Johnsonville South Carolina History

Joseph Gregory "Grigg" Eaddy (1888-1959) These family stories were shared by Mabeline "Queen Bee" Eaddy Evans in a series of posts about her family history. This information was compiled in collaboration with Ms. Bee by Josh Dukes. My father, Joseph Gregory Eaddy, was born in 1888 in Vox, a farming community in South Carolina outside of Johnsonville and Hemingway. My mother, Mabel Florence Hanna Eaddy, followed in 1900. Together, they built a legacy grounded in love, faith, and hard work, raising 14 children. I am blessed to be the youngest—the baby of this big, beautiful family. Growing up, I had eight brothers: Spigner, Frank, J.W., Danny, David, Nedo (Bubby), Wyman, and Hoyt.    Along with these amazing brothers, I was also surrounded by the love of five wonderful sisters: Hazel, Emmie Bell, Florence Penelope, Betty, and Maudine   This tight-knit family provided me with a foundation of care, respect, and devotion. While we may not all be here today, I know they a...

Chives Prosser (1899-1982) Photo courtesy of Tom McCutchen Jr. Colorized by Josh Dukes Chives Prosser (1899-1982) was a Johnsonville farmer and businessman. He was a son  of Eldridge Franklin "E.F." Prosser and Lillian Camillia Cox Prosser.   Chives was postmaster at Johnsonville from 1920-1925.  He then owned and operated the Prosser Theater in Johnsonville since its inception in 1925, when silent films were king.  A September 1930 News and Courier article noted that the Prosser Theater had contracted with RCA Photophone to purchase a "talkie outfit" with plans to reopen that October with sound accompanying the films. This original theater was located on the south side of Broadway Street, next door to where Jakes Barbeque is today. A fire in the film booth burned the first Prosser Theater to the ground in 1937.  An alarm in the building allowed the public to exit without incident, but a collapsing wall injured two men in Chapman's Hardware Store next door, whic...