The Rock Hill Herald reported on Oct. 27, 1881 – “The sixth annual report of the Thornwell Orphanage in Clinton states there are 30 orphans under their care. A new house for boys named Faith Cottage is being built at a cost of $1,000.”
City Directories and History: Founded in 1875, this building is known as the “Home of Peace”, and is the original building constructed at Thornwell by Dr. W.P. Jacobs.
The collection of postcards on display tell a wonderful architectural history of the complex.
“Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton had its beginning when a ten- year-old fatherless boy appeared at the home of Doctor William Plumer Jacobs with coins amounting to fifty cents. This was his contribution toward the founding of a home for boys and girls like himself. Three years later, in 1875, the first building of Thornwell Orphanage (later changed to Thornwell Home) opened its doors and took in eight orphaned boys and girls.
Toward the close of 1879, Julia Fripp made an entry in a diary kept by the children (“My People” Presbyterian College Library): “For four years I have been one of the inmates of the Thornwell Orphanage and although I will leave in a few days I will always love my dear old home and the kind and loving friends who have left their happy homes for us. For three years Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have taken the care of this house upon their shoulders. They have been a mother and father to us all…. ”
This building (Home of Peace) is the oldest on the Thornwell campus. This was the home of which Julia Fripp spoke, her tribute having been repeated over the years by the thousands of boys and girls who have found security, love and understanding during their residence at Thornwell. The institution which started with two cows, a few chickens and one building is now supported by Presbyterian Synods of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.”
Information from: The Laurens County Sketchbook, Author – J.S. Bolick, 1973
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Paul D. de Holczer says
There are several pictures here of the Home of Peace. Some show a two-story building; some show a three-story building. It was originally constructed as it now appears: a two story building.
Later, a third story was added and a wide, open porch was built which surrounded the entire ground floor. In that porch area was a small enclosed space with glass windows. This was the well-house and it was a cement basin into which well water percolated for use in the Home.
In 1975, in celebration of the Centennial of the Orphanage, the third story was removed and the porch was pared down again so that the Home was restored to its original appearance. The well-house was removed, too. The roof and interior was refurbished and the building received HVAC and rewiring.
I know this because I was an “orphan” there from about 1969 to 1979. We never called ourselves “inmates” then!
We called ourselves “orphans” whether we were orphans or half-orphans (as I was) or even if both parents were living.
Thornwell welcomes visitors to the campus which has many historic and beautiful buildings, almost all in granite. Thornwell was founded by Dr. Jacobs who also founded Presbyterian College which is across the street from Thornwell. Almost all the buildings at Presbyterian College are red brick.