City Directories and History: Darby Plantation was built ca. 1842 by Nathaniel Lipscomb Griffith for his daughter, who married Milledge Luke Bonham. In 1856, Bonham was elected to the United States Congress as a States Rights Democrat, filling Preston Brooks’ vacant seat. He was re-elected without opposition, but resigned in 1860 with the rest of the South Carolina delegation when the state seceded. Bonham, also prominent in military affairs, served in the Confederate Congress until 1862 when he was elected
Governor of South Carolina, a post which he served until 1864. As governor, Bonham was primarily concerned with coordinating military and civilian activities, increasing the productivity of the economy, and keeping up wartime morale. His plantation house served as his residence from 1845 until 1865. Although the structure’s style is basically that of an upcountry farmhouse, there is evidence of Greek Revival influence that can be seen in the square columns, boxed cornices, entrance treatment, and first-floor window lintels. The front porch is the most impressive feature of the house and extends half way around the building. Listed in the National Register August 13, 1974.
Additional information: Bonham began a law career immediately after graduating from South Carolina College in 1835. From 1848 to 1850, he was solicitor for a circuit court and in 1852 began a four year term in the state legislature. In 1856 he was elected to the United States Congress as a States Rights Democrat, filling Preston Brooks’ vacant seat. He was re-elected without opposition, but resigned in 1860 with the rest of the South Carolina delegation when the state seceded. Bonham served in the Confederate Congress until 1862, often disagreeing with the leadership of Jefferson Davis. He was elected Governor of South Carolina in 1862 and served until 1864. As governor, he was primarily concerned with coordinating military and civilian activities, increasing the productivity of the economy, and keeping up wartime morale. From 1865 to 1868, he again served in the state legislature and attended the Democratic National Convention in 1868. In 1876 he became active in the Red Shirt movement in an effort to rid the state of Radical rule. From 1878 until his death in 1890, he served as the State Railroad Commissioner.
(Courtesy of South Carolina Department of Archives and History)
“The plantation home midway between Edgefield and Trenton, known as Darby, is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas L. Wise. The Darby family sold the land to Nathan L. Griffin, and Mr. Griffin built the plantation house in 1845 for his daughter Ann Patience Griffin as a wedding present. Her husband, Milledge Luke Bonham, was descended from forebears who had been courageous in the building of the nation. He was a great-grandson of Captain James Butler of the American Revolution who with a son, James Butler, Jr., was killed by Tories in a massacre at Cloud s Creek, then in Edgefield County.
James Bonham, an older brother of Milledge Luke Bonham, was one of the immortals of The Alamo who died for Texas independence. Milledge L. Bonham was a brigadier-general during the War Between the States. He resigned his army position to become a member of the Confederate Congress, and in 1862 succeeded Governor Francis W. Pickens as second Confederate War governor of South Carolina. ”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
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