City Directories and History: This elegant home was originally constructed in the late 1850’s by local builder and owner, Mr. Mansel Hall, of Winnsboro. The Fairfield County Sketchbook listed Mr. Hall as an architect – builder. Yet, neither the 1850 or 1860 census lists him as a builder, but he could have easily had access to both up-to-date pattern books as well as building materials. He was the son of John Hall and Molly Barker, whose family had a long history of building beautiful homes.
The Yorkville Enquirer of Nov. 13, 1879 reported – “A fire occurred at Winnsboro last Saturday which destroyed the mills owned by W.B. Creight. This includes a flour mill, saw mill, and cotton gin located in the immediate vicinity of the depot. A large amount of cotton at the depot was not destroyed.”
Mr. Hall was born in circa 1816 and lived in Winnsboro most of his life, he died in 1876. The 1850 census states he was a merchant living with members of the Neil family. After the death of his first wife, he sold their home on South Congress Street and began construction of his new home. By 1860, he had become the railroad agent, married a second time to Jane C. Barber, and was living on his own with his second family. He reported having a net worth of just over $20,000.
It is unfortunate that this historic home has been neglected and in some cases abused rather than restored as one of Fairfield County’s most interesting and elegant antebellum homes. The front portico has been removed and the interior modernized extensively, however remnants of the architectural character of this home remain. These include the Italianate cornice brackets, window bonnets, and its stylish front entrance.
Families associated with this home include; Hall, Creight, and Sargent. Note the Sanborn map of 1884, shows the cotton platforms of W.B. Creight along South Congress Street. It is uncertain as to W.B. Creight’s relationship to this dwelling?
Click on the More Information > link to find additional data – A Fairfield County Sketchbook, by J.S. Bolick, 2000 (Courtesy of the FCHS) Also see:https://www.rootsandrecall.com/anderson/buildings/205-river-street-2/ for another SC home featuring the same style.
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R&R HISTORY LINK: Following the Palmette Leaf design…Boyleston House
R&R HISTORY LINK: THE CHAMBERLAIN HOUSE OF ANDERSON, SC
R&R HISTORY LINK: HALL FAMILY CONNECTIONS
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