Pickens in Pickens County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Commissioners Appointed to Locate the Town of Pickens
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2008
1. Commissioners Appointed to Locate the Town of Pickens Marker
James H. Ambler
Reese Bowen
W.T. Fields
J.E. Hagood
James Lewis
T.R. Price
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 27, 1868.
Location. 34° 53.017′ N, 82° 42.417′ W. Marker is in Pickens, South Carolina, in Pickens County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 178) and Pendleton Street (U.S. 178) on East Main Street. Marker is located in Legacy Square, north of the Pickens County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 East Main Street, Pickens SC 29671, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Elihu Griffin (here, next to this marker); Pickens County Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); In Honor of Elinor Knight (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Ladd Cureton (within shouting distance of this marker); Hovie Alexander Nealy (within shouting distance of this marker); John C. Calhoun (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. Robert E. Lee (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Pickens (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Joab Mauldin (within shouting distance of this marker); Bivens Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pickens.
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Additional commentary.
1. Obituary of James Hagood Ambler
"One of Pickens' Oldest and Best Citizens Passes Away"
Just at the very threshold of his ninetieth birthday, when the work of a busy and successful life had ended and he was resting and waiting at the home of his Daughter, Mrs. Emma A. Gilreath, at Pickens Court House, Major James Hagood Ambler, one of the oldest and best citizens of that county, died yesterday morning at 1 o'clock. The funeral services will take place at the residence today at noon, conducted by the Rev. J.C. Matheson, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and the interment will follow at the Hagood-Ambler burial ground at 2 p.m. about six miles north of Pickens.
A large number of relatives survive, among them being a sister, Mrs. Anne Griffin, who is in her ninety-fifth year. She is probably the oldest person in the county and is known as the "Mother of Pickens". Mrs. Ambler, who was Miss Zeely Cox of this county, also survives. The following sons and daughters survive: James L. Orr Ambler, Pickens; Robert Ambler of the city, Mrs. Emma Ambler Gilreath of Pickens; William H. Ambler, Greenville, and Mrs. Sunie Dickern of Birmingham, Ala. Mrs. Matthew Breazeale of Belton, who died several months ago, was the youngest daughter of Major and Mrs. Ambler. William Ambler Gilreath of this city is grandson.
Major Ambler was one of the last of the 'old Romans.' He represented Pickens district in the Legislature from 1854 to 1858 and served on a commission which laid out the present town of Pickens. He was a member of Orr's Regiment during the Civil War and was in Charleston during part of the siege.
Few men have been more respected and admired than Major Ambler. He was a manly man and above reproach. There was nothing small or little or mean in his heart. He was always cheerful, and even toward the last when he felt his health and strength failing because of his advanced age; he delighted in the society of young people and would entertain them for hours with bits of history and incidents connected with the earlier part of his life.
Major Ambler was a son of James Ambler of Virginia, who immigrated to upper South Carolina early in the nineteenth century, and his mother was Miss Susan Hagood of Edgefield. The Ambler home in Pickens county is situated under the shadow of the Blue Ridge mountains, in sight of..."
[Ed. Note: The article is cut off at this point. Probably from a Greenville or Anderson, SC, newspaper.]
— Submitted January 28, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
2. Obituary of James Hagood Ambler
Major James H. Ambler, of Pickens, Bordering on Ninety-one Passes Away, was a Gallant Confederate Soldier, Descendant of Virginia.
Maj. James Hagood Ambler, well and favorably known, not only to the people of this and adjoining counties, but the state as well and even beyond the confines of this state, died last Saturday morning, the 4th, just at the turn of the day from an acute attack of grip at the home of his daughter...
He was born on the 11th of March 1805. His father was James Ambler of Jamestown, Va., who settled in this state and married Susan Hagood of Edgefield district. When he was ten years old his father moved to this part of the state and settled the place at which the deceased lived until his death. This home was always an
'open house', being, in the days of the stage coach, a regular stopping place for low country people on their way to Table Rock and Caesar's Head...
Truly a good man has gone to his reward."
— Submitted January 28, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 846 times since then and 23 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 24, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
