In 1750 there lived in Dover, England one John Sheffield and wife, Abigail. Abigail bore two sons, John Timothy and George.

John Sheffield was a seafaring man and in middle life acquired ships in number. Being a man of means, and having come by wealth through his own efforts, he was determined that his sons should do likewise. Therefore, when his sons were of age, they were sent to sea. It is here the history begins of those who came before Edward Kirby Skipper and were the cause of his being.

George Sheffield arrived in France in 1771 and at the age of 19 met and marries Celeste Aumont. Her family was of the nobility. George changed his name from Sheffield to Sheffee. I was not told why he changed his name, in fact, I think the reason was lost in the years of telling and re-telling. It might have been that he thought the change in keeping with his wife's noble background but this is supposition on my part. No one really knows.

George Sheffee remained in France and Celeste bore him two sons and one daughter. I have no facts about his accomplishments or failures. The only facts I have are that he, his wife and daughter escaped to England in the early part of 1793. The two sons, Paul and George II, escaped to the Americas and landed at Charlestown, South Carolina. From hereon facts concerning Paul are lost so far as my knowledge of this history goes. It is said that both Paul and George II changed their names back to the original Sheffield when they took passage to America. Again it must be supposition on my part as to their reason for this. In those days of the French Revolution, feelings toward nobility was anything but charitable, therefore, I believe the change was made as a protective measure.

George II prospered also, in the shipping business and at the age of 26 married Elizabeth Grey in 1800. She bore two daughters, Martha and Elizabeth, and two sons, Jean and George.

Jean was an adventurous person and incurred his father's anger by refusal to go to sea. He ran away from home and settled in Georgetown, South Carolina. Trade and transportation, at this time, was by water. River boats traveled from Georgetown, S.C. to Conway, S.C. along the Waccamaw River. Jean became Captain of one of the river boats. It was told to me that people along the river looked forward to the arrival of his boat, due to his generosity and cheerfulness. All up and down the river he was known only as the Skipper.

The Indians lived along the banks of the river, rather one tribe did. They were the Waccamaws. Whether the river was named for them or they for the river, I do not know. I do know that they trusted and loved the Skipper. He fell in love with one of these Indian girls and the Chief blessed their marriage. In 1821 one Jean Sheffield married an Indian girl. The only record I have of her name is the one given to her by the Skipper. It was Lenora Lightwater.

When Jean's father heard of this marriage he denounced his son and disinherited him. From that day forward Jean never signed his name anyway but as Jean Skipper. Thus came into being the name I now bear.

To this couple, in 1822, was born one John Skipper. Lenora bore seven sons and one daughter but I have no record of any of these children except John. The story has been told from generation to generation that this was a happy marriage but when Lenora's children were grown up and after the Skipper's death she returned to her own people. From herein all history of her being is lost. I do know that one out of each generation that has followed has been blessed with many of her characteristics. I consider it a blessing that I was the one in my generation. I feel I have much to thank her for.

John Skipper, at the age of 18, married Martha Lattimore and to this couple were born three girls and two boys. I have no record of these children except J.E. Skipper, born August 23, 1844 in Marion County, North Carolina. J.E. married Sarah A. Roberts, born October 07, 1850 in Horry County, N.C. By trade he was a carpenter and trapper, as his father before him, but in middle life he went into business and owned the Country Store at Skipper's Landing, N.C. Having inherited the original Skipper's nature of generosity he soon went broke with only a ledger full of credit to show for this venture. He went back to his trade as a trapper and on November 29, 1901, died of a heart attack while hunting.

Perhaps this true story will mean something to those of you who read this history, as each generation adds to it.

J.E. Skipper owned a mongrel dog named Dash. This dog was also a trapper. He was gentle with those to whom he belonged. Never vicious or unruly yet on the morning of November 29, 1901 he tore the apron from his mistress. Finally when she realized that he was begging her to follow him, she did so and after a walk of about 30 minutes she came to the spot where J.E. lay dead. My father, Edward Kirby Skipper, kept this dog in comfort and in love until he was 19 years old, which is almost a century for a dog.

From hereon all records are written records and none of which are by word of mouth only. Copied from the works of Ruth Kirby Skipper, to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude for recording the beginning of the Skipper history. Pr.