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SOUTH CAROLINA ROOTS
It is believed that William and John were the cherished sons of Edwin (Eddie) Seward and Elizabeth (Lizzie) McGill. According to the 12th census of the United States, information collected on June 20, 1900 listed Lizzie Seward as being 28 years old. At that time, Lizzie was widowed with four living children and four deceased children. Her estimated year of birth was 1872 and she lived in Williamsburg County, SC. The living children were identified as:
William (son), age 10, born 1890
Anna (daughter), age 7, born 1892
Johnnie (son), age 4, born 1896
Jessie (son), age 2, born 1897
Family members are continuing to research historical and archived records of both Eddie and Lizzie Seward to learn more about them.
Over the years, the brothers William and John remained close. They shared many things in common such as their love for God and family. They were very intelligent men who selected solid strong women to create this wonderful family lineage.
Excerpt from 12th census of the United States. South Carolina, Williamsburg County, June 20, 1900. Shows Lizzie as Black female, born 1872, age 28 and widowed. Children listed were William, Anna, Johnnie, and Jesse.
1890-1974
WILLIAM SEWARD
William's first wife was Louvenia McClary, with whom he had his two oldest children. After Louvenia passed away, William remarried. His second wife was Elizabeth Irvin Seward to whom he was married to for many years. From these unions, William had 11 children total to include 10 boys and one girl. William was a lifetime farmer specializing in many crops to include cotton, sugar cane and tobacco. He also had a mill where he made homemade syrup. William farmed during the summer and also worked as a logger during the winter months. He was a good and dedicated family man.
William never left the farm and continued to reside in Bloomingvale, SC. He continued to dedicate himself to agriculture until his death in 1974. Following are William's offspring:
1. Fred (deceased)
2. James (deceased)
3. Albert (deceased)
4. Willie (deceased)
5. Sam (deceased)
6. Eddie (deceased)
7. Andrew (deceased)
8. Lee (deceased)
9. Jesse
10. Colbert (deceased)
11. Novil (deceased)
1896-1973
JOHN SEAWARD
It is believed that John was born in 1896 in South Carolina. John’s life was deeply rooted in the rich soil of the South Carolina low country where he worked tirelessly to build a legacy of resilience, commitment, and integrity.
In 1916, at the age of 21, John registered for the draft during World War I. By 1917, he was a devoted husband to Elvina Ervin and a proud father to their first child. Together, they began a journey defined by love, family, and hard work, embodying the enduring spirit of their time. Elvina, the daughter of William Ervin and Rosa Green, shared John’s unwavering dedication to family and community.
John was a farmer by trade, contributing significantly to the agricultural foundation of Williamsburg and Berkeley Counties. Additionally, he excelled as a carpenter, known for his remarkable ability to visualize and execute projects with precision. Whether computing figures in his head or on paper, John demonstrated a natural talent for numbers and craftsmanship.
Over the decades, his perseverance and work ethic as a farmer, sharecropper, carpenter, and laborer supported his family and solidified his reputation as a pillar of his community.
John’s life spanned decades of significant change, but his devotion to his family and his craft never wavered. Standing tall with a dark complexion and piercing eyes, he was often described as having a commanding presence and an intense gaze that seemed to see into a person’s soul. Though he spoke little, his presence was undeniable. Quiet but firm in his beliefs, John was a steadfast protector and provider for his family, teaching them that “if one was in need, all were in need.”
By the 1940s, John moved his family to St. Stephens, South Carolina. In total, John and Elvina, whom he affectionately called “Daisley,” raised thirteen children. John's oldest child Onetha was from a separate union. Their family legacy included:
Onetha (deceased)
Luttie Bell (deceased)
Iva Lee (deceased)
Dorothy Jean (deceased)
Henry (deceased)
Joseph
Frank (deceased)
Ora Lee
Rembert (deceased)
Danzie
Lydia
Jack
Willie
Robert Lee (deceased)
On August 1, 1973, John Seaward passed away at the age of 78 in St. Stephen, South Carolina. His life was a testament to hard work, devotion to family, and quiet strength. His legacy lives on through the generations of his family, who carry forward his values of perseverance, responsibility, and love.
John Seaward’s story is one of a life well-lived—a life that contributed to the growth and stability of his community and left an indelible mark on all who knew and loved him.
penned by: OJRB
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