As the legend goes, so the story tells…both very important key phrases when sharing (and I admit, i learned this expression while travelling) a story, as the key phrase adds importance to what is about to be told, shared, relayed….and it has crossed the oceans to here in the USA (for me, at least, I hope others are ahead of me and already heard such expressions here.)

The expression, as the story goes and is told, I found, is written on a historical plaque here at the Old Stone Church and Graveyard in Clemson, South Carolina (just off off Clemson/Anderson Highway).

“Accordingly to a long told Story, Eliza Huger, a member of prominent society, was banished. Even by the standards of that city, her actions were considered horrific by her and her lover….”

A remarkable cemetary, mostly from the late 18th century and through the American Civil war of the 19th century, the the stone walls, about 3 feet high, are quite something, holding within their realms lovers, outcasts, members of prominent society, founders of the Church that had immigrated from mostly Whales and England, and Confederate high ranking military members and families.

There is one a marker for a family plot, made of of men entered there, which contains a relief mark that I am unfamiliar with, others are identifiable as mark, ranks, memberships to societies, like the D.A.R. (daughters of the American Revolution) and more.

The large image, commemorating the Confederate Dead, stands between the church itself and the main graveyard, in a Cairn style rock built wall and is quite simple yet exquisitely beautiful.

While the church is now on the Historical register of National Landmarks, it’s not longer used as a tradition church (but by peaking through a window, a really cool old fashioned organ remains inside.)

This is a true gem and definitely worth visiting!!