I went back to my ongoing (slowly) trancription of the Dry Creek Baptist Church minutes and found this original record of the sale of land for Dry Creek, which seems to have be land belonging to James & Rite Bruce. Other Bruces that were mentioned in the records are also listed. Some good date references here. I am NOT researching the Bruce family, but it came up in some other research. Hope this helps someone. Billie Jones Camden, SC [email protected] State of South Carolina) Edgefield District ) Know all men by these preasents that I James and Rite Bruce of the State and District afore said and in consideration of the sum of one Dollar to me paid by the members of Dry Creek Church of the s'd state and district Have granted bargained and sold and by these preasants do grant Sell and unto the S'd Church A certain plantation or tract of Land containing two acres more or less Situate lying and being in the District afore S'd on the waters of Dry Creek waters of Saluda River it being part of a tract granted to S'd J Bruce Bounded at this time on the South by Wm Holdstens land and all other sides by James Bruces Land. To have and to hold all and singular the s'd two acres More or less to the members of Dry Creek Church with all the rites Members and appertaining to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining and I do hereby Bind My self My heirs Executors and Administrators to forever warrent and Defend the same to the S'd members of Dry Creek Church forever against the claim or claims of any and every person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part witness My hand and Seal this the twelfth Day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Seventeen (1817) of the Sovereignty and independence of the United States the fourty first assigned sealed and Delivered in preasance of John Cogburn, William Rotton his James (X) Bruce Wright Bruce mark (seal) **** This Next one might give a clue to when Hattie Rambo Bruce and D. J. Bruce married, as Hattie was accepted into the Dry Creek Church on this date: Bruce Hattie July 9, 1893 My Hulda Rauton Coursey and her father W. S. Rauton joined the same day. Here are some others that mention the Bruce name. Note all the family names also listed in these few minutes. When you see the 's after a name and then another name, this is the owner's slave. August 26th, 1831 The Church met and received William L. Rotten, John Barker, Julius Cogburn., Benjamin Rotten Austin Darrenton, William Cockcroft Junr., Thomas Cockerof's Seley, Susan Loveless, Sarah Cogburn, Mary Barronton, Ranny Bruce by experience. Also restored Charles Barronton to fellowship. Appointed William Raibom and James 'Cartey to cite Sister Sharpton to our next meeting for nonattendance. Brother Watkins closed the meeting with prayer August 27th, 1831 Baptised William L. Rotten, John Paker, Julius Cogborn, Benjamin Rotten, Austin Barrington, William Cockeroft Junor. Thomas Cockerof's, Seley, ___Rotton, Susan Loveless, Sarah Cogborn. Mary Barrenton, Barney Bruce, Willey Barrenton, Isac Cotton, Sarah Martin and Daniel's Selay. Sept. 27, 1831. The Church met and recd by experience, Loveless Rotten, John Martin, William Murrell, Charles Carson, Henry Raborn, Silas Bruce, Gomillian's Burlin, Spencer's Molley and Sarey, J. Cogburn's Nancy, Martin McCartey, Bibbay Bush, James Sidson, William McCartey, Ginnet McCarty and Lucinda McCarty. During a 5 day long camp meeting in Sept, 1833, Mary Bruce and Samuel Posey were accepted by experience. They were also baptized. along with many others. March 24, 1838 The Church met agreeable to appointments and after preaching went in to conference appointed Carter B. Bruce to cite Bro. H. Eidson to our next confirence meeting for Intemperence, then expeled Jane S. Partin for adultery. Saturday morning July 26th - 1851 The Church met to appointment Brother Norris being absent preaching by Brother Bell after which the Church went in to Conferance Elected Brother Bell moderator thear being no refferances Proceeded to appoint the following Brethering delegates to the Association to convene at the Red Bank Church viz: James Eidson William Mobley Daniel Matheny Silas Bruce, and James H. McCarthy alternates L. P. Rutland John Lott A. Watson H. T. Bartley then appointed the Friday before the fourth Sabbath in August next as a day of fasting, Humiliation and Prayer to be held at the Dry Creek Church The meeting then closed with the usual Benediction Sunday 28th, 1853 Our meeting continued for twelve days during which we recd the following members in to the church viz Washington Bush, Drucilla Bush, Mary Lageon, Anges Simons, Epsey Bruce, Sarah Denny, Martha E. Rut--- Lucretia Eidson, Jane Hasel, Elizabeth Parker [transcriber's note; Could this be Elizabeth Parker d/o Sarah Rotton and John Parker b 1835. Raised by D. L. Rotton and Nancy Smith when her parents died??], Adaline Sn--- , Jane New, Marcilla Amaker, Luther Lott , Jeter Eidson, William Carson, Whitfield Denny, Seaborn Temples, Dell's Charles, Denney's Harriett, Lott's Harriett, Bell's Tracy, and Miles' Ben, and restored Joseph Rodgers and Rebecca Ann Templer and rec'd Charles Matheny by expearance, Not yet Baptised on the last day of our protracted meeting. Went into conference heard the association letter read which was recd Then appointed a Building Commity to attend to the painting [_] of the meeting house and apointed the following men Viz William Mobley, John Lott, Daniel Matheny, John Denny, William Smiley, George Bell, and Martin [M Earty], William Mobley chairman John Lott Clerk It's a shame that dates were not given for these folks: The page before it had last membership date of August 24, 1919, however, a later page summarizes the deaths of many members and is listed below as well. Bruce Silas dis (dismissed to move to another church or deceased?) Bruce Mary dead Bruce Elijah dead Bruce Epecy dead Burce James P. [marked thru] dead** Bush Florence dis. Bruce S. H. dead Bruce Ula dead Bruce Hattie dead Bruce D. J. Earer dead [what is an Earer??] Bruce Nettie Crouch Bruce Edith dismissed Bruce Nora Hart Cato **Silas Bruce's 1880 census records lists a son James P. Bruce, age 24. I had thought this might be D. J. Bruce m. Hattie Lewis 2) Hattie Rambo. Can anyone tell me who he is? A list of Baptisms. Bruce Ula Sept 3, 1881 Bruce [S] H. May 21, 1881 Bruce Hattie July 9, 1893 Bruce, Silas August 9, 1896 DEAD: Bruce Silas Oct 6, 1889 Bruce Hattie Jan. 15, 1892 (?) Bruce Mary May 21 1892 Bruce Elijah Aug. 25. 1893 Bruce Miss Epsey Mch 30, 1895 Bruce, Hattie Aug. 26, 1894 (?) Buried in Dry Creek Cem. per cem. Records: [bracketed info are additions by HC Ouzts from his research of this family.] Richardson, John Ellis Jan 28 1854 Apr 28 1919 Richardson, Sarah S. RILEY Apr 11 1858 Mar 30 1916 Bruce, Carrie RICHARDSON Jul 11 1881 Nov 21 1904 Bruce, Ulia [C. QUATTLEBAUM] Apr 28 1859 Nov 20 1920 Bruce, Elijah Mar 25 1847 Aug 25 1893 Bruce, Silas [1808] Oct 7 1889 Bruce, Samuel Apr 20 1834 Mar 13 1855 Bruce, Willis Apr 5 1836 Mar 15 1855 Bruce, Warren A. Jun 21 1894 Oct 8 1895 Bruce, [Sarah Harris LEWIS ?] Mattie LEWIS Sep 20 1857 Jan 15 1892 Bruce, [James (Dock)] D. J. 1849 1910 Bruce, Son [1892] [1892] Clark, Frank Jun 14 1911 Nov 11 1911 Clark, [Mary Hattie] Mae BRUCE Mar 22 1880 Aug 22 1913 Clark, William Simeon [(Sim)] May 4 1878 Mar 8 1941