City Directories and History: The name Orange Hill – originated from the hedge of mock-orange trees, with smaller satsuma oranges in between, practically surrounding the yard on which the house stood. This name was supplanted by Edgewood when the orange trees were destroyed. The house still stands and has been constantly used by fourth and fifth generations descended from Mr. Connors. The present owners are Mr. and Mrs. (Mary Gentry) Charles Sprott, she being the grand-daughter of Mr. Thomas Harvey Connors.
Hand-made bricks from clay on the plantation were used on the basement and chimneys. Remnants of the clay pit may still be seen. Hand-sawed timbers put together by wooden pegs on building the structure have survived the use of many years. The kitchen was at some distance from the back of the house and is still standing. Mrs. Sprott gave me a charming picture of the house, which illustrates a type of architecture very popular in that vicinity a hundred years ago. There are short steps on either side leading to a small platform from which the central and wider steps lead to a broad piazza that has columns extending up to the second-story piazza. The main entrance is from the first-floor piazza. Strangely enough, the next house I shall describe conforms almost exactly with this one, but in smaller proportions.
R&R HISTORY LINK: Colton’s 1854 Map of the Clarendon Co. Area
(Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC)
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