City Directories and History: In 1981, the Fairfield County survey of historic properties recorded this once magnificent Federal style home as that of the John Means house, Fair View. John Means (1758-1811), is reported to have lived here during his adulthood.
Click on the More Information / PDF > link to find additional data – A Fairfield County Sketchbook, by J.S. Bolick, 2000 (Courtesy of the FCHS)
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“In the Blair area of the county on one of the highest hills stands another Fair View along the Broad River. This old house was built soon after the Revolutionary War by General Thomas Means of Colonial and Revolutionary fame. When he died in 1807, he was buried in his garden, where a commanding monument among the overgrown shrubs and wild roses marks the site today. The General’s son, John Hugh Means, was governor of South Carolina from 1850 to 1852.
The house is of brick, burned in a kiln on the place by the Means slaves. It must have been one of the great houses of its period. The solid brick walls are twenty inches thick. In the drawing room is a handsome molded chandelier ring in the center of a plaster floral design. Over the front entrance is a molded American eagle bearing the shield of the United States. Fair View has been owned by the Blairs, whose Frazier descendants now own it, although it is now open to the elements and getting into a bad state of repair.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
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Andrew Shealy says
I lease this property for hunting. I would love to know where the grave site is.
Ernest says
The grave has been relocated to the Mean’s family cemetery for about 15 years. The grave was located in the side yard to the right of the house.
Wade Fairey says
Thank you for the update!