USA > South Carolina > Historic houses of South Carolina > Part 26
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Stirring times indeed must have been witnessed by this ancient structure, and one feels that the house and the owner thereof fit in very well with the spirit of the poem which says :
"Let me live in a house by the side of the road Where the race of men go by~"
FORT HILL, CALHOUN'S HOME
"Fort Hill" is best known as the home of John C. Calhoun. The oldest part of the building was erected by Rev. James McElhenny, who was called to the pastorate of the "Old Stone Church" in the present county of Oconee, about 1807. He named the place "Old Clergy Hall" and used it as a rectory because he and his son-in-law, the Rev. James Archibald Murphy lived there together. The Rev. McElhenny was twice married, his first wife was Miss Jane Moore, of York District, but the second time he married a widow, a Mrs. Wilkinson, of John's Island, who was originally a Miss Smith, of Charleston. One of the daughters of this marriage married Lieutenant Hamilton Hayne, U. S. N., and her son was Paul Hamilton Hayne, the poet. That singer of rare and beautiful songs, so little known, was born in Charleston, S. C., in the house now standing on Ashley Avenue on the western side (one door north of Bull Street), now occupied by Mr. Gibson, superin- tendent of the Charleston Water Works.
When Clergy Hall passed into the hands of the Calhoun family the name was changed from "Clergy Hall" to "Fort Hill," and it is evident that at this time the wings to the house were added. The house is erected on a gentle slope in sight of the Seneca River. It is one of the characteristics of the colonial buildings, that when a view is to be commanded the house is placed flat on the ground, and this house is no excep- tion. The building faces southwest and has a porch on that
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"FORT HILL," RESIDENCE OF JOHN C. CALHOUN. CLEMSON COLLEGE
JOHN EWING CALHOUN HOME, NEAR CLEMSON COLLEGE Built by a Harrison, now a residence of the Ravenel family
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FORT HILL
side, but there are also porches on the north and south sides of the house. The present owners, nieces of John C. Calhoun, use the north porch as an entrance, but when the house was in the possession of John C. Calhoun he used the porch that faces east. Much attention is given to these porches because they are the best architectural feature of the house. Their columns are of brick, plastered over, and the flooring is paved with blue and white flagstones. The wood used in the construction of the house is probably cedar, because it is very prevalent on the estate. The inside woodwork is of red cedar. Formerly in the large rooms were a number of pictures that are now in the Clemson College library, There are now a great many relics in one of the rooms, some very handsome pieces of furniture ; among them a broad sofa, on which is carved a large eagle. It is said that the design of the eagle on the silver dollar was taken from this old sofa. The dining table of John C. Calhoun is another piece of furniture of interest in this house and an interesting chair, also Calhoun's piano complete the list.
John C. Calhoun married his cousin, Floride Calhoun. In the following extract from a letter of Mrs. Calhoun, Floride's mother, to Andrew Pickens, Jr., an interesting reference is made to this young girl who afterwards married John C. Cal- houn. The letter is dated September 2nd, 1800, and post- marked at Newport, September 4th.
"I had the happiness to find my family well and my mind relieved of a great deal of anxiety occasioned by a foolish re- port which prevail'd in Charleston, that Floride was engaged to be married, and indeed so far as to say that the event had taken place, but there was not the least foundation for such a report what anxiety a Daughter who is growing up occasions a Parent, but I have every reason to hope that she will be a comfort to me as few girls of her age conduct them- selves with more propriety."
When at Fort Hill, Calhoun arose at daybreak and walked over the hills that made up his plantation. His keen eyes took in at a glance the condition of the fields and of the crops. At half-past seven he again entered his home and sat down to breakfast. Then he worked steadily in his office until three
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o'clock. The writing of long letters on public questions kept him busy. After dinner he read history and books of travel or carried on conversation with distinguished visitors of whom he had many.
It is interesting to note that John C. Calhoun inherited many of the characteristics of his pioneer progenitors, as will be found in an amusing anecdote of his father, Patrick Cal- houn, told by Judge O'Neal :
"In the debate of a law in the legislature of the colony to give a premium of so many shillings for a Wolf's scalp, Patrick Calhoun (who settled in 1756 on Lory Cane, Abbeville County, the founder in South Carolina of the Calhoun family) is repre- sented as saying he would much rather 'gie a poond for a lawver's scalp.' He was the same who, in 1765, was called Captain Calhoun, and who at the head of a company of rangers, was directed to escort the palatines to their settlement called Londonerry. His wife was Martha, sister to John Caldwell; who was an eminent surveyor and located much of the land in Newberry District. "
John Caldwell Calhoun, after a final speech on nullification, died on the last day of March. He was the most prominent advocate of State sovereignty, was noted for his keen logic, his clear statements and demonstrations of facts, and his pro- found earnestness. Webster said concerning him that he had "the indisputable basis of high character, unspotted integrity, and honor unimpeached. Nothing grovelling, low, or mean or selfish came near his head." His sarcophagus is found in the western cemetery of St. Philip's Churchyard, Charleston, and a large monument stands on Marion Square.
A painting in the City Hall at Charleston of John C. Cal- houn, executed by Healy, an American artist, is a much ad- mired one. It represents Calhoun in his characteristic attitude of addressing the Senate, with his left hand, beautifully femi- nine in appearance, upon his breast. On the canvas in the background are several faces depicted, said to be of his con- temporaries. The painting is the masterpiece of Healy's art.
After Mr. Calhoun's death in 1850, Mr. Thomas C. Clemson, who married Calhoun's daughter, Anna Maria, sold his farm in Edgefield County and moved to Pendleton, his wife's child-
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hood home. By will, Mr. Clemson gave to the State of South Carolina, a portion of that property in Pendleton for the pur- pose of establishing an agricultural college. On this property stands Clemson Agricultural College, which is now one of the largest colleges for men in the South. It is located on the divid- ing line between Pickens and Oconee Counties in the pictur- esque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has an elevation of about nine hundred feet and commands an excellent view of the mountains. The climate is invigorating and healthful, and the surrounding's are in every way favorable to the best physi- cal and mental development.
One of the most interesting sidelights thrown upon the character of John C. Calhoun, is furnished in a book written by the late Mr. George W. Williams, describing the behavior of Calhoun-a visitor at Nacoochee, the Williams' Georgia Estate-when news was received that South Carolina had "nullified."" Mr. Williams tells of how Mr. Calhoun remained silent for several hours and betrayed the utmost agitation, walking swiftly up and down the corridor of the house with his hands behind his back. He knew the price the South would have to pay for the Doctrine of States Rights.
LOWTHER HALL, PENDLETON
Pendleton District Records concerning old homes have all been destroyed, although the county boasts a handsome Court House which is a beautiful piece of architecture, and which was formerly the "Farmers' Hall," now used as a Post Office. This building has been the scene of many historic gatherings. A visitor will be attracted by the old sun dial and the cannon in front called the "Red Shirt" cannon-"Red Shirts" being the name by which Hampton's men were known during the reconstruction days.
Although the subject matter does not relate directly to Pendleton, it is of interest to know of a scene which trans- pired in old Oconee, formerly part of the Pendleton District, when Hampton was electioneering. One of the men who wit- nessed it, Mr. Charles Russell, now in his eighties, said that
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when Hampton spoke at Walhalla he stood on a little balcony outside of the hotel, the crowd being so large that no hall would contain it. The dramatic moment arrived when Hampton raised his right hand, leaned forward, and said to those rude mountain men to whom he was appealing for support in the coming election intended to redeem South Carolina from Radi- cal Rule, "Gentlemen, if I am elected to rule in this high office, by the Living God I will rule!" The crowd went wild. Hamp- ton was afterwards elected, and the mountain men flashed the news from peak to peak ; as in the old days of Grecian history, they signaled by fire.
In speaking of the absence of records, Miss Annie Sloan, of Charleston, a descendant of the Sloan family long identified with the Pendleton district and whose ancestor built and oper- ated probably the oldest mill in consecutive use in South Caro- lina, said that at one time she visited a house bought by people without any regard for history and arrived just after papers relating to the Blockade Runners had been burnt. At another time her brother, Earl Sloan, rescued the manuscript notes of some of the celebrated German chemist, Lieber's, documents which were being similarly disposed of.
The Reverend C. C. Pinckney, at one time rector of the Episcopal Church built in 1820, spoke of his congregation --- then composed of Earls, Calhouns, Hugers, Sloans, Hanckels and others-as being representative of the greatest collection of wealth and culture in the State.
An interesting story connected with Pendleton concerns "Tommy Dawson," who dwelt with his daughter in a pretty little place right by the village of Pendleton. His garden was so beautiful that it led to the discovery of his story, which was that he had been a drummer-boy in the English army in the Battle of Waterloo, and afterwards became one of Queen Victoria's gardeners.
There are some old homes in and around Pendleton, but as no records can be found, and few dates and little data of any special significance the history of this interesting section will have to be rather meagre. Tradition says that Lowther Hall is the oldest house in the town of Pendleton, but no one knows
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"LOWTHER HALL," THE TRESCOTT HOUSE, PENDLETON
LOWTHER HALL
beyond the fact that there really was a Lord Lowther, and that he built or occupied as a hunting lodge the house now retaining his name. Lord Lowther was an Englishman and loved to roam. It is said that he perished at sea on his way back to America from England. Lowther Hall has been added to and almost entirely rebuilt in some parts. It is now in the pos- session of Edward A. Trescot.
The original lodge was built of logs in one day, the founda- tion, sills, and all structural timber being of the same material. When the house was undergoing repairs the carpenters called attention to the massive timber of solid tree trunks roughly adzed on four sides by hand, and in as perfect condition and as strong and fine as when first cut. The house was never nailed together, but mortised with foot-long oaken pegs.
The present owner, Mr. Edward Trescot, says that the original lodge was said to have been a small two-room house, one up and one down: and was built by offe of the Sloans, who afterwards went to England, taking with him a water color view of the Blue Ridge Mountains as seen from the rear of the. house. Having used up all of his money, Mr. Sloan showed the picture to Lord Lowther, who was so much taken with it that he said he would buy the house as a hunting lodge.
Whether the foregoing is really true is hard to ascertain. But a friend of the Trescot family who was connected with the Foreign Office in London made, about 1895, somewhat of an investigation of this tradition, and as a result was more than inclined to believe that Lord Lowther had owned and used the house as a hunting lodge. His letter to Mr. Trescot's father bearing on the subject perished in a fire which destroyed the Trescot country home near Pendleton.
From November, 1768, to January, 1772, there appeared in the Public Advertiser in London the celebrated "Junius Let- ters." Later these were published separately in two volumes. The identity of "Junius" has remained forever a mystery. It is said that a man named Miller, who assisted in the printing of these letters, was forced or induced to leave England in order to keep this secret. It is also said that part of his pay was the printing outfit on which these political volumes were
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set up. Whether this latter is true or not, it is certain that Miller landed in Charleston with a printing outfit, located later at Pendleton, and there issued, from Lowther Hall, The Pen- dleton Messenger. It is a curious coincidence that one of the first sets of volumes of the "Junius Letters" found a resting place at Lowther Hall, where Miller first put up the printing press after issuing the letters in London, these volumes having been sent to Edward Trescot, great-grandfather of Edward Trescot, the present owner.
The Trescot family were originally from Charleston and were wealthy and cultured people. Studying the Abstract of Titles will reveal the fact that they possessed, among other pieces of property, land in Hampstead, and on East Bay at the corner of Broad Street, where the Carolina Savings Bank now stands. The will of Edward Trescot, dated in 1818, states that he has four sons, John, George, Henry and William, and names his grandchildren, Edward, Henry and Elizabeth, chil- dren of his late son William. Space does not permit of tracing the ramifications of this family, the most distinguished member of which is William Henry Trescot, born in Charleston, S. C., 1822, died in Pendleton, S. C., 1898. After graduation at the College of Charleston he studied law in the office of his uncle, Edward MeCrady. Soon after his admission to the bar he married Eliza Natalia Cuthbert and settled as a planter on Barnwell Island, an island on the coast which came down to his wife by Royal Grant of George III, where he lived until the plantation was occupied by Federal troops during the Civil War. At thirty years of age, in 1852, he was appointed Secre- tary of the Legation at London, served two years, returned to Charleston, occupying the house where his law office was, and reentered upon the practice of law, diplomatic and interna- tional subjects. As early as 1857 in Russell's Magazine it was said of him :
"Our readers, we take it, will scarcely need to be told that among the younger prose-writers of the South, Mr. Trescot is one of the most vigorous, thoughtful and matured. His two elaborate works upon the Diplomacy of the Revolution, and the Diplomatic History of the Administrations of Washington and Adams, have earned for him a wide and deserved reputation."
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Mr. Trescot became Assistant Secretary of State in 1860; during the Civil War not only served in the Legislature of South Carolina, but was on the staff of General Roswell S. Ripley. Of this period of his life Mrs. Chestnut says in her "Diary from Dixie": "Trescot is too clever ever to be a bore. Calls himself 'Ex-Secretary of State of the United States,' 'Nothing in Particular' of South Carolina or now the Confederate States."
A less facetious pen, that of Governor McGraw, deals more justly with Mr. Trescot's perceptions and sentiments, saying that with the election of a Republican President, March 4, 1861, to use the terse and expressive language of Trescot, "a circle was to be drawn around the South beyond which insti- tutions should not grow, and within which it was the expressed desire of an all powerful Government that they should gradu- ally perish, and that it should stand, like one of its own oaks, rung for slow but certain destruction .? '
Mr. Trescot was assistant to the Hon. James L. Petigru in codifying the laws of South Carolina. In 1877 he was Consul for the United States before the Halifax Fishery Commission, and in 1880 he was Commissioner to China to negotiate a treaty, which he succeeded in signing. A list of the offices he held includes Special Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Chili in 1881, Commissioner to negotiate a commercial treaty with Mexico in 1882, and Delegate to the Pan-American Conference in 1889.
Mr. Trescot was an able writer. His principal published works relate to diplomacy, upon which subject he is universally regarded as the highest authority in the South. He is the author of "Diplomacy of the Revolution," Appleton & Co., 1852 ;"Diplomatic History of the Administrations of Wash- ington and Adams, " Little, Brown & Co., 1857 ; "An American View of the Eastern Question, " John Russell, 1854; " Address Before South Carolina Historical Society"; "Eulogy on Gen. Stephen Elliott before South Carolina Legislature," 1866; "Memorial of Gen. Johnston Pettigrew," 1870.
In writing of his death which occurred in 1898, LeRoy F. Youmans calls him the "Greatest American Diplomat," and
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pays a tribute to Mr. Trescot in the News and Courier which cannot be quoted on account of its length, but which is illumi- nating and instructive. Edward Trescot has this to say of his father's death : "At the time of my father's death he had, I feel confident, been sent on more diplomatic missions than any other man. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Paul's Episcopal Church here, and upon the monument which marks his grave is a quotation from an address of his before the South Carolina Historical Association at Charleston in May, 1859. It reads as follows : 'South Carolina . .. she will soothe the hours of that long twilight when we will creep gladly to her bosom, there to rest forever.' "
TOMASSEE
"Tomassee," the home of General Andrew Pickens, is of interest to the people of South Carolina not because of its beautiful architecture and costly equipment, but because it was the home of one of the most noted sons of our State. In the hills of South Carolina can be found the home that in many respects reflects the character of this noted statesman, soldier and scholar.
In 1752, Andrew Pickens, a boy of thirteen years, was brought to the Piedmont section of South Carolina by his parents, who were in search of a milder climate than that of the States farther north from whence they came. As years passed on his strong character and undaunted courage made him a leader among men. At twenty-one years of age we find him a colonel in the expedition against the Cherokee Indians. In 1765 he married Miss Rebecca Calhoun, a daughter of Eze- kiel Calhoun, a prominent man of the Piedmont section.
Historians have neglected to emphasize General Pickens' service to his country. He was widely known all through upper South Carolina for his piety and fearless bravery, and when he declared against George III men everywhere flocked to the patriot standard. Gen. Pickens never drew a cent of pay for his Revolutionary services, he felt his reward in the love of his country. Aside from many other honors bestowed upon him he was a member of the convention which formed the State
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OLD STONE CHURCH, PENDLETON, BUILT 1790 From an old urint.
TOMASSEE
Constitution. In 1794 he became a member of Congress, which then sat in Philadelphia. The following is quoted from a book concerning the Old Stone Church of Oconee County.
". At that time there were neither railroads nor stage coaches. . All travel was done on horseback, Picture to yourself a man who was approaching bis three score years, of martial figure and dignified demeanor, mounted on a spirited milk-white Andalusian steed, whip in hand, and hostlers filled with a brace of pistols, the silver mountings of which glittered in the sunlight ; a three-cornered hat, from beneath the silvery gray hair, put smoothly back, and tied in a queue, and undress military coat, rutiled shirt, fair top boots, with handsome silver spurs; following at a little distance, on a stout draft house, is his African attendant, Pompey, in livery of blue, with scarlet facings, carrying a portmanteau, with a consequential and dig- nified air showing in every movement the pride of a body- servant to his revered master. Paint this in your mind's eye, and you have before you a gentleman of the Eighteenth Cen- tury, with his servant on his way to Congress; such was Gen- eral Andrew Pickens, as he passed through to Philadelphia in 1794."
After refusing reelection to Congress, General Pickens re- tired to his old home, "Tomassee," where he died in peace and quiet on the 11th of August, 1871. In the cemetery of the Old Stone Church on the road between Pendleton and Fort Hill can be found on a simple tombstone this inscription: "General Andrew Pickens was born 13th, September, 1739, and died 11th August 1817. He was a Christian, a Patriot and Soldier. His character and action are incorporated with the history of his country. Filial affection and respect raises this stone to his memory."
The Daughters of the American Revolution have converted Tomassee into a school for the mountain children, and it stands as a memorial to its owner. Pickens' library, which is very complete, is being used in this school. Near Tomassee stands a colonial fort, once garrisoned by the British, called Oconee Station.
A little may be said here of General Pickens' younger son, Andrew, who afterwards became Governor of South Carolina. He was elected just before the breaking out of the Civil War,
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rendered distinguished service in the legislature, in Congress, nt the Court of St. Petersburg and in the executive chair of the State. Governor Pickens' home stands in Charleston at the northeast corner of Smith and Beaufain Streets. Governor Pickens' son, Francis, was also Governor of South Carolina, thus we find that this family has been well represented in the political history of the State.
The family later became identified with the history of Edge- field County and in the town of Edgefield is to be found a large old rambling wooden house, built and occupied by the Pickens family.
One of the most interesting of the family was the daughter of the lovely Lucy Holcome, of Texas, and the Andrew Pickens who was the Ambassador to Russia-her . name being "Duscha."
Duscha Pickens is said to have been the most fascinating woman of upper South Carolina. Although she was not beauti- ful, she had made, so it is said, a study of man and his moods, and could subjugate at a moment's glance the most doughty flirt of the opposite sex, and one of her descendants who now resides near Washington, D. C., is said to have inherited this peculiar quality of fascination.
THE BURT HOUSE IN ABBEVILLE
The house in Abbeville, S. C., known as the Burt house was built by Mr. David Leslie about the year 1850. The house was bought by Rev. T. Hoyt, a Presbyterian minister, who left Abbeville. Mr. Andrew Simonds was the next owner of this property. He was the president of the First National Bank of Abbeville. He married Sarah Calhoun, and with his wife later moved to Charleston, being connected with the First National Bank of Charleston. It is to be remarked that his two sons, John and Louis, now occupy the positions of President and Vice President of this establishment.
The Simonds' home in Abbeville came into the possession of Mr. Armistead Burt, who was an intimate friend of Gen. George MeDuffie, also of John C. Calhoun, and was the asso- ciate of Mr. Calhoun for years in Congress, being his nephew
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THE BURT HOUSE, ABBEVILLE, BUILT BY A CALHOUN At this house was held the last meeting of the Confederate Cabinet
THE BURT HOUSE, ABBEVILLE
by marriage. Mr. Burt occupied this place during the Confed- erate War, and in this house, on the sixth of May, 1865, was held the last cabinet meeting of the Confederacy, only three members being present in addition to President Davis.
It may be asked how so strange an historical coincidence came to pass, that in Abbeville in the Burt house, was per- formed the last official act of the Confederacy, while hardly a stone's throw from the spot was Secession Hill, where four years previous was held the first of the Secession meetings, at which Judge Wardlaw of Abbeville vainly pleaded for some other way to be found for the South to secure her political rights than by secession. It may be said in answer that Armi- stead Burt had been in the House of Representatives while Davis (afterwards President) was in the Senate, and a warm personal friendship had sprung up between these two men. It is only reasonable to suppose that when President Davis, his cabinet and escort, were retreating through South Carolina, after leaving the hospitable home of General M. W. Gary in Cokesbury because pursued by Federal forces, the thoughts of President Davis should turn to his friend Armi- stead Burt, and that he should seek shelter under his hospitable roof, there to hold the last meeting of his cabinet.
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