The following is a list of books which give insight into the history of Edgefield County. Many of these can be purchased from the Tompkins Library at OEDGS@spiritcom.net.
Chapman, John The History of Edgefield County
1897 Overview of county history at the end of the 19th century with many stories
Simkins, Francis Butler Pitchfork Ben Tillman
1944 Biography of the Edgefield farmer who became a political powerhouse in South Carolina
Burton, Orville Vernon In My Father’s House
1985 Social and economic history of the Edgefield District in the mid-19th century
Edmunds, John B., Jr. Francis W. Pickens
1986 Biography of Francis Pickens, First War Governor of South Carolina
Booraem, Henrik V. The Early History of Johnston
1993 History of the founding of the railroad town
Butterfield, Fox All God’s Children
1995 Story of a violent murderer and his heritage in the Edgefield District
Dorn, T. Felder The Guns of Meeting Street
2001 Detailed account of the tragic 1941 family feud between two families in the county
Lewis, Elizabeth W. Queen of the Confederacy
2002 Biography of Lucy Holcombe Pickens, wife of South Carolina Governor Francis Pickens
Bass, Jack & M. Thompson Strom
2005 Biography of Strom Thurmond, South Carolina’s Legendary Leader
Todd, Leonard Carolina Clay
2008 The Life and Legend of the Slave Potter Dave