Very Interesting



From: “Judi Price” (judi.homerprice@gmail.com)
Date: Mar 8, 2017
Subject: VERY INTERESTING

Thought this would interest you!

SOUTH CAROLINA DIVISION SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS

T. Leland Summers, Commander
1980 Robert Usher Road
Lancaster, SC 29720-7840
http://www.scscv.com

South Carolina General Assembly
122nd Session 2017-18
Senate Resolution S. 329
Adopted January 31, 2017

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LAVINIA THOMPSON, AN AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE CONFEDERATE VETERAN.

Whereas, the finding of Lavinia Thompson, an African-American female Confederate Veteran, was a remarkable discovery, and Betsy R. Bloomer was extremely generous to share her research and bringing the story to light; and

Whereas, Lavinia Thompson was born June 3, 1844 in Aiken County, South Carolina, daughter to Robert Staley and Phyllis Corley. In the census data, her name was spelled a variety of different ways and, at times, was also shortened to a nickname, such as Viney or Elviny; and

Whereas, census data generally concludes that Lavinia married Logan, a farmer, and kept a household with him of ten children to include daughter, Dora; daughter, Della; daughter, Carey; son, Willie; son Robert “Free”; daughter, Effie; son, Oscar; son, Governor; and daughter, Queen; and

Whereas, after her husband died, Lavinia took on the role of farmer. Although she lived alone at this time, her sons, Governor, Robert “Free”, and Oscar lived nearby with their families; and

Whereas, Lavinia Thompson served the State of South Carolina as a cook in the Civil War, under Sam Webb, who was in Co. A, 1st Regiment, South Carolina Reserves. She served continuously from September 1, 1863 to the end of the War in 1865; and

Whereas, Lavinia died at the venerable age of eighty-four on June 8, 1928 in Aiken County, Tabernacle Township and was buried in an unmarked grave at Smyrna Church. It is hoped that her final resting place will be found and a Confederate marker placed on it to mark where this remarkable and unique woman lies; and

Whereas, although Lavinia Thompson may not have taken up arms, her life was placed in jeopardy, and she suffered the same hardships as all of the soldiers. Her story and her life deserve commemoration. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate this 31th Day of January, 2017.

The South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans pledges to use every possible effort to locate the gravesite of Lavinia Thompson.

The South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans will assure the gravesite of Lavinia Thompson is appropriately marked as a Confederate Veteran and will place a Confederate Battle Flag on her grave each and every May 10.