This is the documented grave of a convicted criminal. Information below comes from public records.
William S. Bates
c. June 1850 โ April 16, 1880Convicted 1879
Buried at:
Graniteville Cemetery , Graniteville, South Carolina ยท Graniteville Cemetery, Aiken County (no specific plot or marker photo available)
Criminal History (Public Record)
Bates was convicted of murder in the late 1870s and hanged on April 16, 1880, before a large crowd (reportedly around 5,000 spectators). He was 29 or 30 years old at the time of execution.
Background
William S. Bates was executed by hanging in Barnwell County, South Carolina, for the murder of Stephen W. Bush.
Sources & Verification
https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/658168 (Executed in South Carolina)
Contemporary South Carolina newspaper accounts
South Carolina historical execution records (pre-1972)
All information on this site is drawn from publicly available records. We strongly recommend verifying directly with the cemetery and primary sources before making any decisions.
No other flagged graves found within 5 miles of this location in our current database.