City Directories and History: Generations of the Fairey family had resided in Calhoun County, first at Midway Plantation near Fort Motte, then at Creston, moving into Saint Matthews in the early 20th century, and later to the farm home of Phillip and Isabel Fairey, called Whispering Winds on Hwy 601 – south of St. Matthews.
The Fairey family, originally from Lower Orangeburg Co., S.C. and Colleton County arrived just prior to the American Revolution and took active roles in the war. Ancestor, John William Fairey I, lost his life fighting at the Battle of Hanging Rock in the Waxhaw section of Lancaster Co., S.C., one of four patriots killed during the battle. Note that his wife, Elizabeth Fairey was granted an annuity of 8:15 pds., and his son John William II inherited the plantation in 1791.
The revolution had been difficult on the family but by 1785 their social and economic stability in Orangeburg District had greatly improved. However, it would be well after the Civil War, ca. 1880’s when the Fairey family moved to the Fort Motte area of Calhoun County, S.C. (Organized and compiled by Dr. Benj. F. Varn, Jr. – Pres. Fairey Family Reunion Association….
The four sons of Philip and Isabel Fairey lived and worked as follows: Philip W. Fairey, Jr., (Columbia, S.C., M.D. – Urologist), Frank S. Fairey (Rock Hill, S.C., MD – General Surgeon), Joe K. Fairey II (Propt., Fairey Chevrolet – Cadillac), and John G. Fairey (Prof. in Architecture – Texas A&M Un., founder – Peckerwood Gardens, Hempstead, Texas)
See links to extended family history….
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!