We begin this chapter with the name of Pearson, which has been largely represented in all the years of our history.  The first was Aaron, who came from one of the English settlements of Virginia in colonial times.  He was the father of two sons, Aaron and Moses.  The latter owned, and lived upon, what was called the "big plantation," now known as "Lowdon."  He was prominent in Revolutionary affairs.  First, was Lieutenant in Hicks' Regiment in 1780, and in the two following years a captain in Benton's Regiment.  After the war his name frequently appeared upon the records of the old Brownsville church, as well as upon those of the county courts.  He was one of the first justices of Marlboro and seems to have presided over the court, and before the county was organized he held position and took part in judicial affairs in the old district of Cheraw.  He is said to have been the father of fifteen children, eight sons and seven daughters.  One daughter became Mrs. Haskew, an
other Mrs. Galloway, and the Johns are some way connected with this old family.  Thomas, one of the sons, was the ancestor of the Messrs.

 Moses and Zacheus Pearson.  Mrs. Joel Easterling, John D. Pearson and Mrs. Rachel Townsend are descended from another.

     Aaron, the other son of Aaron the first, was also a soldier of the Revolution.  He married a Miss Spears and another Aaron was the fruit of this marriage.  He in turn married Miss Ann Vining, who became the mother of several daughters and two sons, Thomas, who moved to Alabama, and the late John Pearson, of Bruten's Fork, who, at an advanced age, passed away only a few years ago.  It is fit that credit be given him for much information embodied within these pages.  His health was
remarkably preserved, and his vigor of body and mind, when past four-score, was a marvel.  Not only did he love to live over in thought the scenes and enjoyments of his earlier years, and to tell of his experiences as a soldier of the war of 1812, but he manifested a lively interest in passing events, and the employments of people of another generation.

     The Haskews mentioned in connection with the Pearsons are worthy of a more special notice.  Two of these old men are remembered.  John is entitled to a place among the old heroes of the Revolution.  His name is upon Marion's muster roll as "John Askew," the initial H. is omitted, and yet no difficulty was found in proving his claim to a pension when so many living witnesses were found to testify to his presence and services.  Quiet, inoffensive old man!  At a great age he was thrown from a vehicle in which he was riding and received fatal injuries.  Thomas H. Haskew is a grandson.  Zacheus was the other brother, a younger man than John, and more successful in the affairs of this life.  He was the father of the excellent ladies, Mrs. Donaldson and Mrs. Bruce, from
both of whom many good young people have sprung.  A sister of these old men married a Mr. Britton, a son of whom, Hugh Britton, is remembered as one of the fine-looking young men of Brownsville society in the thirties.   
 
  In 1756 James Sweeny is supposed to have come to the Pee Dee.  In some way the name was subsequently changed to Henagan.  James Sweeny had a son, Barney, who had two sons, Darby and John.  Darby was the father of B. K., Ephraim L. and Mrs. McCollum and Mrs. Lewis E. Stubbs.  Dr.
B. K. Henagan was not only prominent as a practicing physician fifty years ago, but as a politician also.

In 1834 his people elected him to the State Senate and the Legislature elected him Lieutenant-Governor, and upon the death of Governor Noble, he was sworn in and filled out the unexpired term.  He subsequently moved to Marion and was sent to the legislature again.  Dr. Henagan's
first wife was Miss Gibson, and excellent lady, who became the mother of four sons and two daughters.  One of these became the fourth wife of the late A. G. Johnson.  The other married a Mr. Northrop.  Only one of the splendid sons remains, Robert, who resides in the Florence
Neighborhood.  Ephraim L. Henagan, a brother of the Governor, was in his day one of Marlboro's most popular men.  He served a term in the office of sheriff and never south position any more, but retired to his farm and devoted his great energies to the education and maintenance of his large and
interesting family.  His wife was Miss Nancy McInnis.  Noble woman!  Well she filled her place.

     The first son in the family was John W., who never asked a position of the people that was not given him.  He was sheriff of the county and a member of the Legislature in 1860-61, and in the militia had risen to a brigadier's commission when the war between the States came on; and at the first organization of the Eighth Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers he was elected Lieutenant Colonel and at the reorganization became Colonel.  In one of the engagements in Virginia he fell into the hands of the enemy and, like thousands more, died a prisoner.  True to his country, beloved by his command, respected by his superiors, his death was a loss to his people.  Other members of this family live to honor the name.

     Connected with the Henagans, in the writer's memory, was Capt. Francis Miles, then an old man, in 1830.  His wife, Mrs. Lucretia, was an aunt to the Henagans.  This ancient couple had but a single child who bore the father's name, Francis, a gifted, modest young man capable of filling any position, but his great difiidence held him back.  When past the meridian of life he married his cousin, Amanda Henagan, and an only daughter resides in Alabama.

     The Bruces have been for a long time in Brownsville.  Wright Bruce married a widow, Cooper, and two sons, Joseph and Caleb, were given them, both of whom have left families in the vicinity.  The Procters, Johnsons and Brigmans have also been upon the ground for many years.  At a later date came the Allens, an excellent addition to the population - a mother with two sons and several daughters - from North Carolina.

  The two sons, Thompson and Joel, by the modest exhibition of real worth, soon took rank with the best citizens, and their sons after them still hold it.

     Thomas J. J. DuPre came about 1830, bringing a family of young children, whose descendants are yet upon the ground.  Simon Emanual long lived in the community conducting a mercantile business.  Of all these and more much might be penned, but justice to other portions of the county demands space in these pages.  The names of two Burkitts, Ephraim and Samuel, must close our sojourn around the spot where our first infant steps were made.  These old Burkitts, humble men though they were, wrote their names upon an honor roll with their swords in the days that tried men's souls, and, although the name is no more answered to in Marlboro, yet it is fit that it have mention here.  Fifty years ago there were two or three families living in this old neighborhood bearing the name, but, like hundreds more, they have been swept westward by the tide of emigration, and have gone to people other States toward the setting sun.  Let this chapter be closed with the record that, for the first fifty years of the present century, there was no place in Marlboro
where the educational advantages were any better, if so good, as in Brownsville.  The old men whose names have been given in these sketches sought the best talent to teach their children, and, for a time, young people from other and distant portions of the country crowded the academy.

  Peter Stuart Ney, said to have been the French marshal, was teaching here when Napoleon I. died on Helena.  Here Sinclair, the first husband of Mrs. Nancy Cook, did faithful work.  Kenneth Black, another noted teacher, here swayed the birch.  Brown and McNab, young men "apt to teach," served their patrons well, and here it was that Donald Matheson was first introduced to the people of Marlboro, and introduced as an instructor of youth.  Fair-faced, ruddy young Scotchman he was, but an intelligent, cultured gentleman.  The elements of his character were of the gentle and winning.  For wrong-doing, meanness and vice he could have no patience, but loved truth, justice and right.  His manner, to some, appeared distant, stern; even cold.  Still he had a heart loving, true and warm, ready to respond to the touch of friendship, the cry of distress, the call of his country, and the needs of his church.