One woman’s genealogical quest to understand “from whence I came” has resulted in a 300-page book that interweaves the faith history of her ancestors with the earliest years of some Baptist churches in Orangeburg County.
“From Harleyville to Beulah Land” (CrossBooks, 2012), tells the story of June M. Gardner’s family, particularly the descendants of the Harleys and the Williamsons. The title is drawn from the name of the author’s grandmother, Beulah Harley.
Baptist churches mentioned in the history (among churches of other denominations) include Dean Swamp, Bull Swamp, Salem (in North), North First, and Orangeburg First.
Much of the book deals with the story of John L. Harley and how his actions seem to have negatively affected later generations. From the book’s overview: “A fascinating family history – revealing the joys, mistakes, and sorrows of past generations, ultimately illustrating God’s loving forgiveness of those who accept Christ into their heart.”
Gardner is a pastor’s wife and serves with her husband Norman at Goucher Baptist Church in Gaffney. She grew up in Columbia and is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She was a longtime writer of preschool curriculum materials for LifeWay and was the 1980 recipient of the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s E.A. McDowell Award for her work with Laotians in the Croft community in Spartanburg.
For more information, or to purchase the book, visit http://bit.ly/IDSsJS.