Historic Mitchell Home at 203 East Liberty Street – York, S.C.

“The construction of this house is attributed to York contractor, Andrew Giles.”

City Directories and History:  1958 – Joseph E. Mitchell, 1966 – Joseph E. Mitchell, Sara R. Warlick

R&R HISTORY LINK: #2 S. Congress Street

(#109) 1958 and 1966 – Reita Witherspoon

This house was built circa 1850 by William Barron, an illustrious plantation merchant of York County. Soon after its completion, William Barron sold it to the Grist family, publishers of the town newspaper, and later it was sold to William Blackburn Wilson, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession. The house was considered a blend of very simple farmhouse and Greek Revival influences. The house was later owned by Joseph Franklin Wallace, who was Clerk of Court for York County. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace reared six children in this house, and it was joked at the time that they added a room and some addition to the porch with the addition of each child. Upon Mr. Wallace’s death, the house went to his daughter, Annie (Wallace) Marshall. This house was always a gathering place for young people. Mr. Marshall built a large playhouse, complete with a large fireplace, in the back of the lot where they gathered. [Courtesy of the Yorkville Historical Society – 2002]

*** Historian Wm. B. White, Jr. formerly of Rock Hill, SC has stated numerous times that this dwelling was originally constructed by Andrew Giles, a local contractor. Also see firm of Nash and Giles, each were building coffins and other necessary carpentry projects in York as early as 1816. This house was listed as #109 on the Sanborn Map.

Andrew Giles was similar to many 19th century artisans, making coffins as a routine part of their business. As early as 1816 YC Estate File 15.520 p. 546 recorded payment of $12. for a coffin and numerous others including one for James Smith in 1821 at a cost of $15.00 (YC File #39/1669, p. 82).

Click on the MORE INFORMATION links under the primary image for a view of the 1896 YC Postal Map.

Note that F.M. Nash purchased 2.25 acres along East Liberty St., on Oct. 10, 1817.

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Roach House by A. Giles…

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