“Pendleton, S.C. becomes a favorite antebellum retreat for Charlestonians.”
History: The handsome old house was built in 1835 by Judge Sam Piroleau, a wealthy Charlestonian. This was during the era when a number of Charlestonians built homes in and around Pendleton where their families could escape the malaria fever, mosquitoes, and other evils which plagued the coastal country during the summer months. Many of these families eventually established themselves in their Upcountry homes the year round.
Judge Samuel Prioleau (1784-1839), builder and first owner of Boscobel
This home and its surrounding rolling acres were later owned by Dr. John B. Adger, also of Charleston, one of the first Presbyterian foreign missionaries. He named the place for Boscobel House, Boscobel Parish, England, “a convenient place of retreat.” Boscobel is known to history as the place Charles II found concealment in the “royal oak” before escaping to France after his defeat by Oliver Cromwell’s forces at Worcester in 1651.
“Boscobel was the home of Dr. John B. Adger, who was one of the first Presbyterian foreign missionaries. The house was built about 1820, and was destroyed by fire January 15, 1962.” (Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC)
The sketch is of Boscobel in Anderson County as it appeared in the early spring of 1885. Obviously the house had been remodeled to bring it “up to date” in the Victorian era. Intricate woodwork tracery called “Carpenter Gothic” was then in vogue. At that time, Boscobel was occupied by the family of H.C. Summers who had acquired the place a few years earlier. Mr. Summers was an engineer on the Blue Ridge Railroad. His daughter, Miss Lilly Summers, married Coleman Livingston Blease, later a governor of South Carolina and U.S. Senator, who spent many summers at Boscobel. Two of H.C. Summers’ sons, Clint and Jack, established and operated for many years the Boscobel golf course and Boscobel Lake.
John B. Adger (1810 – 1899), second owner and the one who named Boscobel.
In 1956 the Boscobel properties were sold to Buckley Hancock and his associates of Washington D.C., who further developed and operated the place as a golf club and though ownership has varied since that time it still serves the members of the Boscobel Country Club as a beautiful recreational area. This historic house, however, burned in a spectacular fire on the night of January 15, 1962. (Source: Anderson County Sketches by Anderson County Tricentennial Commission, 1969)
Night Blaze: Built in 1835, Boscobel Landmark Lies in Ashes
Historic Boscobel near Pendleton, built 27 years ago, lies in ashes today.
Coleman Livingston Blease (1868-1942), married to Lilly Summers, daughter of owner H.C. Summers, and governor of South Carolina.
Boscobel was built by Judge Sam Prioleau, a wealthy Charlestonian, in 1835, and was named by the Rev. J.B. Adger, also of Charleston, who later occupied the house. This was during the era when a number of Charlestonians built homes in and around Pendleton where their families could escape the malaria fever, mosquitoes and other evils which plagued the coastal country during the summer months. Many of these families eventually established themselves in their Upcountry homes the year around.
Origin of the fire has not been determined. Harvey Brook, golf pro of the Boscobel Country Club, said the fire made its way throughout the entire interior of the structure before a motorist on the nearby Clemson highway saw the flames at 11:30 pm. Hundreds of persons were attracted to the scene.
Boscobel Lake (Historic Postcard)
Boscobel was owned by the Summers family before being sold to Buckley Hancock and associates, of Washington D.C., back in 1956. Whitney Ford, Yankee baseball pitcher, recently purchased part interest in the Boscobel properties, which include a golf course, other real estate, and a club house. The club house was not damaged by the fire.
The last member of the immediate Summers family to occupy the house was Clint Summers, who died last June. Mrs. Jack Summers and daughter, Cherry, moved out of the house last April. After that it was used as a combination pro shop and office until the new pro shop and office until the new pro shop was completed several weeks ago. (Source: Anderson Independent, January 17, 1962)
Additional Links:
- Boscobel Swimming Pool Ruins (now located on private property)
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HISTORY THREAD – VIEW OF ANDERSON’S TOWNSHIPS IN 1896
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