City Directories and History: The home was originally owned by members of the Ruff and Chappell families. Reported to have been constructed in the early 19th century by Daniel Ruff, the house is simply a handsome piece of local architecture of outstanding proportions and style. It was operated as a significant cotton plantation in the ante-bellum period and later sold by Silas Ruff. One source states that Dr. John Milton Glenn acquired the property at that transaction and it was his wife who did substantial garden plantings on the property. Many old plantings remain including English boxwood and large Crepe Myrtles.
Louise, the Glenn’s only child was twice married. Her second husband was Furman McEachern. After Louise’s death, McEachern married Mary Chappell who he gave the house to as a wedding gift. The property was later sold again to the Rev. L.K. Martin in the 1930’s.
Click on the More Information > link to find additional data – A Fairfield County Sketchbook, by J.S. Bolick, 2000 (Courtesy of the FCHS)
“Fair View is another Thompson home built about 1800, and sold to Dr. John Milton Glenn in 1830. It was owned by the Glenn’s only daughter, Louise, who married Furman McEachern. It is now occupied by the Rev. L. K. Martin, a retired Presbyterian minister, who has owned it since about 1930. This is not to be confused with Fair View Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center on the Longtown-Camden road below Ridgeway. The latter was built about 1900 as a hunting club by Eastern men, who spent their winters here. It was later the home of the Howard Snellings who called it Chat- tlewood. It took the name Fair View when it became a hospital and rehabilitation center about ten years ago.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
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