City Directories and History: “Nathaniel Gist had this house built in the early 1800’s. It was a two-story house, built high above the ground, having a commodious cellar underneath. The main building had a narrow hall and four rooms above and as many below. The left hand room, in the parlance of the day was a sitting room, with high mantle-piece beautifully carved.
Tradition is that the place was called “Wyoming” from the poem, “Gertrude of Wyoming” by Thomas Campbell. Many famous guests visited at this house such as: Governors James Hopkins Adams, William W. Gist, and Francis W. Pickens. Nathaniel Gist and his wife Elizabeth McDaniel Gist are buried in the Old Fairforest Presbyterian Cemetery not very far from their home.”
#2 – “Mrs. W. Bedford Moore, Jr., of Columbia, sends us information on a rare and historic name which has been in her family for several generations. It all began when one of her ancestors, Colonel Nathaniel Gist of Union District, feeling very strongly on a state’s sovereignty, named his son, bom in 1831, States Rights Gist. This young man, Mrs. Moore’s great-uncle, grew up to be a Confederate Brigadier at the age of 33 and was killed at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, on November 30, 1864. His old body servant brought home the word that the Yankees got him because he was riding the wrong horse. The name was passed down to another generation in the Finley family when Mrs. Moore’s brother was christened States Rights Gist Finley. This States Rights grew up to serve in the U. S. Marine Corps during World War I. The name is still being carried on by a grandson and a grand-nephew of Mr. Finley.”
Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC
Wyoming – Another Gist Home in Union Co., SC
“Chalmers Davidson wrote in The Last Foray, Gist, Col. Nathaniel of “Wyoming” plantation.
Born 1776 (S.C.); married July 18, 1811, Elizabeth Lewis McDaniel (Nov. 20, 1791-June 27, 1859); died Dec. 3, 1861. Church Presbyterian (late in life). Public service: State Representative; Justine of the Quorum; Lieut. Col. (Gov. Gedde’s staff). Slaves: 119 (Union District).”
The Last Foray, C. Gaston Davidson, SC Press – 1971
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.
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
d fowler says
The Nathaniel Gist house as shown on this web page is NOT the Nathaniel Gist home called Wyoming. The Gist home in the photographs (built circa 1855) is located in Union, SC; Wyoming (built circa early 1800’s) is out in the countryside between Jonesville, SC and Pacolet, SC. Two totally different houses.
rradmin says
R&R appreciates your input. Do you have any documentation on the location of Wyoming or images you can share?
R&R
D Fowler says
My father-in-law, Frederick H. Dodkin, bought the old plantation home “Wyoming” near Jonesville in the 1970’s from the Free family. He spent the rest of his life restoring the home, but did not finish before his death in 1984. The home was sold after Mr. Dodkin’s death and restoration was eventually completed, although not in the original style in which Mr. Dodkin was trying to accomplish.
From The Narrative History of Union County, South Carolina by Allan D. Charles: “States Right was born in 1831 at ‘Wyoming,’ a plantation house between Jonesville and the Spartanburg County line. Built c. 1815, the house was doubled in size around the 1830’s. It was partially restored prior to 1984 by Fred Dodkin, who moved it some one-half mile from its original site. The house was named for a poem, “Gertrude of Wyoming” (meaning the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania).”
There are many old photographs taken before restoration was begun and throughout the restoration process. I have a few of the photos but the majority of them are in the possession of Mrs. Dodkin and her children.
R. Queen says
I have a photo took yesterday after researching with friends. Mr. Fowler is correct!
rradmin says
Please take time to forward the image so we can post it on R&R, thanks!
Robert m. Schmitt says
The house shown above is the home of Nathaniel Gist jr. He is the son of Nathaniel and brother of States Rights Gist. His father’s house was named Wyoming and is located near Jonesville s.c. I now own this grand old home and am living here and it is undergoing an extensive and correct restoration. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places a few years back. The house was purchased from Marion and Bessie Fant of Union s.c. who were very helpful in making this restoration possible.
D Fowler says
Nathaniel Gist, Jr. was born in 1820 at Wyoming, his father’s plantation near Jonesville. (Jean M. Dorsey & Maxwell J. Dorsey “Christopher Gist of Maryland and Some of His Descendants, 1679-1952” [Chicago: John S. Swift Company, 1962] page 113)
He married his first cousin, Mary McDaniel, and with his brother, Joseph Fincher Gist, they built the Gist house (the home you have listed on your website as Wyoming) on a 1030-acre plantation acquired by a deed from J.K.B. Sims in 1844. (Union County Deed Book T13, page 102. Union County Courthouse, Union, SC) Nathaniel Gist, Jr. bought his brother’s half interest in January 1857.
Nathaniel Gist, Jr. died from typhoid fever on December 9, 1864, intestate, and his estate was divided between his widow and 6 children. Two of the children deeded their interest in the home to Joseph F. Gist in 1895 and 1928. Joseph F. Gist lived in the home until his death in 1933. He died intestate and the house and property were sold to the U.S. Forest Reserve in 1936.
Mrs. Annie Ruth Meador Fant lived in the house from 1945 until her death in 1984. Her son Marion B. Fant, Sr. purchased the home in 1986 and began a major restoration project.
The house you have on your website is the house built by Nathaniel Gist, Jr. and his brother Joseph H. Gist. “Wyoming” near Jonesville was built by Nathaniel Gist, Sr.
Nathaniel Gist, Sr. never owned the home on your website. He did own a Tyger River Plantation, half interest in a plantation that he bought from his son Thomas Gist in which he owned with his son James D. Gist, and ) the home place plantation, “Wyoming” where he lived. I have gotten this information from census records, the National Register of Historic Places, the will of Nathaniel Gist, Sr. who died in 1865 (Box 48, Package 9), and the will of Nathaniel Gist, Jr. (Box 47, Package 13).