Robert Hamilton – Contractor
City Directory and History: Cool Springs plantation house was constructed in circa 1832 by John Boykin, on what was then the “Road to the Waxhaws” in Lancaster County, S.C. In 1831, four businessmen from Camden, Benjamin Elmore, John Boykin, John Carter and John Chesnut bought the land and divided the acreage around the springs into large lots. Several fine home were constructed around the springs but the Boykin home is the only one to remain. The home was often referred to as the Four Mile House since it sat four miles north of the town.
In 1840, the house was sold to Joseph Dody and later that same year to E.A. Salmond. The house was further enlarged in the 1850’s by new owners
James and Mary Cureton. According to a newspaper account, they acquired the services of Reuben (Robert) Hamilton to add porches and architecturally enhance the home. Mr. Hamilton was from N.C. and did work extensively in the area including at Liberty Hill and Chester, S.C. He is also referred to in some cases as Robert not Reuben. He is also listed as a mechanic in the census of 1850, not an architect. Mrs. Cureton died in 1890 followed by the sale of the property to Thomas J. Kirkland and his wife Fredrica Alexander Kirkland.

Postcard image, ca. 1910s – courtesy of the AFLLC Collection, 2017
In the late 20th century the house was acquired by two retired M.D.’s who have extensively restored the house and had it placed on the National Register.
Cool Springs remains one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the midlands of South Carolina. Cool Springs is a two-story Greek Revival house elevated on a raise brick basement. The original house was constructed ca. 1832 by John Boykin, a planter and lawyer. The house, originally a summer residence, was part of a summer pineland village such as those used by antebellum South Carolina planters as retreats from their plantations during the sickly summer season. The original house was remodeled, probably by architect Reuben Hamilton, in the 1850s during the ownership of the Cureton family. His additions to the original house transformed it into a showcase of the Greek Revival style. This updating the older house made it one of the most notable mansions in the area. The ca. 1850 alterations to the house included the tiered portico and the addition of verandas, supported by 64 Doric columns. The interior was redesigned at that time as well. Alterations included moving the chimneys to the exterior walls, and a set of two-story rectangular additions to the east façade. By 1935, a two-story kitchen addition was attached to the northeast corner of the house. Interior features include paneled wainscoting, plaster cornice molding, a curving stair, Egyptian-influenced doors and windows with battered surrounds and crossettes, and ceiling medallions. Contributing to the nominated acreage are two horse stables, a concrete piscatory, an old stone spring, a brick basin, a dam, and granite gate posts. Listed in the National Register September 28, 1989.
(Courtesy of South Carolina Department of Archives and History)
“Four Mile House, better known as “Cool Springs,” is a beautiful colonial home on the Charlotte road. It is said to be exactly four miles from the old courthouse in Camden, which was designed by Mills, the famous architect. Years ago the house served as a distance marker and guide post for many citizens living North of Camden.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
———-
“In April 1946 Camden-trained Elkridge had reached career earnings of eighty-four thousand dollars and was voted the outstanding steeplechaser of the year. The horses owner-trainer, Kent Miller, purchased Cool Springs plantation in Camden and for the 1947 winter training season brought in Elkridge and other winners that year—War Battle, Battle Cruiser, and Cooper Beach. A “larger than ever” number of horses arrived at Mrs. Marion duPont Scott’s Camden training grounds, which was managed by her trainer-rider Ray Woolfe. Mrs. Scott was owner of Battleship, the only American-trained horse to win the Grand National in England. In fact the top three money horses in summer 1946 had been Camden-trained.” (Information courtesy of A History of Kershaw County, S.C. by Joan A. Inabinet and L. Glenn Inabinet, 2001 – The Un. of S.C. Press)
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.
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: