The Yorkville Enquirer of June 27, 1872 – “The Rock Hill Lantern of last week gave a detailed account of the search for Dr. Avery by the US Troops. They came to his house in Ebenezer and undertook a search but failed to find him.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Sept. 20, 1883 – “The two story dwelling of Mr. A.K. Smith, above Ivy’s Ferry on the Catawba River, was totally destroyed by fire last Friday. The loss is estimated to be $1,500.” (R&R in unsure as to the exact location of the Ivy’s Ferry.)
City Directories and History: 1908 – A.K. Smith (Andrew K., postmaster of Old Point / Ebenezer), 1946 – Sarah C. Williams, 1963 – Frances V. Williams, 1975 – Same
The house at 1772 Ebenezer Road was built in the 1840‘s, probably by Reverend Pierpont E. Bishop, pastor of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. The place was sold to the Reverend J. Monroe Anderson and then to Dr. Edward T. Avery, whose family lived there until the twentieth century. In more recent times it was the home of the John F. Williams family. The old brick servants‘ house and kitchen in the backyard is still standing. The impressive grounds of this house were once an attraction for Ebenezer visitors. [Along the Land’s Ford Road, Vol. I – Wm. B. White, Jr.]
Yorkville Enquirer, Thursday, November 7, 1861
Contributions for needy families of soldiers
A long list of contributors was printed. The total raised was $207.25 and was for three months supplies for needy families of volunteers. The committee that carried out this benevolence consisted of James Jefferys, S. Sadler, J. A. Brown, T. S. Jefferys and J. R. Schorb.
Sixty-seven individuals responded to the subscription including Rev. J. Monroe Anderson, Dr. A. J. Barron, R. Hare, Rev. R. Lathan, several doctors, Mrs. S. W. Melton, Colonel R. G. McCaw, W. P. McFadden, S. Rainey, F. H, Simril, George Steele, J. R. Schorb, Colonel W. B. Wilson, Witherspoon and Williams. Eleven families consisting of thirty-six persons received supplies each week.
This like many mid 19th century homes was heavily modernized to take on a more Queen Anne appearance in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is this style the home has remained in for one hundred years. Few domestic building have survived in this region and therefore the brick double door kitchen and storage house is highly important. Dr. Avery’s office, originally in the front yard was moved by the Millers to the back yard and attached to the house to make a modern kitchen for the home.
Kate Cross Avery – Courtesy of the Craig Family Collection, 2012
In 1848 the house was sold to Rev. J. Monroe Anderson, his successor at the church. When he sold the house, Dr. Edward Avery purchased it and added a double piazza across the front. He was a well known horticulturist, and had some twenty acres of vineyards. One grape did not bear for 19 years.
A.K. Smith, postmaster of Old Point rented the house following Dr. Avery’s death. In 1897, the house was purchased by Joseph H. Miller, who made other extensive changes to the front porches. This is most likely the time when the Queen Ann porches were added as well as the gable pediment on the front roof.
The Herald reported on Jan. 25, 1883 – “Some residents of Ebenezer are giving their attention to cultivating grapes. Dr. Avery recently added 7,000 cutting to his vineyard and Mr. Robert Morrison put out about 3,000 vines of the Delaware variety.”
The Herald reported on Aug. 13, 1885 – “Mr. Robert Morrison of Ebenezer has shipped over 4,000 lbs of grapes this year and expects to ship an additional 2,000 pounds. He has a vineyard of about three acres and expects to add to that next year.”
The Herald reported on Jan. 5, 1901 – “The new dwelling of Mr. A.K. Smith in Ebenezer, is ready for occupancy.” (R&R is not sure this is the same dwelling.)
The Herald reported on Feb. 5, 1902 – “The ladies of Ebenezer will give an oyster supper on the evening of Feb. 14th at the residence of Mrs. A. K. Smith. The proceeds will go to the Ebenezer Monument fund.”
In 1919 the family of John F. Williams purchased the home. Family members including Ruth, Frances, Leroy and Sara Williams resided here until the death of Miss Frances Williams in 1982. Other owners have been S.J. Kimball and members of the Bass and Hicklin families.
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R&R HISTORY LINK: The Bratton and Avery Men and the KKK
R&R HISTORY LINK: The OTHER AVERY HOUSE
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