The Railroad

In 1827 the legislature issued a charter to the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. This charter authorized the company to build a railroad from Charleston to Hamburg, a small South Carolina town across the Savannah River from Augusta.

Most landowners along the planned route were more than happy to sell or donate land for such an enterprise. However, there was one large landowner in the town of Barnwell who refused to sell. For that reason the railroad tracks were laid about ten miles from the proposed route. The town of Williston became an important station stop along this new route.

There were a number of reasons for hesitancy on the part of the property owners in regard to relinquishing rights-of-way. Some feared the trains might run over and kill their children or their livestock. Others simply did not want the peace and quiet of the countryside destroyed by the noise of the steam engine.

Many tons of iron were brought from England for this railroad. Timber was cut for the cross ties. The locomotive, “Best Friend”, was made in New York and shipped by boat to Charleston in 1830. On Christmas day, 1833, the locomotive made its initial trip through Williston on its way to Hamburg. At that time it was the longest railroad in the world,

In a reprint from Miller’s Almanac of 1835 an artist’s sketch graphically illustrates this locomotive, puffing black smoke and pulling two railroad cars. Under the sketch it reads:

“SOUTH-CAROLINA RAIL-ROAD,

between Charleston and Hamburg, S. C. opposite Augusta. (Geo) distance 136 miles, performed in daylight, from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M.”

Mr. John Ashley of Williston expressed the desire that, should the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company choose to build through his land, to have the railroad just as close to his home as possible. He, along with hundreds of others, relinquished rights-of-way for this purpose and even furnished the timbers for the company’s use. John Ashley’s home at that time is the present home of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Chapman.

A typical example of a deed to the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company is as follows:

Recorded 21st March 1833

We the Owners of land through which the RailRoad may pass, hereby agree that should the RailRoad pass through our lands, in consideration of which benefit so received, and without any other compensation we cheerfully cede to the So. Car. C. & RailRoad Company land sufficient for said purpose and the timber and wood necessary to construct the same through our Land in the first instance: -- It is understood that all the wood and timber which may thencefoward be required to repair or rebuild shall be paid for, and no more wood or timber yields than through our own Lands – Witness our hands 5th day of March 1831 —

(Signatures of grantors)

Certainly the day the “Best Friend” was to make its first run through Williston was an exciting one. Hundreds of people lined the tracks. Many were skeptical, feeling the locomotive would surely explode. Others feared that the passengers carried in her unique little car would die of heart failure due to the terrific speed of the train. When she finally reached Williston she was covered with flowers thrown upon her by well wishers all along the way.

The “Best Friend” continued in service for several months. Then one day the fireman closed the safety valve in an effort to stop the hissing noise caused by escaping steam. The boiler blew up, seriously injuring the fireman and ending the career of the locomotive under that name.

Bits and parts of the “Best Friend” were salvaged and, in time, the locomotive “Phoenix” emerged. This locomotive was appropriately named for the bird that arose from its own ashes.

A replica of the “Best Friend” passed through Williston in 1928. On this occasion schools were dismissed and the tracks were lined with people who came to honor a train that had its beginnings in this section of South Carolina.