Soldier, Progressive Farmer, & Community Leader
The small city of Clemson—Nestled away amongst the rolling hills of South Carolina’s Piedmont region at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to the J.C. Stribling Barn and Plantation. Often overlooked, this property and several of its inhabitants have played significant historical roles in both the local tri-county area and within the state of South Carolina at large. Amongst those who tilled its soil and called this property home, Jesse Cornelius Stribling, the man for whom it is named stands out. J.C. Stribling was born to Thomas Majors and Mary Jones Stribling in the Cane Creek area of Oconee County, South Carolina[1] on September 24th, 1844. While there is little record of his adolescent years at the age of 19, he left school early and joined the Army of the Confederate States of America serving in the infantry, cavalry, and artillery. He served for the duration of the war participating in the battles of 2nd Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp, Ridley’s Shop, and Malvern Hill. During his years of service, he was wounded three times and was captured once but managed to escape.[2] When he returned home from the war, he weighed only 76 pounds and was the only one of 12 neighbors who entered the service that came back from Virginia alive.[3]
Shortly after returning home he married Virginia Hunter on June 6, 1867, and turned his attention to progress farming and brick manufacturing. According to W.H. Mills, “Jesse Stribling contributed more to ‘dirt agriculture’ than any man in South Carolina.”[4] Stribling became a member of the Pendleton Farmers’ Society in 1874, [4] and provided his services in various capacities. As a member of America’s oldest agricultural society, he sat on the committee in charge of stock shows, served as the vice president, and was also the president of the organization. [5] The Anderson Tribune stated, “…it is he [J.C. Stribling] who has done more for the Pendleton Farmers’ Society than any of its members, living or dead…it virtually owes its existence today to the unselfish, determined and persistent efforts of Captain J.C. Stribling.” [6] Furthermore, J.C. Stribling was one of the “12 great South Carolina farmers” [4] and along with his friend Colonel W.D. Warren—the owner of the Ashtabula Plantation in Pendleton, S.C.—was known for introducing Jersey cattle and Percheron horses into the state. Among his many contributions to agriculture, Stribling invented “a new and improved fruit-picker” for which the United States Patent office issued him a patent.[7] Moreover, in 1880 he built the first silo in South Carolina, and as a result, in 1881 he was awarded at the state fair for the best ensilage. [4] His entrepreneurial and innovated ideas about progressive farming significantly impacted his local community and the state of South Carolina for the better. His passionate involvement in ostensibly everything agriculture aided to push South Carolina forward after it was devastated by the War Between The States and the federal military occupation that followed until 1876.
J.C. Stribling remained active in the Pendleton Farmers’ Society up until his death. It is worthy of note that the Pendleton Farmers’ Society played a salient role in the founding of Clemson Agricultural College—today Clemson University. Stribling was commissioned by the society to assist in writing a history of the organization. Subsequently, the history was published shortly after in 1908 titled Pendleton Farmers’ Society. In the book, Stribling detailed the farmers “planting the germ that grew up into Clemson Agricultural College, South Carolina’s great institution of learning in successful operation.” [8] Continuing in chapter 11 Stribling wrote,
“…24th of November, 1866… a committee consisting of Hon. R. F. Simpson, Col. W. A. Hayne, Hon. Thos. G. Clemson were appointed a committee to appeal to their fellowmen for aid to found an institution for educating our people in the science of agriculture.” [8]
While it took twenty-three years for the germ to grow into Clemson Agricultural college, it was because of the Pendleton Farmers’ Society and members such as Thomas Green Clemson and Jesse Cornelius Stribling that Clemson University exists today. It was because of progressive farmers such as Stribling working at a grassroots level that made our “high seminary of learning” a reality. For his exemplary and innovative agricultural work, Clemson Agricultural college awarded J.C. Stribling with a “certificate of merit” for rendering “distinguished services in the agricultural development of the state.” [9]
A native son of the Palmetto State, Jesse Cornelius Stribling lived a remarkable life. He was a distinguished warrior in defense of his state; however, he did not carry bitterness with him after the war’s conclusion. He turned his energy to how he could altruistically give back to his community, state, and nation to make it better in any way possible. His pioneering and progressive farming ideas made him one of the preeminent farmers not only in South Carolina but in the nation. His selfless service to his community and Pendleton Farmers’ Society helped to found Clemson College—what is today one of the top public universities in America. Jesse Cornelius Stribling passed away on May 27th, 1927 and is buried only a few miles away from his property at Pendleton Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Pendleton, South Carolina.
References
[1] Pritchett, Korey. “Interview With Steve Sefick: Owner of The J.C. Stribling Barn & Plantation,” Local History Matters, accessed May 4, 2019, http://www.localhistorymatters.org/admin/items/show/61.
[2] “Soldier Details - The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service).” Accessed March 4, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm.
[3] J.C. Stribling & Property Papers | Sefick Family Archive. [located The J.C. Stribling Barn & Plantation, Clemson, South Carolina.
[4] Mills, W.H., “Twelve Great South Carolina Farmers.” South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. Publication Number AE 197. Clemson, College, Clemson, South Carolina. 1960:38-41
[5] Stevenson, M. “The Diary of Clarissa Adger Bowen – Ashtabula Plantation 1865 (The Pendleton Clemson, S.C. Area 1776-1889). Research & Publication Committee. Foundation for Historic Restoration in the Pendleton Area. Pendleton, South Carolina. 1973.
[6] Anonymous. Untitled. Anderson Tribune. 1924 Dec 13.
[7] Stribling, C. Jesse. Improvement In Fruit-Pickers. United States Patent US No. 193,733. United States Patent Office. 31 July 1877.
[8] Pendleton Farmers’ Society. Committee on History. Pendleton Farmers’ Society. Foote & Davies Company, 1908.
[9] Riggs, W. M. [Letter to Mr. J.C. Stribling]. Located at: The Strom Thurmond Institute, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. 1916 May 31.