Summerton in Clarendon County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Rev. J.A. De Laine

Photographed by C Summers, September 20, 2022

1. Rev. J.A. Delaine Marker

Inscription. Described as courageous, fearless, confident, faithful, committed, humble and a man of integrity. The Rev. Joseph Armstrong De Laine was a pastor, principal and a great community leader who was the primary impetus behind the Clarendon County desegregation cases. The 1931 Allen University graduate worked in various areas of the state before returning to Clarendon County. He quickly became a community leader organizing the county’s first branch of the NAACP (1943) and securing educational opportunities for black veterans. Rev. De Laine organized parents of Clarendon County to standup for equal education. He was instrumental in the Levi Pearson vs. Clarendon School which was the catalyst that led to Briggs vs. Elliott. This case combined with four others led to the 1954 landmark case Brown vs. Board of Education. Due to his involvement in Civil rights, Rev. De Laine was fired from his job as principal. He was forced to leave the state of South Carolina for the safety of his life and his family.

Erected 2022 by Summerton Community Action Group (SCAG).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.

Location. 33° 36.562′ N, 80° 21.499′ W. Marker is in Summerton, South Carolina, in Clarendon County. It is at the intersection of 4th Street and Larry King Highway, on the left when traveling north on 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1154 4th Street, Summerton SC 29148, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee

and in Santee Cooper Country.

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Harry Briggs (here, next to this marker); Levi Pearson Sr. (here, next to this marker); Scott’s Branch School/Briggs V. Elliot

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(within shouting distance of this marker); "Together Let Us Sweetly Live" (within shouting distance of this marker); Briggs Family House/Briggs V. Elliott (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Mark A.M.E. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elusive Francis Marion, 1780-1781 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Patriot Departs to Ride with Marion (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerton.

More about this marker. 5 Monuments located in Briggs vs Elliott Scott's Branch School Historical Park

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2023, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2023, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina. Photo 1. submitted on September 19, 2023, by C Summers of Manning, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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