City Directories and History: “Thomas R. Williams built this one-story frame house on a raised foundation of brick piers ca. 1870. The house is three bays wide in the “ABA” con-figuration. Windows are six over six (6/6) lights. The Williams House is important because it was originally constructed in the Dog-trot style (rooms located on either side of an open hallway). Although the dog-trot has been enclosed it is still discernible. The porch across the facade is supported by six square posts. Only one of the two original exterior end chimneys remains.
Tom Williams donated the land for the Methodist Church and the cemetery where he and his wife are buried. The Town of Williams was named for him.
Tom Williams left the house to his brother, Dr. Asbury H. Williams of Florence. Following the death of Dr. Williams in 1918 the house was bought by Warren and Griffin Lumber Company.”
NATIONAL REGISTER – IMAGE(S)
Information from: Historic Resources of the Lowcountry, The Lowcountry Council of Government, Cynthia C. Jenkins, Preservation Planner – Published, 1979
The Tom Williams House is a fine example of the uncommon dogtrot-style house that is quickly disappearing from the scene in South Carolina. The dogtrot-style was an adaptation from the “old hall and parlor house built symmetrically with a central hall.” Some ingenious individual(s) decided that it would be a good idea to leave the central hall open, thus allowing the evening breezes to pass through the house. The Williams House now has its central hall sealed off as is the case with many of the remaining dogtrot houses. The original wooden pegs and square-cut nails used in the construction of the house add to its overall importance. (S.C. Dept. of Archives and History)
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