From Kingstree SC to Galveston TX
Welcome to our exploration of the historic Kingstree Train Station in South Carolina, a landmark deeply interwoven with the poignant narratives of slavery and the transformative journey of emancipation. Nestled in the heart of Williamsburg County, this station has stood as a silent witness to both the harrowing struggles and the resilient spirit of countless individuals seeking freedom and new beginnings.
The Transportation and Employment of
Freedmen and Children"
Kingstree Train Station’s pivotal role in American history became particularly significant on January 15, 1867, when a major event unfolded involving the transportation of 435 freed men, women, and children. Under the auspices of Major General Oliver Otis Howard, Commissioner of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands—commonly known as the Freedmen’s Bureau—this group embarked on a journey from Kingstree to Charleston, South Carolina. Their destination was ultimately Galveston, Texas, but their journey did not end there. These individuals were transported by ship to Falls County, Texas, where they worked under labor contracts facilitated by the Freedmen’s Bureau.
The significance of this movement extends beyond the physical relocation; it marks a critical moment in the struggle for autonomy and self-sufficiency in the post-emancipation era. The Kingstree Train Station thus serves not merely as a historical site but as a symbol of the broader journeys undertaken by freed individuals seeking to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of slavery.
Through diligent genealogical research and DNA testing, descendants of this original group of freed people have traced their familial links back to Williamsburg County, revealing enduring connections between past generations and present day residents. This research not only highlights the personal histories tied to the Kingstree Train Station but also underscores the profound impact of these journeys on individual lives and communities, spanning generations.
As we delve deeper into the history of the Kingstree Train Station, we uncover stories of courage, determination, and hope that resonate through time, reminding us of the indelible mark left by those who passed through its corridors in pursuit of freedom and dignity.
The Memorial Reads:
On January 15, 1867, a transportation request was made to Maj. Gen. Oliver Otis Howard, Commissioner of The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands – The Freedmen’s Bureau – to transport 435 Freed men, women and children from Kingstree, South Carolina in Williamsburg County to Charleston, SC then on to Galveston, Texas. The journey was made by ship and these Freed people were ultimately transported to Falls County, Texas to work under Freedmen’s Bureau labor contracts. Through genealogical research and DNA testing descendants of this group have traced their connections between ancestors who moved to Texas and living relatives in the Williamsburg County area and beyond.
Transportation Request
These are the names of the freed people who were listed on the transportation request.
Some of the Surnames include:
McCullough, Burgess, Shaw, Brown, Fulton, Jenkins, Wilson, Pendergrass, Liferage, Nesmith, Singletary, Burroughs, Mouzon, Scott, Staggers, Hanna, Bradley, Kinder, Tisdale, James, Cooper, McCutcheon, Brockington, Gaskin, Watson, Manigualt, Robeson, Jackson, White and Witherspoon. Many descendants of the people from this list are still in Texas and others have migrated to other parts of the country.
Williamsburg County African American Research Group Article page A17