City Directories and History: The historic Gill home, a beautifully constructed log home, was originally on the old Saluda Road leading from Nations Ford Crossing on the Catawba River to Augusta and was an ancient travelers route through the region. The Gill home is one of the areas oldest remaining houses along with the Lewis Inn, also on the Saluda Road just west of this house. When the Gill home was constructed the area remained in economic and social flux dealing with vandals and thieves. The house was not only a home but also a place of safety for those within and featured gun ports on the front and rear of the house. These remained visible for many years until the mid 20th century when they were covered with newer materials.
***In an article written by historian Louise Pettus in 1998, she credits Chester’s first court proceedings to have taken place at the Gill House. However, the general consensuses is that it was at the nearby Lewis Inn, (Walker’s), which was the location of the earliest general court. Ms. Pettus offers no explanation as to her having credited the Gill’s home as having that distinction.
The 1900 census lists Sarah Gill as the head of the household and living with her is her daughter Ann age 23 as well as a servant, Maggie Mayfield.
One of the stories told about the Gill family who lived here until well until the mid 20th century, was their offering “tea cakes” to their visitors. As a child, one of the neighbors, Ms. Catherine Lewis – Mayhugh, fondly recalled being given these treats when visiting at the Gill’s home.
Though Varina Davis, Mrs. Jefferson Davis, the First Lady of the CSA didn’t stop at this home, it did overlook the railroad line on which she traveled at the closing days of the Civil War. Within minutes of passing the Gill home, Mrs. Davis disembarked on one the the most difficult journeys of her life – the muddy roads of Chester County, S.C.
Informative links: Mills Map of Chester County, SC
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