Thomas G. Samworth is my Great Grandfather. My 92 year old Grandmother always wanted to write a book about him, but now she is unable. I'm going to use this blog as a way for others to find information and add information about the work he did as a publisher of books on firearms, a collector of guns, a conservationist and photographer. This space may also be used for family history. For now I think leaving comments will be the best way for others to share what they know about him.
Ann C. (Tweddle) Freeman
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Ann, I collect old duck decoys. Recently bought at auction,a decoy given to F.P.Williamson by Sam. In his photos taken in South Carolina, I would have a GREAT interest in any photos that have decoys in them,be more than happy to purchase copies.
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks, Dick McIntyre 843.466.0250 decoyczar@hughes.net
I knew "Mr. Sam" in the 70s. He showed me many slides of wildlife pictures he had taken in the low country around Dirleton and the neighboring plantations of Georgetown County. We used to team up with Phil Wilkinson who was managing South Island Plantation and go to some of the small islands to take pictures of birds and other wildlife. Mr. Sam taught me techniques for taking photos of birds in flight. When he would see something he wanted to examine, he would toss his cane aside and off he would go into the woods or through the mud. He was a fascinating individual who related many stories about his adventures. He was friends with one of the former presidents (may have been President Hoover or maybe FDR...I don't quite remember...but he told of the time they had to back down a curvy mountain road because the President had just bought a new car and got it stuck in reverse gear and didn't know how to get it back into forward gear. I can still see Mr. Sam's twinkly eyes when he told about it and chuckled.
ReplyDeleteHe allowed my Marine Biology class to stay at the plantation house (which he had donated to the state of SC with lifetime rights) and set up "lab" on the porch with the specimens we had collected. He became friends with one of the students (who was 19 or 20 at the time, but is now a grandfather) and encouraged his natural talent for photography.
I could tell you many more stories about my friendship with Mr. Sam...but I don't know if you are interested in personal stories.
I have a letter he wrote to me regarding an incident that occurred during one of our stays at Direlton involving a fallen marble mantle-piece. Mr. Sam was living in the mobile home down by the alligator pond at the time because it had become difficult for him to manage the stairs at the main house.
The incident ended well...but was a bit unnerving at the time. It is rather lengthy to recount here.
I also have photos that I took of Mr. Sam in the 1970s. (He still wore his boots.)
ReplyDeleteThomas Samworth was my father's uncle.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of the Stancil's, Hello cousin!
DeleteAnn
Wow, I wish I had come across these comments sooner. So sorry to not have responded. Thank you for your comments.
ReplyDeleteMy dad, Teddy Barrineau, wrote the poem etched on your great- grandfather's tombstone on Direlton Plantation. My father loved him dearly and my name is Samantha.. everyone calls me Sam. I remember us taking him to the grocery store and everyone thought he was Santa Claus. I also remember he got a VCR which was enormous. ..before anyone ever knew what it was. Hopefully you are doing well! You come from an amazing family!
ReplyDeleteSam Barrineau
My mother and father met Mr. Samworth sometime in the late 70's, I think. They were riding on their pontoon boat on the river and may have ran out of gas near a dock on the plantation, or possibly, my mom the adventurous, wanted to explore the area...not quite sure how the story went, but Mr. Samworth spotted them and shortly a conversation began. He was apparently a very generous man because he passed along some old magazines, dating back to the 40's and a couple of pictures/prints. Me and my sisters were there, too, I remember thinking he looked just like Santa Claus. The whole day there was magical.
ReplyDeleteLove these comments and stories, I especially the personal ones. Please feel free to email me at ranchosinnombre@gmail.com to share photos or more stories. Ann Tweddle Johnson, Great Granddaughter of TGS
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