Fran: YES, I would like a copy of the SS for William Henry Hodges if it is not too much trouble for you. No, I do not know much about them but was trying to get some information on them as I do any Hodges that I come in contact with to see if they might yield clues to my line but I may get to visit one of that line later this year and I will try to get more info. All I had from her, I just recently posted. Thanks, Gerry HODGES Hackley in Houston At 07:59 PM 7/1/2001 -0700, you wrote: >Gerry, > >Regarding your post on William Henry Hodges of Watkinsville, GA... > >I have a copy of his application for social security #. I have been >trying to trace my father's Hodges family & this was a shot in the dark >since his brother's name was William H. Hodges and his mother's Ashfield >family was from Putnam and Baldwin counties. I suppose there could be a >connection but I am far away from seeing it. Do you know much about this >William Henry Hodges family? I can scan a copy of the document to you if >you like. > >Fran Hodges in Phx, AZ > > >==== HODGES Mailing List ==== >Faye Dyess [email protected] Listmanager >Thou shalt include a clear and specific subject line. >Searchable Archives at: http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl Gerry Bosma Hackley, GRI [] Prudential Gary Greene Realtors 2323 Town Center Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77478 Ofc: 281/980-5050 Fax: 281/980-5426 Res: 281/495-6680 Fax: 281/495-9395 Pager: 713/318-1951 Cell: 281/414-5211 http://www.hackley.com [email protected] Specializing in residential properties in Fort Bend County, West and SW Houston since 1972.

Gerry, Regarding your post on William Henry Hodges of Watkinsville, GA... I have a copy of his application for social security #. I have been trying to trace my father's Hodges family & this was a shot in the dark since his brother's name was William H. Hodges and his mother's Ashfield family was from Putnam and Baldwin counties. I suppose there could be a connection but I am far away from seeing it. Do you know much about this William Henry Hodges family? I can scan a copy of the document to you if you like. Fran Hodges in Phx, AZ

Looking for information on Clifford HODGE, born in late 1890s or early 1900s to Griffith HODGE and Elizabeth LLewellyn of Illinois; had sister Bessie and brother Orville. At some point Clifford moved to Denver and died in early 1933. No further information known. Any information appreciated. Sharon

This William Henry Hodges line that I have worked on somewhat is because he was the father of LeRoy Langford Hodges, Sr.(b. Watkinsville, GA), who was the father of LeRoy Langford "Lang" Hodges, Jr. (b. 3 Jun 1922 in Montezuma, Macon Co., GA. first spouse was Leila Jeanine Brown; brother John Frank Hodges and sister, Betty Jean Hodges. Jeanine Brown is the sister of my aunt, Vera Brown Hodges (Mrs. Ray LaRue Hodges, Sr. formerly of Phoenix, and formerly of Houston, Harris Co., Texas). These two sisters presently reside in Georgia; however, Vera is in frail health and her memory is not what it used to be. My understanding is that this particular line was being researched by Betty Sentell of 214 Blue Ridge Road, Black Mountain, NC 27811. I sent her a "snail mail" letter about 1994 which was returned about six (6) months later by someone who said that she had passed away. So, I got no information from her and I was disappointed as I felt confident that she had much information to give. Gerry HODGES Hackley in Houston "Gerry" Hodges Hackley 11714 S. Kirkwood Stafford, TX 77477-1308 281/495-6680 Fax:281/495-9395 http://www.hackley.com [email protected] Researching: HODGES, Gill, Walker, McClain, Ewing, McNutt, DeBenon, Price, Lack, Ferguson, Howard, Hackley

You're correct Gerry. Jesse means gift and is mentioned in Ruth 4-17. Ken At 10:04 AM 06/30/2001 -0700, you wrote: >In previous generations it was the custom to name children after those family >members in previous generations as follows: > > first boy - paternal grandfather > first girl - maternal grandmother > second boy - maternal grandfather > second girl - paternal grandmother > 3rd boy - after his father > 3rd girl - after her mother > 4th boy - after the father's eldest brother > 4th girl - named after the mother's eldest sister, etc. > >My grandmother tried to follow this pattern somewhat and so did her >mother-in-law. Of >course, these were the days before birth control pills and people lived on >farms and > raised lots of children to tend the crops. Now there is no rhyme or >reason that most >outsiders can see. My niece named one girl after her favorite movie >star. I suggested >that she name her son, Jesse after his Great-grandfather. She said she >thought that was >a Mexican name so she would not do it. Personally, I thought the name >Jesse was a >biblical name. > Gerry HODGES Hackley in Houston > >Gerry Bosma Hackley, GRI > [] >Prudential Gary Greene Realtors >2323 Town Center Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77478 >Ofc: 281/980-5050 Fax: 281/980-5426 >Res: 281/495-6680 Fax: 281/495-9395 >Pager: 713/318-1951 Cell: 281/414-5211 >http://www.hackley.com [email protected] > Specializing in residential properties > in Fort Bend County, West and SW > Houston since 1972. > > >==== HODGES Mailing List ==== >Faye Dyess [email protected] Listmanager >Thou shalt edit any quoted text down to the minimum thou needest. >DO YOU OWN A COPY OF A CENSUS?? THEN VOLUNTEER TO DO LOOKUPS!!! >http://www.rootsweb.com/~uslookup > >

In previous generations it was the custom to name children after those family members in previous generations as follows: first boy - paternal grandfather first girl - maternal grandmother second boy - maternal grandfather second girl - paternal grandmother 3rd boy - after his father 3rd girl - after her mother 4th boy - after the father's eldest brother 4th girl - named after the mother's eldest sister, etc. My grandmother tried to follow this pattern somewhat and so did her mother-in-law. Of course, these were the days before birth control pills and people lived on farms and raised lots of children to tend the crops. Now there is no rhyme or reason that most outsiders can see. My niece named one girl after her favorite movie star. I suggested that she name her son, Jesse after his Great-grandfather. She said she thought that was a Mexican name so she would not do it. Personally, I thought the name Jesse was a biblical name. Gerry HODGES Hackley in Houston Gerry Bosma Hackley, GRI [] Prudential Gary Greene Realtors 2323 Town Center Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77478 Ofc: 281/980-5050 Fax: 281/980-5426 Res: 281/495-6680 Fax: 281/495-9395 Pager: 713/318-1951 Cell: 281/414-5211 http://www.hackley.com [email protected] Specializing in residential properties in Fort Bend County, West and SW Houston since 1972.

Hi Linda, The Isom mentioned in the census is probably the Isham mentioned below as brother of Edmond. At least it might be worth checking. Edmund Hodges b. ca 1789 SC ? died 1/15/1857 committed suicide, shooting himself in the side. [living alone in 1850 Pike Co.] [Edmund seems to be a nephew of Drury and is probably a son of John Hodges of Greenville Co., SC. Edmund had a brother, Isham, who lived in Covington Co., Ms. in 1820, Jones Co. in 1830, Jasper Co. in 1840 and again in Jones Co. in 1850.] Ken in Orlando At 09:43 AM 06/29/2001 -0500, you wrote: >Dear List, >I find on the 1850 Jones Co. Ms. Federal Census Pg. 135B Line 14-17 Family # >287: > > HODGES, JOHN-44M-Farmer-Value:$200-Birthplace:SC > HODGES, MARY-33F-Birthplace:GA > HODGES, ISOM-65M-Bapt. Preacher-Birthplace:SC > HODGES, MARY-58F-Birthplace:SC > > >Does anyone know about this family? Linda Hodge > > > >==== HODGES Mailing List ==== >Faye Dyess [email protected] Listmanager >Thou shalt edit any quoted text down to the minimum thou needest. >DO YOU OWN A COPY OF A CENSUS?? THEN VOLUNTEER TO DO LOOKUPS!!! >http://www.rootsweb.com/~uslookup > >

Linda - I am not aware of this family but I would like to know more. My HODGES are in Northeast MS at that time, specifically Itawamba Co. but they had previously been in SC and they are Baptist. My GG Grandfather, Dennis Newton Hodges was married 1850 in Guntown, Itawamba Co., MS and his father was Isaac Hodges who was born in SC around Abbeville, SC about 1790. The 1790 Fed. Census for the Abbeville Dist. shows John, Abel & Drury Hodges. Abel is believed to be the father of Isaac (spouse, Rebecca McClain), Edmund (spouse, Sarah McClain), John (b. abt. 1794), Allison (b. 1796), Charles (b. 1797 who was a Bapt. preacher & m. Mary "Polly" Milhous), William (b. 1827 m. Frances E. McNutt 1849 in Itawamba Co., MS) and James Thomas Hodges (b. 1804). The above John or James Thomas Hodges are mysteries to me or at least I have not found anything on them in my research YET. "Gerry" HODGES Hackley in Houston At 09:43 AM 6/29/2001 -0500, you wrote: >Dear List, >I find on the 1850 Jones Co. Ms. Federal Census Pg. 135B Line 14-17 Family # >287: > > HODGES, JOHN-44M-Farmer-Value:$200-Birthplace:SC > HODGES, MARY-33F-Birthplace:GA > HODGES, ISOM-65M-Bapt. Preacher-Birthplace:SC > HODGES, MARY-58F-Birthplace:SC > > >Does anyone know about this family? Linda Hodge > > > >==== HODGES Mailing List ==== >Faye Dyess [email protected] Listmanager >Thou shalt edit any quoted text down to the minimum thou needest. >DO YOU OWN A COPY OF A CENSUS?? THEN VOLUNTEER TO DO LOOKUPS!!! >http://www.rootsweb.com/~uslookup "Gerry" Hodges Hackley 11714 S. Kirkwood Stafford, TX 77477-1308 281/495-6680 Fax:281/495-9395 http://www.hackley.com [email protected] Researching: HODGES, Gill, Walker, McClain, Ewing, McNutt, DeBenon, Price, Lack, Ferguson, Howard, Hackley

Dear List, I find on the 1850 Jones Co. Ms. Federal Census Pg. 135B Line 14-17 Family # 287: HODGES, JOHN-44M-Farmer-Value:$200-Birthplace:SC HODGES, MARY-33F-Birthplace:GA HODGES, ISOM-65M-Bapt. Preacher-Birthplace:SC HODGES, MARY-58F-Birthplace:SC Does anyone know about this family? Linda Hodge

I live in Greenwood, SC just a few miles from this cemetery. Towns Jones has been solictor for Greenwood County for a number of years...as least around 20. I hope he will respond, but not sure he can help. Have you contacted The Index Journal? Go to www.indexjournal.com for their webpage. I'm not sure how much they can print, but even if they can do an article completely around the cemetery and not mentioning the owner's name, maybe it would get some attention from the right groups. I am a member of the Old 96 Genealogy Society and will talk to our President as to what can be done through our efforts, if anything. Hang in there! Joyce McManus ----- Original Message ----- From: Albert C Metts, Jr. <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 9:44 AM Subject: [HODGES-L] Fw: cemetery situation | This is Al Metts. I forward this message from Bruce Cobb. | He is a lawyer. Patience and persistence! | Al | | | --------- Forwarded message ---------- | From: "bruce cobb" <[email protected]> | To: [email protected] | Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 21:48:28 -0500 | Subject: cemetery situation | Message-ID: <[email protected]> | | Al: | | I took the last message that you sent me(letter to S.C. Attorney | | General) and forwarded by e-mail to Mr. W. Townes Jones IV, County | | Solicitor, Greenwood County, P.O. Box 516, Greenwood, S.C. 29648, | | Office: (864)942-880? e-mail:[email protected] | | Maybe we might get some response;I heard that he is newly elect- | | ed. How many Hodges descendants live in Greenwood County? If we can | | somehow get word to them, maybe it may help. First I think that we | | need to apply with the US Dept. of Interior to register the cemetery | | as an historic site consistent with the criteria published in www. | | savinggraves.com Then, if our local efforts fail, we may consider | | going to Federal court. Title 16 U.S.Code section 470 w-4 provides | | for attorneys' fees and costs to prevailing parties in civil actions | | We need to play this cool;however, the owner may not object or even | | care if we try to make the cemetery a historic site. He may think | | we are just trying to put a plaque up on the site and will not sus- | | pect anything until too late. Just an idea.What do you think? BWC | _________________________________________________________________ | Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com | | | ==== HODGES Mailing List ==== | Faye Dyess [email protected] Listmanager | DO YOU OWN A COPY OF A CENSUS?? THEN VOLUNTEER TO DO LOOKUPS!!! | http://www.rootsweb.com/~uslookup | Thou shalt not rely on the privacy of e-mail, especially from work. | |

Joyce - We appreciate your efforts. It is good to have someone local to assist in this matter. Local voters & taxpayers have more clot than those from out of state. Articles in the local press or television coverage would help also after the cemetery is designated a historical site. "Gerry" HODGES Hackley in Houston, Texas At 08:27 AM 6/28/2001 -0400, you wrote: >I live in Greenwood, SC just a few miles from this cemetery. Towns Jones >has been solictor for Greenwood County for a number of years...as least >around 20. I hope he will respond, but not sure >he can help. > >Have you contacted The Index Journal? Go to www.indexjournal.com for >their webpage. I'm not sure how much they can print, but even if they can >do an article completely around the cemetery and not mentioning the owner's >name, maybe it would get some attention from the right groups. > >I am a member of the Old 96 Genealogy Society and will talk to our President >as to what can be done through our efforts, if anything. > >Hang in there! > > Joyce McManus > > ----- Original Message ----- >From: Albert C Metts, Jr. <[email protected]> >To: <[email protected]> >Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 9:44 AM >Subject: [HODGES-L] Fw: cemetery situation > > >| This is Al Metts. I forward this message from Bruce Cobb. >| He is a lawyer. Patience and persistence! >| Al >| >| >| --------- Forwarded message ---------- >| From: "bruce cobb" <[email protected]> >| To: [email protected] >| Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 21:48:28 -0500 >| Subject: cemetery situation >| Message-ID: <[email protected]> >| >| Al: >| >| I took the last message that you sent me(letter to S.C. Attorney >| >| General) and forwarded by e-mail to Mr. W. Townes Jones IV, County >| >| Solicitor, Greenwood County, P.O. Box 516, Greenwood, S.C. 29648, >| >| Office: (864)942-880? e-mail:[email protected] >| >| Maybe we might get some response;I heard that he is newly elect- >| >| ed. How many Hodges descendants live in Greenwood County? If we can >| >| somehow get word to them, maybe it may help. First I think that we >| >| need to apply with the US Dept. of Interior to register the cemetery >| >| as an historic site consistent with the criteria published in www. >| >| savinggraves.com Then, if our local efforts fail, we may consider >| >| going to Federal court. Title 16 U.S.Code section 470 w-4 provides >| >| for attorneys' fees and costs to prevailing parties in civil actions >| >| We need to play this cool;however, the owner may not object or even >| >| care if we try to make the cemetery a historic site. He may think >| >| we are just trying to put a plaque up on the site and will not sus- >| >| pect anything until too late. Just an idea.What do you think? BWC >| _________________________________________________________________ >| Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com >| >| >| ==== HODGES Mailing List ==== >| Faye Dyess [email protected] Listmanager >| DO YOU OWN A COPY OF A CENSUS?? THEN VOLUNTEER TO DO LOOKUPS!!! >| http://www.rootsweb.com/~uslookup >| Thou shalt not rely on the privacy of e-mail, especially from work. >| >| > > >==== HODGES Mailing List ==== >- > Faye Dyess [email protected] Listmanager >Thou shalt check thy spelling and thy grammer. >Searchable Archives at: http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl

This is Al Metts. I forward this message from Bruce Cobb. He is a lawyer. Patience and persistence! Al --------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "bruce cobb" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 21:48:28 -0500 Subject: cemetery situation Message-ID: <[email protected]> Al: I took the last message that you sent me(letter to S.C. Attorney General) and forwarded by e-mail to Mr. W. Townes Jones IV, County Solicitor, Greenwood County, P.O. Box 516, Greenwood, S.C. 29648, Office: (864)942-880? e-mail:[email protected] Maybe we might get some response;I heard that he is newly elect- ed. How many Hodges descendants live in Greenwood County? If we can somehow get word to them, maybe it may help. First I think that we need to apply with the US Dept. of Interior to register the cemetery as an historic site consistent with the criteria published in www. savinggraves.com Then, if our local efforts fail, we may consider going to Federal court. Title 16 U.S.Code section 470 w-4 provides for attorneys' fees and costs to prevailing parties in civil actions We need to play this cool;however, the owner may not object or even care if we try to make the cemetery a historic site. He may think we are just trying to put a plaque up on the site and will not sus- pect anything until too late. Just an idea.What do you think? BWC _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Hi, I am not a Hodges' descendant but became interested in your plight to have someone do something regarding John Hodges' gravesite at Hodges, SC. In the May 2001 issue of 'The Carolina Hearld & Newsletter is an article with basically the same information as below entitled 'Desecration of a Revolutionary War Soldier's Grave' (Page 14/15) by Colonel lbert Caswell Metts, Jr. This quarterly is published by the South Carolina Genealogical Society, Inc. Mr. Metts, I wasn't certain if you knew this article had been printed and wanted to let you know it has! As for not getting any attention from the SC Government, it is likely due to the cutting of every budget in SC. However, one group got his attention someway and had him re think the education budget. Now, I am one who believes in education for all, however, when they start talking of dimissing the mentally handicapped and having other programs, it just doesn't make any sense. I hope there will be a way to resolve this problem with the owner. If I was allowing what he is in this cemetery, I'd be afraid of having night mares! I live just a few miles from this area, but have not been there yet. I will tell all I know about this terrible injustice. Joyce McManus ----- Original Message ----- From: Albert C Metts, Jr. <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 6:52 PM Subject: [HODGES-L] Hodges vs Gov SC | This is Al Metts | | I send this to the Hodges list, to each of the Hodges/ | Abbeville researchers and to Mr William Spurlock. | I sent Mr. Spurlock copies of these documents. Juno | does not do attachments, so these are OCR copies. | (This scanner causes me problems. Good Luck!) | I start with my message to William Spurlock. | ------------------------------------------------- | Sir, | | You asked about prior actions. | | ----------------------------------------------------- | MY LETTER TO GOVERNOR HODGES OF SC | Juno e-mail for [email protected] printed on Friday, February 02, 2001, | 10:05 AM | Dear Governor Jim Hodges, | This message concerns the desecration of the grave of an heroic | militiaman who served South Carolina during the American Revolution. The | name of this soldier is JOHN HODGES. He is buried near the South Carolina | town of HODGES, named for his son, General George Washington Hodges, who | fought in the War of 1812. | John Hodges' father, Richard Hodges, brought his family from Essex | County, VA, to Abbeville District before the American Revolution. Before | the war started, Richard died leaving his wife, Elizabeth Jones Hodges, | with twelve children. Indians attacked and burned her cabin, captured one | of her daughters, and the family had to find safety in the woods. Young | John Hodges was fifteen years old when he joined the South Carolina | militia. His Revolutionary War military record in recorded in the U.S. | Archives. | The Hodges farm became Hodges, SC. Their cemetery is near the town. In | 1990, the 27 tombstones, some over 150 years old, were intact. By 1992, a | man named Tom Buzhardt had opened a go-cart track (Piney Grove Go Cart | Track) next to the Hodges cemetery. He has allowed his customers to | desecrate and vandalize the graves of the Hodges family. By 1995, 16 of | the tombstones had been broken. The area is littered with trash, broken | beer bottles and other debris. Descendants made offers to buy the | cemetery, but he refused. Two port-a-john toilets are placed less than 4 | feet from one of the graves. Descendants visited the cemetery in | September, 2000, and sadly report that the tombstones of John Hodges, the | Revolutionary soldier, and of his wife, Frances, have been broken near | the bases and lie upon the ground. | Sir, I am a 79 year old combat infantryman. I taught ROTC at The Citadel | after returning from World War II. John Hodges is one of my ancestors and | I suspect that he may be one of yours as well. My first American Metts | (Metz) ancestor arrived in Charleston in 1742. 1 live in San Antonio, | Texas. Please forgive me for the length of this letter. It could be a lot | longer. Many Hodges descendants know of the cemetery problem. We hope | that you will be interested in helping us stop the continuing desecration | of the grave of our heroic ancestor. Gladly, I will provide more | information. | Sincerely, | Albert Caswell Metts, Jr. | Colonel, Infantry, Retired | United States Army | ---------------------------------------------------------- | STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA | Office of the Governor | | January 26, 2001 | Dear Mr. Metts: | Governor Hodges has asked me to thank you for your recent e-mail and for | sharing your concerns with him regarding the Hodges Family Cemetery near | Hodges, South Carolina. | In an effort of to be of assistance to you, I have taken the liberty of | forwarding a copy of your correspondence to Mr. Stephen Skelton, Historic | Preservation Programs, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, | 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 with my request that he respond to | you directly with any information he might have concerning your inquiry. | Again, thank you for writing and for sharing your concerns with Governor | Hodges. If our office can be of assistance to you in some other way, | please let us know. | Sincerely, | | Erna S. Jacobs | Public Information Coordinator | CC: Mr. Stephen Skelton, South Carolina Department of Archives and | History | ---------------------------------------------------- | LETTER TO MR. SKELTON | February 1, 2001 | Mr. Stephen Skelton | Historic Preservation Programs | South Carolina Department of Archives and History | 8301 Parklane Road | Columbia, South Carolina 29223 | Dear Mr. Skelton: | You have been sent a copy of the letter to me from the Office of Governor | Jim Hodges, dated January 26, 2001. It tells me that you have been given | the responsibility for helping the descendants of Revolutionary soldier | John Hodges prevent the continuing desecration of the Hodges Cemetery in | Hodges, South Carolina. Your acceptance of this challenge will be | appreciated | My first thought was to wonder why this task was given to your office | rather than to some law enforcement unit. Of course, I realized that the | Governor knows a lot more than this old combat infantryman with 12 | campaigns in three wars. Governor Hodges respects the fact that the | history of the wonderful state of South Carolina is involved. Our great | nation will always be indebted to South Carolina, one of the original | thirteen colonies, for its role in the development of this nation and in | the fight for independence. Every history of the Revolution describes the | important role that South Carolina played. For your great state to stand | by and allow the grave of an heroic Revolutionary soldier to be | desecrated would be shameful in our nation of free men! To look the other | way and ignore this disgraceful conduct would be scorned by all patriotic | Americans. As a patriot, I hope that you agree with me. | Please let me tell you a few facts about John Hodges. His family came | from Virginia before the Revolution. His father died before the war, | leaving a poor widow with many children. The Indians were fighting for | England. They came to the Hodges home and burned it. The poor widow fled | to the woods to hide her family. The Indians captured her daughter, | Dorothy, and took her to Alabama. When he was fifteen years old, young | John Hodges yolunteered and served in the South Carolina militia for the | rest of the war. He fought in the battles of Old Ninety-six and Chaota | Town. He served under General Greene and Captain Rosamond was his company | commander. His tombstone lies flat on the ground, broken by vandals. It | is surrounded by trash. The writing on the stone begins, "In Memory of | Major John Hodges". He lived until 1834, continued to serve in the | militia, and was a major during the War of 1812. | John Hodges was the father of twenty children! Every one of them lived to | maturity. Naturally, the area where the Hodges farm was located became | Hodges, South Carolina. When all were adults, a reunion was held in | Hodges. Every member of the family was | present - an unbroken family! Also, naturally, there are many descendants | of the Revolutionary soldier. Many have the surname "Hodges". Others | have names like Metts, Forrester, Mungo or Rosamond. I tell you this to | emphasize that the desecration of the Hodges Cemetery is very important | to many people in South Carolina and in locations all over America. Many | of these people are very disappointed that South Carolina would allow the | vandalism to continue for so long. Our present efforts are not the first | try to get correction of the vandalism. | In 1995, Mrs. Mary Clyde Mungo of Lancaster, South Carolina, where the | Governor was born, tried to get authorities to stop the vandalism. At | that time, the tombstone of John Hodges had been damaged, but the one for | his wife, Frances, had not. Now, her stone and almost every other stone | in the cemetery has been broken. Mrs. Mungo wrote many letters. She was | referred to The Department of Archives. They sent her some papers about | laws and sent copies of her letter to a "State Law Enforcement Division, | Chief Stewart" and to the Sheriff of Greenwood County. Neither bothered | to help her in any way. The only real interest came from that great | patriot, statesman and true gentleman, Senator Strom Thurman. He promised | that he would help. He contacted the Zoning Department in Greenwood | County. Then, the good Senator must have forgotten about his promise. As | I approach four score years, I find no fault with that great old man. My | memory fades as each day passes. I do hope that you, Mr. Skelton, will | not fail to give us just support. | We Hodges researchers are organized to persevere until we get results. | Every letter or message including the Governor's letter and this one are | being entered into the Internet so that all descendants are kept informed | and that a record is maintained. I am writing an article for the Sons of | the American Revolution Magazine to tell the story and to get members in | South Carolina to support our cause. Years ago, the Texas Highway | Department tried to build a road across an old historic cemetery. The | Ladies of the Daughters of the American Revolution descended upon Austin | and the State of Texas passed and enforced laws to protect cemeteries. | Our descendant daughters plan a similar action in South Carolina. I do | not enjoy seeing South Carolina criticized. I love that state. I have | lived in Charleston. I have done research in that state and seen many old | cemeteries in conditions nearly as bad as the Hodges Cemetery in Hodges, | South Carolina. Your help will be documented and read by many Americans. | Most religions consider cemeteries to be sacred soil. Most states have | severe laws that are strictly enforced to protect cemeteries. The | religious and sentimental aspects are important. Also, sir, as the chief | of the Historic Preservation Programs, you know that the information on | the ancient tombstones has documentary evidence needed for historical | research. I have heard that the history of ancient Rome was written from | the tombstones of the dead! | I have told our members to remain optimistic. Patience and persistence | will lead to success. I hope that you will join our crusade, Mr. Skelton. | Sincerely | /s/ | cc: | Senator Strom Thurmond | 217 Russel Senate Building | Washington, DC 20510 | | Governor Jim Hodges | 1205 Pendleton Street, Room 308 | Columbia, South Carolina 29201 | | SC Genealogical Society, Inc | Post Office Box 492 | Columbia, SC 29202-0492 | | South Carolina Genealogical Society | P. 0. Box 3468 | Greenwood, SC 29648 | | Mr Winston C. Williams | Editor, The SAR Magazine | P. 0. Box 26595 | Milwaukee, WI 53226 | | Mrs Joel Morris Wagoner | Chairman, DAR Magazine | 1776 D Street, NW | Washington, DC 20006 | | | ==== HODGES Mailing List ==== | - | Faye Dyess [email protected] Listmanager | Learn and Enjoy IRC Chats-Step by Step Instructions-It's free and fun | http://www.flash.net/~gen4m/ | When in doubt, save thy message overnight and reread it in the light of dawn. | |

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This is Al Metts. Today, I will mail this letter to the Attorney General of South Carolina. Again, I ask that you look at the URL Http://www.savinggraves.com It grows every day! Great! Al June 25, 2001 Honorable Charles M. Condon Office of the Attorney General P.O. Box 11549 Columbia, SC 29211 Dear Sir: Near the small town of Hodges, South Carolina, there is a family cemetery where Revolutionary soldier, John Hodges, is buried.. I am asking for your help because his grave has been desecrated. His tombstone has been broken into pieces. Sixteen of the twenty-seven stones have been shattered and the pieces scattered among liter and broken bottles. The tombstone of Frances Anderson Hodges, the wife of John Hodges, and that of his son, General George Washington Hodges, have been desecrated as well. The destruction was caused because a man named Buzhardt who operates a go-kart track and he allows his customers to ride through the cemetery. Requests to stop the vandalism by descendants of the Hodges family have been ignored. Enclosed is my article published recently in the magazine of the Old Ninety Six Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society. Please read the details of this disgraceful situation. John Hodges was the father of twenty children in Abbeville, SC. All lived to maturity and you must realize that there are many descendants in South Carolina and across the nation (quite a few in Texas!). Efforts by descendants to protect the Hodges graves have not achieved justice. My article, above, was read by Mr. Bruce W. Cobb, attorney at law, of Houston, TX. He joined our crusade and turned to Mr. William Spurlock, of Atlanta, GA. Both are very unhappy about conditions at the cemetery. Please go to the Internet to URL http://www.savinggraves.com and read the story about the Hodges Cemetery. The page grows daily. I enclose a copy of the text and pictures on the page today. Messages are coming in from readers of the Hodges List on the Internet as they join our crusade. They are not able to believe that such injustice can exist in South Carolina. Mr. Spurlock plans to go to the cemetery in a few days. I am told that the South Carolina law is clear. This is in direct violation of Tittle 6, Section 6-1-35 - "Preservation and protection of cemeteries". This section reads as follows: (A) Counties and municipalities are authorized to preserve and protect any cemetery located within its jurisdiction which the county or municipality determines has been abandoned or is not being maintained and are further authorized to expend public funds and use county or municipal inmate labor, in the manner authorized by law, in connection with the cemetery. (B) As used in this section, the term "preserve and protect" means to keep safe from destruction, peril, or other adversity and may include the placement of signs, markers, fencing, or other appropriate features so as to identify the site as a cemetery and so as to aid in the preservation and protection of the abandoned cemetery. With due respect, sir, what we Hodges descendants request is for the South Carolina Attorney General’s office to see that this law is enforced by ensuring that the county of Greenwood and the town of Hodges take whatever steps that are necessary to act within accordance of the above law at once. I hope that I am right in being encouraged that you will help us. I love the state of South Carolina. If I had not selected San Antonio for retirement, I would be living on James Island near Charleston. I spent three happy years teaching at The Citadel after returning from World War Two. The first Metts (Metz) came into Charleston in 1740, a Lutheran Palatine, forced to flee from the Rhineland in Germany. My South Carolina ancestors before the Revolution had names: Metz, Taylor, Mueller, Kaigler, Nash and Suber. Your consideration will be appreciated. Respectfully, ALBERT C. METTS, JR. Colonel, Infantry, Retired United States Army

This is Al Metts, I forward this message from William Spurlock. It is encouraging. Again, please watch his home page URL http://www.savinggraves.com --------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "William Spurlock" <[email protected]> To: "Albert C Metts, Jr." <[email protected]> Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 22:10:40 -0400 Subject: Re: Saving Graves URL Message-ID: <[email protected]> References: <[email protected]> Hello, If I had not had computer problems all day I would have had something up much faster. What I have up currently is only a rough start, in fact I'm currently working on as I speak. Just stopped in to look as some of your previous email to get some additional information and saw your email had just come in. I've also been in touch with several others around the country that are quite active and well known in cemetery preservation and have been getting a good deal of support from them. I wish that I could tell you that this is just a random problem, but it's not. Thing such this take place on a daily basis world wide. But your case is without question one of the worst that I've seen so far. Clearly the state law is on your side here as I indicated prior, but the problem (as it is in so many of these cases) is not the lack of a law, but rather the enforcement of it. This comes from several things, most often it's confusion between various law enforcement agencies as to who has the jurisdiction and responsibility. Atlanta has changed a great deal in the 10 years that we have been here. It's a shame really as I miss the old Atlanta. William (Bill) Spurlock Saving Graves http://www.savinggraves.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Albert C Metts, Jr." <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 11:46 PM Subject: Saving Graves URL > Dear Mr. Spurlock, > > I am amazed at your reaction and rapid development > of the outstanding presentation on your URL! Let me > thank you for all of the researchers that have been involved > trying to get justice for our deceased ancestors. > > Of course, you know that I have been trying to send whatever > I can find that might help you. Maybe I have sent too much! > I wish we could get Governor Hodges and other officials to > read what you have written. > > You live in Atlanta. My grandmother, Elizabeth Porter Pillow > Oliver lived in Atlanta when I was a child. Her son, my uncle > William Oliver, lived there for all of his life. At about age 10, > my parents would send me by Greyhound bus, alone, from > Mississippi to Atlanta to spend long periods with my grandmother. > She would put me on a street car to ride out to the end of the > line and back to the starting point where she would be waiting. > The next day, I would ride a different street car. I saw a lot > of Atlanta, Georgia. My Grandfather, John Madison Oliver, was > not alive, then. Earlier, he had owned the first telephone company > in Georgia. He and my grandmother had lived in Gainsville. > > I am very glad that you have a strong interest in the Hodges > cemetery. > > Al Metts >

Hodges researchers, this is Al Metts. In less than a day, William Spurlock has done outstanding work presenting the story about the desecration of the Hodges cemetery. If you have an Internet connection, please go to the URL at http://www.savinggraves.com He has improved the text about the situation and done excellent work with the pictures. Be sure to click the link for the whole story. Let us all hope that his interest will breathe new life into this crusade that we have tried win for a long time. Bruce Cobb of Beaumont, TX, is a lawyer. He is entering the project and I believe that he will make a major contribution. Al Metts [email protected]

AL, The pictures didnt come through and how can we all help.? Katie

This is Al Metts I send this to the Hodges list, to each of the Hodges/ Abbeville researchers and to Mr William Spurlock. I sent Mr. Spurlock copies of these documents. Juno does not do attachments, so these are OCR copies. (This scanner causes me problems. Good Luck!) I start with my message to William Spurlock. ------------------------------------------------- Sir, You asked about prior actions. I wrote to Governor Hodges - Attachment 1 He answered delegating the action - Attachment 2 Letter to Skelton Attachment 3,4 5. The Governor of SC is a worthless person (He took the Confederate flag off the Capitol!) Also, he did nothing to help us. He passed the action to Skelton. Skelton never answered my letter and did nothing. Other Hodges researchers wrote to Skelton - no answer. The list at Attachment 5 were sent copies and I wrote each individually. Not one of them would help. The worthless SAR editor said that he would be interested in the story AFTER we got justice!! There was no answer from the DAR. Strom Thurman's staff person said it was a legal matter, not political. In SC, the local newspaper ran a story - no results. The local officials have not done anything when requested by researchers who live in the area. I hope you can stir them up. I fought 12 campaigns in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. I am a combat infantryman, but, now, I am 80 years old. It is too late!! Al Metts ----------------------------------------------------- MY LETTER TO GOVERNOR HODGES OF SC Juno e-mail for [email protected] printed on Friday, February 02, 2001, 10:05 AM Dear Governor Jim Hodges, This message concerns the desecration of the grave of an heroic militiaman who served South Carolina during the American Revolution. The name of this soldier is JOHN HODGES. He is buried near the South Carolina town of HODGES, named for his son, General George Washington Hodges, who fought in the War of 1812. John Hodges’ father, Richard Hodges, brought his family from Essex County, VA, to Abbeville District before the American Revolution. Before the war started, Richard died leaving his wife, Elizabeth Jones Hodges, with twelve children. Indians attacked and burned her cabin, captured one of her daughters, and the family had to find safety in the woods. Young John Hodges was fifteen years old when he joined the South Carolina militia. His Revolutionary War military record in recorded in the U.S. Archives. The Hodges farm became Hodges, SC. Their cemetery is near the town. In 1990, the 27 tombstones, some over 150 years old, were intact. By 1992, a man named Tom Buzhardt had opened a go-cart track (Piney Grove Go Cart Track) next to the Hodges cemetery. He has allowed his customers to desecrate and vandalize the graves of the Hodges family. By 1995, 16 of the tombstones had been broken. The area is littered with trash, broken beer bottles and other debris. Descendants made offers to buy the cemetery, but he refused. Two port-a-john toilets are placed less than 4 feet from one of the graves. Descendants visited the cemetery in September, 2000, and sadly report that the tombstones of John Hodges, the Revolutionary soldier, and of his wife, Frances, have been broken near the bases and lie upon the ground. Sir, I am a 79 year old combat infantryman. I taught ROTC at The Citadel after returning from World War II. John Hodges is one of my ancestors and I suspect that he may be one of yours as well. My first American Metts (Metz) ancestor arrived in Charleston in 1742. 1 live in San Antonio, Texas. Please forgive me for the length of this letter. It could be a lot longer. Many Hodges descendants know of the cemetery problem. We hope that you will be interested in helping us stop the continuing desecration of the grave of our heroic ancestor. Gladly, I will provide more information. Sincerely, Albert Caswell Metts, Jr. Colonel, Infantry, Retired United States Army ---------------------------------------------------------- STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA Office of the Governor January 26, 2001 Dear Mr. Metts: Governor Hodges has asked me to thank you for your recent e-mail and for sharing your concerns with him regarding the Hodges Family Cemetery near Hodges, South Carolina. In an effort of to be of assistance to you, I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your correspondence to Mr. Stephen Skelton, Historic Preservation Programs, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 with my request that he respond to you directly with any information he might have concerning your inquiry. Again, thank you for writing and for sharing your concerns with Governor Hodges. If our office can be of assistance to you in some other way, please let us know. Sincerely, Erna S. Jacobs Public Information Coordinator CC: Mr. Stephen Skelton, South Carolina Department of Archives and History ---------------------------------------------------- LETTER TO MR. SKELTON February 1, 2001 Mr. Stephen Skelton Historic Preservation Programs South Carolina Department of Archives and History 8301 Parklane Road Columbia, South Carolina 29223 Dear Mr. Skelton: You have been sent a copy of the letter to me from the Office of Governor Jim Hodges, dated January 26, 2001. It tells me that you have been given the responsibility for helping the descendants of Revolutionary soldier John Hodges prevent the continuing desecration of the Hodges Cemetery in Hodges, South Carolina. Your acceptance of this challenge will be appreciated My first thought was to wonder why this task was given to your office rather than to some law enforcement unit. Of course, I realized that the Governor knows a lot more than this old combat infantryman with 12 campaigns in three wars. Governor Hodges respects the fact that the history of the wonderful state of South Carolina is involved. Our great nation will always be indebted to South Carolina, one of the original thirteen colonies, for its role in the development of this nation and in the fight for independence. Every history of the Revolution describes the important role that South Carolina played. For your great state to stand by and allow the grave of an heroic Revolutionary soldier to be desecrated would be shameful in our nation of free men! To look the other way and ignore this disgraceful conduct would be scorned by all patriotic Americans. As a patriot, I hope that you agree with me. Please let me tell you a few facts about John Hodges. His family came from Virginia before the Revolution. His father died before the war, leaving a poor widow with many children. The Indians were fighting for England. They came to the Hodges home and burned it. The poor widow fled to the woods to hide her family. The Indians captured her daughter, Dorothy, and took her to Alabama. When he was fifteen years old, young John Hodges yolunteered and served in the South Carolina militia for the rest of the war. He fought in the battles of Old Ninety-six and Chaota Town. He served under General Greene and Captain Rosamond was his company commander. His tombstone lies flat on the ground, broken by vandals. It is surrounded by trash. The writing on the stone begins, "In Memory of Major John Hodges". He lived until 1834, continued to serve in the militia, and was a major during the War of 1812. John Hodges was the father of twenty children! Every one of them lived to maturity. Naturally, the area where the Hodges farm was located became Hodges, South Carolina. When all were adults, a reunion was held in Hodges. Every member of the family was present - an unbroken family! Also, naturally, there are many descendants of the Revolutionary soldier. Many have the surname "Hodges". Others have names like Metts, Forrester, Mungo or Rosamond. I tell you this to emphasize that the desecration of the Hodges Cemetery is very important to many people in South Carolina and in locations all over America. Many of these people are very disappointed that South Carolina would allow the vandalism to continue for so long. Our present efforts are not the first try to get correction of the vandalism. In 1995, Mrs. Mary Clyde Mungo of Lancaster, South Carolina, where the Governor was born, tried to get authorities to stop the vandalism. At that time, the tombstone of John Hodges had been damaged, but the one for his wife, Frances, had not. Now, her stone and almost every other stone in the cemetery has been broken. Mrs. Mungo wrote many letters. She was referred to The Department of Archives. They sent her some papers about laws and sent copies of her letter to a "State Law Enforcement Division, Chief Stewart" and to the Sheriff of Greenwood County. Neither bothered to help her in any way. The only real interest came from that great patriot, statesman and true gentleman, Senator Strom Thurman. He promised that he would help. He contacted the Zoning Department in Greenwood County. Then, the good Senator must have forgotten about his promise. As I approach four score years, I find no fault with that great old man. My memory fades as each day passes. I do hope that you, Mr. Skelton, will not fail to give us just support. We Hodges researchers are organized to persevere until we get results. Every letter or message including the Governor’s letter and this one are being entered into the Internet so that all descendants are kept informed and that a record is maintained. I am writing an article for the Sons of the American Revolution Magazine to tell the story and to get members in South Carolina to support our cause. Years ago, the Texas Highway Department tried to build a road across an old historic cemetery. The Ladies of the Daughters of the American Revolution descended upon Austin and the State of Texas passed and enforced laws to protect cemeteries. Our descendant daughters plan a similar action in South Carolina. I do not enjoy seeing South Carolina criticized. I love that state. I have lived in Charleston. I have done research in that state and seen many old cemeteries in conditions nearly as bad as the Hodges Cemetery in Hodges, South Carolina. Your help will be documented and read by many Americans. Most religions consider cemeteries to be sacred soil. Most states have severe laws that are strictly enforced to protect cemeteries. The religious and sentimental aspects are important. Also, sir, as the chief of the Historic Preservation Programs, you know that the information on the ancient tombstones has documentary evidence needed for historical research. I have heard that the history of ancient Rome was written from the tombstones of the dead! I have told our members to remain optimistic. Patience and persistence will lead to success. I hope that you will join our crusade, Mr. Skelton. Sincerely /s/ cc: Senator Strom Thurmond 217 Russel Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 Governor Jim Hodges 1205 Pendleton Street, Room 308 Columbia, South Carolina 29201 SC Genealogical Society, Inc Post Office Box 492 Columbia, SC 29202-0492 South Carolina Genealogical Society P. 0. Box 3468 Greenwood, SC 29648 Mr Winston C. Williams Editor, The SAR Magazine P. 0. Box 26595 Milwaukee, WI 53226 Mrs Joel Morris Wagoner Chairman, DAR Magazine 1776 D Street, NW Washington, DC 20006

This is Al Metts This further message is from William Spurlock. Al I have been over to the archives of the Hodges-L list and several other locations researching this problem so I have a slightly better understanding of it now. What needs to be done is this. Contact the South Carolina Attorney General's office, inform them of the situation and that you feel that this is in direct violation of Tittle 6, Section 6-1-35 - "Preservation and protection of cemeteries". This section reads as follows: (A) Counties and municipalities are authorized to preserve and protect any cemetery located within its jurisdiction which the county or municipality determines has been abandoned or is not being maintained and are further authorized to expend public funds and use county or municipal inmate labor, in the manner authorized by law, in connection with the cemetery. (B) As used in this section, the term "preserve and protect" means to keep safe from destruction, peril, or other adversity and may include the placement of signs, markers, fencing, or other appropriate features so as to identify the site as a cemetery and so as to aid in the preservation and protection of the abandoned cemetery. What you want to ask to be done is for the Attorney Generals office to ensure that this law is enforced by ensuring that the county of Greenwood and the town of Hodges take whatever steps that are nesseassay to act within accordance of the above law at once. William (Bill) Spurlock Saving Graves http://www.savinggraves.com