USA > South Carolina > Historic houses of South Carolina > Part 11
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"WINYAH INN," GEORGETOWN
- البانلائكة والجرو لمجريان اميمهذه
GEORGETOWN AND VICINITY
has continued its good work to this day. The holdings of the Society are among the most valuable real estate properties in the city, embracing the imposing and historic brick building which was used for years as an academy, and later for the graded school. It was probably to this building that the notice below refors:
"Charles Gee of the Parish of Prince George, Bachelor, and Catherine Bond of the Parish of Prince George, Widow, were married in the Public School-House of Prince George, by Banns, this Twenty Fourth Day of April in the Year of our Lord, 1770, by me. S. F. Warren, Rector of St. James Santer.
. This marriage was Solemnized between us In the Presence of
Charles Gee Catherine Bond X her mark Thomas Webb Peter Maume ( ?)"
An autograph letter of George Washington referring to his reception in Georgetown, is greatly prized by the citizens of the town. It is in the possession of the Winyah Indigo Society, and is as follows :
"To the Inhabitants of Georgetown and Its Vicinity :
"Gentlemen-I receive your Congratulations on my ar- rival in South Carolina with real pleasure, and I confess my obligations to your affectionate regard with sincere gratitude. While the calamities to which you were exposed during the war excited all my sympathy, the gallantry and firmness with which they were encountered obtained my entire esteem. To your fortitude in these trying scenes our country is much in- debted for the happy and honorable issue of the contest.
"From the milder virtues that characterize your conduct in peace, our equal government will derive those aids which may render its operations extensively beneficial.
"That your participation of every national advantage and your prosperity in private life may be amply proportional to your past services and sufferings is my sincere and fer- vent wish.
"G. WASHINGTON."
(Signed) April 29th, 1791.
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The building which was some years since known as the "Winyah Inn" (now used as a Masonic Temple) was the old "Colonial Bank of Georgetown," erected before the Revolu- tion. It also served as headquarters for the British during the war. It is a substantial structure with spacious verandas sup- ported by massive white columns. The old rice and indigo planters here deposited their wealth, and one of the iron vaults is still to be seen in the building.
THE PYATT OR ALSTON HOUSE
. Mrs. John Rose Parker, now living in one of the few old structures remaining in the town of Georgetown, describes the place as being the Pyatt or Allston House, situated on the bluff in Georgetown directly on the Sampit River. It bears the honor of having had George Washington under its roof as a guest during his visit to the old colonial town in 1791 while on his tour of the South. It is now the home of the Pyatt family, direct descendants of Mr. Benj. Allston, who as a lad was with Marion's Command during the Revolution, and who made the old house his home about the year 1820. The records were lost " during the war between the States, so that the exact date of its erection, and the name of the builder are unknown. It is a large brick building and must have been erected before the Revolution, as there was very little building done between the years 1783 and 1812. On a window pane in the long dining-room wing is the inscription, "J. W. Pawley September 2nd 1815," written twice in parallel lines. The exterior of the house has scarce been changed since that period. The land slopes di- rectly down to the river in front, and it is quite probable that General Washington and his distinguished party landed there. Tradition has it that Marquis LaFayette was also entertained in this house, and it is of interest to know that the original character of a heroine of one of Simm's novels was mistress of this venerable house. Dorothy Singleton, widow of Colonel Singleton and second wife of Mr. Benj. Allston, was the proto- type of the famous "Katherine Walton."
A handsome silver teapot bearing the monogram of Mr. Allston in large letters, is still used in the old dining-room by
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the family, and needless to say is highly prized. The old ma- hogany sideboard, a Hepplewhite, and relic of Revolutionary times, still occupies its accustomed place in the room.
The picture accompanying this account of the Pyatt house is taken from the rear to show the unusual aspect of the place, the front view being more conventional. If one should attempt to describe the building they would have to employ the usual stereotyped phrases; a hipped-roof with dormer windows, the usual two story and a half plan, and chimneys on either end. The wide piazza downstairs is supported by six circular col- umns, an interesting feature being the double flight of brick steps, to the right and left, with an arched entrance under- neath. The basement, in all probability, was built of "tabby," a favorite primitive cement much used by colonial builders on the coast. The round wing so prominent in the picture is at the rear. Perhaps the most striking feature is the atmosphere of dignity and age which this brick structure produces.
ALL-SAINTS WACCAMAW AND ITS PLANTATIONS
By Act of Assembly, May 23, 1767, the parish of All-Saints Waccamaw was taken off from the parish of Prince George Winyah. It was to consist of "all the lands which lie between the Sea and Waccamaw River, as far as the boundary line of North Carolina." William Allston, Joseph Allston, Charles Lewis, William Pawley, Josiah Allston, William Allston, Jr., and John Clarke, were appointed Commissioners for building a Church, Chapel of Ease, and Parsonage House at such places as they should approve within the parish.
The register now in existence begins in 1819, during the rectorship of Rev. Henry Gibbes, which lasted from 1819 to 1829. When Dalcho wrote in about 1820 he states that neither Journals nor Register were extant, but some earlier records were lost in the storm of 1893, when the house of Dr. Flagg, a warden, was swept away, for a badly defaced copy of the minutes of the vestry was rescued from the sea.
To show how the plantations are situated in relation to each other, extraets from a Missionary Tour, published in The
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Southern Episcopalian of May, 1855, giving an idea of the itinerary of the Bishop, are here presented :
"Thursday 29th .- All-Saints' Parish, Waccamaw, after- noon at Mr. P. Alston's plantation. At night same place.
"Friday 30th .- At plantation of Mr. Weston. At night, same place.
"Sunday, April 1st .- At All-Saints' Church. Night at the plantation of the late Mr. Francis Weston. "Monday 2d .~ same place. At 12 o'clock laid the cornerstone of the Church of 'St. Johin the Evangelist,' in the upper part of All-Saints' Parish. Afternoon, at Mr. Motte
Alston's, in Horry district and at night
6. Wednesday 4th .- at the lower Church of All- Saints' Parish. *Thursday 5th .- Georgetown, at Prince George's
Church.
"Good Friday 6th .- Forenoon Prince George's
Church. . . Night, at Prince Frederick's, Peedee, preached on Dr. Sparkman's plantation.
"Saturday 7th .- Night, at the plantation of Mr. J. Harles- ton Read.
"Easter Sunday 8th. at the. Parish Church. Afternoon at the plantation of Col. Alston."
A different account of the same visit of the Bishop gives this information as to the movements of the clerical party :
"March 28th .-- (Wednesday afternoon) Bishop arrived ac- companied by Rev. Thomas J. Girardeau, of the Church of the Messiah, North Santee.
"29th .- This afternoon we visited True Blue, the residence of Col. T. Pinckney Alston. Soon after 7 o'clock we proceeded to the Chapel.
"30th .- Morning service in the Parish Church : In the afternoon we visited Hagley, the residence of Mr. Plowden C. J. Weston. "'31st .- this evening Midway, the residence of
Chancellor Dunkin . (now, in 1921, in the possession of the Nesbit family).
"April 1st (Sunday) .- Morning service in the Parish Church. In the afternoon we visited the plantation of the late Mr. F. M. Weston, Laurel Hill.
"2d .- Having spent the night at Laurel Hill . . . between 11 and 12 o'clock we proceeded nearly two miles beyond Laurel 116
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Till to Wachesaw, one of the few bluffs upon the river.
From , Wachosaw proceeded about five miles up the Parish to Longwood. a plantation belonging to the estate of the late Col. Ward. Here a boat conveyed us three miles up the river to Woodbourne, the residence of Mr. J. Motte Alsion, This plantation is on the West side of the Waccamaw. and lies between it and Bull Creek ., the principal channel of the Great Peedee. We were now in Horry District. "3d- returned by boat to Longwood, and thence in a carriage to the All-Saints' Parsonage.
"Ith .- Wednesday in Passion Week:, rode- down the Parish six miles for morning services at the Southern Church rode on nearly two miles to Fairfield, the residence of Mr. Charles Alston, sen. From this plantation crossed Winyah Bay to Georgetown.
Oak Hill was the place of the LaBruce family, and was opposite the Oaks, an Alston home. Esther LaBruce married William Alston, and Elizabeth Alston married Joseph La- Bruce (April 6, 1821). In the Register of St. Thomas and St. Denis the name is given as Joseph. Marbeut ; the correct name seems to have been La Bruce de Marbeuf. the first part being the family name and the latter the place name, which was soon dropped. Waccamaw neck, according to Mrs. Flora La Bruce, was granted to Joseph La Bruce in the reign of George the second. He married into the Ward family and into the Alston family. The grant was at the head of Waccamaw River on Broutons Creek.
Joshua John Ward, of Waccamaw, was said by Dr. John- son to have been probably the most successful rice planter in South Carolina. In 1845 he erected a monument to the mem- ory of his relative, Colonel Hezekiah Maham, bearing the in- scription, "Within this Cemetery/and in the bosom of the Homestead./which he cultivated and embellished,/while on Earth, lie the mortal remains of/Colonel Hezekiah Maham./ He was born in the parish of St. Stephens,/and died, A.D., 1789, aged 50 years." Maham was a captain in the first rifle regiment, a commander of horse in Marion's Brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel of an independent corps of cavalry raised
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by the authority of General Greene. The Ward place was at Brook Green, and is so mentioned on inscriptions:
THE OAKS
Mr. William Allston owned several plantations; Clifton, where it is claimed George Washington was entertained by Mr. Allston at breakfast, was selected as the heritage of his son, Washington Allston.
About fifteen miles from Georgetown, on the Waccamaw, and, like Brook Green, in All-Saints Parish, was The Oaks, one of the many plantations on this river owned by the Allston family. Here, in the year 1801, Joseph Alston, later Governor of South Carolina, brought his lovely bride, Theodosia Burr, daughter of Aaron Burr. Joseph Alston is buried in the old family burying ground at The Oaks, where there is a stone placed also to the memory of Theodosia Burr Alston, who was lost at sea. (There was another Allston burying ground at Turkey Hill plantation, near Waccamaw.) She is thought to have been captured by "Bankers" or pirates at the time of the war with England in 1812. The life of this poor woman was one of many sorrows. and through it all her love and adoration of her father was beautiful and unceasing. The monument to her memory tells briefly her pathetic story; it is also inscribed with the history of her distinguished husband :
"Sacred to the Memory/of/Joseph & Theodosia Burr Alston/and of their Son/Aaron Burr Alston/The last died in June 1812, at the age of 10 years/and his remains are interred here./The disconsolate Mother perished a few/Months after at Sea. 'And on the 10th Sept 1816 died the Father/when but little over 37 years of age whose remains rest here with the Son's./The life of this Citizen was no common one to/the States, To its service he devoted himself from/his early years./On the floors of its Legislature, he was distinguished for bis extensive information & his transcendent eloquence in the chair of the House of Representatives, for his impar- tial/correct decisions & every where he was distinguished for his zealous attachments to his, republican principles./ In the capacity of Chief Magistrate of the/State when bothe the honour and the responsibility/of the Office were heightened by the/difficulties and dangers of the War of 1812/he by his
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GEORGETOWN AND VICINITY
indomitable activity & his Salutary/measures earned new titles to the respect &/gratitude of his fellow citizens./This great man was also a good one./He met Death with that forti- tude with which/his Ancestor did from whom he received/his name & this estate & which is to be found only/in the good hoping to rejoin those whose loss had left in his heart an 'aching void,' that/Nothing on earth could fill."
An interesting contemporary account of the Burr episode is had in a letter from Henry M. Rutledge to Henry Izard, which gives a closer view of the alleged conspiracy of Aaron Burr. It was obtained from the collection of letters and other manuscripts left by the late Dr. Gabriel E. Manigault and his brother, Louis Manigault, of Charleston, and was published in the South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine. In part it reads :
Addressed : "Henry Izard Esqu. Charleston South Carolina. Nashville March 25th-1807 Dear Izard,
I arrived at this place, four days ago-after the most dis- agreeable journey, that I ever performed-The moment I passed the blue ridge, I perceived that I had plunged again into the depth of winter, & indeed I have scarcely experienced a fair day since. .
. I pushed my way however thro' the wind & water to Anderson's house, which is 25 miles from this-We set out the next day for this place, & called on our way at Genl: Jackson's where we spent an agreeable evening, in the course of which he made many enquiries respecting you. I found as you may presume, that Colonel Burr, furnished the most common topic in this quarter. I have not seen a single person, who believes that Burr ever intended to attempt a separation of the Western from the Atlantic States, or to possess himself of N: Orleans. They are all however per- suaded that Wilkinson & himself, were connected in a scheme to attack the Floridas & other Spanish possessions, & that with the knowledge of the Executive, who expected every moment, a declaration of war on the part of Spain. And indeed, except Eaton's affidavit, who is supposed to have blended, what was said in jest & earnest I do not recollect any other evidence which might not be reconciled with this statement. Very little. not to say, no credit is here attached to Wilkinson's assertions
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--- Indeed there does not appear the slightest sentiment of hos- tility of the Atlantic States or to the Government of the Union in this quarter. .
To return to The Oaks, the dwelling on this, one of the first places settled on the Waccamaw, has long since been de- stroyed, and the property has passed from the hands of the Alston family; but the site of the house is well defined and marked by a single brick chimney, all that remains of its former elegance.
OATLAND
A daughter of Mr. Benjamin Allston, grandmother of Mr. John S. Pyatt, of Georgetown, S. C., owned a plantation house on the Waccamaw called Oatland. She did not, however, make her home there, but once or twice a year remained for a short time at the plantation to look after her affairs, take stock of her business, and give out clothing to the negroes.
Her town house was on the southeast corner of Meeting and Charlotte Streets in Charleston. It was a handsome structure, a tall brick building placed at right angles to the street, with a Greek portico to the side, looking out upon formal gardens enclosed with high walls. There was about it an atmosphere reminiscent of an Italian villa. Up to a year or so ago it re- mained as originally designed, having passed from the Pyatt family to the Ancrum's, and then to the Edwards', who re- cently sold it to the Salvation Army.
LITCHFIELD
The Tuckers were a well-known family who owned many estates near Georgetown; a Miss Tucker married into the Weston family, thus forming a close connection between the two. The house most prominently associated with the Tucker family is the handsome old residence at Litchfield, which is still standing, although it has passed into other hands and been altered slightly during the intervening years.
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A Miss Allston married Mr. John Tucker, and one of their two daughters married Mr. Frances Weston. After his wife's death Mr. Tucker remarried, and had six sons, all of whom were physicians and completed their studies in Paris. There
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From a Drawing by Alfred Hutty "PROSPECT HILL," WACCAMAW RIVER, NEAR GEORGETOWN
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GEORGETOWN AND VICINITY
were three Dr. Tuckers on the Pee Dee, and two on the Wac- omeaw, and they practiced only on the plantations.
A Tribute of Respect adopted by the vestry of St. Paul's Church, Radcliffeborough, says of John H. Tucker :
" Although the larger portion of each year was passed in attending to his planting interests on the Waccamaw and Pee Dee rivers, vet when he was with us, he ever manifested a deep and heartfelt interest in everything connected with the spir- itual and temporal welfare of our Church, contributing always liberally, in every way, to its advancement."
The will of this gentleman, who died about 1859, mentions as his property the plantations of Will Brook and Litchfield on the Waccamaw; Glenmore, Holly Grove and Moreland, or Bates Hill, all three situated on both sides of the Pee Dee River ; and land on Sandy Island.
PROSPECT HILL
The plantation home at Prospect Hill on the Waccamaw has been said to be the most interesting house on the river. It was formerly owned by three distinguished families of this section, the Wards, Hugers and Allstons, and is now the prop- erty of the well-known "Bromo-Seltzer King, " Mr. Emerson. The old house is still standing at Prospect Hill, and has had within its venerable walls many makers of history and cele- brated personages.
The building itself is a wooden structure, with a double flight of stone steps leading from the large veranda. The ar- rangement of the iron balustrade is most unique; there is an inner railing which, from an opening in the center, runs right and left along the front of the piazza, then branches downward at either end, forming the outer railing of each flight of steps; the inner railing of the steps extends unbroken from the curve at the foot of one set of steps, across the front of the veranda parallel with the other railing, enclosing a small passageway a little below the level of the veranda, and down again as the inner railing of the other flight. all of which is made clearer by the illustration. The brick chimneys of the house are un- usually tall.
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HISTORIC HOUSES OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Colonel and Mrs. Benjamin Huger ( the latter was previ- ously Mrs. Thomas Allston ) entertained LaFayette at this ele- gant mansion during his celebrated visit to America. An account of his reception has been given by a Miss Allston, a relative of Mrs. Huger's, who was present at the occasion. The terrace was illuminated down to the river where he landed, and a great ball given in his honor at which the gloves worn were stamped with the head of LaFayette. The Hugers are also said to have entertained Washington at this historic home.
Colonel Benjamin Huger was a senator from South Caro- lina during Madison's administration, and was the brother of the Colonel or Major Huger, who attempted to rescue the Marquis de LaFayette from the dungeon of St. Olmutz. A tablet to the memory of Colonel Huger was destroyed by fire a few years ago when the Waccamaw Church, All-Saints, was burned.
Again Prospect Hill was the scene of much brilliancy when it was visited by President Monroe in 1825. He was conveyed from there to Georgetown in "one of the plantation barges, profusely decorated and adorned for the occasion with the United States colors proudly floating at its head. Eight negro oarsmen dressed in livery propelled the barge. The party was met at Georgetown by her most distinguished citizens ; carpet was laid from the landing up to the place of reception."
The surroundings at Prospect Hill were in accordance with the magnificence of the dwelling. There are evidences of a richly cultivated garden, and the walls are hung with ivy, as are the railings of the old stone stairs. As the property of Mr. Emerson the place retains its original charm and distinc- tion, and is considered of inestimable value as a true type of the colonial southern home.
The illustrations accompanying are made from descriptive drawings, it having been found impossible to secure permission from Mr. Emerson to proceed to his property, no reply having been received from several letters. This circumstance is un- fortunate as it is understood Mr. Emerson has taken great delight in his historic home.
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"PROSPECT HILL," REAR VIEW From a Drawing by Alfred Huity
GEORGETOWN AND VICINITY
FRIENDFIELD AND SOME ALLSTON PLACES
Friendfield, a plantation about six or eight miles from Georgetown, was the old Withers' homestead, once the resi- dence of Daniel G. Wayne, grandfather on the maternal side of George F. von Kolnitz, of Charleston. It is on the Sampit River, and the house, apparently having had many additions built on, is most interesting, particularly the interior, a por- tion of which is shown in the illustration. At Friendfield is found the landscape wall-papering similar to that in the house at Hampton.
In old deeds we find this place frequently mentioned, and it seems to have been the scene of many marriages, as the following notice, one of several similar announcements, would indicate :
"James Landels of this parish, Bachelor, and Damaris Murrall of this parish, Spinster, were married in the Dwelling house of Capt. Richard Withers of this parish by License this 23rd day of February, in the Year of our Lord 1780 by me S. F. Warren of this parish, Clerk."
One of the Withers family, Frank, owned land up and down the coast. He seemed to have a passion for trading, and made a million dollars when cotton was three cents a pound. An interesting anecdote is related of how he rode to town on an Indian pony worth twenty dollars, and upon being offered righty dollars for it by some merchant, took off the saddle and bridle, sold the pony, and walked home.
Friendfield was formerly a portion of 1515 acres, sold to Benj. Trapier, transferred to William Burnet, and divided in 1754 into two sections, Friendfield, the upper portion of 7461% Heres was transferred by Burnet to Edward Martin, and the remainder subsequently known as Strawberry Hill, to Peter Foisseu.
Benj. Trapier acquired this 1515 acres by various law processes from the division of Hobcaw Barony, which took its name from the Indian name applied to the point of land op- posite the town of Georgetown on Winyah Bay, and is not to be confused with the Hobcaw on the south bank of the Wando
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River opposite Charleston neck, now called Remley's Point. Hobeaw Barony was one of the ten baronies aggregating 119,000 acres ; laid out as early as 1711 and divided among the Proprietors by lot on November 21, 1718. From John, Lord Cateret, afterwards Earl Granville, "one of the first orators, purest patriots, brightest classic scholars and most ardent convivialists of his time," Hobcaw Barony passed to John Roberts, who purchased it for 500 pounds sterling, thence to Sir Wm. Baker, Nicholas Linwood, and Brice Baker, who ap- pointed Paul Trapier as their attorney.
Paul Trapier was son or grandson of the ancestor of the family of that name, and at the time was apparently a mer- chant in Georgetown. It would be interesting to trace the different hands into which the Barony passed when divided. The Alstons acquired many portions of it, outside of that sold to Benj. Trapier. John Alston (also spelled Allston) was the founder of this distinguished family of South Carolina, and was the son of William Alston, gentleman, of Hammersmith (a part of London), Middlesex. He came to South Carolina in 1682 with James Jones, a merchant of Charles Town, as may be seen on page 123 of a book of miscellaneous records of the governor of South Carolina, covering the years between 1672 and 1692.
Mr. H. A. M. Smith says that the lower plantations, Mari- etta, Friendfield, Strawberry Hill, Fraser's Point, or Calais, and Michaux, were in 1860 all owned by the late William Alger- non Alston ; and that at one date or another the entire barony, with the single exception of Alderly, was owned by an Alston.
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