Co-Presidents Message

- families are invited to a dutch treat, meet and greet at Silver Bay Seafood Restaurant, 916 NE Main Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681;  beginning at 6pm for all the Traynham family to reconnect.   

- a meditative and reflection opportunity at David Traynham Cemetery arrive at 10am. Stay until 2pm to socialize and connect. All are encouraged to bring refreshments as August heat in the south can become stifling and hydration is a must. An ice chest and ice will be provided to cool drinks   

Directions:

794 Lattimer Mill Rd., Honea Path, SC

From: I-85 and US 25/291 travel south on US 25/Augusta Rd about 11 miles to Rte. 8- Pelzer Community. Continue at the 4 way stop on US 25 for 8 miles veering to left onto Hwy 76, Princeton Community, then take very first left onto Lattimer Mill Rd., next go about 4 miles, you will pass Traynham Rd on left, but continue straight on Lattimer Mill Rd crossing over Horse Creek bridge. On the immediate left will be an open field enclosed with black wooden fence. Begin looking for "David Traynham Cemetery" wooden hand carved sign. The alley driveway dirt road is just before the carved sign. Limited parking inside 1 acre cemetery area, or park along Lattimer Mill Rd.

- Traynham Reunion Day

Adequate parking, just be aware church services may still being ongoing until 11:00.

Set-up committee at 11:00 can always use people to help, contact Lynn Cornette

Children Activities available in gym, contact Becky League or Jacqueline Eletson 

Reunion starts at 11:00-11:30, opening remarks from co-presidents, Lindsay & Patrick Stone

Historian updates, Marlon D. Bourque

Lunch will be at 12:30-1:00pm

*** sandwich or snacks encouraged for children before meal.

Marietta Baptist Church

2936 Greer Highway

Marietta SC  29661

In 2025-2026 period the website has had activity of new persons interested in research and reunion.

• Mrs. Molly Wharton McLaughlin of Jesup, Georgia noticed the Traynham website and was inquiring about her ancestor William Traynham 1733-1806. This William Traynham was child of Charles & Lydia Griswell Traynham, older brother of our David Traynham, Sr. She is particularly interested in the Wharton family “since it is her middle name.” She remembered visiting Andersonville SC with her father, he was a geologist doing work in north western South Carolina. Her husband Rufus McLauglin is the Traynham relationship as his Traynham married into Malone, Wallace family and relocated to Wesson, Mississippi around 1817 during signing of Choctaw treaty allowing settlement in Lower Mississippi. She has health issues but will try to attend reunion in August 2026.

• Susan Sherwin Hughes reached out after seeing Facebook page and Traynham website. She has asked for reunion dates and will be joining us in August 2026.

• Kevin Traynham reached out after his son was researching John Trainum of Charlottesville VA. Found John and Elizabeth Trainum born in England a had a son named Stephen.  His great-grandfather was Elias Sandridge Trainum. He fought with the Gordonsville Grey’s unit in War Between the States from the Charlottesville VA area. Kevin currently lives in Dacusville SC. Hopefully, if his wife’s health improves then he is willing to attend Traynham Reunion 2026.  

• Harry Traynham and daughter Lena are successful musicians today. Harry was prolific guitarist playing in gigs all around Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland. Search Harry Traynham Music at harrytraynham.com. His daughter Lena Traynham was a two time American Idol contestant winner and performs in Washington DC and Virginia gigs much like her father did. Harry Traynham lives in Maryland and hopefully he and a brother can attend next Traynham Reunion 2026.

Traynham Reunion 2025 was a success, led by a new co-president team of Lindsay and Patrick Stone. Highlights of events for all three days are listed below.

Friday August 22, 2025, members were invited to a dutch treat, meet and greet at Silver Bay Seafood Restaurant, 916 NE Main Street, Simpsonville, SC for all the Traynham family to reconnect. Those in attendance greatly enjoyed the evening of Traynham memories shared.

On Saturday August 23, 2025, Dr. Catherine Ledford Scott organized a dedication ceremony for her ancestor William Traynham to receive a DAR Award medallion in honor of his service in War of 1812. Mr. Bud Starnes and Mr. Warren Brown represented a Pickens SC Chapter SAR Veterans group who performed a flag ceremony.  Marlon Bourque, retired Navy, read Veteran’s Prayer. And Mr. Ron Stewart, Bugles Across America, played Taps to end the dedication ceremony. Marlon Bourque and Louis C. Boyd, a Traynham descendent, affixed the plaque on the marble surface of William Traynham and Mr Warren Brown snapped the group photo of those in attendance. (see photos on website, traynhamreunion.com)  

Traynham Reunion occurred Sunday August 24, 2025. The logistics committees did a phenomenal job in keeping the event rolling from set-up to meal organization. I’d like to recognize the following committees for their hard work in making this event a success. 

Food & Kitchen: Lynn Cornette and Cindy Smith

Children’s Entertainment: Becky League, Jacqueline Eletson, Kelly Boggs, and Linda Austin.

Family History & Research: Becky Webb Henderson and Marlon D. Bourque

David Trayham Cemetery: Becky Webb Henderson and Jay League

Social Media: Richard G. Medlock

Website: Marlon D. Bourque

Our event was made easier with the volunteer efforts of a Traynham descendent, Rev. Brian Spearman who graciously at last minute provided his facilities, to host the reunion activities at his Marietta Baptist Church, Marietta SC.  All the attendees were greeted in the foyer with Traynham family information boards. These visual aids were produced by researchers; Elaine Traynham Zimney, Jasper Carroll Traynham, Becky Webb Henderson, and Marlon D. Bourque to help everyone in attendance seek out where they fit into the greater Traynham family. Marlon Bourque, your team Traynham Historian, gave a discussion about new research discovered. Original Traynham ancestors in Yorkshire England from 1500’s, emigration in 1660’s to Virginia Colony, new colonial settlements in early Virginia of Stephen Trainum, Charles Traynham and Lydia Susan Griswell in Essex and Caroline County, the seven children in Caroline, Spotsyvania, Halifax counties, and finally David Traynham, Sr. relocating to Horse Creek, Greenville County, SC with his family in 1792. 

In 2024, Becky Webb Henderson and Marlon D. Bourque met with Greenville Public Library to bring the history collected over all reunions for safe keeping and cataloging in the South Carolina Room. The whole archive is available in South Carolina Room-reference section of the Hughes Main Library, 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville SC  29601. 

 (for photos see traynhamreunion.com website and facebook group: Traynham Family-Greenville SC, edited by Richard G. Medlock)  

 Feel free to share your feedback and suggestions with us by email or social media.

In Memorium:

***Mr. Jasper Carroll Traynham died in his home in Charleston SC at age 100 on 25 Mar 2026. His church service will be held March 29, 2026 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, interment will follow at St. Andrew's Parish Churchyard., North Charleston SC.

Born at home, May 7, 1925, Greenville County, SC, he was oldest son of Jessie Carroll and Cindy Bruce Thackston Traynham. Served in US Navy in the South Pacific theatre until end of WWII in 1943-1946. He was a decorated member of the Phillipines Liberator campaign, received battle stars . He served in Korean Conflict  and served in Washington DC with the National Security Agency. He loved his Traynham family and was able to compile a 200 page book of Traynham family genealogy, covering 7 generations of Traynham family. He, wife Jaime, and Wayne Traynham worked tirelessly on making David and James Traynham Cemetery a reality.  https://obits.jhenrystuhr.com/jasper-traynham

***Donnie Benjamin Woods, 80, husband of 62 years to Myrtis Thompson Woods of Princeton, died Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital..Born in Laurens County, he was a son of the late W.A. and Sara Kirby Woods. He was a member and former deacon of Princeton Baptist Church and was retired from BASF Corporation, after 32 of service. Donnie was a member of Princeton Lodge #129 A.F.M. for more than 50 years. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Donnie never met a stranger and always asked everyone where they were from and who their kinfolks were..  Donnie was a among the tireless efforts making the David Traynham Cemetery a reality along with cousins Jasper Carroll and Wayne Traynham. 

Donnie loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in the yard, and just sitting on the porch.  Graveside services will be held at Princeton Baptist Church Cemetery at 1pm Saturday, January 17th. https://www.parkerwhitepruitt.com/obituaries/item/4400-donnie-woods