City Directories and History: This home, known as Con-Lilla was constructed in circa 1773. Kilgore Garrett once lived here as did Conway Jones who restored the home and later by Dr. and Mrs. Charles Alverson.
“The “Con-Lilla” plantation gives the present owners, family, the satisfaction of having preserved for present – glimpse into the past. Their restoration of the place” was a work of perseverance and dedication. The original deed to the property has not been found, but the earliest deed on record is dated July 21, 1871, signed by William Jones and conveying 593 acres to J. W. Jones (not related to present owners). Every indication, set forth in stories passed down by older people, supports the claims that the main part of the house is more than two hundred years old. It was most the Conway Jones and future generations, “Reverend Garrett likely the home of an early settler who lived in a log cabin while plans were being formulated for the “big house;” certainly the structure must have been erected by a master builder with the help of skilled workmen.
Land on which the house was erected was on the eastern side of the Indian Boundary established by Governor John Glen and old Hop, head of the Cherokees, by a treaty in 1755. All land to the east of the line had been given in grants by King George III. The Indian Boundary line now separates Greenville and Laurens counties.
An old Indian trace across the Reverend Garrett property leads to a cave near the house, said to have been used by the Indians as a hiding place. The end of the house facing the cave has the remains of a “lookout” or “hideout” where the family could find refuge and watch for the approach of the enemy. During restoration of the house the chimney at that end of the building was given unusual lines in order that the hideout might be left intact.
Historians tell us that prior to the Revolution, a committee of safety appointed guards called Horse Rangers to patrol the Indian Boundary line. Between Fort Prince and Gowans Fort, both built on the line, the Horse Rangers constructed stout forts at intervals for their own protection and for the safety of the settlers. The ruins of one of these historic forts may still be seen not far from the house. Arrowheads and Indian implements have been found there, and nearby may be seen a large rock with a hollowed-out depression, supposedly used by the Indians for pounding corn into coarse meal.
Wooden pegs, more than a foot long, and large square nails, forged by hand, were used in the building. An enclosed stairway leads to the second and on to the third floors. The top story was used as a schoolroom when former owners kept a resident teacher to supervise the learning of their seven adopted children. A wide removable plank in one of the large rooms downstairs is said to have concealed a storage place for wines and alcoholic beverages. Plain brass locks on the front doors with the original brass knobs and keys, the hand carved stair spindles, the plain but sturdy mantels and hearth facings and the log cabins in the yard — all reflect the pioneer spirit of the pre-Revolutionary period, the Pennsylvania Dutch craftsmen being noted for their simplicity.
A rock fireplace, thought to have been a part of an old saloon, has been left just where it was when the building crumbled to the ground.
Chestnut rails form a rustic fence about the place, and inside some of the log structures to the rear are the feeding troughs hewn from tree trunks, their sides worn by long and constant use. The well, now covered for safety, was walled with highly polished stones which gave the appearance of gems when the rays of the sun hit them. Mrs. Calvin Watson and Mrs. Kilgo Garrett, daughter and daughter-in- law of the Reverend Garrett, once lived in the house and it was through them that many interesting facts concerning the place were passed on to later occupants.
When Mr. and Mrs. Conway Jones bought the property, they added the two one-story wings and many modern conveniences without changing the original floor plan. Mr. Jones’ widow, Lilia Howard Jones, is the present owner of the interesting old place — a museum of the past.”
Information from: The Laurens County Sketchbook, Author – J.S. Bolick, 1973
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