In 1867 seven black men, headed by Bishop Richard Harvey Cain, became dissatisfied with the treatment they were receiving in Charles Town, South Carolina, which is now Charlestown, South Carolina. They took a ride on the South Carolina Special, which was a local train, looking for sites that the South Carolina Railroad Company had for sale. They settled on a location that was called "Pump Pond" because the train stopped there to take on water and wood, and later coal and water. They signed a contract with the South Carolina Railroad to buy 620 acres of land. After they paid the debt, they applied to the Secretary of State for a charter. The Charter was granted on December 14, 1889. They named the town Lincolnville, South Carolina in honor of President Abraham Lincoln who freed the slaves.

The founders and early settlers were strong believers in God. Many of the founders and early settlers were members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. They were members of Emanuel A.M.E. Church. On November 6, 1869, Richard Harvey Cain and others signed the deed for the purchase of land for the first church in the village. In 1880 Rev. Cain joined Ebenezer A.M.E. Church to the African Methodist Episcopal denomination.

"OH LINCOLNVILLE" - by Frank Dunn

The last bugle has sounded
at the ending of the war,
Where men of North and South had fought
with honor and with valor,
Now brothers were united
and slavery's chains were freed,
A new birth of our country
Blest by God's own creed.

Seven men of color had a dream
where men could live and toil,
Among the stately pines that stand
enriched in fertile soil,
Soil that had been nurtured
by those who fought and died,
Oh Lincolnville, Oh Lincolnville
what heritage and pride.

Many years have come and gone
and generations passed,
Have left for us a legacy
that'll never be surpassed,
Black and white, rich and poor
will live in harmony
Ordained by God in Heaven above
that all men should be free.

Lincolnville, Oh Lincolnville
blest by God's own hand,
Long may you live in peace and love
throughout your hallowed land.
Love for all your neighbors
in spite of race and color,
A place where all men can be free
and live in peace once more.