The Presbyterian Adairs and the Methodist Hollands came together to build a community, in the backcountry of South Carolina. They were people from different origins, different backgrounds, and different religions. They inter-married, raised families, lived, worked, and protected their new homeland together. The cooperation and ability to just plain old get-along never ceases to amaze.
A great many of Holland and Adair cousins can be traced back directly to Thomas Holland and Jane Adair Holland.
Thomas Holland is listed on the DAR memorial plaque at Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church. He served in the Revolutionary War, with his wife Jane’s father and brothers and uncles and cousins. He was a Methodist, and is buried at the Holland Cemetery. His wife Jane was born into a prominent Presbyterian family.
Just discovered in March 2024, a large piece of Elizabeth Holland Potter’s headstone, and her footstone. These finds will be permanently documented at the main Holland Cemetery page.
Elizabeth’s stone was discovered next to her husband Thomas Potter’s stone. We will keep searching for the other pieces during clean up activities.
Thomas and Elizabeth Potter’s obituaries were published by the Southern Christian Advocate (they are posted on the Holland Cemetery page). They were devout Methodists. One of their sons was named Francis Asbury Potter, after the Methodist Bishop. Remember that name, it comes up again in this post.
Duncan Creek Presbyterian Deed
At the same time as we were discovering Thomas and Elizabeth Potter’s stones, I was contacted by a gentleman who I had corresponded with many years ago, sharing Adair research information. He wanted to share with me that he and his wife just had a book published, on The Family of James Adair, the famed Indian Trader and Author. James Adair is a fascinating individual, and this book has a comprehensive study of the man and his lineage – relying on DNA, handwriting samples, and historical records. I have read the book – I’m not going to share any spoilers here, it is a great read.
The author’s names? Shawn and Lois POTTER. Shawn is a direct descendant of Thomas and Elizabeth Potter. The fates putting us back together at this point in time is just beyond belief. Cousins reconnected. Shawn was delighted to hear of our efforts at the cemetery. We chatted about common histories. The remarkable deed below, something I have never seen or knew of, was shared with me.
The deed is for the land where the current Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church sits. It was gifted by Thomas Potter – a devout Methodist.
Text of Thomas Green Potter Gift to Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church South Carolina, Laurens District}
Laid out to Duncan Creek Church a tract of land containing three acres, seven chains, and twenty-one links in the state and district aforesaid, lying and being on the waters of Duncan Creek in the midst of Thomas Potter’s land which he purchased of John Leek. Certified on the 29th of June 1838 by Elihu Fairbairn (seal). Thos. Craig & Robert Owens, Chain Carriers. Know all men by these presents that I, Thomas Potter of the State of South Carolina and District of Laurens, do grant and make over unto the Presbyterian Church of Duncan Creek three acres and three-fourths of an acre of land for the sole purpose & use of the Presbyterian Church having such form as specified in a plat annexed hereto, which land I do warrant & defend from myself, my heirs or assigns & the claim of any person or persons legally claiming or to claim the same forever. Given under my hand and seal this tenth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty-eight & in the sixty-second year of the independence of the United States of America. Thomas G. Potter (seal).
Witnessed by: Robert Puckett, W. Henry Potter [Weyman Henry Potter – oldest son of Thomas Green Potter] So Carolina} Personally came before me Wm Henry Potter and being duly sworn as the law directs on oath saith that he saw Thomas G. Potter sign, seal, and deliver the within deed of conveyance for the within mentioned purpose, and that he saw Robert Puckett, the other subscribing witness, sign with himself. Sworn to and subscribed this 5 Novr 1838, Thos Craig, J. P., W. H. Potter. A true record of the original January 7, 1839. John Garlington, Register of M. C. [Deed Book N, p. 247, Register of Mesne Conveyance, Laurens County Courthouse, South Carolina]
Mary Keith’s Map
This research map below is from Mary Keith Adair. We corresponded many years ago, I still have some of her letters and notes. We are also Adair cousins.
I am convinced that there was a church building at the site of the Holland Cemetery, and that building was Zoar Chapel.
High on a hill in Clinton is the small Holland Family Cemetery. Tradition says that this was the site of Zoar Chapel. This church was mentioned by Bishop Frances Asbury in his journal. We find this entry in Volume II of Asbury’s Journals, on page 212. It is dated Wednesday, November 6, 1799. It reads “We came to Zoar Chapel; a new, unfinished building, the morning was rainy, yet two or three dozen people attended; we lodged at William Holland’s”
Spartanburg County also has a Zoar Chapel, which they say is the one Bishop Asbury visited. However, William Holland is known to have lived in Laurens County near the site of the Holland Family Cemetery. In 1813, he was a trustee for Rehobeth Methodist Church, which was located nearby, when it was deeded land. He is buried at the Holland Cemetery.
William Holland’s place is circled in blue on the map image. The Holland Cemetery, and where I believe Zoar to be, is the red X. It’s not far from Duncan Creek Presbyterian, shown in yellow at the bottom.
ABRAHAM HOLLAND FAMILY by: C. Bryan Holland
“I am of the line of Abraham’s son, Thomas Holland, Sr. (1762-1815). He married Jane Adair, daughter of Joseph Adair, Jr. and Sarah Dillard. Thomas and Jane were the parents of five daughters and one son, Thomas R. Jr. Thomas and Jane Holland are buried in Old Zoar Chapel Cemetery on the hill south of Duncan’s Creek.
From The Scrapbook: A Compilation of Historical Facts About Places and Events of Laurens County South Carolina: Published by Laurens County Historical Society 1982.
Challenges
Tossing out this challenge to my upstate researcher friends – can you find anything additional on Zoar Chapel? It is routinely confused with a Zoar in Spartanburg, it’s not the same place. I’ve combed through everything I could think of at the Laurens Library, and everything available online. If you run across any mention of Zoar in Laurens County, please contact me directly.
The other challenges, as always, are money and time. We are raising money here –
Holland Cemetery Fundraiser. The site has long been left to decay. The state built a road through it, the highway crews mowed over part of it, the electric company trims giant branches onto it, and it sits on an active cow pasture. Documenting what is left is paramount, so much has already been lost. There is no sign marking the site. Thomas Holland’s stone – the Revolutionary War Veteran – is broken, repaired, and broken again. We will make the most of donations, every little bit is going to help here. Thank you!
Fascinating! Also, I have now learned that Jane (Adair) Holland was my 1st cousin 6 times removed.