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The SPIRES Family
of Lexington County,
South Carolina

Dedicated to the memory of Archie Franklin Spires, Sr.

The information on this page represents the direct descendancy of Archie Franklin Spires, Sr. from Hamilton Spires. It should be noted that there are other lines of Spires in Lexington County, South Carolina. One for which there is extensive documentation is that of Herbard Spires. It is not yet known if Herbard Spires was related to Hamilton Spires, but it is presumed there is some connection. Also, the parents of Hamilton Spires are not yet known. Every effort has been made to be as accurate as possible, but there may be errors. If you can help correct errors or supply missing information, I would love hearing from you! Please check back for corrections and updates.

Below you will find:

1st Generation - Hamilton Spires

2nd Generation - William Andrew Spires

3rd Generation - Archie Robert Spires

4th Generation - Archie Franklin Spires, Sr.

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1st Generation

Hamilton Spires

Hamilton Spires was born about 1805-1810 in South Carolina. He first married Mary Margaret Wise, daughter of Michael Wise and Mary or Candin __?__, before about 1829. Mary Margaret Wise was born about 1805-1810, in South Carolina, and died between about 1860-1868. He married second Eliza __?__ between about 1860-1868. Eliza was born about 1834-1835 in South Carolina.

Children of Hamilton Spires and Mary Margaret Wise are:

1. James (or John) Henry Spires - born May 27, 1827, Lexington District, South Carolina; died May 23, 1904, Lexington District, South Carolina; married Elizabeth Smithart, daughter of Daniel and Julia Harsey Smithart. She was born July 06, 1828, in Pelion, Lexington County, South Carolina, and died June 02, 1929, in Pelion, Lexington County, South Carolina. Both are buried at King Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Lexington County, South Carolina.

(Note: Henry Spires never appears by name on a census with Hamilton Spires, however, family tradition and circumstantial evidence, such as that on the 1830 and 1840 census records, do indicate that Henry Spires is a son of Hamilton Spires. Actual proof is still being sought.)

2. William Andrew Spires - born April 21, 1829, Lexington District, South Carolina; died December 01, 1916, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina; married first Louise Ellen Taylor before about 1846; born December 21, 1832, Orangeburgh, Orangeburg District, South Carolina, died August 26, 1895; married second __?__ Sharpe, after 1894; married third Lucyann __?__, about 1904. He is buried December 03, 1916, at Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.

(Note: Family tradition says that both William Andrew Spires and his wife Louisa Ellen Taylor are buried at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina. If this is true, then they are in unmarked graves, because they do not show up on a transcipt of the cemetery's headstones. William Andrew Spires' death certificate only says that he is buried in Gaston, SC.)

(Note: It is possible that __?__ Sharpe and Lucyann __?__ are the same person. Further research is necessary on this.)

3. Martha Ann Spires - born May 03, 1831; died November 06, 1920; married Elias Taylor, November 08, 1849; born May 09, 1807, Lexington District, South Carolina; died July 23, 1887. Both are buried at Taylor Family Cemetery, Gilbert, Lexington County, South Carolina
(Note: Martha Ann is never listed with Hamilton Spires on a census record, however the Lexington County South Carolina 1850 Census Second Edition with Genealogical Data on Most Families, published by the Lexington County Genealogical Association, on page 263, says that Martha Ann Spires, second wife of Elias Taylor, was the daughter of Hamilton Spires. Also, D. Hutto sent me an e-mail sharing information that was printed in the Lexington Genealogical Exchange, Volume 3, pages 105-106, in which Helen Bachman Wilson contributed notes from the Bible of the Elias Taylor Family. A portion of the article says, "Elias Taylor and Marthaan Spires were married November 8, 1849" and "Marthan Spires, a daughter of Hamilton Spires and his wife Margaret Spires, was born May 3, 1831.")

4. Mahala E. Spires - born about 1833 (but sometimes reported as April 05, 1831), South Carolina; died March 03, 1901; married Jefferson Davis Sharp born April 08, 1839, South Carolina; died February 11, 1911. Both buried at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina.
5. Isam (or Isom) Spires - born about 1833, South Carolina.
(Note: Some researchers believe that Isam Spires was not a son of Hamilton Spires but a brother or nephew instead.)

6. Dederick Spires - born about 1836, Lexington District, South Carolina; married Mary Ann Smithart, born about 1836, Lexington District, South Carolina.
7. Michael Harman Spires - born about 1837-1838, Lexington District, South Carolina; married Julia Ann Sharp about 1865; born about 1838-1850, South Carolina.

Child of Hamilton Spires and Eliza __?__ is:

8. Ed Lee Spires - born about 1868, South Carolina.

Children of Eliza __?__ by a previous marriage:

Bethany - born about 1851, South Carolina.
Emma - born about 1853-1854, South Carolina.


Census records for Hamilton Spires:

1830 Census for Lexington District, South Carolina, page 364.
Hamilton Spiers
2 - free white males of 5 and under 10
1 - free white male of 20 and under 30
1 - free white female under 5
1 - free white female of 20 and under 30

1840 Census for Lexington District, South Carolina, page 82.
Hamillon Spires
2 - free white males under 5
1 - free white male of 5 and under 10
2 - free white males of 10 and under 15
1 - free white male of 30 and under 40
2 - free white females of 5 and under 10
1 - free white female of 40 and under 50

1850 Census for Lexington District, South Carolina, page 414, Lines 4-10
Enumeration Date: September 30, 1850
Dwelling # #1097, Family #1097
Hamilton Spires - 40 M; Occupation: Cooper; Value of Estate: $500; Place of Birth: South Carolina
Margaret " - 40 F; Place of birth: South Carolina
Andrew " - 21 M; Occupation: Do; Place of birth: South Carolina
Mahala " - 17 F; Place of birth: South Carolina
Dederick " - 14 M; Place of birth: South Carolina
Michael " - 12 M; Place of birth: South Carolina
Isam " - 17 M; Occupation: None; Place of birth: South Carolina

1860 Census for Lexington District, South Carolina, Beaver Pond P.O., page 356 (stamped), page 199 (handwritten), Lines 26-27
Enumeration Date: August 18, 1860
Dwelling #1526, Family #1476
Hamilton Spires - 50 M; Occupation: Farmer; Value of Personal Estate: $200; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina
Margaret " - 55 F; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina

1870 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Lexington C. House, page 43 (handwritten), page 436 (stamped)
Enumeration Date: July 31, 1870
Dwelling #335, Family #344
Spires, Hamilton - 65 M W; Occupation: Farmer; Place of Birth: South Carolina
" Eliza - 35 F W; Occupation: Keeping house; Place of Birth: South Carolina
" Bethany - 19 F W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina
" Emma - 17 F W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina
" Ed Lee - 2 M W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina

1880 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Enumeration District 124, Boiling Springs, Sheet Number 14, Lines 39-41
Enumeration Date: June 14, 1880
Dwelling #134, Family #136
Spires, Elizer - W F 46; Married; Occupation: Farming; Place of birth: South Carolina - Father's place of birth: South Carolina - Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
-----Hambleton - W M 70 - Husband; Married; Occupation: Farm Laborer; Place of birth: South Carolina - Father's place of birth: South Carolina - Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
-----Emer - W F 24 - Daughter; Single; Occupation: At Home; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina

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2nd Generation

William Andrew Spires

William Andrew Spires, the son of Hamilton Spires, was born April 21, 1829 in Lexington District, South Carolina, and died December 01, 1916 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. He married first Louise Ellen Taylor, daughter of Elias Taylor and Milah Hallman, before about 1846. Louise Ellen Taylor was born December 21, 1832 in Orangeburgh, Orangeburg District, South Carolina, and died August 26, 1895. He married second __?__ Sharpe after about 1894. He married third Lucyann __?__ about 1904.

(Note: It is possible that __?__ Sharpe and Lucyann __?__ are the same person. This needs to be further researched.)

William Andrew Spires served as a Private in Company H, 20th Regt., South Carolina Infantry, during the Civil War. (Unverified)
William Andrew Spires is buried in Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Note: Family tradition says that both William Andrew Spires and his wife Louisa Ellen Taylor are buried at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina. If this is true, then they are in unmarked graves, because they do not show up on a transcipt of the cemetery's headstones. William Andrew Spires' death certificate only says that he is buried in Gaston, SC.)

Children of William Andrew Spires and Louise Ellen Taylor are:

1. Amanda Catharine Spires - born August 31, 1850, Lexington County, South Carolina; died May 11, 1924, Platt Springs, Lexington County, South Carolina; married Westly I. Harsey, son of John Erasmus and Julia Ann Wise Harsey, before 1870. He was born September 18, 1843, South Carolina; died November 25, 1899. Both are buried at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records for Amanda Catharine Spires)
2. Roseanna M. Spires - born about 1853-1854, South Carolina.
3. Elias "Eli" Spires - born about 1856, Lexington County, South Carolina; died July 18, 1928, Lexington County, South Carolina; married Sarah L. (or Ann) "Sally" (or "Sallie") Sharpe, daughter of Barney and Elizabeth Jane Dooley Sharpe, about 1877. She was born January 04, 1862, South Carolina; died May 04, 1939, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. Both are buried at Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records for Elias Spires)
4. Deborah Jane Spires - born about 1858, Lexington County, South Carolina; died April 06, 1928; married Vandy W. Spires, son of Harbard and Nancy Bodie Spires, Jr., March 15, 1874. He was born about 1855, South Carolina; died February 04, 1932. Both are buried at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records for Deborah Jane Spires Spires)
(Picture of Debbie Spires, Caroline Spires Watts, and Dorothy "Daught" Senn (courtesy of D. Hutto)
5. William Noah Spires - born February 11, 1859, Lexington County, South Carolina; died November 06, 1933; married Marina Sightler, daughter of George Washington and Caroline Bachman Sightler, about 1883. She was born February 04, 1864, South Carolina; died March 04, 1939. Both are buried at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records for William Noah Spires)
(Picture of William Noah Spires, wife Marina Sightler Spires, and their young son Ralph Broadus Spires - courtesy of S. Hector.)
6. Sarah Ann Spires - born about 1861, Lexington County, South Carolina; married Michael James Senn, about 1881. He was born July 1862; died October 13, 1930.
(Census records for Sarah Ann Spires Senn)
(External link to picture of Michael James Senn family at April Klein's Genealogy Webpage [see link to full site below])
7. Mary Caroline Spires - born July 07, 1865, Lexington County, South Carolina; died July 16, 1924; married Hillard William Watts, son of David and Sinthia Watts, before 1890. He was born about 1868, Kershaw County, South Carolina; died November 19, 1926, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina. Both are buried at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records for Mary Caroline Spires Watts)
(Picture of Debbie Spires, Caroline Spires Watts, and Dorothy "Daught" Senn (courtesy of D. Hutto)
8. Albert J. (or L.) Spires - born August 20, 1867, Lexington County, South Carolina; died July 10, 1939; married Lydia Lucas, about 1909. She was born about 1889, South Carolina. He is buried at Ebenezer Pentecostal Holiness Church, South Congaree, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records for Albert J. Spires)
9. Benjamin E. Spires - born May 1870, South Carolina; married Lydia Maggie __?__, about 1892. She was born about 1872, South Carolina.
(Census records for Benjamin E. Spires)
10. Archie Robert Spires - born March 11, 1872, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina; died May 02, 1931, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina; married first Minnie Sharpe, before 1896, who died between 1896-1900; married second Martha Susan Cicero Wise, daughter of William Wade Andrew and Isadora Amanda Rast Wise, March 03, 1900 (?), St. Matthews, Calhoun County, South Carolina. She was born May 26, 1878, Calhoun County, South Carolina; died April 01, 1957, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. Both are buried at Melrose Memorial Garden, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records for Archie Robert Spires are below on this page.)


Census records for Andrew Spires:

1850 - On Census with father, Hamilton Spires. See record above.

1860 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Beaver Pond Post Office, page 356 (stamped), page 199 (handwritten), Lines 12-18
Enumeration Date: Aug. 18, 1860
Dwelling #1523, Family #1473
Andrew Spires - 30 M; Occupation: Farmer; Value of Real Estate: $350, Value of Personal Estate: $200; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina
Ellen - 30 F; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina
Amanda - 8 F; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina
Rosanna - 6 F; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina
Elias - 4 M; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina
Deborah - 2 F; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina
Infant - 2/12 M; Place of birth: Lexington County, South Carolina

1870 census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Lexington C. House, page 436 (stamped), page 44 (handwritten)
Enumeration Date: July 31, 1870.
Dwelling #339, Family #345
Andrew Spires 41 M W; Occupation: Farmer; Value of Real Estate: $300, Value of Personal Estate: $300; Place of Birth: South Carolina
Louisa E. - 37 F W; Occupation: Keeping house; Place of Birth: South Carolina
Roseanna M. - 17 F W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina
D. Jane - 14 F W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina
Wm. Noah - 11 M W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina
Sarah - 9 F W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina
Mary C. - 6 F W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina
Albert J. - 3 M W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina
Infant - 5/12 (May) M W; Occupation: At home; Place of Birth: South Carolina

1880 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Enumeration District 133, Platt Springs Township, page 4
Enumeration Date: June 3 & 4, 1880
Dwelling #4, Family #4
Spires, Andrew - W M 53; Married; Occupation: Farmer; Place of birth: South Carolina - Father's place of birth: South Carolina - Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
Louise E. - W F 49; Wife; Married; Occupation: Keeping House; Place of birth: South Carolina - Father's place of birth: South Carolina - Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
Sarah A. - W F 19; Daughter; Single; Occupation: Asst. in Keeping House; Place of birth: South Carolina
Mary C. - W F 15; Daughter; Single; Occupation: Asst. in Keeping House; Place of birth: South Carolina
Albert J. - W M 12; Son; Single; Occupation: Asst. in Farm; Place of birth: South Carolina
Benjamin - W M 10; Son; Single; Place of birth: South Carolina
Archa - W M 8; Son; Single; Place of birth: South Carolina
Dwelling #4, Family #5
Spires, Noah - W M 20; Single; Occupation: Farmer; Place of birth: South Carolina - Father's place of birth: South Carolina - Mother's place of birth: South Carolina

1900 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Enumeration District 44, Platt Springs Township, Sheet number 6B, Lines 68-69
Enumeration Date: June 6, 1900
Dwelling #94, Family #94
-----Albert - Head - W M - dob 1869, age 30; Single; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Farmer
-----Andrew - Father - W M - dob 1830, age 70; Widowed; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina

(Note: There is no last name given for this family. The family just above has the last name of Booker, but most of the other last names on the pages are Spires. This is the same area in which Andrew and his family were enumerated on previous and later censuses. Also, neighbor's last names are the same. The approximate ages and marital status are a fairly good fit. I think the omission of the last name is an enumerator's error.)

1910 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina., Enumeration District 41, Platt Springs Township, Sheet number 19A, Lines 13-17
Enumeration Date: May 4, 1910
Dwelling #220, Family #233
Spires, Benjamin E. - Head - M W 40; Married (first marriage) 18 yrs.; Place of birth; South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Farmer - General Farm
-----Maggie - Wife - F W 38; Married (first marriage) 18 yrs.; Place of birth; South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
-----Leola - Adopted - F W 12; Single; Place of birth; South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
-----Andrew W. - Father - M W 81; Married (second marriage) 6 yrs.; Place of birth; South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
-----Lucyann - Step-mother - F W 40; Married (first marriage) 6 yrs.; Place of birth; South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina

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3rd Generation

Archie Robert Spires

Archie Robert Spires was born March 11, 1872 in Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina, and died May 02, 1931 in Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina. He married first Minnie Sharpe. She died Bet. 1896-1900. He married second Martha Susan Cicero Wise either March 03, 1900 in St. Matthews, Calhoun County, South Carolina (according to Bible of Cicero Wise Spires) or about 1901 (according to 1900 and 1910 Census records), daughter of William Wise and Isadora Rast. She was born May 26, 1878 in Calhoun County, South Carolina, and died April 01, 1957 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
(
Picture of Cicero and Arch Spires.)
(Picture of Cicero Wise and siblings. Left to right: Ida Wise, Cicero Wise, (seated) Shelton Wise)
(Picture of Cicero Wise Spires.)
Archie Robert Spires and Martha Susan Cicero Wise Spires are buried at Melrose Memorial Garden, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina. (Picture of the grave marker for Archie Robert Spires.)

Child of Archie Robert Spires and Minnie Sharpe is:

1. Celeste Leola Spires - born July 26, 1896, South Carolina; d. February 10, 1981, West Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina; married Belton James Dowd, son of John H. and Lizzie L. Sturkie Dowd, before 1915. He was born February 21, 1892, Lexington County, South Carolina; died August 02, 1981, West Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina. Both are buried at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records and obituary for Celeste Leola Spires Dowd and her husband)

Children of Archie Robert Spires and Martha Susan Cicero Wise are:

2. Harvey Wade Andrew Spires - born October 30, 1901, St. Matthews, Calhoun County, South Carolina; died January 07, 1970, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina; married Lureen Eliza Hutto daughter of Lucius David S. and Arrie Eliza Pou Hutto, February 14, 1920, Orangeburg, Orangeburg County, South Carolina. He was born June 22, 1902, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina; died May 1976, Waynesville, Haywood County, North Carolina. Harvey Wade Andrew Spires is buried in Melrose Memorial Garden, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina.
(Census records and obituary for Harvey Wade Andrew Spires and his wife)
3. Daisy Vernell Spires - born July 13, 1903, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina; died July 11, 1976, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina; married Ocie Spurgin Scarbrough, son of Alf M. and Jane B. Scarbrough, June 14, 1953 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. He was born September 22, 1894, East Point, Georgia; died December 15, 1970, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. Daisy Spires Scarbrough is buried at Melrose Memorial Garden, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina. Ocie Spurgin Scarbrough is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery, East Point, Fulton County, Georgia.
(Census records and obituary for Daisy Vernell Spires Scarbrough and her husband)
(Picture of Daisy Spires Scarbrough)
4. Archie Franklin Spires - born May 13, 1905, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina; died June 13, 1974, Olar, Bamberg County, South Carolina; married Agnes Jamison Mobley, daughter of Francis Marion and Dot Estell Blanton Mobley, October 04, 1926, Olar, South Carolina. He was born July 10, 1907, Haile Gold Mine, Kershaw County, South Carolina; died December 10, 1993, Daphne, Baldwin County, Alabama. Both are buried at Bamberg County Memory Gardens, Bamberg, Bamberg County, South Carolina.
(Picture of Frank Spires working as a mechanic.)
5. William Frederick "Ted" Spires - born July 21, 1907, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina; died January 10, 1982, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina; married Alberta Cora Herring daughter of William H. and Annie Francis Mills Herring, April 29, 1941, Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina. She was born June 26, 1909, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina; died November 1988, Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina. Both are buried at Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
(Picture of Ted Spires with his father, Archie R. Spires.)


Bible records for Martha Susan Cicero Wise -
Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4

(One of my husband's cousins now has this Bible. She got it from Gwendolyn Spires Holladay when Gwendolyn died. Gwendolyn got it from her Aunt Daisy Spires Scarborough. Daisy got the Bible from her mother, Cicero Wise Spires. I have a feeling that different entries were made by different people because of the differences in handwriting that appear in the records.)


Census records for Arch Robert Spires:

For 1880, see Census Records for William Andrew Spires above.

1900 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Enumeration District 44, Platt Springs Township, Gaston Division, Sheet Number 5A, Line 4
Enumeration Date: June 5, 1900
Dwelling #66, Family #66
Spires, Archie - boarder - W M; dob May 1872, age 28; Widowed; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Day Laborer
(In the household of Lewis Pickles)

1910 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Enumeration District 29, Bull Swamp Township, Sheet Number 4A, Lines 47-53
Enumeration Date: April 16, 1910
Dwelling #61, Family #64
Spires, Archie R. - Head; M W 36; Married (second marriage) 9 years; Father of one child, one living; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Farmer - General Farm
-----Sisero - Wife; F W 30; Married (first marriage) 9 years; Mother of 4 children, 4 living; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
-----Wade A.H. - Son; M W 7; Place of birth: South Carolina
-----Daisy - Daughter; W F 5; Place of birth: South Carolina
-----Frank - Son; M W 4; Place of birth: South Carolina
-----Freddie - Son; M W 2; Place of birth: South Carolina
-----Leola - Daughter; F W 13; Place of birth: South Carolina

1920 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Enumeration District 29, Bull Swamp Township, Sheet Number 25A, Lines 27-32
Enumeration Date: February 19, 1920
Dwelling #87, Family #91
Spires, Arch - Head - M W 47; Married; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Farmer - General Farm
-----Sisarow - Wife - F W 40; Married; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
-----Harvy - Son - M W 18; Single; Place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Farm Laborer - Home Farm
-----Daisy - Daughter - F W 16; Single; Place of birth: South Carolina
-----Frank - Son - M W 14; Single; Place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Farm Laborer - Home Farm
-----Freddie - Son - M W 12; Single; Place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Farm Laborer - Home Farm

1930 Census for Lexington County, South Carolina, Bull Swamp Township, Swansea Town, Enumeration District 7
Enumeration Date: 9 April 1930
Dwelling #152, Family #155
Spires, Arch R. - Head; Own home, value $1500; M W 57; Married; Age at first marriage - 27; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Farmer
----- Martha - Wife; F W 52; Married; Age at first marriage - 22; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
----- Daisy - Daughter; F W 20; Single; Place of birth: South Carolina


Will of Archie R. Spires

I, Archie R. Spires, of The Town of Swansea, County of Lexington and State of South Carolina, being of Sound Mind and Memory, do make my last will and testament in number & form as follows.

1st. All my just debts and burial expense shall be fully paid.

2. I give devise and bequeath to my wife M. Cicero Spires all of my estate both real & personal to have and to hold and use at her will during the remainder of her life, and I devise and bequeath; At the death of my wife all the then remainder of my estate, real & personal to my four bodily heirs by Cicero Spires except the sum of Five dollars which shall be given to my daughter by my first wife Viz. Leola Spires Dowd, and after this Five dollars is paid The four heirs mentioned, Frank, Harvery, Freddie and Daisy Spires, may sell and divide the estate share and share alike or divide without sale by mutual agreement.

3. I appoint Freddie W. Spires executor of this my las will and Testament.

In witness wherof I - Archie R. Spires the testator have on this first day of May A D 1931 set my hand & seal to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any and all former wills by me made.

A R Spires L S

Signed sealed and declared by the above named Archie R. Spires as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said testator and of each other.

E. M. Burnett. Swansea, S. C.
Geo D. Hooker. Swansea, S. C.
Moody A. Howard. Swansea, S. C.

(According to the transcription I have, the original hand-written copy of this will is on file in the office of the Probate Judge in the court house in Lexington, South Carolina)


Obituary: Martha Cicero Wise Spires

"Mrs. Spires, 79, of Swansea

"SWANSEA, April 1 (Special)--Mrs. Martha Cicero Wise Spires, 79, widow of Arch R. Spires of Swansea, died at 12:35 this morning at the Baptist Hospital after an illness of several months.

"Born in Calhoun County, daughter of the late Wade and Isadora Rast Wise, she lived in Swansea for the past 52 years and was a member of the Swansea Methodist Church.

"Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Daisy Scarborough of East Point, Ga.; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Leola Dowd of West Columbia; three sons, Harvey W. Spires of West Columbia, Frank of Sumter, and Fred Spires of Swansea; six grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

"Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday from the Swansea Methodist Church by the Rev. Clyde A. Brooks. Interment will be in the Swansea Cemetery."

(Source: Newspaper Article, Unknown Newspaper)

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4th Generation

Archie Franklin Spires


Archie Franklin and Agnes Mobley Spires,
25th Wedding Anniversary Celebration,
October 04, 1976

Archie Franklin Spires was born May 13, 1905 in Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina, and died June 13, 1974 in Olar, Bamberg County, South Carolina. He married Agnes Jamison Mobley October 04, 1926 in Olar, South Carolina, daughter of Francis Marion Mobley and Dot Estell Blanton. She was born July 10, 1907 in Haile Gold Mine, Kershaw County, South Carolina, and died December 10, 1993 in Daphne, Baldwin County, Alabama.
Archie Franklin Spires and Agnes Jamison Mobley Spires are buried at Bamberg County Memorial Gardens, Bamberg, Bamberg County, South Carolina. (
Picture of the grave marker for Archie Franklin Spires and Agnes Jamison Mobley Spires.)

Children of Archie Franklin Spires and Agnes Jamison Mobley are:
1. Archie Franklin Spires, Jr. - still living.
2. Marion Mobley Spires - still living.
(Picture of Frank Spires Sr. with sons, Frank Jr. and Marion, about 1935-36.)
(Picture of Frank Jr. and Marion Spires, 1995.)


Census records for Archie Franklin Spires: See Archie Robert Spires 1910 and 1920 Census Records above.

1930 Census for Bamberg County, South Carolina, Bufords Bridge, Olar, Enumeration District 7, Sheet Number 4B
Enumeration Date: 18 April 1930
Dwelling #86, Family #92
Spires, A. Frank - Head - M W 24; Married, age at first marriage 21; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina; Occupation: Mechanic - Garage
----- Agnes J. - Wife - F W 22; Married, age at first marriage 19; Place of birth: South Carolina, Father's place of birth: South Carolina, Mother's place of birth: South Carolina
----- A. Frank Jr. - Son - M W 2 1/12; Place of birth: South Carolina


Obituary: A. Frank Spires, Sr.

"A. Frank Spires, Sr., 69, died Thursday in a Columbia hospital of Lougehrig Disease, a very rare illness.

"Born in Swansea, he was a son of the late Archie Robert and Martha Wise Spires. Mr. Spires was a retired employee of Jones Chevrolet Co. in Sumter.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Agnes Mobley Spires; two sons, Frank Spires, Jr. of Columbia and Marion M. Spires of Mobile, Ala; a brother, Fred Spires of Swansea; a sister, Mrs. Daisy Scarborough of Swansea; a half-sister, Mrs. Leola Spires Dowd of West Columbia; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

"Mr. Spires was a member of the Hilda Southern Methodist Church.

"Services were Saturday at 4 p.m. in Small Funeral Home, with burial in Bamberg Memorial Gardens. His pastor, Rev. Bedford Landers, conducted the services.

"Active pallbearers were James E. Mobley, Harold Broadway, Bud Youmans, A. H. Lewis, Earnest Brickle, and Jennings Morris"

(Source: Newspaper Article, Newspaper Unknown)

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For a more complete descendants list for Hamilton Spires, please go to Descendants of Hamilton Spires which we have posted at Family TreeMaker.

If you have any information on this family we would appreciate you passing it on to marnel@ellijay.com

Our special thanks to the following individuals who have contributed information and/or pictures on the Spires of Lexington County, South Carolina:

B. Chisolm
G. Holladay
D. Hutto
A. Klein
S. Proctor
J. Pugh
S. Rodgers
L. Sloan
K. Sturkie

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Links to Resources

Spires Family

April Klein's Genealogy Webpage

Spires Family Genealogy Forum

Ancestry Message Boards

Rootsweb Message Boards

Spires Resources at RootsWeb

RootsWeb SPIRES Surname Mailing Lists

Lexington County, South Carolina

Lexington County, South Carolina GenWeb

Lexington County, SC, Resources at Rootsweb

SCGenWeb Archives: Lexington County

Lexington County, SOUTH CAROLINA: 1850 Census Index

Lexington Genealogical Association

Dutch Fork Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogy Society

South Carolina State Library: Lexington County History

History of Swansea, Lexington County, South Carolina

USGS List of Cemeteries in Lexington County, South Carolina

Lexington County, SC Genealogy Forum

Lexington County, SC Query Forum

SK Publications: Lexington County Census Records

Lineages' Genealogy Site: Lexington, South Carolina

The Political Graveyard: Lexington County, South Carolina

Map of Present-Day Lexington County, South Carolina

Lexington County Map

1895 Map of Lexington County, South Carolina

If you find that any of the above links do not work or if you find a link you think I should add, please send me an e-mail.

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This page created: February 9, 2001
This page last updated: June 17, 2003