City Directories and History: “An interesting feature of this house now owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Norris is its three main entrances. Matthew Mims, its builder about 1819, located his residence in the forks of the old stage roads to Ninety-Six and Newberry; and evidently planned this provision because of its location. Since this was probably the only dwelling where early wayfarers might stop for rest and refreshment on their travels, he designed doors with 12 pane fanlights facing east and west to give impartial access from either thoroughfare. Reception rooms opened on to a third piazza which overlooked the garden sloping southward toward the site of the village and a log structure where Matthew Mims began service as clerk of court in 1814. These reception rooms have base panel boards, the entire length and width of which is one wide water-sawn (sash sawn) board topped with hand carved detail. An arch between the dining room and parlor is skillfully carved in a design alternating a diamond and a rose.
Quaintly enclosed so as to appear almost a secret stairway, steps rise and turn to give access to die upper half story. Dominating the dining room is a handsome oil portrait of Pierce Mason Buder, who had the distinction of serving as Governor of both South Carolina and Florida, federal agent for Indian affairs in the western territory; and commander of the famed Palmetto Regiment in the Mexican War.
Scarborough, Carolina’s eminent portrait artist of the first half of the 19th Century, frequented this home to visit his pupil, Robert Hayne Mims, whose daughter, Eliza Morrison Mims, became Edgefield’s well-known artist. Among some 300 portraits from her brush is that of President Jefferson Davis which hangs in the United Daughters of the Confederacy Headquarters in Atlanta.
In Deed Book 33, page 379, one may see where Joseph Eddings sold the land to Matthew Mims on January 22, 1817.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
As early as 1787, the village green near Court House Square was deeded to the town of Edgefield. Several significant buildings surrounding the landscaped square remain unaltered, and the initial layout of the town has not changed. More than forty nineteenth-century buildings are within the historic area, three of which are house museums. There are a number of nineteenth- century Greek Revival homes with large central halls and the basic four-rooms-over-four floor plan. Many of Edgefield’s houses are noted for beautiful Federal style fanlights and unusual doorways, and many have heart pine floors, board or plaster walls, central medallions, window boxing, wainscoting and six-panel doors. A few retain original trompe l’oeil to simulate wood grains finer than that available in the area. Other district properties include Victorian influenced homes and downtown commercial buildings. Five churches represent the Georgian, Victorian Gothic, and modified Gothic architectural styles. Much of Edgefield’s significance results from its large number of important government figures: ten former South Carolina governors; five lieutenant governors; and several U.S. Congressmen and Senators. Edgefield is also known for its military history. During the American Revolution the town was vital due to its location on the route between British strongholds Augusta and Ninety-Six. Local figures also participated in the Mexican War, Civil War and Spanish American War, and during Reconstruction local leaders staged organizational meetings here. Listed in the National Register March 23, 1972. Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History
View a map showing the boundaries of the Edgefield Historic District.
View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property.
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