Summerton in Clarendon County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Butler Cemetery
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Butler School
Butler Cemetery. This cemetery dates to at least the 1860s and likely began as a burial ground for white members of the Butler and Nelson families. By the turn of the 20th century it was a community cemetery for local African Americans who lived in St. Paul and St. James Townships. Among Butler Cemetery's Black occupants are members of the Johnson, Butler, and Nelson families.
Butler School. Adjacent to the Butler Cemetery for many years was Butler School. Housed in a small wood frame building, it served local African American families and was part of St. Paul School District (No. 4). Around 30-50 students attended in the mid-1930s. Butler closed in 1951 and was consolidated with St. Paul School (4 mi. N). In its final year the school enrolled 55 students in grades 1-6.
Erected 2024 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Butler Cemetery/School Historical Society and S.C. African American Heritage Commission. (Marker Number 14-28.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.
Location. 33° 31.786′ N,
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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 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Watson: (approx. 3.1 miles away); Swamp Fox (approx. 3.4 miles away); Fort Watson (approx. 3.4 miles away); 2nd Battle of Fort Watson (approx. 3.4 miles away); Santee National Wildlife Refuge (approx. 3.7 miles
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
