City Directories and History: This lovely home with several updates and alterations was constructed in 1834 with changes in 1855 and in the early 20th century. The home has been lived in by three prominent attorneys; James H. Irby, William B. Henderson, and Col. Rutherford P. Todd.
The Irby-Henderson-Todd House was built ca. 1838 and was enlarged in both 1855 and 1880. Built in three stages by three different owners, the house is significant for its visual depiction of the evolution of architecture in the area – the home’s architectural features of the preceding periods were not concealed when later additions and alterations were made. The house is also significant for its association with Irby, Henderson, and Todd, locally prominent lawyers who were active in state politics and government. The house displays an architectural evolution from an antebellum farmhouse to a Classical Revival mansion with Victorian details added later. The original portion of the two-story, frame Classical Revival style house is believed to have been built by James H. Irby ca. 1838. It was greatly enlarged, evidently by William B. Henderson ca. 1855 and further additions are believed to have been made by Rutherford P. Todd ca. 1880. The ca. 1855 Classical Revival section indicates the desire of the owner to have a more pretentious home. Distinctive features include the two-story pedimented portico, fine window and door surrounds, carved mantels, and wide crown moldings. The ca. 1880 addition of a single-story front porch and an elegant main staircase both have similar Victorian period balustrades. The Irby-Henderson-Todd House sits on a large tree-shaded lot that includes one historic outbuilding: a nineteenth century well house (smokehouse). Listed in the National Register September 8, 1983.
Additional information: “Mrs. Bessie Watts Royall, in the Laurens Advertiser of April 9, 1931, mentions the fact that there were only forty-seven houses in the town of Laurens in 1857; the town limits extended for one mile in every direction from the courthouse. One of the homes then standing but not in the town limits was the Henderson or Sam Todd house to the west.
The date of the original construction is not known, though it is thought to have been in the late 1700’s. The cottage faced a country lane now known as Pine Haven Street, and was occupied by the Henderson family (initials un-known).
Colonel Rutherford Pressly Todd came into possession of the Henderson property in the middle 1800’s. He made many changes in the structure and on the grounds in the year 1855, a date found on guttering erected at that time. The addition of massive columns and double doors made the house to front what is now Todd Avenue. Hewn lumber was used in the building, and handmade bricks were used in the chimneys. A landscape architect from New York designed the grounds and planted an avenue of oaks leading to the imposing building.
Colonel Todd was a lawyer by profession, a member of the Third South Carolina Regiment during the War Between the States and a state senator in 1876. He was a descendant of Jonathan Downes of Revolutionary fame. Colonel Todd’s son, Samuel, named for his grandfather, came into possession of the house through inheritance and took up residence there in 1905.
Over the years several families have lived in the beautiful home at the end of the tree-lined driveway. It is now owned by Miss Louise McDaniel, Miss Irene McDaniel and Mr. and Mrs. John J. Reid — descendants of Robert R. McDaniel who bought the property in 1921.”
Information from: The Laurens County Sketchbook, Author – J.S. Bolick, 1973
(Preservation architect, Mr. Martin Meek of Laurens Co., S.C., attributes this house to local antebellum contractor, Thomas L. Badgett.)
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