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Numerous records of George’s military service survive^A,B,C,D,E,F. George served in Companies B and G (McGowan’s Company), First Regiment (Orr’s Rifles), Kershaw’s Brigade, South Carolina Infantry. Orr’s Rifles became a highly celebrated unit and took part in most of the major battles in Virginia. The unit repeatedly suffered heavy losses but was renown for it’s valor and bravery.

A hand-written note from George Washington, dated August 12, 1903 gives the following^G:

"Battles I was in during the war:

Chancellorsville Gettysburg Hagerstown Falling Waters Mine Run Cold Harbor Riddles Shop Petersburg Deep Bottom Gravelly Run Dutch Gap Fussells (?) Mills Reams Station Jones Farm."

See Figure 14-1 for George Washington in his Confederate States Army uniform. The original picture was taken in Charleston, South Carolina just before the April 12, 1861 firing on Fort Sumter that opened the Civil War. Presumably George was present on that fateful day when South Carolina Confederate forces at Fort Moultrie fired on Federal forces at Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay. George’s grandfather, William Speer¹, probably fought at this same fort eighty-four years earlier when South Carolina Patriot forces won a stunning victory over the British in the early days of the American Revolution (CHAPTER 3).

In August 1863, George was sick in a Lynchburg hospital. At this time he was also billed $50 for an Enfield rifle. Apparently he had lost his Army issue rifle in battle and his military pay was being withheld to pay for it^A.

Toward the end of the war, George was transferred to other units as his original units lost too many men to remain effective. He was serving in Company A, Orr’s Rifles on November 13, 1864 when he was transferred to Hampton’s Legion. He was in Company G, Hampton’s Legion, Grays Cavalry Brigade, South Carolina Volunteers when the war ended and he was surrendered and paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865^D.

On July 12, 1899, George was one of only five surviving soldiers of Orr’s Rifles who attended the funeral of Colonel George McDuffie Miller, the commanding office of Company G^F.

Family stories reveal a curious event in George’s life^I. Sometime after the war, he returned home from a trip to town and found Dick, his life-long Negro servant and friend, hanged from a tree in the yard. Dick had not only raised George, but had accompanied him throughout the war, including every battle George was in. Dick even tended George when he was sick at Richmond and was credited with saving his life. Needless to say, George was very fond of this man and provided a home for him on the farm after the war. But like most slaves freed after the war, Dick and his family eventually moved away. George even paid for their train fare. However, dissatisfied with life without George, Dick soon left his family in Alabama and walked back to George’s farm. For a now forgotten reason, some of the local citizens apprehended Dick, accused him of some misdeed and hanged him one day while George was on a trip to town. The episode was greatly disturbing and George never forgave himself for not being able to protect his loyal friend.

See Figure 14-3 for a portrait of the young family in front of their Monterey house. Today the remolded house is occupied by the family of George and Mary Sue’s great grandson Robert Mark Speer⁶ (William¹, William², George³, Arthur⁴, William⁵).

George Washington Speer³ family, Monterey, Abbeville County, South Carolina. Drawn by Edward Shanon Wood⁷ in 1995 from a photograph. From left to right: Mary Sue (1888-1973); Thomas Cater (1883-1973); George Washington (1835-1915); George Mason (1873-1898); Lila Templeton (1891-1977); Mary Sue Giles (1852-1927); Arthur Jackson (1881-1970); and George William (1886-1961). Caroline Giles (1876-1878) and William Andrew (1878-1959) are not shown.

(1823-1911), were married on April 15, 1847. After Josiah Patterson’s death, Sarah Caroline married Thomas A. Cater (1835-1905) on May 3, 1860 and they had a son, McDuffie Miller Cater (1861-1905) who married Irene Murphy (1875-1957) on June 22, 1898. After McDuffie Miller died, Irene married Thomas Cater Speer⁴, son of George³ and Mary Sue, on July 27, 1910.

Josiah Patterson Giles was the son of Andrew Giles (1784-1867) and Sarah Gowan Patterson (1795-1864). Andrew was the son of Caprain Hames Giles (?-1821) and Susanne Patterson (1743-1824).

Mary Sue Giles is remembered as a strong lady and loving mother who encouraged her children to strive for high achievements in life. As each child reached adulthood, she forced them to leave the farm and encouraged them to pursue more rewarding lifestyles^I.

1880 Speer, George W. 44 year old Farmer

Speer, Mary S. 27 year old wife

Speer, George M. 7 year old son

Speer, William A. 2 year old son

1890 SC Records lost to Fire

1900 Speer, G. W. 64 year old Farmer

Speer, Sue 47 year old wife

Speer, George 13 year old son

Speer, Susie 11 year old daughter

Speer, Lila 9 year old daughter

1910 Speer, G. W. 74 year old Farmer

Speer, Sue 75 year old wife

Speer, Sue 21 year old daughter

Speer, Lila 18 year old daughter

Cater, Sara C. 86 year old mother-in-law

Notice that daughter Caroline Giles Speer⁴, who’s nickname was "Carrie", died in 1878 at the age of 2, before the first census and son George Mason Speer⁴, who died in a tragic hunting accident in 1898, appears only in the 1880 census.

In the name of God Amen.

I George W. Speer of Abbeville County State of South Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory, and calling to mind the uncertainty of life do make and ordain this my last will, in manner following that is to say. I desire that after all of my just debts and funeral expenses are paid, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary Sue Speer the residue of what personal property may be left after the above expenses have been paid. Also I give and bequeath unto my wife Mary Sue Speer all of the real estate that I may be possessed of at my death.

And lastly, I do appoint my two sons W. Andrew Speer and Arthur J. Speer Executors with ????? of this my last will and testament by me heretofore made. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 6th day of July 1912.

(signed) Geo. W. Speer

In the name of God. Amen.

I, Mary Sue Speer, being of sound mind memory, do make, publish and declare, this, my last Will and Testament.

Item I It is my will that all my just debts be paid as speedily as possible after my death.

Item II I give devise and bequeath to my grandson, Mason Speer, son of William Andrew Speer, the bed room suit that belonged to my son Mason, now deceased, said suit consisting of bedstead, mattress and pillows, bureau, washstand and table.

Item III All the rest and residue of my estate, real, personal and mixed which I possess at the time of my death, I desire my Executors, hereinafter named to sell to the best advantage either at public or private sale, whichever may be deemed best by them, they being empowered to make, good, and sufficient titles to the same and the proceeds thereof to be divided equally between my children, to wit: W. Andrew Speer, Arthur J. Speer, Thomas C. Speer, George W. Speer, Susie Speer Gilbert, and Lila Speer Pennell. Should any of my children named in this item die before me, it is my will that his or her share shall go to their legal heirs.

Item IV I do hereby appoint my beloved sons, W. Andrew Speer and Arthur J. Speer, Executors of this my last Will and Testament. Witness my hand and seal this 17 day of July A.D. 1922.

Mary Sue Speer

Mary Sue Giles died June 24, 1927. She did not want to be buried in the non-maintained Old Rocky River Presbyterian Church Cemetery and instead was buried in the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Anderson. See Figure 14-5 for her signature and Figure 14-6 for her tombstone.

Children of George Washington Speer³ and Mary Sue Giles:

Born Died

1) George Mason Speer⁴ 18 Sep 1873 24 Oct 1898

2) Caroline Giles Speer⁴ 29 Jan 1876 1 Dec 1878

3) William Andrew Speer⁴ 27 May 1878 1 Jan 1959

4) Arthur Jackson Speer⁴ 24 Jun 1881 30 Sep 1970

5) Thomas Cater Speer⁴ 10 Aug 1883 8 May 1973

6) George William Speer⁴ 3 Jul 1886 20 Oct 1961

7) Mary Sue Speer⁴ 16 Oct 1888 1973

8) Lila Templeton Speer⁴ 14 May 1891 5 Oct 1977

2) Caroline Giles Speer⁴ (William¹, William², George³) was born January 29, 1876 and died from diphtheria on December 1, 1878. She was called "Carrie" which appears on her tombstone in the Old Rocky River Presbyterian Cemetery (Figure 14-8).

3) William Andrew Speer⁴ (William¹, William², George³) was born May 27, 1878. Several of William Andrew’s employments were:

Locomotive Fireman for the Blue Ridge Railroad

Master Mechanic & Superintendent for the Anderson Phosphate & Oil Co.

Owner Auto Dealership, c1920

Mayor, Anderson, Anderson Co., SC (August 10, 1922-August 12, 1924)

Superintendent for Planters Fertilizer & Phosphate, Charleston, SC, 1924

On January 30, 1901 William Andrew married Henrietta Seel in Anderson. Henrietta was born December 19, 1877 and died December 20, 1963. Her parents were Louis Henry Seel (1850-1912) and Lucyria Jane Norris (1850-1919). William Andrew and Henrietta probably moved to Charleston, SC after his term as Mayor of Anderson. They lived in Charleston for the rest of their lives. See Figure 14-9 for William’s 1942 signature.

William Andrew died on January 1, 1959. He and Henrietta are both buried in the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Anderson. See Figure 14-10 for their tombstones.

William Andrew Speer⁴ and Henrietta Seel had five children:

Born Died

3-A) George Mason Speer, Sr.⁵ 23Nov1901 20Sep1980

3-B) Henrietta Lucile Speer⁵ 13May1904

3-C) Mary Sue Speer⁵ 30Jan1911

3-D) Elizabeth Speer⁵ 9Jul1912

3-E) Marguerite Louise Elizabeth Speer⁵ 22Feb1916

George Mason, Sr. died September 20, 1980. He and Mary are buried in the Melrose Cemetery, Abbeville, South Carolina. See Figure 14-11 for their tombstone.

Born Died

3-A-1) Samuella Gilliam Speer⁶ 7 May 1940 19 Aug 1989

3-A-2) George Mason Speer, Jr.⁶ c1942

3-A-1) Samuella Gilliam Speer⁶ (William¹, William², George³, William⁴ , George⁵) was born May 7, 1940 in Abbeville, South Carolina. On June 2, 1962, Samuella married John Harold Anderson in Abbeville. On August 16, 1971 Samuella married Joe K. Brown in Belton, Anderson County, South Carolina. Samuella died August 19, 1989 and is buried with her father and mother in the Melrose Cemetery in Abbeville (Figure 14-12).

3-A-2) George Mason Speer, Jr.⁶ (William¹, William², George³, William⁴ , George⁵) was born about 1942. He married Connie Deane Yeargin (c1944) August 7, 1965 in Abbeville where they still live and he is the City Fire Chief. About 1970, their daughter Jennifer Shaw Speer⁷ (William¹, William², George³, William⁴ , George⁵, George⁶) was born. Jennifer married Stephen Lewis Simmons (c1967) January 19, 1989 and they also live in Abbeville.

4) Arthur Jackson Speer⁴ (William¹, William², George³) was born June 24, 1881. Figure 14-3 shows Arthur Jackson as a child with his family about 1896. He married Vera Nettie Allen December 2, 1908 in Lowndesville, Abbeville County, South Carolina.

Vera Nettie was born October 7, 1884 and died February 18, 1974. Vera Nettie was the sick young girl in the previously-told story about the mysterious diagnosis performed by Dr. Andrew Jackson Speer in Lowndesville (CHAPTER 13).

Some of Vera Nettie’s ancestry is known. Her parents Basil Berrien Allen (1849-1919) and Keturah Amelia Watson (1856-1942) were married October 12, 1875. Keturah Amelia’s parents David Milton Watson, Jr. (1829-1872) and Martha Elizabeth Burris (1828-1913) were married January 15, 1852. David Milton Jr.’s parents David Milton Watson, Sr. (1791-1843) and Mary Gary (1792-1878) were married in August, 1810.

David Milton Watson, Sr.’s parents were Jonathan Watson (1765-1822) and Nancy McGowan (1763-dec). Nancy’s mother was Ann Keith (1742-1808). Jonathan’s parents were David Watson, Jr. (1741-1803), a Revolutionary War soldier, and Anne Brewer (1742-1808). David, Jr.’s father was David Watson, Sr. (1713-dec).

Arthur Jackson and Vera Nettie lived in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. See Figure 14-13 for Arthur Jackson’s 1942 signature.

In 1947, Arthur Jackson⁴ purchased his father’s farm which was being sold at public auction, thus ensuring that it stayed in the family. He died September 30, 1970 in Tucker, Georgia at the age of 89. Both Arthur Jackson and Vera Nettie are buried with their infant son in the Old Silverbrook Cemetery, Anderson, South Carolina (see Figure 14-14).

Born Died

4-A) Allen Watson Speer⁵ 20 Oct 1909 24 Feb 1910

4-B) Mary Sybil Speer⁵ 18 Dec 1910

4-C) William Arthur Speer, Sr.⁵ 7 Mar 1913

4-D) Eleanor Carolyn Speer⁵ 20 Sep 1920 18 Jun 1990

4-A) Allen Watson Speer⁵ (William¹, William², George³, Arthur⁴) was born October 20, 1910 and died from pneumonia February 24, 1910. He is buried in the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina (Figure 14-15).

Mary Sybil Speer⁵ and Jesse Samuel Eberdt had three children:

Born

4-B-1) Jesse Samuel Eberdt, Jr.⁶ 27 Aug 1932

4-B-2) Arthur Jackson Speer Eberdt⁶ 28 Feb 1936

4-B-3) Meta Allen Eberdt⁶ 18 Apr 1939

4-C) William Arthur Speer, Sr.⁵ (William¹, William², George³, Arthur⁴) was born March 7, 1913 in Hartsville, South Carolina. William Arthur married Verdie Iree Smith September 14, 1940 in Glynn County, Georgia.

Verdie Iree was born January 4, 1913 in Sycamore, Turner county, Georgia to Ozzie W. and Pearl Smith. She graduated in 1934 with a BS Degree in Education from the Georgia State College for Women. She worked as an Elementary School Teacher in Georgia for many years and was a Post-Graduate student at the University of Georgia from 1936 to 1938 and at Furman University in 1961. In 1974, she was selected as the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America.

William Arthur, Sr.⁵ and Verdie Iree Smith had two children:

Born

4-C-1) William Arthur Speer, Jr.⁶ 12 Apr 1944

4-C-2) Robert Mark Speer⁶ 11 Oct 1947

4-C-1 William Arthur Speer, Jr. ⁶ (William¹, William², George³, Arthur⁴, William⁵) was born April 12, 1944 in Arlington, Virginia. He married Christine Elizabeth Rice June 17, 1976. They divorced in 1980 and William Arthur married Katherine Abbott McNicoll December 30, 1980. Katherine Abbott was born April 5, 1944. William and Katherine live in Atlanta, Georgia.

4-C-2 Robert Mark Speer⁶ (William¹, William², George³, Arthur⁴, William⁵) was born October 11, 1947. Robert Mark married Ingrid Lewis and they live with their two daughters in the remolded George Washington Speer³ house at Monterey, Abbeville County, South Carolina. This house, first built in 1869, has been occupied continuously for nearly 130 years by Speer families.

Robert Mark Speer⁶ and Ingrid Lewis have two children:

Born

4-C-2-a Anastasia Von Bernhouse Speer⁷ 9 Mar 1983

4-C-2-b Alexandra Ingrid Speer⁷ 5 Jun 1985

4-D) Eleanor Carolyn Speer⁵ (William¹, William², George³, Arthur⁴) was born September 20, 1920 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. She married Ernest Linwood Bush December 3, 1946 in Aiken, Aiken County, South Carolina. Ernest Linwood was born October 4, 1907.

Eleanor Carolyn died June 18, 1990 and is buried in the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina (Figure 14-16).

Eleanor Carolyn Speer⁵ and Ernest Linwood Bush had two children:

Born

4-D-1) Ernest Linwood Bush, Jr.⁶ 6 Jan 1948

4-D-2) Nancy Allen Bush⁶ 10 Sep 1950

5) Thomas Cater Speer⁴ (William¹, William², George³) was born August 10, 1883. Figure 14-3 shows Thomas Cater as a child with his family about 1896.

He was active in the Anderson community and was a long-time and accomplished member of the Free Masons, the Anderson County Shrine Club, and the Anderson Country Club. In addition, Thomas Cater was a deacon of the Anderson Presbyterian Church.

Thomas Cater was employed as a traveling salesman between c1908 and 1919 when he became a partner and part owner of Piedmont Candy and Cigar Company in Anderson. This company is still in business. See Figure 14-17 for his signature.

Thomas Cater married Irene Murphy July 27, 1910. Irene was born September 25, 1875 to Francis M. Murphy and Clarissa Abigail Glenn. Clarissa Abigail was born December 13, 1847 to Captain James Washington Glenn and Martha A. Massey. Clarissa Abigail died March 10, 1887.

Irene was the widow of McDuffie Miller Cater (1861-1905) who she had married on June 22, 1898. McDuffie Miller was the half brother of Mary Sue Giles Speer (Thomas Cater Speer’s mother). Irene died July 8, 1957 and is buried between her two husbands in the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina.

Thomas Cater Speer⁴ died May 8, 1973. See Figure 14-18 for Thomas Cater’s and Irene’s tombstones.

Thomas Cater⁴ and Irene Murphy did not have children.

6) George William Speer⁴ (William¹, William², George³) was born July 3, 1886. Figure 14-3 shows George William as a child with his family about 1896. George William graduated from Clemson College with a BS Degree in 1908. Later he became a Trustee of Clemson College. George William was active in the Anderson community and was a member of the:

Anderson County Democratic Party

Free Masons

Anderson Country Club

Anderson County Lions Club

Presbyterian Church of Anderson

George William was employed with the Anderson Phosphate & Oil Company from 1908 until 1913 when he became a self-employed broker of fertilizer and materials. See Figure 14-19 for a 1942 copy of his signature.

George William married Jane Cunningham Gibert May 24, 1911. Jane Cunningham, who’s nickname was "Jennie", was born November 7, 1887 in Granitesville, South Carolina and was a graduate of the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia. She was employed for a time as a school teacher. She died May 18, 1920.

Jane Cunnuingham’s parents Alexander Hunter Gibert (1850-1924) and Mary Hamilton Giles (1853-1914) were married November 8, 1886. Alexander’s parents Peter Gibert (1820-1899) and Maria R. Carrington (1823-1892) were married about 1845. Peter’s parents Joseph Bienaime Gibert, Sr., MD (1790-1828) and Jane Terry (c1796-1859) were married January 24, 1815. Joseph’s parents Pierre Gibert (c1755-1815) and Elizabeth Bienaime (c1760-1818) were married in 1775.

After Jane Cunningham’s death in 1920, George William⁴ married Juliet Foster on August 12, 1924. Juliet was born October 18, 1898 to Dr. J. S. Foster and Elizabeth Goss. Juliet died October 2, 1979.

George William Speer⁴ died October 20, 1961 and is buried beside his two wives in the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina (Figure 14-20).

George William Speer⁴ and Jane Cunningham Gibert had three children:

Born Died

6-A) George William Speer, II⁵ 20 Dec 1913 28 Aug 1973

6-B) Mary Hamilton Speer⁵ 27 Feb 1917 22 Feb 1989

6-C) Alexander Gibert Speer⁵ 10 Aug 1918 dec

George William Speer⁴ and Juliet Foster had two children:

Born Died

6-D) John F. Speer⁵ After 1924 dec

6-E) William Alexander Speer⁵ After 1924 dec

6-A) George William Speer, II⁵ (William¹, William², George³, George⁴) was born December 20, 1913 in Anderson, South Carolina and attended Clemson College in Pickens County, South Carolina. He married Elizabeth Martin Mauldin February 1, 1936 in Anderson. Their three children were born in Greenville, South Carolina; however the family later moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Elizabeth Martin was born August 20, 1912 to Earle Mauldin and Elizabeth Katherine Martin.

George William, II⁵ died August 28, 1973 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Charlotte, North Carolina.

George William Speer, II⁵ and Elizabeth Martin Mauldin had three children:

Born

6-A-1) George William Speer, III⁶ 26 Dec 1940

6-A-2) Elizabeth Earle Speer⁶ 25 Mar 1943

6-A-3) Robert O’Neall Speer⁶ 24 Jun 1945

6-A-1) George William Speer, III⁶ (William¹, William², George³, George⁴, George⁵) was born December 26, 1940 in Greenville, South Carolina. He married Ruby Ann Meacham December 27, 1961. Ruby Ann was born August 17, 1940 to Tyrus Raymond Meacham and Ruby Clark.

George William, III⁶ graduated from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina in 1962 with a BA Degree. In 1965, he graduated again from Duke with an LL.B. law degree and was admitted to the Georgia Bar Association as a practicing lawyer. He joined the Atlanta law firm of Powell-Goldstein-Frazier-Murphy in 1965 and became a partner in 1970 and an associate in 1979.

George William Speer, III⁶ and Ruby Ann Meacham had five children:

Born

6-A-1-a) George William Speer, IV⁷ 5 Jun 1964

6-A-1-b) Tyrus O’Neall Speer⁷ 6 Feb 1966

6-A-1-c) Susan Clark Speer⁷ 3 Feb 1968

6-A-1-d) Sandra Ann Speer⁷ 6 Nov 1969

6-A-2) Elizabeth Earle Speer⁶ (William¹, William², George³, George⁴, George⁵) was born March 25, 1943 in Greenville, South Carolina. In 1965, she graduated with a BA Degree from Agnes Scott College. On March 19, 1966 she married James Patrick Eliopolo; they were divorced in 1974 with no children. Elizabeth Earle worked as Supervisor, Corporate Accounting for AT&T in New York in 1979.

6-A-3) Robert O’Neall Speer⁶ (William¹, William², George³, George⁴, George⁵) was born June 24, 1945 in Greenville, South Carolina. On March 28, 1970 he married Frances Kaye Upchurch. Frances Kaye was born August 7, 1948 to Kyle Penn Upchurch and Mary Frances Harvell.

Robert O’Neall graduated from the University of North Carolina--Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1970 with a BA Degree. In 1979, He was working for Quality Optics, Milton Roy Company in Charlotte.

Robert O’Neall Speer⁶ and Frances Kaye have a daughter, Jennifer Speer⁷ (William¹, William², George³, George⁴, George⁵, Robert⁶) born March 26, 1972.

6-B) Mary Hamilton Speer⁵ (William¹, William², George³, George⁴) was born February 27, 1917 in Anderson, South Carolina. She married Joseph Charles Burton, Jr. August 11, 1941 in Anderson, but divorced in 1968. Joseph Charles was born May 20, 1918 to Joseph Charles Burton and Estelle Buzhardt. It is not known if they had any children. Mary Hamilton died February 22, 1989 and is buried in the Old Silverbrook Cemetery in Anderson (Figure 14-21).

Alexander Gibert was inducted in the US Army January 27, 1945 and was given an honorable discharge June 28, 1946. During his service, Alexander was awarded the following medals:

American Campaign Medal

European African Middle Easter Campaign Medal

World War II Victory Medal

Army Occupation Medal

Alexander Gibert⁵ graduated in 1913 from Clemson College, South Carolina.

Alexander Gibert Speer⁵ and Annie Lee Hughes had two children:

Born

6-C-1 Alexander Gibert Speer, Jr.⁶ 28 Oct 1943

6-C-2 James David Speer⁶ 27 Feb 1946

7) Mary Sue Speer⁴ (William¹, William², George³) was born October 16, 1888 and died in 1973. She married Charles S. Gibert November 5, 1910. Mary Sue Speer⁴ and Charles S. Gibert had two children:

Born

7-A) George Stuart Gibert⁵ 16 Mar 1912

7-B) Stephen Clark Gibert⁵ 18 Sep 1918

8) Lila Templeton Speer⁴ (William¹, William², George³) was born May 14, 1891. She married Dr. Thomas Pennell July 16, 1913 and they had two children:

Born Died

8-A) Thomas Harvey Pennell⁵ 17 Nov 1914 dec

8-B) Edward G. Pennell⁵ 16 Oct 1918 dec

Lila Templeton married A. G. Holmes between 1922 and 1928. A. G. Holmes was a professor at Clemson College, South Carolina. Lila Templeton died October 5, 1977 at the age of 86.