Jefferson Avenue Named for Susie Jefferson
ASHS Column for 02 09 06
Margaret Collier

   I don't know about you, but I
learned a lot from Jerry's column
regarding street names in Century.
Of course, I knew the significance
of Mayo, Alger, Hecker, Clancy,
Briggs, yes and even Bradley
(Methodist church member who kept
the wood stove burning in cold
weather and contributed to the
church library), and Waldo
Blackman (member of the Society)
but I did not know about the
other personal names, so was glad
to learn something about them even
if it was no more than that they
lived on that street. When a
street, building, park or other
place has been named to honor
someone or something I think that
it is important to keep that name
for its historic importance.
   Ruth Paige called Jerry with a
correction, however. She related
that Jefferson Avenue was indeed
named for a resident of the town,
Susie Jefferson. Susie was a
midwife that lived during the
latter days of Teaspoon and early days of Century. Her home was just south of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church near where the road crosses the railroad track. Mrs. Paige, a midwife herself, said the street was first named Jefferson Street, and later became Jefferson Avenue. Thank you, Ruth, for clearing that up. Jerry said tell you he is most appreciative.
   As a teenager I lived in the small town of Pahokee in South Florida on Lake Okeechobee. The name, Pahokee, means "Grassy Waters", which was and is entirely appropriate, but certain people in the town were embarrassed by that name and wanted the name changed to a more dignified "Palm Lake" or some such. Fortunately, in my estimation, enough people respected the more colorful Indian name over the bland Palm Lake.
   The point of this is that we should respect and protect our history, which is one of the goals of The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, so we invite, or rather urge, you to join us. Our next meeting will be held at six P.M. on Tuesday, February 20 in The Leach House. Be there!
* * *
   Jerry Fischer has some exciting material that we'll be using from time to time in the next few weeks. Many of you know that Jerry has covered this area for many years when he was in the insurance business. While talking with his clients he usually digressed from insurance discussions to the family's history. He collected untold numbers of pictures and stories from the old days in this area and has always been generous in sharing them with the Society. This week we'll use a genealogical account of the McCaskill family from Jay. This material was written up by James Mack McCaskill, Jr., the great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of Allen McCaskill (b. 1727). It came to us through Mr. Charles Carnley.
* * *
   The American history of the McCaskill family began when Allen McCaskill, born in Scotland in 1727, and his brother, Malcolm, migrated to America from the Isle of Skye in the highlands of Scotland, in the early 1700's, settling first in South Carolina. Allen's son, Finlay McCaskill, fought in the Revolutionary War, first volunteering in the second company of South Carolina Rangers and serving against the Loyalists of the Ninety-Sixth District in a campaign called "Snow Camp". He helped capture many Loyalist leaders, defeating forces at "Long Cane" South Carolina in the winter of 1775.
   In June of 1776, he was stationed at the eastern extremity of Sullivan's Island and engaged in skirmishes with the British on Long Island from June 21 -25, defeating the British on June 28 and preventing them from crossing the inlet between the two islands. Finlay participated in the unsuccessful expedition with the Third Continental Regiment Infantry to save Savannah, Georgia, and was on duty at Nelson's Ferry and Ferrysburgh during the summer of 1778 and the battle of Stone's Ferry in June of 1779.
* * *
   We're off to an exciting start on this family's history, but you must tune in again to get the rest of the story that will bring the family in to an area known as the "Scots Bend of Scotland" right here in good ole Santa Rosa County.
   Now I want to remind you to have your white elephants ready to donate for the Society's birthday sale, April 8. Also, dig out your overalls or other vintage clothing to wear for this great celebration in the James Houston Jones Park. If you have an exhibit to display, talent to share, or muscles to use in helping this birthday bash a success, just give us a call. There will be no charge for you to set up your booth. Adios until next time.