“A Chester landmark house having been constructed with brick from Chester’s antebellum Housar brick factory.”
City Directories and History: 1908 – G.W. Gage, 1940 – Vacant, 1958 – J. Cody Quinton
This fine Greek Revival style house built in ca., 1855 by Absolm Housar, was one of York Streets imposing Antebellum homes. Better known as the Gaston Gage house, this two story dwelling had classic features reflecting the regions interest in traditional architecture. The builder, Absolm Housar, was a prominent Chester brick contractor and manufacturer. The 1850 census of Chester, SC states he was originally from NC and was in business under the name of McDonald and Housar who reportedly were manufacturing approximately 400,000 brick annually.
The house was heavily remodeled by the mid 19th century owner, J. Cody Quinton who removed the original windows, the second floor porch, and painted the house.
Informative link: Greek Revival Architecture
The Yorkville Enquirer of May 12, 1914 reported, “associate justice George W. Gage, has accepted an invitation to make the address on the occasion of the laying of the (Yorkville, S.C.) cornerstone for the new courthouse on June 3.”
The author, Mrs. White of Chester writes, the red brick house at 143 York street, now the residence of J. Cody, was built by Absolom Housar, a North Carolina contractor before 1855. The lot contained one acre more or less, bounded on the north by York road, east by lands of R.C. Brawley, west by lands of George A. Albright, south by lands of A. H. DaVega. When built the house had two rooms connected by a hall upstairs and down. There were no blinds and no porch and there was a kitchen in the yard.
In 1858 at a sheriff’s sale the property was bid in for $2,050., by James Hemphill, an attorney, who lived in the house with his family for a short period. He added the blinds and the double story gallery, typical of South Carolina homes before the War Between the States. In 1859 he sold the house to J. Lucius Gaston for $3,000. In the War between the States, Captain Gaston was killed at the battle of Seven Pines leaving his young window, a daughter and a son. Mrs. Gaston, who continued to live in the house with her children, doubled the size of the house by adding four rooms on the back and extending the halls. After her daughter married George W. Gage, later Judge Gage, he added the wind at the back, containing the kitchen downstairs and a large bedroom upstairs. Mrs. Gaston, or her heirs, occupied the house until her grandson, Gaston Gage, and family moved to Clemson college. Old Homes of Chester SC – Mrs. John G. White
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User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Kris says
We just moved into the Gaston-Gage House in late December. Thank you for the information. Kris and Clay
Renee says
I see it’s for sale. Why are you moving?
Wade Fairey says
R&R.com has no knowledge of why they are moving. Check with their realtor!