In the winter of 1921, a dark chapter unfolded in the history of the Bigham family, a prominent and powerful family in Pamplico, South Carolina. Marjorie Ann Bigham Black, a 43-year-old woman, found her life tragically cut short, not by a stranger, but allegedly at the hands of her own kin. The events that transpired on the family's plantation sent shockwaves through the small community, revealing a story of greed and betrayal that had been simmering beneath the surface of a seemingly
influential dynasty.
The Bigham family had a long and storied presence in the Pee Dee River region, known for their thriving plantation and their entanglement in numerous controversies, including accusations of violence and even murder that spanned generations. This deeply troubled history set the stage for the horrific events of January 15, 1921. On that day, not only was Marjorie killed, but so were her two young adopted sons, Leo and John McCracken, her brother, Leonard Smiley Bigham III, and their mother, Mary Madora “Dora” Smith Bigham.
The investigation into the multiple homicides quickly focused on one of their own: Edmund D. Bigham, Marjorie's brother. It is believed that a dispute over the family's considerable assets and inheritance was the catalyst for the brutal slayings. Edmund had recently moved his own family into the Bigham home, creating a tense environment where resentments could fester. In the weeks leading up to the murders, Marjorie had reportedly taken steps to secure her will, leaving her possessions to her brother Smiley, a decision that may have further fueled Edmund's deadly actions.
Edmund D. Bigham was arrested and stood trial for the murders. The legal proceedings that followed were complex, involving two trials before he confessed to the crimes. He was found guilty of the murder of his brother, Leonard Smiley Bigham III, and was implicated in the deaths of the other four family members. Despite his confession, Edmund would later recant, claiming it was made under duress to spare his own life. He was eventually released from prison in 1960 and died two years later. The tragic end of Marjorie Ann Bigham Black and her family members remains a chilling tale of familial violence and a stark reminder of the darkness that can lie within a family's legacy.
