Summers Cemetery is located down an unassuming dirt road outside the Town of Rowesville in Orangeburg County. Marked only by a granite marker, it is situated almost directly across from the entrance to Cattle Creek Methodist Campground. The cemetery is named for the Summers family, early residents of the Orangeburg District.
The first family member to settle here – George Summers, Sr. – was born in Chester, England in 1735. He migrated to America in 1760 and, during the Revolutionary War, enlisted with General Francis Marion. In July 1781, while home on a two-day leave of absence, he was killed by the British.
According to tradition, George Summers, Sr. was buried where he died. As no coffins were available, a tree was cut down and hollowed out, and his body was placed inside for burial. He died a short time before his first son, George Summers, Jr., was born.
George Summers, Jr. and his second wife, Mary Hull, donated two acres for the Cattle Creek Campground, as well as 15 wooden poles for use in the construction of the tabernacle. The Summers allowed the Methodist preacher to use their home during services.
Various other members of the Summers family are also interred here, including Abraham S. Summers and David A. F. Summers, both of whom served in the Civil War. We are actively seeking additional information to add to this entry. If you can help, please add information below. Thank you!
Summers Cemetery: Help Us Learn More
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Summers Cemetery: Our Sources
1. Rose M. Kendrick, First Families of Orangeburgh District, South Carolina, September 17, 2002.
This is my fifth-great grandfather. His grandson Abraham had a daughter, Caroline, and she married into the Dukes family (my name) of the Branchville area. This is documented in my family Bible. I do have pictures of the Bible and the family tree pages. It is stored in a bank vault in Charlotte, NC.
I just got to visit here yesterday. Thanks so much for making this website. The tree burial is really interesting; how did you find that out? I’m told he is my grandfather’s grandfather’s grandfather.
Thank you for sharing this. This is my great-great-great-grandfather. I have long wondered where this was and it was a real blessing to see this. Your work is so important. Thank you for all you do to educate us on our own personal history and the history of our beloved state. God bless you.
Comments like these are exactly why we love doing this. We are so glad that you were able to learn more about your family history through the SC Picture Project. God bless you as well!