Near Timmonsville in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Assassination of Rep. Alfred Rush
Photographed by Cindy Bullard, October 27, 2010
1. The Assassination of Rep. Alfred Rush Marker
Alfred Rush (d. 1876), a black state representative for two terms during Reconstruction, was assassinated near here, about 1/2 mi. from his home, on May 13, 1876. Rush, who represented what was then Darlington County in the S.C. House 1868-70 and 1874-76, was also a deacon at Savannah Grove Baptist Church.
Rush and his wife, returning from a picnic at Mt. Carmel Church near Timmonsville, were ambushed by an unknown gunman. Alfred Rush was killed instantly. Several black Darlington County officials wrote Gov. D.H. Chamberlain, this was a cold blooded murder and our people are very much excited over it.
Erected 2008 by Florence County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 21-24.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1870.
Location. 34° 5.073′ N, 79° 50.923′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is near Timmonsville, South Carolina, in Florence County. It is at the intersection of West John Paul Jones Road (County Road 35) and West Cummings Road (State Road S-21-35), on the right when traveling west on West John Paul Jones Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Effingham SC 29541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. 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.
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Also see . . . Marker damaged for the third time in 17 years. The marker was knocked down and is now in pieces. It was recently destroyed last year, and then was repaired six months ago. City leaders said their working to repair the marker as soon as they can. (Submitted on April 22, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Cindy Bullard, October 27, 2010
2. The Assassination of Rep. Alfred Rush Marker Reverse
Photographed by Dave W, May 21, 2023
3. The Assassination of Rep. Alfred Rush Marker Missing
The marker was broken off of its pole in 2023.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,358 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. 3. submitted on May 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
