Little River News
February 21, 1934
EARLY DAYS AT MILLWOOD
The
community of Millwood, now known as Hopewell, ranks among the oldest
settlements in Little River County. The
first school at Millwood was a three-month school taught in a log house on Mrs. Sye Baley’s farm. The school remained for two years with Mr. Chillcott as teacher. In 1872 a small school building was built
where the cemetery is now, with Mr.
Quinnin as teacher. The school was
located at its present site in 1890.
On
June 16, 1876 the first church in the community was organized with Rev. Berry as pastor. Those who organized the church were J.B. Blackerby, B.F. Renfroe, Jim
Henderson, Frank Wilkerson, and Dr. Parker.
The people contributed money to buy the lumber to build the church. The lumber was hauled on ox wagons from Matt Moss’s mill at Peytonville.
A
post office was located on Mr. Kitchen’s
farm, which is now owned by G.H. Hatcher. Those who were in charge of the post office
were E. Payton, Arch Chancy, Mr. Kitchen,
and Mr. Hicks, who operated it until
his death.
At
this time, G.C. Wheat took charge
and a star route was then formed. Albert Stevenson, a Negro, carried the
mail
Mrs. N.A. Doughten is the oldest citizen of
the community who is yet living. She
still takes an active part in the church affairs.
Some
of the first settlers were Mr. and Mrs.
Bill Clark, who settled a farm near Red Bluff, John Moon, who settled the L.H.
Starks farm, and Mr. Renfroe,
who settled a part of L.F. Fomby’s
farm before the civil was. Slaves were
used on this farm. Other early settlers
were Doughten’s, Smith’s, Jones’s and Baley’s.