USA > South Carolina > Historic houses of South Carolina > Part 20
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William Eddings was one of the most prominent men of this section, and one of the founders of the Presbyterian church on Edisto. The Register of the Circular Church in Charleston contains the following entry :
" William Eddings and Theodora Law, Widow, were Sol- emuly Married together Septemb: 1733, by me, I being well assured by a Testimonial to me produced, from under the hand of the Rev": M: - Moore, Mint : of a Congregation at Edisto in this Province (where both parties are well known) that the purpose of the said Marriage was duly published in the Meet- ing-llouse, and in the Hearing of that Congregation, on three several Sabbath-days, immediately before Divine Service; and no Objection being made 219
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Below: Eddingsville Beach, to the south, is MoConkie's Beach, the last beach on the island. Between McConkie's Beach, Big Bay Creek, Fishing Creek (a branch of St. Pierre's Creek) and the road which leads around the creeks lies a large body of arable land which contains several plantations, Seaside being one, and Crawford's (on Store Creek) another. In this vicinity is found a splendid old house of the island type, built by an Eddings, inhabited by a Whaley, and now occupied by Mr. James Whaley. Beyond Big Bay Creek lies Bailey Island, the Baileys being a family closely connected by marriage to all the Edisto people. Adjacent to Crawford lies a place called Freedman's Village, a residence of the freed negroes of the island.
TOM SEABROOK HOUSE
The Tom Seabrook house is up in the "Burrough, " as it is called in local parlance, being a name applied by "Ediston- ians" to a certain portion of the island lying in its center, to distinguish it from portions contingent to the North Edisto River. The house is now in the possession of Mr. Arthur Whaley, a son of William B. Whaley, and grandson of Edward Whaley; into whose possession it came by inheritance, the house having been built about the year 1780. It was bought later (1840) by Edward Whaley for his son William.
This house is a quaint old-fashioned wooden structure, built, like the majority of island houses, rather high up from the ground, on a brick foundation. There is a piazza around it on three sides, and a hall running through the center with rooms on either side, and sleeping rooms in the second story.
It was at this place, during the Civil War in 1864, that eight Confederate soldiers were captured by the Federal forces and the house bears marks of the bullets fired at that time by the invaders. There are several branches of the Seabrook family (to which this dwelling belonged probably at one time, as it has always gone by the name of the Tom Seabrook house), all of which are connected and presumably descended from one an- cestor. As anciently written. the name was Seabrooke; the family at present is widely scattered.
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THE HOPKINSON HOUSE, EDISTO ISLAND
BRICK HOUSE, EDISTO ISLAND Built by the Hamiltons but identified with the Jenkins family Used as a fort in oldden times
JOHN'S ISLAND AND EDISTO ISLAND
THE HOPKINSON HOUSE
Of this place Mrs. Julia H. LaRoche, who was a Miss Hop- kinson. says that the Hopkinson honse is not over 72 years old, and was built by her father, James Hopkinson. He married his neighbor, Carolina LaFayette Seabrook, whose christen- ing has been described in connection with the history of her father, Mr. William Seabrook. On their extensive wedding trip, which included a journey to Europe, Mr. and Mrs. Hop- kinson were entertained while in Paris by the family of Gen- eral LaFayette, the general himself being dead.
This visit later resulted in an "affaire du coeur," as a sister of Mrs. Hopkinson, a Miss Seabrook, met (through the acquaintance Mrs. Hopkinson formed on her wedding trip) and later married the Count de Lastaigne, thereafter making her home in Paris. This connection, and the fact that Mrs. Hopkinson was named Carolina LaFayette, seems to have exercised a deal of influence over the destiny of herself and family, as George LaFayette visited America afterwards and stayed at the Hopkinson house on Edisto Island. What excited his greatest interest at the time was said to be the existence of slavery, and he would say wonderingly to Mrs. Hopkinson, who continued to point out to him the advantages these people enjoyed, "But, my aunt, they have not liberty."
The house is described as a wooden building conforming to the square colonial type, and set upon a high brick founda- tion. Its wide veranda, festooned with rose vines, is reached by a hospitable looking set of steps ascending from a circular drive cut into the front lawn.
The term "livable" is one that fairly fits this place, and gives in a word the whole atmosphere of the Hopkinson family residence. As so much has been told concerning LaFayette and his family in connection with this house, it may not be amiss to conclude this brief account of the charming place with an account of the departure of LaFayette from America upon passing Mount Vernon, General LaFayette having expressed a desire to see this sacred spot where reposed the remains of his foster-father, George Washington.
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A correspondent of The National Intelligence says that when the boat, bearing LaFayette down the Potomac, came abreast of Mount Vernon the General went on deck with his son, and while the band played Pleyel's hymn he stood viewing the home of Washington, tears coursing down his bronzed cheek. With one arm around the neck of his son, and the other on the shoulder of Trench Ringgold ( then Marshall of the Dis- triet of Columbia) he took farewell of Washington's home.
Concerning the Hopkinson family, little is known in this section of the country, but it is eminent in Philadelphia. One of this name was a celebrated writer, and his son was the com- poser of "Hail Columbia." The former, Francis Hopkinson, was born in Philadelphia in 1738. His father, Thomas, was an Englishman who emigrated to that city, having secured, it is said, government patronage through his marriage with the niece of the Bishop of Worchester. Francis Hopkinson mar- ried Anne Borden of New Jersey; represented that state in the General Congress of 1776, and signed the Declaration of Independence. His son, Joseph Hopkinson, who wrote the song, "Hail Columbia," was also associated with the City of Philadelphia.
BLEAK HALL
John Townsend was born at "Bleak Hall" on Edisto Island, the home where generations of his ancestors had lived and died. Bleak Hall was so named from the fact that it is exposed to the gales and breezes of the Atlantic Ocean. John Townsend was the son of Daniel Townsend (styled in the old legal family documents "gentleman and planter") and Hepsi- bah Jenkins his wife. These ancestors were of Anglo, Norman and Welsh descent, the American progenitor being a younger son of the Norfolk family of England, of whom the Marquis Townsend is the head.
The boyhood days of John Townsend were spent in the regulation plantation life of the South, which gave him a vig- orous physique and training, enabling him "to ride and shoot and speak the truth." When fifteen he was sent to the South Carolina College, with "Daddy Sam," the body servant who
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"BLEAK HALL," THE TOWNSEND HOME, EDISTO ISLAND From an old painting, copied by Miss Phoebe Townsend
JOHN'S ISLAND AND EDISTO ISLAND
delighted to enlarge upon his use and importance and would say, "I keep all his money and look after tings." In death these two were not long parted for in old age they passed away near together.
While at the College of South Carolina, John Townsend had a severe illness. After his recovery he entered Princeton Col- lege where he graduated in a class said to be of note for the brilliant gifts of some of its member. Among them was R. I. Breckinridge, of Virginia, his ardent and life-long friend. It is said that at a dinner party given to the parties marking the line between Canada and the United States, when Breckinridge was asked by the English envoy what was his family coat of arms, replied, "A gallows erectant, a rope pendant and a man at the endant, " which showed that American rebels were still "persona non grata" in England. Breckinridge is also cred- ited with the witty remark, "That stars might fall, moons fail to give their light, ere Townsend ceased to be polite."
When Townsend returned home, after his college days were over, he studied law in Charleston, but left this to take charge of his father's planting interests on Edisto and Wadmalaw Islands. He was elected to the State Legislature before at- taining his majority and his father had to await the son's twenty-first birthday to give him the land on which to qualify for the office. He represented the Parish of St. John's Colleton for many years in the House and Senate, took great interest in educational problems, and was trustee for the public schools, doing much for their promotion.
At the age of thirty-five John Townsend married Mary Caroline, daughter of Richard and Phoebe Waight Jenkins, of Wadmalaw Island. About this wooing it is told that he crossed five miles on the North Edisto River and rode eleven miles on land through all weathers to visit his "Lady Love," who called him the "Knight of the Golden Crest." She became the guid- ing spirit in their home at Bleak Hall. When he would make weekly business trips a lamp was placed in the cupola of his home by which his boat might find a beacon star on its return.
During the Civil War Bleak Hall was confiscated and the cupola was used as a signal station for the Federal fleet.
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Finally the home was burned and the lands divided among the negroes. It is to be noted that the attitude of the negroes on Edisto Island toward their masters was remarkable. They were content with the "forty acres and a mule" which was given them and did not pillage their master's homes as did many of the negroes of the other sections of the country. They regarded themselves as guardians of their master's property. Bleak Hall became the victim of the flames of the Federal Army during the reconstruction days. The house has been rebuilt, and is very much like the first one. The picture presented is taken by a pastel sketch done by Miss Phoebe Townsend, daughter of John Townsend, and by whom the above informa- tion was given.
In the vicinity of Bleak Hall are to be found, on the North Edisto, the plantation known as Swallow Bluff, now owned by Mr. Julian Mitchell, and "Grimball's Point of Pines," often mentioned in the Acts for establishing roads and ferries, the Grimballs being an old and distinguished family.
Adjacent to the Townsend plantation, separating it from the sea, is found Botany Bay Island, and further south, behind Eddingsville Beach, are Shell House plantation, Seaside, and several other large places. Sea Cloud is also situated not very far distant from this neighborhood; a quaint old house named "Sea" for Seabrook, and "Cloud" for McLeod, when a man of the first name wedded a maiden of the last.
PROSPECT HILL-EDISTO ISLAND
Prospect Hill house on the South Edisto River is only about eighty years old, and was abandoned for many years as a wreck, but the present owner now intends to restore it to its proper condition. The chief historical interest connected with the place is found in the title deeds, which are very old, and have been kept in a bank vault in Columbia for a long period of time.
Mr. Mikell Whaley, who moved from Edisto Island to Col- umbia, becoming a distinguished physician of that place, was the son of Mikell Whaley, of Edisto, and his mother was Miss
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Baynard, of Prospect Hill. Closely connected with this family also is Judge Marcellus Whaley, of Columbia.
The present owner of this dwelling, P. H. Whaley, a son of the late Reverend Percival Whaley, plans many and extensive improvements at Prospect Hill. The house is beautifully situated on, a little bluff overlooking the waters of the South Edisto, and is a three-story structure of fine proportions. An entrance on the ground floor leads to a basement, floored with flagstones, which contains several beautiful rooms constantly used in earlier days by the residents of the establishment. The floor of the piazza on the second story is reached by a broad flight of steps (in the center) with iron railings, and this floor forms an agreeable veranda to the basement. Although the house is not a hundred years old, its air of antiquity, com- bined with its dignity of construction make it a beautiful place in spite of its disrepair.
Inside the house the ceilings are very high, and the cornices very simple. The doors are large, and the wainscoting, and the woodwork around the mantelpiece, and above the windows are fine examples of the period immediately following that known as the Adam period.
Mr. Whaley, now connected with the Whaley-Eaton Service, Washington, D. C., is a brilliant writer, and was for many years on the editorial staff of the Philadelphia Ledger. He will find no more fitting setting for his reconstructive abilities than the renovating and restoration of the spacious and gracious house at Prospect Hill on the Edisto.
There are three houses which bear this name-the present house, the house near Georgetown, and Mr. Bissell Jenkins' house (formerly Manigault-Barnwell) near Wiltown on Pon Pon River.
LITTLE EDISTO
Little Edisto Island is owned almost exclusively by Mr. J. Swinton Whaley, and his home there is called "Little Edisto." Some of the land on the island is owned by Julian Mitchell, but it is only a very small portion. The house on Little Edisto was built by Mr. J. Swinton Whaley's father, Mikell Whaley,
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and is a magnificent frame house built on a high brick founda- tion. Mr. Whaley is one of the progressivo men of the State and is a representative of the well-known Whaley family, whose genealogy can be traced in the South Carolina Historical Magazine files.
At a recent exhibition in the Charleston Museum, showing the life on the plantations, Mr. J. Swinton Whaley, who is one of the trustees of the museum, brought from his plantation "Little Edisto, " the old hand corn mill, the log rice- mortars, and the fanner baskets, which were put into use for what might be the last time. A negro over eighty years of age, expert in the by-gone industry, demonstrated the work. Corn was ground in the mill and separated with the fanner basket into the meal, the fine and coarse "grits" or hominy, and the husks. South Carolina golden rough rice was pounded in the old log mortar and again the fanner basket was used to separate the finished rice, the hulls and the rice from flour. These opera- tions were a part of the daily routine of the old South Carolina plantations in preparing both the food of the master's family and that of the hands. There was a corn mill for the use of the master's house and another in the plantation street where the negroes ground the corn that was issued to them as rations. The use of the fanner basket is rapidly becoming a lost art. Rice has almost ceased to be planted in South Carolina and examples of the old plantation implements are becoming rare .. The corn mill consists of two very fine French buhr stones that have been in the family of Mr. Whaley for many generations. and that were presented by him to the museum several years ago.
Across Russell's Creek, opposite Mr. J. Swinton Whaley's place, lies the Ephraim Baynard place, now owned by Charles Whaley Seabrook (son of F. Barnard Seabrook). The house is one of the old landmarks of the island, although it is of no particular significance, architecturally speaking.
Little Edisto and the C. W. Seabrook house, as well as Old Dominion are found near a place known to the Edistonians as the Borough, the origin of the name being entirely unknown.
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It is in the interior of the island between St. Pierre's Creek and the Dawhoo River.
FROGMORE
The Edward C. Whaley house. Frogmore, is exactly oppo- site the Edisto school house, on the public road. It is an old wooden building on a brick foundation, and was built by Dr. Edward Mitchell, of Waccamaw when he married Miss Elizabeth Baynard.
Another nearby place was Brooklines, the Ephraim Sea- brook plantation, which lay inland in the immediate vicinity of Frogmore, between it and Laurel Hill. This latter has on it a substantial old dwelling which belonged to one of the Edward Seabrooks, but the place is now partitioned between Edward Bailey and Charles Seabrook by right of purchase.
PETER'S POINT
On St. Pierre's Creek there is a fine peninsula formerly known as Peter's Point, which for years belonged to the heirs of John J. Mikell. and is now owned by Mr. J. Townsend Mikell. There is also an old house called Pierre Point House, con- structed in 1840. The front piazzas are found on both floors, but in the rear these extend only on the lower story. The timbers for this place were specially cut, being unusually long, to resist the strain and swing caused by storms. The rooms are large (18 by 20), there being two on each side of the hall, and two smaller ones in the rear. Almost the entire second story is enclosed in glass, and resembles a conservatory. There is a most interesting double stairway in the rear hall, which affords an ascent to the second story and shelters a descent into the basement.
It is a remarkable fact that with but few exceptions the old houses on Edisto (and there are many of them) are nearly all still standing.
POPE HOUSE
Above St. Pierre's Creek, in the same neighborhood as Prospect Hill and Laurel Hill, is found a quaint house which may perhaps be considered in some ways the most interesting
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place on Edisto Isiand. It is called the Pope House, better known in history as the Old Middleton Place, it having been the home for many years of Oliver H. Middleton. Although the house is known in history as the Old Middleton Place, the names of John and Joseph Pope are to be found signed as "commissioners" in the records of the Episcopal church after the year 1792 along with the names Jenkins, Fickling, Bailey, Wilson, Seabrook, Simmons. Grimball, Murray, Hannahan, Crawford, Eddings and Beckett. The distinguished jurist, Daniel Pope, is of this family. The name of O. H. Middleton does not appear until about 1841, according to Mr. Seabrook's sketch of the Episcopal church on Edisto.
Oliver Hering Middleton was the third son of Governor Henry Middleton. His first venture in life was as a midship- man in the United States Navy, but presently he resigned this office and returned to his estates in South Carolina, where he later shared with unbroken spirit the ruin that overwhelmed his class during the Civil War. He married Susan Matilda Harriet, only daughter and heiress of Robert Frail Chisolm, M. D., of Edisto Island, and by her had a son, Oliver Hering Middleton, who was killed in the Confederate service at Mata- dequin Creek. His second child was Mary Julia, who married Benjamin H. Read, of Rice Hope, on the Cooper River, and his third child, Susan Middleton, died unmarried at St. Cathe- rines, Canada. His daughter Eleanor married Benjamin Huger Rutledge, Esq., colonel of the 4th S. C. Cavalry, C. S. A., and his other daughter was Olivia, who married Mr. Frederick Rutledge Blake, late captain of the C. S. A.
It is through this branch of the Middleton family that we are interested in this house, although it is of significance also, because of the Hamilton holdings on Edisto, that Governor Arthur Middleton's eldest son married Elizabeth Hamilton, a daughter of the Honorable James Hamilton. It is of note concerning the Chisolm family that Mr. Alexander Chisolm, a merchant of Charleston, married a Mrs. Sarah Maxwell, of Charleston, who was the widow of William Maxwell, Esq., of Edisto.
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The building itself is a handsome affair, rather more elab- orate than the usual island houses. The rooms are particularly spacious and airy, and the ceilings unusually high, the col- onial idea of square rooms being everywhere evident. The lower story of the house displays elaborate hand-carved cor- nices and woodwork over the door and windows. In many respects the place differs from the general run of the island houses, one strange feature being a circular stairway. In some of the rooms the mantels are of Italian marble, and the chimneys are constructed with five flues. The brick basement is arched, and the foundation timbers very large and heavy.
A ghost story concerning the Middleton place is connected with the Chisolm owners, and it is said that Mrs. Chisolm's spirit is often seen at twilight down by the big gate; she stands in the shadow of one of the brick posts that separate this old domain from the public road. Mrs. John Andell, of John's Island, who was a Miss Seabrook and lived in this old house for many years, says that the negro tenants refuse to pass the place after dark for fear of meeting this "Haunt."
BRICK HOUSE
The "Brick House" property was granted to Paul Hamil- ton by the Lord Proprietors about the time of the first settlers in and around Charleston and vicinity, Mr. Edward J. Jenkins has in his possession papers dating back to 1703, which prove that Brick House and its outhouses were built before this date, though the exact year has not been established. It is thought that the house was ereceted some time between the years 1670 and 1680. Four hundred and thirty acres of land and one hundred and eighty-one acres of marsh were granted to Paul Hamilton. The property was bounded on the north by Russel Creek, on the south by lands of Capt. William Bower, on the east by lands of Thomas Sachwerell, and on the west by lands of Lewis Price. With the exception of Paul Hamilton, these names are not remembered on the island, there being no descendants.
Concerning the Hamilton family Mr. A. S. Sally, Jr., writes: "In the office of the Historical Commission in Colum-
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bia there is a small manuscript volume, 'A Booke for Record- ing of Cattle Markes & others Given by Hono. Thomas Smith Esq. Landgrave & Govern'r in Sept 1694.' " Previous to this time a few marks had been recorded at random in other vol- umes. Some of the first record of Cattle Markes & others refer to "Mr. John Hamilton of Edestoh Island in Colleton County & Recorded his marke of Cattle Hoggs. &c: being as followeth, In each Eare two Half Moones. The Topps of both Eares Cropt & Soe Slitt down to bottom of each Eare this Brand Marke as per Margent. This day came Mr. John Hamilton of Edestoh Island in Colleton County and Recorded; His daugh- ter, Mary Hamilton,. . . his Sonn Paul Hamilton and his daughter Anna Hamilton."
Mr. Edward J. Jenkins, the present owner of "Brick House" says, "The property reverted to James and Harriett Maxwell and was purchased from them by Joseph Jenkins, my great-grandfather, who willed it to his son, Col. Joseph Evans Jenkins (my grandfather) from whom the property passed to my father, John Micah Jenkins, and from him it came to me. As I am the father of four boys and four girls, it probably will remain in our possession until the house crumbles into dust."
The brick from which the house is built came from Holland. The house is Dutch colonial, the walls are two feet thick and the facings on the corners and under the windows are of concrete. The panelings of the rooms are cypress and some are painted in oil by a master hand. All the lumber used was the best and was seasoned for years. The work was done by carpenters brought from England.
THE MORTONS AND THE WILKINSONS
The present Ed. Wilkinson house on Edisto Island was said to have been built by one of the Jenkins family. It is a con- ventional wooden structure rising upon a high brick founda- tion, suitable for the climate of the Sea Islands. Its chief architectural feature is its front piazza which has unusually large and beautiful columns. The house is adjacent to the Murray homestead and has near it the family burial ground.
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خاصاحة طبية ..
OLD HOUSE AT " WILTON BLUFF"
Built by Colonel Morris, now owned and occupied by Mr. Samuel G. Fit . Men.
JOHN'S ISLAND AND EDISTO ISLAND
The family of Wilkinsons is a very old and honorable one in the State. Landgrave Jeseph Morton came to the colony about 1681 and is said to have married a Miss Blake. His son Joseph Morton married Sarah Wilkinson, who, becoming a widow in 1721, married two years later, Honorable Arthur Middleton and died in 1765, leaving a long and interesting will, the first bequests of which relate to her own kindred. She gave Christopher Wilkinson, son of her "Cousin" Francis Wilkinson, deceased, a plantation on Wadmalaw Island, "Commonly Called Bear-Bluff Ladinwah and Morton Town"; gave Edward Wilkinson, son of said "Cousin Francis, " a plan- tation or island opposite to Willtown (there are several Wil- kinson graves in the burying ground at Willtown on the Bluff) and the lots in Willtown which she had bought of her "Cousin" Joseph Wilkinson and Robert Yonge, deceased, and the build- ings thereon and a tract of land in the upper part of Beech Hill, St. Paul's Parish; gave Morton Wilkinson, son of said "Cousin Francis" two plantations called Tooboodoo (Too- goodoo) and Juniper's in St. Paul's providing that if said Morton Wilkinson should die without male issue that the said plantation should go to her grandson, John Middleton.
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