City Directories and History: In October of 2015, R&R was contacted by the owner of this historic home and asked for a consultation. The home has gone through dramatic upheavals; fire, vandalism, and significant water damage due to a leaking roof. Yet, this is one house that remains well worth saving and R&R commends the efforts and interest of the new owner who has no family connection to the property. R&R hopes someone can assist in providing detailed information on this structure, so the owner can move forward with preservation efforts.
Upon arriving at the rural site, R&R quickly ascertained and discovered what we believe is a ca. 1840s or early 1850s structure, of remarkable construction. The home
Construction details commonly found in mid 19th century upcountry dwellings, provide numerous leads, to the history of the structure and potential restoration. Courtesy of AFLLC – 2015
exudes mid 19th century Greek Revival architecture, featuring exquisite proportions, architectural appointments and fantastic timber frame techniques employed by a skilled contractor. Since these same features and construction techniques were employed by artisans routinely for decades, it is difficult to give more than a range of dating the structure. Though it has suffered significantly, this is one of the best examples of a mid 19th century planter’s home R&R has explored and equals those found throughout Fairfield County.
The framework was expertly constructed, the house had a cut stone foundation, massive brick interior chimneys, wainscoting, chimney closets, and handsome moldings. We can only ascertain that the missing staircase was also of equal quality since only a small section remains. An unusual find was the interior staircase to the securely boarded and insulated cellar.
To date no one has come forth with historic information on the family who owned it or anything about those who built this lasting piece of refined architecture. It is not listed on the Newberry Co, SCDAH survey cards and according to several sources, little is commonly known about the home’s history. 
Of keen interest to those of us visiting from R&R, were the vast amount of exposed construction techniques exhibited. These small details clearly point to a highly skilled contractor and his crew of artisans who had constructed numerous houses of equal quality in the area. Let’s help the new owner with this enormous undertaking by sharing any of your knowledge with him at rootsandrecall@gmail.com.
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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.
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R&R HISTORY LINK: the 1854 Map of Newberry Co., by Colton
R&R HISTORY LINK: the Bobo House @ Cross Keys
Union Museum Director, Ola Jean Kelly reported to R&R in Oct. 2015 the following: Mary Ann (1820-1888) was a daughter of Kindred Bobo and Mary Murphy. Her father was descended (I believe) from Lewis Bobo who was born in France in 1736. She married Jesse Whitmire first and he purchased the Cross Keys Plantation in 1852. They were the parents of six children the youngest of whom died shortly after the move. Jessie died in either 1854-1856 and left a “considerable fortune” to Mary Ann. Two years later she married Warren Davis but not before having him sign a prenuptial agreement which allowed the disposition of her “considerable fortune” to be decided by Mary Ann. Her concern, it appears, was for her youngest surviving daughter Sophonia or Fronie.
It has been reported to R&R that this was the home of Jesse Whitmire. Following is the information fournished R&R:
George Frederick Whitmire (W8/1.3), was born about 1749 in Stuttgart, Wurttemberg-Baden of parents unknown. He arrived in America at age 18 October 29, 1767 in the ship “Sally” which carried 62 passengers from Rotterdam, Netherlands via Cowes, Isle of Wight. In the passenger list he was carried as “Georg Fried Wiedmayer, according to “Foreign Immigrants into Pennsylvania.” It is believed that he made the decision to emigrate partly at the instance of his mother who requested that he find his brothers and advise Michael Whitmire (W8/1.1) that their stepfather had recovered and that he was not a murderer. Overdown Whitmire (W3/1.1) stated that he was influenced to immigrate by Peter Stuckman, his friend, who preceded him to American and who was probably the “Johannes Peter Stockman” who arrived in 1766 on the ship “Polly” from Amsterdam and Cowes. They were neighbors again in South Carolina, according to Overdown Whitmire (W3/1.1).
He landed at Philadelphia and spent some time in the German community there. Later he spent a short period of time in Baltimore, Maryland, according to the research of Mary Alnora “Nora” Cox Drennan (C2/10.4).
He was married in 1774 in District 96, South Carolina to Sarah Phoebe Hagood (H8/1.1), daughter of Rev. William Hagood (H9/1.1) who was born in Virginia in 1752. The Reverend Hagood was the son of Reuben Hagood (H10/1.1) and Phoebe Hagood. They had moved from Virginia to Warren County, North Carolina and then to District 96 in 1772, according to “Jacob Clark of Abbeville, South Carolina” published in 1926 by Eva Turner Clark (T4/1.1). Sarah Phoebe Hagood (H8/1.1) was described as a “Quaker born in Philadelphia” in “Whitmires of South Carolina” by Ann E. Hatton Lewis, however the Reverend Hagood was a Baptist minister.
George Frederick Whitmire (W8/1.3) settled in Newberry District, South Carolina and bought a plantation there between Enoree River and Duncan’s Creek in present-day Union County, South Carolina. He received 960 acres of land as a gift from his father-in-law. Their first residence was a primitive log cabin which he built. Later he constructed a large, commodious home which served as a residence and a tavern. The building was still standing after almost 200 years of continual use by the family.
He was a Revolutionary soldier and served under Gen. Levi Casey. Indent No. 31924 was issued July 3, 1786 to “Frederick Whitmire for five pounds for duty as a private in Brandon’s Regiment per account audited.” Overdown Whitmire (W3/1.1) reported that he was an impressive soldier, standing 6′ 4″ tall and weighing about 300 pounds.
He was enumerated there in the 1790 census as “Fred’k. Whitmire” living on his plantation. His family consisted of “six males under 16, one male over 16 and two females.”
Frederic Whitmire” was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1800 census of Union District, South Carolina. The family was reported as:
“Whitmire, Frederic white male over 45, white female over 45, w
George Frederick Whitmire (W8/1.3) established a trading post on his property, about 1801, and it was the forerunner of the town of Whitmire, South Carolina, population, 2,246 in 1970, located on the north edge of present-day Newberry County, according to Evelyn Whitmire, family researcher, who in 1968 lived in Leavenworth, Kansas. The trading post has been preserved as Drucilla Whitmire Museum, according to “South Carolina Guide Series.” A cottonmill was also built on the site by George Frederick Whitmire (W8/1.3).
Descendants report that George Frederick Whitmire (W8/1.3) often spoke of a longing to return to Germany and quoted him as saying that he owned property there, perhaps referring to an inheritance.
He was a witness to the will of John Mumford October 26, 1811 in adjoining Laurens County, South Carolina, according to “Florida Pioneers” by David A. Avant.
Sarah Phoebe Hagood Whitmire (H8/1.1) died June 13, 1817, according to Nancy Jane Hinkle Flesch (H3/7.7). George Frederick Whitmire (W8/1.3) died in Newberry District June 23, 1829 at age 80. Both were buried at Lower Duncan’s Creek Baptist Church of which they were members. The church was located about a mile from their plantation on Duncan’s Creek.
Overdown Whitmire (W3/1.1) wrote that native granite stones were erected over their graves. He stated, “Crudely chiseled on his stone was, “Geo. Fred. Whitmire, died June 23, 1829, aged 89 [80] years.” Her stone was inscribed “Phoebe Whitmire died June 13, 1827 [1817], aged 85 [65] years.” Detecting a problem with the dates [as he read them] he wrote, “The dates and ages on the grave-stones indicate that George Frederick Whitmire was born in 1740 and his wife in 1742, which might indicate that the date usually given for their marriage in 1774, may be a mistake. Early marriages were the rule in those days, and seldom did people wait until their thirties to marry.” [His uncertainty about the date of birth suggests that the year of birth given in the immigration record is more reliable.]
Children born to George Frederick Whitmire (W8/1.3) and Sarah Phoebe Hagood Whitmire (H8/1.1) include:
William E. Whitmire (twin) (W7/3.1) born July 22, 1776
Henry Whitmire (twin) (W7/3.2) born July 22, 1776
John Franklin Whitmire (W7/3.3) born in 1783
Christopher Whitmire (W7/3.4) born in 1785
Thomas Whitmire (W7/3.5) born about 1787
Moses Whitmire (W7/3.6) born August 25, 1789
Charity Whitmire (W7/3.7) born about 1791
Rachel Whitmire (W7/3.8) born about 1794
William E. Whitmire (W7/3.1), twin son of George Frederick Whitmire (W8/1.3) and Phoebe Hagood Whitmire (H8/1.1), was born July 22, 1776 in Newberry District. He was married in 1798 to Mrs. Sarah Hill Fowler (H7/1.1), daughter of Henry Hill (H8/1.1) and Alice Ridgely Hill (R8/1.1) and widow of Nathan Fowler (F7/1.1). She was born in 1775 and had two children by her first marriage, Alice Fowler (F6/1.1) and Drucilla Fowler (F6/1.2).
He appeared as the head of a household in the 1800 census of Newberry County:
“Whitmire, William white male 16-26, white female 16-26, white female 16-26, white female 0-10, white female 0-10, white male 0-10”
William E. Whitmire (W7/3.1) was the purchaser of 500 pounds of fodder at the estate sale of David Hill held December 9, 1834, according to Newberry County Probate Box 44, Package 1070.
William E. Whitmire (W7/3.1) wrote his will August 20, 1831. Sarah Hill Fowler Whitmire (H7/1.1) died February 21, 1838. He died October 22, 1840, according to his tombstone in Lower Duncan’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. His will was probated February 1, 1841, according to VirJean Potter Bozarth who in 1972 lived in Houston, Texas.
Children born to William E. Whitmire (W7/3.1) and Sarah Hill Fowler Whitmire (H7/1.1) include:
Nathan Whitmire (W6/1.1) born October 10, 1799
Charity Caney Whitmire (W6/1.2) born December 23, 1801
Jesse Whitmire (W6/1.3) born June 12, 1804
Ruth Whitmire (W6/1.4) born February 4, 1808
Joseph Hill Whitmire (W6/1.5) born April 18, 1809
Henry Whitmire (W6/1.6) born February 4, 1811
Thomas Blackburn Whitmire (W6/1.7) born September 21, 1812
William Jackson Whitmire (W6/1.8) born July 9, 1815
**** Information furnished R&R by the current 2015 owner of the Whitmire-Burton house. An inventory of Jesse Whitmire’s estate is available – Estate Inventory
Jalapa
Mr. Thomas H. Pope of Newberry, now President of the South Carolina State Bar Association, relates that from older members of his family he had often heard a legend about the origin of this name. It is said that members of the Palmetto Regiment stopped here on their way home from the Mexican War. The pleasing area reminded them so much of a place in Mexico they had liked that they named Jalapa after that town. Incidentally, because of their ferocity in battle General Scott is said to have named this group of soldiers from South Carolina “The Tigers.”
(Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC)
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.
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.
Thanks!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Excellent article!!!! I hope someone knows more about this great piece of history
Lot of house history out there. Thanks for Sharing.