Pomaria in Newberry County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Mount Bethel Academy
| | United Methodist Church Registered Historic Site No. 419 | |
Photographed by Brian Scott, November 1, 2008
1. Mount Bethel Academy Marker - Front
[Front]
Located about one mile northeast on land conveyed by Edward Finch, this school, the first Methodist educational venture in the state, was established by Bishop Francis Asbury and opened by him, 1795. A number of Mt. Bethel students became the first S.C. College graduates. The first Methodist conference in S.C. outside Charleston met here at Finch's house in 1793.
[Reverse]
Mount Bethel Academy Among the leading citizens who attended this school, which opened 1795 and closed ca.1820, was William Harper, United States senator and judge. William Harper was the son of John Harper, who, in 1803, founded Washington Street United Methodist Church in Columbia and is buried in the cemetery near the Mount Bethel school site.
Erected 1987 by Washington Street United Methodist Church, Columbia. (Marker Number 36-11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher, and the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series
this page online
Location. 34° 22.5′ N, 81° 32.233′ W. Marker is in Pomaria, South Carolina, in Newberry County. It is on US Highway 176, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located about 0.7 mile northwest of Browns Crossroads. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pomaria SC 29126, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clayton Memorial Universalist Unitarian (approx. 5.4 miles away); Ebenezer Methodist Church (approx. 5.7 miles away); Rosemont Cemetery (approx. 7.7 miles away); R. Aubrey Harley Bridge (approx. 7.9
Photographed by Brian Scott, November 1, 2008
2. Mount Bethel Academy Marker
Also see . . .
1. Francis Asbury. Francis Asbury (August 20, 1745 – March 31, 1816) was one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. (Submitted on November 1, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. The Pioneer Bishop, or the Life & Times of Bishop Francis Asbury, by William Peter Strickland. (Submitted on November 1, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Tribute to first commencement highlights this year's ceremonies. November 2007 article detailing the year's commencement, noting that the first five graduates of the University of South Carolina, all hailed from Mount Bethel. Their descendants, over 250, gathered at the commencement. (Submitted on November 1, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Brian Scott, November 1, 2008
3. Mount Bethel Academy Marker
Looking northwest on US Highway 176.
Photographed by Bishop Asbury Cottage Photo Gallery
4. Francis Asbury, Founder of Mount Bethel Academy
South Carolinian Library
5. Senator William Harper, Graduate of Mount Bethel Academy
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,837 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 1, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
