Note: Uncle Dick Baskin remembers that this picture of his father was taken outside the South Carolina state penitentiary circa 1932.  He also says that he was originally in the picture (to the right) and that he's been cut out of the picture!

From the dates inscribed on his gravestone and his World War One draft registration, we know that John Stuckey Bradley Baskin was born near Bishopville, Sumter County, South Carolina on October 13, 1884.  He was the only child of Thomas Baskin, and his second wife, Harriet "Hattie" Crosswell.  John would later change his middle name to "Sewanee," but more about that later.

John's childhood was—to say the least—very difficult.  We are still trying to piece together his early years but it would appear that he had a very troubling childhood indeed.

From the various financial records kept by his father, Thomas, we know that the family suffered many financial setbacks, lawsuits, repossessions, etc. during the John's first 15 years.  Clearly, these difficult times would have a negative impact on John's life at home.  (see Thomas' page for more details)  It's also clear that these financial difficulties would exacerbate his mother's emotional/mental condition.

From the paperwork associated with John's mother, Harriet's commitment, w we know that she became convinced that her husband was the Devil.  Tragically, she did not even recognize her fourteen year old son when he came to visit her in the Columbia Hospital for the Insane, shortly before her death in February of 1898. Before the end of the year, Thomas Baskin would marry for the third time; this time to Fanny S Burns (who was at least 40 years his junior).

By the time of the 1900 census, we find John living with his father (age 77) and step-mother Fanny S (age 34).  Note that his age is listed as 15, corrected to 14, and that his birth date is listed as October of 1885.  Thomas' birth date is given as October of 1822, and his age as 78, corrected to 77.  The two zeros in the last two columns of Fanny's listing indicate that she had 0 of 0 children living in June of 1900 (i.e. that she was John's step mother and had not had any children of her own at that point).

1900 Census, page 25A, taken on the 6th of June, in Bishopville, Sumter County, South Carolina

The record is fairly clear that John didn't live very long with his stepmother after the death of his father (in August of 1900, a few short months after the census enumeration above). Even worse, His stepmother would join forces with the spouses and descendants of John's two half brothers to contest John's father's will.  The legal in fighting continued for years, eventually reaching the South Carolina Supreme Court. From the various court challenges of his father, Thomas' will we know that...

• ...his name was initially John S. B. Baskin
• ...his father routinely beat him
• ...there were accusations of insanity by both of John's parents against each other
• ...there was obviously bad blood between the two lines of Baskins (between John's family and his half cousins from his father's first marriage)
  • On the one side, we have those Baskins descending from Thomas' first marriage to Maria Peebles
    • These descendants of Thomas' sons by Maria -- William Peebles Baskin (1843-1876), Joseph Edward Baskin (1845-1888) -- and their wives would later ally with his step-mother, Fanny S (or A.) Burns Baskin to contest Thomas' will.
    • Put another way, John's stepmother joined those who contested his father's will (in which Thomas had appointed his friends as trustees to the estate who would ensure that the proceeds from his estate be divided between his third wife, Fanny; and his son John's "education, maintenance and support.")
    • Clearly Thomas disinherited his own grandchildren and daughters in law AND found it necessary to appoint Trustees (his friends) to keep his third wife from exercising control over his estate.
• The court record does not indicate what John's step-mother and half-cousins might have done with respect to the inheritance from his father.  We only know that there was bad blood, and that the "feud" continued for many decades after Thomas' death. 
• At the very least, we know that once the "other Baskins" lost their legal challenge, neither they nor his step mother wanted to have anything to do with young John, who, having lost both his natural parents before reaching his sixteenth birthday, was farmed out to friends for at least a few years.

  relationship chart

 Although details are sketchy, we know that he spent a good portion of his childhood living with family and friends after the death of his father in July of 1900.  We've recently been able to figure out that he spent most of his teenage years in Summerton with the family of Orlando Calhoun Scarborough. Not only was Orlando Scarborough John's relative, he was one of two executors of Thomas Baskin's estate!  Orlando Scarborough was John's first cousin once-removed.  Orlando's mother was Elizabeth Crosswell Scarborough (1808-1887).  Elizabeth was the sister of John J Crosswell (1815-1875), father  of Hattie Crosswell Baskin, John's mother. 

Further evidence of John's stay with the Scarborough family is provided in a newspaper clipping from August 1904, which states that John along with several of Orlando Scarborough's children (Lida, Marguerite, and Malcolm) left Summerton for the exposition commemorating the Louisiana Purchase in St. Louis, Missouri.  The group's return from St. Louis was also documented in the same paper on the 17th of August.

Sometime during this period, John was supposed to have studied (and/or perhaps even boarded) at the St. David's Academy in Society Hill, just north of Hartsville.  More research is needed to see if there are any records that might detail his attendance.

Family legend says that John did not like his middle names, Stuckey Bradley, because it made his initials "SB" sound too much like "SOB."  The story is, that while signing up for service in the Philippines, he saw a calendar on the wall with a picture or drawing of the Sewanee River.  At that moment, he decided to change his name to John Sewanee Baskin.  We recently found John's Army enlistment paperwork for his service in the Philippines:

It reads: Baskin, John S; Enlistment date 1/12/1907 at Fort Slocum, NY (Capt. Washanns); born Sumpter Co., NC [SIC...since there's no Sumter -- much less "Sumpter" -- County in North Carolina, this clearly should be South Carolina]; age 22 and 3 months [Subtract 22 years 3 months from Jan 1907 = October 1884, which is correct]; Farmer, Eyes brown, Hair Dk brown, complexion DK; Height 5-11 1/4.

The second page of the enlistment is a bit harder to decipher.  John's units were CAC [Coastal Artillery Corps], first the 50th then the 57th Company.  John was discharged 1/11/1910 at the Presidio of San Francisco, California; exited service as a Private, in Very Good Health and Fitness.

Looking at the dates and companies involved (link above), the 50 Co. was located at Fort Wint, in the Philippines.  The 57th was in both Fort Wint and the Presidio of San Francisco during the times of John's enlistment. So we can be sure that his service in the Philippines was at Fort Wint, located near Subic Bay.

Duty at Fort Wint was considered a "hardship tour," and was restricted to six months due to its isolation (the only communication with the outside world was via radio or a once-a-week, 75-mile boat ride from Manila.  It would appear that although John's tour in the Philippines did not involve active combat, it was certainly no picnic either!

More info on Fort Wint, Philippines:

• Wikipedia Article

• Excellent article on history of Fort Wint

Several family members remembered that John suffered from malaria upon his return to the US, and that he routinely took quinine for that purpose.

I have not yet found John in the 1910 Census, but according to the February 2, 1910 edition of the Manning Times, we know that he visited the family of Orlando Scarborough in January of that year. 

Presumably, John began farming near Summerton upon his return from military service in the Philippines.  He might have even worked on land owned by his cousin, Orlando Calhoun Scarborough; but we're not entirely sure.

We do know that within a few years from his return from the Philippines, John would begin a courtship with his future wife.  A Bible entry indicates that they started reading the Scriptures together on August 23rd of 1912 (click here to see Bible page).  The Bible also had a page showing participants in their wedding.(click here to see wedding page fragment)

On the 14th of October 1912, John married Mary Richardson Briggs, daughter of Edward Percy Briggs and Anne Sinkler Richardson at Mary's parents home by the Rev. H H Co... Based on a fragment from Mary's Bible, we can see that the maid of honor was Mary's sister, Noddie; the best man was Henry... Bridesmaids and Groomsmen are listed, but based on the fragment, it's hard to tell who's who: Grace & Allston, Mildred & Jay?... Seyman.  Clara & Fred.  May & Julian... Nannie? & Abe.

As my research progresses, I'm finding examples of what John and Mary's life was like in the early days of their marriage in Summerton. There are indications that the Briggs, Richardson and Baskin families got together often in party and song. Local newspapers of the day included short outlines of various social engagements occurring in the surrounding areas.

Click here for a newspaper clip from the October 11th, 1913 edition of the Watchman and Southron.

John and Mary would continue to live just outside Summerton (where John was farming) until early 1916.  By this time, their first two children, sons Jack and Ed had been born.  According to the 24 November 1915 edition of the Manning Times (in the section covering news from Summerton): "Mr. John Baskins [sic] who has been living near town and farming, will move next year to Bishopville where he owns a fine plantation.  We regret very much to lose this good family, but wish them much success."

In September of 1918 John signed his World War One draft registration and listed his middle name as "Sewanee."  His age was 34, and his birth date was listed as Oct 13 1884.  Since this is written in his own hand, I'd say that (along with the date on his gravestone) confirms that it is indeed the correct date of birth (as opposed to the Oct. 1885 date given by his father and step-mother in the 1900 census). 

World War One Draft Registration Card.  (click for larger version of both pages)

John lists is occupation as farmer and his next of kin is his wife, Mary Richardson Baskin.  He lists himself as tall and of medium build, but does not indicate the color of his hair or eyes.

Next, we have the census listing for 1920.  John is 35, Mary 26.  Their address is 719? Manville Road in Bishopville, they own their home and John's occupation is farmer.

1920 Census, Page 12A Bishopville, Lee, SC

By the 1930 census, all six children have been born (from a 16 year old John S, Jr. to 2 years and nine months old Norvelle).  John is 45, Mary 36 and their ages at marriage is listed as 28 and 19.  They are renting their home on 15 East Lee Street in Bishopville for $25/month.  John's occupation is "Foreman, State Highway."  Interestingly, John's veteran status is "no."

1930 Census, Page 15A Bishopville, Lee County, SC

John Sewanee Baskin, Sr. died on April 4, 1935, at age 50, of "coronary thrombosis" (i.e. a heart attack).  John's death certificate mentions that he was under a doctor's care between March 26th and his death on April 4th, in Richland County South Carolina (presumably in a hospital in Columbia).

John is buried in the Bethlehem United Methodist Cemetery, just outside of Bishopville, South Carolina.

His widow, Mary, went on to raise their family.  The story of their family continues below.