Prosperity Cemetery
( photo by cousin Bruce Wilhoit )
The Prosperity Cemetery is located along the side of the road ( State Road
391 ) leading South from Prosperity.
This cemetery of over 1,150 graves has
existed for over 179
years. Its location is N34 11.892 W81 31.788. Shortly before the American Revolution, a Scotch-Irish colony from North
Ireland, especially the counties of Down and Antrim, settled near the present
town of Prosperity and westward toward Bush River. They were Seceder
Presbyterians, later called Associate Reformed Presbyterians,.
At first they attended A.R.P. meetings
already established by 
Scottish-Irish
people in the vicinity of Newberry town, primarily Cannon's Creek Church. By
1802 the lower community needed its own church. Land was
deeded by James Young, and he and others 'built the first church in the
spring of 1802. His death in September of that same year caused the beginning of
the cemetery adjacent to the church which was called Prosperity Meeting House.
The location of the church and cemetery was
near a
community called Frog Level which became a post
office in 1832. In 1873 Frog Level adopted "Prosperity" an its name.
In 1889 the church moved from its original location to rebuild in Prosperity
town. By this time the cemetery had long been used not only by A.R.P. families
But by others in the community, and in 1963 it officially became the town
cemetery with the Prosperity Cemetery Association in charge.
For such an old cemetery the gravestones are in remarkably good condition. The
oldest section has many eroding inscriptions " some already indecipherable.
In various sections a few markers have sunk into the ground, hiding some
lettering. But at least 1,000 markers are completely legible. From these have
been taken names, birth and -death dates, and identifying data (spouse, parents,
titles such as Dr., Rev., M.D., etc.) but no verses or tributes except for the
quaint, rhymed inscription on the 18604 stone for Abraham Thompson.
In the older sections, graves run in north--south rows, not always strictly
parallel. Though there were no family plots in the early years, familiar seem to
have used
available space in the same or adjacent rows. By the 1850s and 1860s family
plots began to app
ear
and from 1870 on were customary.
Early pioneers besides the Young's are also
buried here. Patrick Carmichael ( 1744 - 1802 ); his wife, Elizabeth Thompson (
1749 - 1835 ); Nathan Hunter ( 1743 - 1827 ); William Fair ( 1770 - 1851
); and others.
NOTE: The photo of the church is by Annabel
Ballew ca May 1990, as the church was being demolished. All other photos by Al
Franklin, except where indicated.
Young's Buried in
Prosperity, SC Cemetery
B-1 Young, Abigel (Abigail?), d/o T. & M. Young, d.
10 Sept. 1833 in her 6th yr.
B-1 Young, Abram Hayne, s/o T. & M. Young, 31 March 1840 - 6 May 1864 in
Battle of the Wilderness
E-1 Young, Alma Nates, 18 July 1875 - 11 May 1938
B-2 Young, Amanda, 23 Sept. 1847 - 9 April 1914
B-1 Young, Arthur, d- 5 Oct- 1826, aged 22y & 22d
E-1 Young, Bennie Thompson, 17 Dec. 1877 - 10 Dec. 1958
B-2 Young, Eliza Jane, d/o T. & M.Y. Young, 2 Jan. 1845 - 26 Sept. 1865
C-1 Young, Elizabeth ( Fair ) d/o James and Mary Young June 8,
1774-May 10, 1854
D-1 Young, Elizabeth S., 26 June 1842 - 2 July 1912
B-1 Young, Hannah, d. 12 Oct. 1804, aged 9y
B-1 Young, Hannah ( Lester ) May 31, 1829- Sept 2, 1916
C-2 Young, J. Augustus, 19 Nov. 1879 - 18 Jan. 1915
B-1 Young, James, d. 16 Sept. 1802 in his 52nd yr. -- First grave in
Prosperity Cemetery
B-1 Young, Joseph, 28 Jan. 178) - 27 Oct. 1820
B-1 Young, Levi, s/o Abram & Mary Ann Young, d. 6 Feb. 1815, aged 5m l4d - 4
Dec-1834
B-1 Young, Levina B. w/o A. Young, Jr , d/o S. & N. Bowers, 28 Oct. 1817
B-1 Y oung, Martha (Hawkins), w/o Thompson Young, 31 Dec. 1800 - 7 May 1874
B-1 Young, Mary, d. 3 Nov. 1834 in her 81st yr.
(w/o James Young)
B-2 Y oung, Mary A.E., d/o T. & M.Y,. Young, 28 Feb. 1840 - 16 April
1859
E-1 Young, Mary Jane ( Boozer ) Dec 12, 1837-March
9, 1890
2. Young, Mary Y., d/o Nathan & Susannah Hunter, (w/o Dr. Thompson Young), 1
Aug 1819
B-1 Young, Matthew W., s/o James & Isabel Young, d.11 Apr.1827 in 12.th yr
23 Nov 1849
C-2 Young, Nancy Dennis, w/o Nathan Hunter Young, 17 Juno 1849 - 19 Nov. 193.1,
B-1 Young, Nathan, d. 1 Oct. 1831 in his 26th yr.
C-2 Young, Nathan Hunter, 4 Oct. 1842 - 31 Oct. 1916
B-1 Young, Sarah E., d/o J. & E. Young, d. 26 June 1B32, age 1 Year 45 Days
B-1 Young, Thompson, 3 Juno 1793 - 22 Feb. 1865
B-2 Young, Dr. Thompson, 10 Feb. 1810 - 8 May 1890
E-1 Young, Willie Mae Wise, 2 Aug. 1890 - 26 Oct. 1959 w/o
B.T.Young
NOTE: Cannot fit these individuals into the family
tree. Any help will be appreciated.
Inscription on James Young's grave
Sacred
To
the memory of
James
Young
Who
departed this life
September
16th 1802
In
the 52nd year of his age
As
a Husband and Father, he was
Tender
and affectionate
As
a Christian
Humble
and devout
Mark the perfect man
And
behold the upright
For the end of that man is peace
Blest are they and only they,
Who in the Lord their Saviour die
Their bodies waits redemptions day
And sleep in peace where’er they lay
Jas.
Young
6
S.C. Regt.Rev.
War
Inscription
on Mary Young's grave
Sacred
To
the memory of
Mary
Young
Who
died Nov. 3rd
1831
in
the 81st
year
of her age.
As
a wife and mother, she was
Diligent
in the discharge
Of
the duties imposed by these
Relations
Thou
inclined my heart to perform
Thy
statutes always even unto
The
end