544 West Main Street – Historic Dunklin House Museum

“Tours – 2nd Sunday of each month from 2-5.”

City Directories and History: 1917 – Mrs. M. L. Todd, 1948 – Eugene A. Randall, Samuel B. Neal, 1975 – Laurens Historical Society (Laurens County Landmark Foundation)

Note the address for this home was originally #544, and there was not a home at #550 at the time of this map being printed. However, R&R has also seen this home listed otherwise as #530.

R&R HISTORY LINK:  GENEALOGY TRAIL LINK

(Williams-Watts-Todd-Dunklin House) Constructed ca. 1812 by Washington Williams for his daughter and her husband, the Dunklin House is one of the oldest homes in Laurens. In 1843 Samuel Todd, a physician, bought the two-story frame house that is set on a raised brick basement. Reflecting the respectability and local prominence of its owners, the house is a well-built upcountry farmhouse, or Carolina I-House. The heart-pine shiplap and clapboard exterior, the wide porch, and the symmetrical arrangement of windows and door are typical of the nineteenth century vernacular style in South Carolina. Unusual exterior features include the informally spaced columns and two pipe-stem chimneys. The rear façade has been altered. An 1845 wing was removed in 1950 and converted into a six-room apartment building located behind the main house. At this time a first-floor sun porch was added to the rear of the house. The house is located in the center of Laurens, and the settling basins of the city waterworks adjoin the 400-foot long lot at the rear. In addition to the main house, outbuildings include a renovated slave cabin, a garage apartment, and a reconstruction of a kitchen at Colonial Williamsburg. Listed in the National Register October 1, 1974.  [Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History]

Additional information:

“One of the oldest houses in Laurens is the one now occupied by James G. Dunklin and his mother on West Main Street. It is said to have been built in the early 1800’s (1812 —1820) by Washington Williams, a son of Colonel James Williams. The house was a gift to Washington Williams’ daughter, Nancy, who was married to James Watts. After Watts’ death, the widow Nancy sold the property in 1843 to Samuel Todd. It remained in the hands of Todd descendants until the early 1930’s at which time H. E. Timmons gained ownership.

Information from: The Laurens County Sketchbook, Author – J.S. Bolick, 1973

—————-

Image courtesy of the Blythe Collection – ca. 1982

In 1950, Mr. Dunklin bought the property and started a program of restoration. Its furnishings throughout are in a manner that would be pleasing to the builder could he see it today.”  (The Dunklin collection of mostly Southern decorative arts is an outstanding display.  It includes a piece attributed to upcountry furniture maker, Mr. Pinchback. His work is linked to both Chester and Newberry counties, S.C.  The historic tall desk (right), represents the best of his work and is one of four documented pieces. It is clear that Mr. Pinchback built just the top glass section, the bottom desk is attributable to Laurens County artisan Mr. Jacob Nabors.)

R&R’s visited the Historic Dunklin house in 2017 and determined the history of the house as outlined thus far is highly accurate.  The main two story section is the original house, constructed as one unit, with rear shed additions, front columns and other misc., changes taking place in ca. 1840’s.  The main framing of the house is hewn timbers, a lovely timber frame house. The shed rooms to the rear are all constructed with later technics using sawn timber.  The front porch columns are identical to others identified in Laurens County, see the Martin House (History Thread), for comparison.  It thus maybe plausible that the mid 19th century updates to the Dunklin House were made under the direction of local antebellum contractor, Thomas L. Badgett.

Early upcountry flat back cupboard (top section only), “attributed” to Mr. Pinchback, ca. 1795-1820, originally of Chester Co., S.C. One of five known pieces attributed to that family of artisans. Documented by R&R and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts. Image courtesy of R&R.com. The bottom section, married to the top is attributable to the Nabor or Neighbors family of fine cabinet makers in Laurens County, S.C.

Information from: The Laurens County Sketchbook, Author – J.S. Bolick, 1973

Click here for added information on this house and the Historic District.

NABORS – NEIGHBORS FAMILY OF CABINET MAKERS

The family of Nabors, spelled numerous ways, came from France to Laurens County in the late 18th century and produced three generations of excellent cabinet makers.  Their use of unique Louis XV French feet, was a style attributed to Abraham Nabors.  His great-grandson, Jacob Nabors (1774-1825) is the maker of the Nabors’ furniture (desk seen to the right), in the James Dunklin House. Furniture made by Jacob Nabors is in collections in both Carolinas and Georgia. He was often overlooked as a furniture maker due to his listing as a farmer in the U.S. Census records. (Information via Frank A. Coleman).

Stay Connected

Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.

Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.

User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.

R&R HISTORY LINK: The Pinchback furniture via Chester Co., S.C.

R&R HISTORY LINK:  NATIONAL REGISTER IMAGES

R&R HISTORY LINK:  SC ARTISANS DATABASE

R&R HISTORY LINK:  MARTIN HOUSE LINK

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.