The place
God's Acre Healing Springs sits at the end of Springs Court, next to Healing Springs Baptist Church, about three miles north of downtown Blackville off S.C. Highway 3 (SC Living). Cold, clear artesian water flows from the ground and from a row of spigots beside a small wooded stream, and visitors are welcome to fill their own jugs. It's free and open during daylight hours (Thoroughbred Country; SC Picture Project).
The history
By tradition, the springs got their name during the Revolutionary War. The historical marker says that in 1781, after a battle at nearby Windy Hill Creek, four wounded Loyalist (Tory) soldiers and two comrades ordered to bury them were found by Native Americans, who brought them to their sacred springs. Six months later all six men returned to the Charleston garrison healthy (marker text, SC Picture Project).
According to the marker, ownership passed from the Native peoples to an Indian trader, Nathaniel Walker, who is said to have bought the springs with corn and who also founded the neighboring church, first called Edisto Church. The land changed hands until L. P. "Lute" Boylston acquired it. On July 21, 1944, he deeded the acre and the springs to God, "to be used by the sick and afflicted," calling it "the most precious piece of earth I have ever owned" (Historical Marker Database). Barnwell County's own history page notes the unusual deed as a "legal footnote" (Barnwell County). Today local trustees look after the property in partnership with Barnwell County (SC Living).
About the water
Local tradition and generations of visitors believe the water has healing properties, which is how the springs got their name. As for testing, SC Living reported that state health officials last tested the water in 2010 and found it met public drinking-water standards, and that other tests found very low mineral content. A trustee told the magazine there is no scientific explanation for its reputed healing power (SC Living). King D makes no medical or health claims about the water.
King D's Natural Healing Spring H2O
JJ collects his Natural Healing Spring H2O at God's Acre Healing Springs and supplies it to customers.
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