City Directories and History: An early 19th century structure, one of the earliest in this section of Laurens County. The home may have belonged to Elijah Ray and used as a station to care for the wounded during the Civil War.
“One feature of the Thackston or Fowler house gives it a unique place among the early homes in Laurens County. Here the roof of the main part of the house forms a deep projection over the lean-to rooms at the rear. The chimney and foundation are of field stones. The hewn beams visible under the roof and porch flooring would indicate that the house was originally a log house.
The building stands near Cedar Grove Baptist Church, out from Fountain Inn and near Enoree River. Presently, it serves as a storage place for cattle feed. Concerning the history of the house, early records of the family tell us that Sir Lancelot Thackston was personal chaplain to Edward VI of England in 1550. Sir Lancelot, who died in 1588, received the grant of arms which is used by the family today.
James Thackston, a descendant of the chaplain, came to Prince Edward County, Virginia, shortly after the Revolutionary War. James was married at least twice, first to Mary Winbish and then to Sarah Bell Elebank. James’ sons included Zadok Thackston, a Methodist circuit rider in middle Tennessee in the early 1800’s, and Nathaniel Dacas Thackston who apparently came on to South Carolina and Laurens County about the same date. Nathaniel was married to Frances S. Andrews in 1798. It is not known whether the home was built by Nathaniel’s son, Elija Ray, or by the Reverend Fowler, who was married to Elija’s daughter. Apparently both lived in the house at some time for people in the neighborhood refer to it by both family names.
Elija Ray saw service in the Civil War. He enlisted on April 14, 1861, a member of Company G, Third South Carolina Regiment. A wound in the left arm resulted in the loss of his hand. Believing that Elija was near death and having received orders to retreat, his comrades left the wounded soldier in a deserted building behind. Weeks later, Thackston rejoined his company and completed his tour of duty. It is said that he never allowed the handicap to interfere with his work about the farm during his latter years. Both Nathaniel Dacas and Elija Ray Thackston are buried in the Cedar Grove Baptist Church cemetery.
There are many living descendants of Nathaniel Thackston in this state. One to leave the county and then return as an instructor at Presbyterian College, Clinton, is A. J. Thackston, Jr., Colonel U.S.A. (Ret.). He and Mrs. Thackston make their home at 200 South Owens Street, Clinton. The Colonel, who enjoys an occasional visit to the old homesite, is a great-grandson of Nathaniel Thackston.”
Information from: The Laurens County Sketchbook, Author – J.S. Bolick, 1973
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