Waterman Booth was my husbands great grandfather, he was the son of James Thomas Booth and Clarky Bessant Hux.
He was a farmer and teacher, Waterman always had a good horse and buggy-frequently riding on the horse with a good saddle. He had a great grape vine and sold grapes in town. Additionally, he represented Horry County in the SC House of Representative for 1915-1916 and served on the Horry County Commission of Education. On March 27, 1887(or 89) Waterman was married to Lillie V Elliott.
Lillie was born in Horry Co. on July 25 1864 and died May 8 1925. She was the daughter of Allen J Elliott and Sarah A Grainger. They were married by W.W. Jones with Olin F Booth and Mollie J Elliott serving as attendants. Both are buried at Poplar Methodist Church.

The last man hanged in Horry County was Commander Johnson on June 23 1905, he killed Rev. Harmon Grainger. Johnson was hanged on Oct 26, 1906. Waterman was foreman of the jury which convicted Johnson. See IRQ, Vol. 5, No.2, pp 28 & 29 for details. Waterman worked as a federal census taker in 1900. "He was a unique personality. The brief record of his life of 72 years shows him active as farmer, teacher, county superintendent of education, member of the Legislature, and underlying and inspiring all, and above all, a Christian devotedly serving his Lord and the Church."

"Of all the types of character one of the finest is that of a true Christian woman, wife and mother, who through constant love and service helps to build, brighten, and beautify the home and uplifts the community in which she lives(about Lillie Elliott Booth)



They are buried at Poplar Methodist Church Conway SC.


Conway Sept 13
Waterman M Booth, 73, died in a hospital here friday night after a serious illness lasting 14 weeks. He was one of the most widely known and best loved men in Horry County. He was a successful teacher for a number of years, school commissioner of Horry County in 1900-1901 and a member of the house of representatives in 1917-1918.
Mr. Booth married Miss Lillian Elliott March 27, 1889. She died six years ago. To them six children were born, Jamie T Booth, Allen J Booth, Mrs Eddie Mishoe, Mrs Henry Herbert Anderson, Henry Mark Booth and Effie Lillian Booth. All these survived except Allen, who died during the war while in service in France.
He is also survived by six brothers and four sisters, Colin W Booth of Aynor, Mrs. James T Todd of Dillon, Olin F Booth of Conway, James W Booth of Aynor, the Rev. Stannie H Booth of Fountain Inn, Mrs B P Holmes of Oak Park Ga, Franklin B Booth St Paul NC, Mrs. B G Strickland of Conway, Enoch S Booth of Conway, and Mrs Noah S Hardwick of Aynor.
Mr. Booth was an active member of Poplar Methodist Church. He was a steward for a number of years, a teacher in the Sunday School for about 50 years.
He was buried at Poplar Methodist Church.