the duel and felt it has been forced on him by Nixon's comments. It is said that Hopkins died from a broken heart. Thomas Hopkins soon followed, dying just two years later. In 1832 Nixon's father enclosed the grave of his son behind a wall of granite with iron railing. Henry G. Nixon is the only one buried in this plot at the Quaker Cemetery in Camden. Thomas Hopkins is buried at the old Swift Creek Church. The history to be learned in the Quaker Cemetery is amazing, and it is just over two miles from Bloomsbury.

Is Miss Kitty Stray Cold? 16 Jan 2012, 8:52 am

Many of the friends of Bloomsbury, specifically friends of Miss Kitty Stray, have asked about her and winter. Miss Kitty Stray elects to be an outside cat. With our weather continuing to be cold, with some freezing, we have found a winter plan that she loves.

She spends most of her time on the veranda of Bloomsbury. In fact, on cold days like today, she spends most of her time in her house. She has a good-sized, heated cat house. It is not bothered by guest traffic; it is up off the cold porch; it offers two ways in and out; it does not snow or rain into the house, and, it offers heat when she is in the house. Yes, an automated pad heats the inside when she makes contact with it. And, she keeps her favorite cat blanket inside the house.

Since food and hydration are also essential during really cold weather. She has her own feeding station. She is fed dry food twice a day, and she constantly has fresh water. A tiny pinch of sugar keeps the water from freezing too quickly and it gives her a little energy boost. On really cold days, she gets wet food which is easier to digest in really cold temps.

It is true that she prefers spring weather, but she also loves her heated house.

Quaker Cemetery: Joseph Brevard 4 Nov 2011, 11:45 am

In addition to all the things to see and do in Camden while staying at Bloomsbury Inn, we continue to highlight some interesting sites in the Quaker Cemetery.

Joseph Brevard has been described as upright, unostentatious and industrious. Born July 19, 1766, Joseph entered the revolutionary service in 1782 at the age of sixteen. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the North Caroline line, filling this position until the end of the war. His brother Alexander described him as delicate and small of statue, and felt sorry for him when it came time to mount the guard. Joseph became a secretary to General Arnold who was in command of Philadelphia. It seems that young Joseph had a fine hand at writing. Joseph Brevard had seven brothers, besides himself, who fought in the Revolutionary War. His family performed distinctively or patriotically.

At the end of the war, Joseph settled in Camden, South Carolina. In 1789, he was elected by the Legislature to the position of Sheriff of Camden District. He was only twenty-three and served well in this arduous post in those unsettled times. In 1792, he was admitted to the bar, and on March 17, 1793 he married Rebecca Kershaw.
A successful lawyer, he began in 1793 the compilation of the law reports which bore his name and continued to do so until 1815. In 1801, he was elected a Judge. In 1802, his wife Rebecca passed away. Judge Brevard continued on the bench until 1815 until ill-health caused him to resign.

In the next few years his health improved, and in 1818 he won election to Congress and served one term. In 1821, at the age of fifty-five, Judge Brevard passed away at Camden.

Judge O'Neall made the following statement concerning Congressman Brevard: "In every situation and office of life he did his duty. What more can or ought to be said, unless it be to say that he feared God and kept his commandments, which is declared in the inspired volume to be 'holy duty of man.'"

History-rich is an understatement concerning Camden, South Carolina. As you visit, you will quickly learn from Dr Bruce A. Brown of Bloomsbury that you must visit often and visit soon if you want to learn more.

Quaker Cemetery - Captain Benjamin Carter 16 Oct 2011, 2:30 pm

Captain Carter lived from 1758 until 1830. A revolutionary war veteran, he lived in Camden for fifty years. He enlisted in 1776 and was considered a gallant soldier of the Revolution. He participated in the Battle of Camden, Brandywine and Germantown. He also spent the winter at Valley Forge.

A great story is told of him concerning the Battle of Camden. According to Judge O'Neall "This old soldier (Captain Carter) said that he commanded a company on the extreme left of Gates line, at the Battle of Gum Swamp (Battle of Camden) and at the first fire all of his men fled. Left alone he went to the Captain next to him, whose men had also abandoned him, and asked what was to be done. He received no satisfactory answer. Whereupon he said to his neighbor: 'I'll be d---d if I am here to be shot down.' He jumped on his pony, which he had fastened in the bushes, left the field, and said: "I suppose I was the first man out of reach of danger.'"
Despite this tongue-in-cheek story told by him of the disaster at the Battle of Camden, Captain Carter was a popular man in Camden. He kept an open hospitable parlor and dining-room for his neighbors where wist and loo (card games) parties were sometimes conducted. While some gambling may have occurred, there was never excess characterized in these meetings nor evil attributed.

Captain Carter was an old bachelor. He was a kind man, with a warmth of heart and yet could be rough and brusque at times as a bachelor could be. Captain Carter passed away on January 20, 1830. His best friend was Benjamin Bynum who died six years after him on July 9, 1836. They are buried side by side with headstones that are duplicates of each other.

Sunday afternoons during the fall season are a great time to visit the cemetery. It is located about 3 miles from Bloomsbury...a very easy drive...some prefer to walk!

Agnes of Glasgow 25 Sep 2011, 2:16 pm

The oldest grave of fame associated with the Quaker Cemetery is really not in the cemetery proper, but a few hundred yards prior to the entrance. The grave site is that of Agnes of Glasgow. Agnes of Glasgow lived from 1760 to 1780. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and followed her lover Lt Angus McPherson, a British Army Officer, about the world. Agnes knew he had been sent to America. She stowed away on a ship in order to reach Charleston, South Carolina, and believed that he was in Camden. Hearing that he was wounded, she searched from town to town and finally arrived in the Camden area. Agnes then became ill and died. Folklore lends that she was buried, under the cover of darkness, in Camden by King Haigler of the Wateree Indian tribe. This story is suspect as King Haigler was slain on 30 August 1763 by the Shawnee tribe, while he was traveling between the Waxhaws Settlement on Cane Creek to a Catawba town on Twelve Mile Creek. His death was 17 years before Agnes arrived in Camden. Nevertheless, it is known that she came here looking for Lt McPherson, died, and l was buried here in Camden. Many believe she walks the Quaker Cemetery at night looking for her lost love. Who knows, when you visit Bloomsbury, you might spend an evening by her grave watching for the truth. Come to Camden, enjoy her history and enjoy a lovely evening at Bloomsbury Inn!!

 18 Sep 2011, 3:12 pm

Quaker Cemetery was established by Quaker settlers around 1750. Samuel Wyly, conveyed four acres of land to the Quakers in 1759. It was conveyed for the rental of "One Pepper Corn Per Year" for 999 years. The purpose of the land was to build their house of worship and to provide a cemetery for the Quaker community. The Cemetery is located about three miles from Bloomsbury. The cemetery has grown from four acres and to approximately 50 acres today. Growth was through deeded property, purchases, and of course, gifts from the community. The cemetery is now maintained by the Quaker Cemetery Association and other citizens who visit local grave sites regularly. Our local cemetery is rich with history from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, and WWII. Several Quakers are buried there. The cemetery includes seven veterans of the American Revolution, 210 Confederate graves, three medal of honor winners , and three brothers killed in WWII. Many Bloomsbury guests visit the cemetery. In the next series of blogs, I'll be writing about different persons who rest in this wonderful, old cemetery. Come join me!

Quaker Cemetery 9 Sep 2011, 11:30 am

Camden, South Carolina and Bloomsbury hosts interesting Civil War history. The Civil War is full of curious facts of how families split over the issues. One example is from the White House itself. Four of President Lincoln's brothers-in-law wore Confederate uniforms. They were Mary's brother George Rogers Clark Todd and her half-brothers Alexander Todd, David Todd, and Samuel Todd. Her brother, Dr. George Rogers Clark Todd (Colonel, CSA) was a surgeon who lived here in Camden, SC. He is quoted as saying that Lincoln was "one of the greatest scoundrels unhung." Dr. Todd is buried in the circle at the end of Quaker Avenue North, Quaker Cemetery, Camden, SC Alexander Todd was killed at Baton Rouge. Samuel Todd was killed in the Battle of Shiloh. David Todd was wounded at Vicksburg and later charged with brutality to Union prisoners in Richmond, VA. One of Mary Todd Lincoln's sisters was married to Ben Hardin Helm, a Confederate General, who was killed at Chickamauga. He had spurned a personal offer of a commission from President Lincoln. Mary's other two sisters were married to Confederate officers. Come visit Bloomsbury, visit Quaker Cemetery, and explore Civil War history!

Who Names Nail Polish 13 Aug 2011, 8:39 am

The amazing questions of life never end...who names nail polish? Have you noticed that "red" is now "Friar, friar, pants on fire"? "Pink" is "Hot Tub Toner". "Midnight in Moscow" is not blue. Polish comes in so many colors and by even more names! Do you know the name of the color you are currently wearing?

2011 Loyal E. Horton Award 1 Aug 2011, 9:08 am

The Bloomsbury Cold Fruit Soup recipe was recognized in the 2011 Loyal E. Horton Awards. The University of Georgia, featuring this soup, won the "best in the business" Bronze Award with their Sunset Breakfast. This special breakfast served at dinner, offered the Bloomsbury Cold Fruit Soup during the first course.

Bloomsbury Cold Fruit Soup
Total preparation time: 15 minutes, plus chilling time
Serves: 6

Ingredients:
• 2 cups fruit (peach, cantaloupe, honeydew, mango…any one of these work well…fresh is better, but canned or frozen will work if well drained)
• 1/2 cup sugar (sugar to taste depending upon natural sweetness of fruit)
• 1 individual-sized vanilla bean yogurt
• 1 tsp extract (extract flavor based upon fruit: vanilla, cinnamon, rum)
• 1/4 cup half & half or heavy cream (add cream to determine consistency desired)
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Steps:
Carefully clean fruit. Place in the blender, add all remaining ingredients. Blend on liquefy until smooth. Chill for at least 8 hours. Garish with whipping cream, candied/sweet-flavored nuts, fresh mint or whole fruit pieces). Serve very cold.

The History:
Fruit soup is a wonderful, eloquent first course for breakfast or lunch or dinner. Katherine presents a breakfast soup at least two times a week at Bloomsbury Inn. She and Bruce first encountered a similar fruit soup at a bed and breakfast in her home state of Arkansas.