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Fairfield County

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Yorkville Enquirer, Wed Eve March 9, 1865:  From Winnsboro

The editor thanked the editor of the Winnsboro “News” for this story.  “‘Bummers’ as they call themselves,” preceded the main army on Tuesday [n. d.] and rode into town “helter-skelter, and proceeded to ransack public and private property.”  After some hours Gen. Gary and the 20th corps appeared, “stationed guards in and around the town and re-established order.”  Later Gen. Blair and the 17th passed through, “bands in full blast, colors flying and the men cheering.”  Townsmen on the “side walks were unmolested, and no personal insult was offered.”  Other corps of the Federal army camped on the left and right of Winnsboro.  On Tuesday and Wednesday stores and businesses were burned.  Stores were burned on Tuesday and ten or eleven occupied private houses on Main Street were burned.  The owners of burned “mansions” were: W. R. Robertson, Esq., ____ Guillard, Hon. W. R. Boylston, Col. James R. Aikin, Col. Aug. Aikin, Dr. William Aikin, J. Aikin, Mrs. James Rion, J. B. McCants and others were not destroyed.  Most pillaging was not authorized and happened before the army arrived.  On soldier stole a half-baked loaf of bread from the editor but a Gen. saw him and made him return the bread.  Bummers got spoons, money, provisions, and private clothing, taken “in that hasty manner which betokened practiced adroitness of the business.  One took a hat from a lady and filled it with dried apples – “the sacrilegious villain.  May they swell on his cerulean stomach.”  They merely looked in on his friend Britton’s newspaper establishment.

Conversation with the Yankees was “kind, and indicated respect.”  Most of the Yankees were from the west and said they never expected “to whip the ‘Jonnies’ in a fight, or conquer a peace by the force of arms, and that the only way to subjugate was to rob us of all we had.”

When the left town the Federals marched on the railroad to Blackstocks and burned houses on the way.   The Yankees heated rails and bent them around trees.  Some rails were left.  At Blackstocks there was a skirmish with Confederate cavalry and the Yankees branched off and marched toward Camden.
One of the original plaster ceiling designs.

One of the original plaster ceiling designs.

 The

The "tobacco leaf design" was used in the parlor of the home. It is actually a motif called a Palmette...., used in other houses in Fairfield Co., and elsewhere across the state during the 1840-60 period.

 The Boylston home prior to restoration.

The Boylston home prior to restoration.

 The rear porch of the home prior to restoration.

The rear porch of the home prior to restoration.

 Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History – 1981

Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History – 1981

 Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History – 1981

Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History – 1981

 Courtesy of the Fairfield County Museum – 2014

Courtesy of the Fairfield County Museum – 2014
Sanborn Maps

sanborn_maps

Historic Boylston Inn and House in Winnsboro, S.C.

Get Directions Latitude: 34.3737533     Longitude: -81.0850552

The Fairfield News and Herald reported on Nov. 1, 1882 – “T.W. Boyle and Brother have ample facilities for supplying good lumber at any quantity and at low prices.  Contact T.W. Boyle and Bro., in Ridgeway and J.R. Boyle in Winnsboro.”

413 South Congress Street

City Directories and History: One of Winnsboro’s fine antebellum homes, this classic home was constructed in 1853 for Robert B. Boylston on four acres purchased from Henry H. Clarke (see information below), and Robert B. Clarke. The contractor was a Mr. Ligon, having been described as, “a local contractor of ability and a workman who had great pride in his work, assisted by the Purcell’s workman from Charleston” (This would have been Mr. Thomas Ligon and his son, S.C. Artisans Database).  The database also shows the Purcell family (free African American artisans), were Joe and Joseph Purcell.  They were not from Charleston but worked regularly in the Fairfield County area during the period of 1850 – 60’s.

Robert B. Boylston was born in 1822, the son of Dr. Henry and Mrs. M.E. Boylston of Charleston, S.C. whose grandparents were wealthy Bostonians.  The home features large, high ceiling rooms and hallways, beautiful woodwork and elegant appointment throughout. The property was sold in 1905. From 1906 – 1910, it was operated as the Colonial Inn for wealthy visitors to Winnsboro. [Courtesy Chamber of Commerce]

One of the historic plantings that remain on the property.

One of the historic plantings that remain on the property.

Architecturally, this remains one of Winnsboro’s outstanding examples of mid 19th century construction. The house was nearly destroyed by vandals and neglect in the 20th century and it was only through the insight of the current owners that saved this dwelling. Often we look into the families who have owned a house, then watch the evolution of their generations from exuberance to benign, then catastrophic neglect. This is the story of the Boyleston House, so called because of its origins in that family. Credit in the Twentieth and Twenty First Centuries must be given to Dr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Johnson under whose watchful restoration and preservation this wonderful home continues to live.

A 1950s image of the historic house. Attributed to Ernest Ferguson, photographer.

A 1950s image of the historic house. Attributed to Ernest Ferguson, photographer.

The grounds of the historic house show evidence of extensive landscape gardens and the home originally featured a white picket fence along South Congress Street. Mr. Boylston died at an early age after moving to Winnsboro to get married and practice law. His obituary states, “he was an architect of his own fortune” as well as that of his outstanding home. It is also believed that John Grimke Drayton was the designer of the lovely gardens, of which some plantings remain including the large Magnolias, English Boxwood, and several species of fir and cedar.

Other owners of the property included the Buchanan family. On Nov. 10, 1931, when Mrs. Buchanan died, this property, passed into the possession of the youngest daughter, Ethel Yougue Buchanan and the youngest son, William Yongue Buchanan.

Chalmers Davidson wrote in The Last Foray, Clark, Dr. Henry Harrison of “Fair Hill” plantation. Born Nov. 28, 1813 (S.C.); married De.c 9, 1835, Louisa Goodwyn; died Oct. 3, 1863. Education: College of S.C. (ledft 1831-31); S.C. Medical College, M.D., 1835. Church: Baptist family, Public Service: State Representative; Commissioner of Free Schools, Slaves: 161 (Fairfield District).

*** Architectural Forensics database of S.C. artisans lists a Thomas Ligon, age 46 in 1850, who listed himself as a carpenter who possibly could have been the contractor of this impressive home.

Click on the More Information > link to find additional data – A Fairfield County Sketchbook, by J.S. Bolick, 2000 (Courtesy of the FCHS)

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R&R HISTORY LINK: Following the Palmette Leaf motif… Anderson Co., S.C.

R&R HISTORY LINK: Following the Palmette Leaf motif… the Hall Plantation House

Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.

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Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road. Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.

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