“A Chester County landmark producing finished goods for the regional market including furniture, machinery and shutters….”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on April 20, 1871 – “The Chester Co., Commissioners are advertising for bids for building a bridge over Rocky Creek at Peden’s Bridge. A bridge is also being built over Fishing Creek at Capt. O.A. Wylie’s Mill which will cost $3,500.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on July 9, 1885 – “A good dwelling house belonging to Dr. S.M. Wylie was recently destroyed by fire caused by lightening. It was occupied by a tenant.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Feb. 22, 1893 – “Mr. F.M. Ferguson has been engaged in merchandising near Wylie’s Mill in Chester County. He has now moved his family to Pine Bluff Arkansas.”
City Directories and History: One of the lovely old home in the Richburg area, this one is highly important due to its association with Capt. O.A. Wylie and the Simpson-Wylie grist mill on Fishing Creek. The census of 1850 shows that Mr. Wylie was a twelve year old living in his parents household close to the home he built following the Civil War.
John Simpson, Jr. Born Feb. 9, 1803. Died July 12, 1884. Owing to his mechanical ingenuity, he was widely referred to as “the smartest man in Chester County.” Married first in 1823 to Sarah (“Sallie”) Wylie. Born 1803. Died May 15, 1866. Some Simpson Family Notes – CDGHS Quarterly
Submission by contributor Dan Anderson: O. A. Wylie was born on April 8 in 1836, mustered into the Confederate Army on April 8, 1861, mustered out of the army at Appomattox in 1865 within a day of the famous date, and, fittingly, died on April 8, 1903*.
During his senior year, he left Davidson on April 7, 1861 to travel to Chester, S. C., where he was sworn in as a private the next day and then traveled to Charleston on a one year enlistment to train with the Chester Blues. At the conclusion of his one year commitment, he re-enlisted into C Company where he later became Captain serving under General Longstreet in 2nd Manassas, Fredricksburg, Gettysburg, Seven Pines, Seven Days Battle at Richmond, the Wilderness Campaign and then Appomattox.
In a magnanimous gesture of goodwill which O. A. Wylie appreciated, Grant allowed the officers to keep their horses and their swords. (Matt McMahon, O. A. Wylie’s great great grandson—also born April 8—has the sword today.** My grandfather Joseph Caldwell Wylie known in the family as Beau). From Appomattox, my great grandfather returned to Chester County S. C. where he lived the rest of his life.
*According to Beau’s letter, “Father died peacefully–dropped forward out of his chair before the fireplace and was dead when he hit the floor. Thus passed away as fine a Christian as I ever knew before or since. God rest his soul!
**In a 1957 letter to my brother Jim, Beau wrote about the sword: “I am quite certain it was my father’s. I remember it being in the closet under the stairs at Blue Gate Farm which was some 400+ acres about 4 miles from Richburg–still not much, if any, larger than it looked in my youth. I was born on the farm a few minutes before New Years December 31, 1881. It was a one-person operation according to Mother. Father slept that night in the dressing room–a small room off the bedroom normally shared by both Mother and Father was a sound sleeper. I remember the sword–it had a belt and a rigging normally used with a sword but the leather rotted out years ago. It was kept in the closet in the hall and the closet was under the stairs to the second floor of the house. …I am quite definitely sure about the sword. It was your Great Grandfather’s in the Civil War.” – 2.22.14
See plat of property from 1904 under More Information >
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James Wylie McMahon says
I am a direct descendant of O.A. Wylie, who is my great grandfather. My brother, Dan Anderson, has been looking for a photograph of O.A. Wylie for some time. We have lots of family lore, but did not have a photograph. I have a sword which O.A. Wylie carried in the War Between the States. Now our family knows what Captain Wylie looked like.
Thank you for your website. As a result of the site, we now have a likeness which we never had before.
Jim McMahon
rradmin says
It is our pleasure to be able to help. Please share any historical information and a picture of the sword for inclusion on the website. Regards, R&R
Nathan Smith says
I own and reside in the Wylies Mill house. We are currently restoring the home and operating a small farm. While digging holes for fence posts I have discovered several arrow and spear heads. I have also discovered a native American burrial mound located near the house on Ernandez road. Does anyone know the history of the battles between the settlers and the native Americans here? Any additional information regarding the history of the house would be greatly appreciated. My email is nathan1648@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Nathan Smith