Calhoun County Museum & Cultural Center
The History of Calhoun County and South Carolina Presented with a Southern Flair
Calhoun County Historical Sites
Aeolian Hill, main house of the plantation of the Reverend John Jacob Wannamaker, is located about two miles east of St. Matthews on the Creston-Elloree Road (Highway 6). The stately home was built by John Edward Wannamaker (1851-1935) on lands inherited from his father, the Reverend John Jacob Wannamaker. Reverend Wannamaker was one of the signers of The Ordinance of Secession, and is buried in the family plot of Aeolian Hill.
During John Edward Wannamaker’s youth, Aeolian Plantation, where he was to settle and build his family home, had a comfortable overseer’s house. It was in this house that Mr. Wannamaker lived alone for a time in order to manage the plantation's large operations. He came there in 1872 following his graduation from Wofford College. Because of the strong winds that swept the place, Wannamaker named the place Aeolian Hill. He razed the overseer’s house to build a one-story dwelling about 1875. To this home he brought his bride, the former Martha Nelson Duncan of Spartanburg, in January 1878. Twenty-two years later (1900) John E. Wannamaker enlarged the house and added a second story. Bruce and Morgan, architects of Atlanta, Georgia (also the architects of Clemson College) drew the plans for the addition. Mr. Wannamaker took pride in having taken all the measurements used by Bruce and Morgan in the remodeling plans. Dr. John E. Wannamaker was named in Thomas Clemson’s will as a lifetime trustee of Clemson. His biography appears in Men of Mark.
This stately home and her rich fields were to continue to be the setting of significant events, for it was at Aeolian Hill that the Clemson-Nonshatter soybean was developed by Dr. John E. Wannamaker II. Dr. Wannamaker II was born October 1888 at Aeolian Hill Plantation where he lived his entire life. After his graduation from Wofford College in 1910 he began farming on an extensive scale. His accomplishment in the breeding of soybeans and cotton has been widely recognized. His work in this field has had a marked influence on the agricultural economy of the South. He died at his home on November 24, 1965.
During John Edward Wannamaker’s youth, Aeolian Plantation, where he was to settle and build his family home, had a comfortable overseer’s house. It was in this house that Mr. Wannamaker lived alone for a time in order to manage the plantation's large operations. He came there in 1872 following his graduation from Wofford College. Because of the strong winds that swept the place, Wannamaker named the place Aeolian Hill. He razed the overseer’s house to build a one-story dwelling about 1875. To this home he brought his bride, the former Martha Nelson Duncan of Spartanburg, in January 1878. Twenty-two years later (1900) John E. Wannamaker enlarged the house and added a second story. Bruce and Morgan, architects of Atlanta, Georgia (also the architects of Clemson College) drew the plans for the addition. Mr. Wannamaker took pride in having taken all the measurements used by Bruce and Morgan in the remodeling plans. Dr. John E. Wannamaker was named in Thomas Clemson’s will as a lifetime trustee of Clemson. His biography appears in Men of Mark.
This stately home and her rich fields were to continue to be the setting of significant events, for it was at Aeolian Hill that the Clemson-Nonshatter soybean was developed by Dr. John E. Wannamaker II. Dr. Wannamaker II was born October 1888 at Aeolian Hill Plantation where he lived his entire life. After his graduation from Wofford College in 1910 he began farming on an extensive scale. His accomplishment in the breeding of soybeans and cotton has been widely recognized. His work in this field has had a marked influence on the agricultural economy of the South. He died at his home on November 24, 1965.
Aeolian Hill
William Baker - Franck House
William Baker’s “Manor House” was built around 1830 in the style of Greek Revival. The lovely house features a full-length piazza and gabled second-story portico. The interior displays exacting workmanship of the period. Built high on a hill, the house lends one a commanding view of the city of Columbia.
This is at least the second house to be built on this site. The first house was occupied by William Baker II (1753-1839) and his wife, Barbara Likes Baker. It was here, on Thursday, December 7, 1815, that the Bakers extended their hospitality to the Bishop Francis Asbury.
The builder of the present house is believed to be William Baker III, a shoemaker by trade. Baker III, who married Mary Mueller on March 1, 1832, inherited this tract from his father’s estate, who had, in turn, inherited it from his father (William Baker I, who died 1759).
The Baker Plantation was vast and was composed of lands granted to William Baker I, beginning in 1735, also from the lands of ; William York; John Myrick; a town lot in Saxe-Gotha; and John Jacob Geiger. By 1790, William Baker owned eight slaves.
The house and property remained in the family until after the War Between the States, when it became the property of the Wolfe and Franck families.
This is at least the second house to be built on this site. The first house was occupied by William Baker II (1753-1839) and his wife, Barbara Likes Baker. It was here, on Thursday, December 7, 1815, that the Bakers extended their hospitality to the Bishop Francis Asbury.
The builder of the present house is believed to be William Baker III, a shoemaker by trade. Baker III, who married Mary Mueller on March 1, 1832, inherited this tract from his father’s estate, who had, in turn, inherited it from his father (William Baker I, who died 1759).
The Baker Plantation was vast and was composed of lands granted to William Baker I, beginning in 1735, also from the lands of ; William York; John Myrick; a town lot in Saxe-Gotha; and John Jacob Geiger. By 1790, William Baker owned eight slaves.
The house and property remained in the family until after the War Between the States, when it became the property of the Wolfe and Franck families.
This impressive home, located within the town limits of St. Matthews, was built by Colonel James Arthur Banks, Sr., about 1893. Probably in 1909 the large Corinthian columns and the small straight columns were added. They were designed with Ionic capitals and supported a decorated frieze, both examples of Classic Revival architecture.
Colonel Banks was the second Senator of Calhoun County. Also, he was President of the Home Bank, President of the State Fair Association, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee when he served as a member of the S. C. House of Representatives from Orangeburg County, and Mayor of the town of St Matthews.
Colonel Banks was the second Senator of Calhoun County. Also, he was President of the Home Bank, President of the State Fair Association, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee when he served as a member of the S. C. House of Representatives from Orangeburg County, and Mayor of the town of St Matthews.
Colonel James Arthur Banks House - Dantzler Street, St. Matthews, SC
Battle of Fort Motte - May 11, 1781
Battle of Thomson’s Plantation - February 23, 1781
This British garrison consisted of field works around a large mansion house belonging to Mrs. Rebecca Motte. Opposite the garrison, to the north, stood another hill where Mrs. Motte resided in a farmhouse. On this height, Colonel Lee took post with his troops, while Marion occupied the eastern declivity of the ridge. The large mansion located in the center, left but a few yards uncovered. Marion and Lee decided to set fire to the building in the fort and force a surrender. Mrs. Motte was informed of the intended action and not only assented, but declared that she was “gratified with the opportunity of contributing to the good of her country, and would view the approaching scene with delight.” She obtained bows and arrows, which are reported to have been given to her brother, Miles Brewton, by the captain of an East Indian man-o-war. Mrs. Motte then gave permission for General Lee’s men to make fire-arrows and thus fire her own home. The British sent a party to the loft of the house to knock off the burning shingles, but the continentals raked the loft from one end to the other and drove the soldiers down. The gallant British officers were sent off to Lord Rawdon, who had retreated from Camden and reached a position opposite Fort Motte and encamped on the highest ground there. The other British troops were placed under security as prisoners.
On February 19, 1781, General Thomas Sumter attacked Fort Granby on the Congaree, the British stockade below Columbia. On February 21, he advanced to the British Post at Colonel Thomson’s Plantation, near present-day Fort Motte. The American troops advanced through an open field under heavy fire, reaching a part of the British defenses and setting fire to the houses. The defenders succeeded in extinguishing the flames and resisted every assault. The attack was then abandoned, but the investment was continued. Sumter encamped at Manigault’s Ferry, two miles below Thomson’s, refreshing part of his troops while a strong detachment maintained the investment of the post. He had sent out several smaller detachments for various purposes, so that he had with him not more than a hundred men. Early on the morning of the 23rd he received information that the enemy was approaching with a considerable number of troops and several wagons. He formed quickly for their reception on a well-chosen piece of ground half a mile below his encampment.
The British, about eighty in number, advanced in a compact line on open ground. The British were outflanked and defeated in a short, decisive battle. Twenty wagons with clothing, supplies, and arms were taken; thirteen British were killed and sixty-six taken prisoner. Sumter had collected and secured all boats at Fort Granby and also at Thomson’s. The Santee was out of its banks and the wagons could not cross, so the captured goods were placed on board the captured boats and sent down the river to a point where Sumter was to meet them with his troops. On the 24th of February, Lord Rawdon appeared for the relief of the post at Thomson’s. Sumter retreated when he saw that Rawdon’s entire army was with him and hastened to meet the boats, where he proposed to cross the river. By treachery of the pilot, the boats were permitted to drop below the proposed landing point and within range of the guns at an enemy post at Wright’s Bluff. The boats and their goods fell into enemy hands, but the guards escaped and rejoined Sumter. The Americans gathered as many canoes as possible and on February 27, attacked the post at Wright’s Bluff to regain the stores. The Americans received tremendous fire and had to give way with considerable loss. The British claimed eighteen killed and prisoners and many horses taken.
The British, about eighty in number, advanced in a compact line on open ground. The British were outflanked and defeated in a short, decisive battle. Twenty wagons with clothing, supplies, and arms were taken; thirteen British were killed and sixty-six taken prisoner. Sumter had collected and secured all boats at Fort Granby and also at Thomson’s. The Santee was out of its banks and the wagons could not cross, so the captured goods were placed on board the captured boats and sent down the river to a point where Sumter was to meet them with his troops. On the 24th of February, Lord Rawdon appeared for the relief of the post at Thomson’s. Sumter retreated when he saw that Rawdon’s entire army was with him and hastened to meet the boats, where he proposed to cross the river. By treachery of the pilot, the boats were permitted to drop below the proposed landing point and within range of the guns at an enemy post at Wright’s Bluff. The boats and their goods fell into enemy hands, but the guards escaped and rejoined Sumter. The Americans gathered as many canoes as possible and on February 27, attacked the post at Wright’s Bluff to regain the stores. The Americans received tremendous fire and had to give way with considerable loss. The British claimed eighteen killed and prisoners and many horses taken.
In the area which encompasses Calhoun County, a series of magnificent plantations was established during the Colonial Period. Each plantation, organized as a self-contained unit, had an elegant main house. A classic example is Bellebroughton Plantation, established by the Broughton family, located outside the town limits of Creston near the Santee River.
It was already established as Bellebroughton Plantation in 1735, for when James LaBass, Esquire warranted for 200 acres in Amelia, his tract was located “halfway between Foquet and Sabb, known as Bellebroughton Plantation.”
When William Sabb of Amelia Township wrote his will in 1765, he referred to five tracts, “joining Bellebroughton’s tract.” Later, the tract became the property of the Sabb family.
The main house burned; today, the site yields examples of eighteenth and nineteenth century china. Indian pottery is also found in the area.
William Sabb’s daughter Elizabeth was born at Bellebroughton on June 27, 1761. In 1887, R. E. Edwards of Creston purchased the property.
It was already established as Bellebroughton Plantation in 1735, for when James LaBass, Esquire warranted for 200 acres in Amelia, his tract was located “halfway between Foquet and Sabb, known as Bellebroughton Plantation.”
When William Sabb of Amelia Township wrote his will in 1765, he referred to five tracts, “joining Bellebroughton’s tract.” Later, the tract became the property of the Sabb family.
The main house burned; today, the site yields examples of eighteenth and nineteenth century china. Indian pottery is also found in the area.
William Sabb’s daughter Elizabeth was born at Bellebroughton on June 27, 1761. In 1887, R. E. Edwards of Creston purchased the property.
Bellebroughton Plantation (Bell Broughton)
Belleville Plantation & Cemetery
Colonel William Thomson married Eugenia Russell, daughter of Charles Russell, in 1755. They acquired 400 acres of land on Buckhead Creek, on which Belleville Plantation was developed. Belleville was the first outstanding producer of indigo. During the Revolutionary War, the plantation was seized by the British and fortified. A battle took place when General Thomas Sumter and his troops attacked.
In 1783, Thomson laid out a proposed town here, which lacked only a few votes of being selected state capital of South Carolina. Cotton was planted as a commercial crop at Belleville in 1794, two years before Gaillard planted it at his plantation, The Rocks.
The old cemetery dates back to the Revolutionary War period. Remains of an earth embankment can still be seen around this site. The graves belong to the family of Colonel William Thomson, hero of the American Revolution.
In 1783, Thomson laid out a proposed town here, which lacked only a few votes of being selected state capital of South Carolina. Cotton was planted as a commercial crop at Belleville in 1794, two years before Gaillard planted it at his plantation, The Rocks.
The old cemetery dates back to the Revolutionary War period. Remains of an earth embankment can still be seen around this site. The graves belong to the family of Colonel William Thomson, hero of the American Revolution.
William Pinckney Cain (August 3, 1843-October 2, 1895) built the house in St. Matthews about 1872 with unusual architecture. Cain married Adella Clark, who taught pupils at home. All the Cain children were born in the house. George Wannamaker, who died in 1921, also lived in the house with his wife Lillie Bates Wannamaker.
Cain - Duensing House - Church St., St. Matthews, SC
Calhoun County Courthouse - Railroad Ave., St. Matthews, SC
Calhoun County Library - Railroad Ave., St. Matthews, SC
On Thursday, May 29, 1913, there was a public celebration during which the laying of the cornerstone of the “new courthouse” for Calhoun County took place. The architect was W. A. Edwards, and the contractor W. R. Rose.
The site of the Court House and jail was donated, “without cost to the county,” by F. J. Buyck and M. Jarecky. According to Merritt’s Historical Sketch of the Formation and Operation of Calhoun County filed with Clerk of Court Muller on June 23, 1933, the Court House was erected for less than $20,000. However, the truly unique feature of the construction of Calhoun County Court House is that not one cent of its cost came from public funds.
On May 10, 1958, during the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the laying of the court house cornerstone, a South Carolina historical marker was dedicated.
The site of the Court House and jail was donated, “without cost to the county,” by F. J. Buyck and M. Jarecky. According to Merritt’s Historical Sketch of the Formation and Operation of Calhoun County filed with Clerk of Court Muller on June 23, 1933, the Court House was erected for less than $20,000. However, the truly unique feature of the construction of Calhoun County Court House is that not one cent of its cost came from public funds.
On May 10, 1958, during the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the laying of the court house cornerstone, a South Carolina historical marker was dedicated.
The house in which the Calhoun County Library is located was built in 1866. It is one of the oldest buildings in the county seat of St. Matthews and was constructed in the Greek Revival style. It has a colonial-type façade, which includes four pillars or columns. There is a spoked, half-wheel window in the front portico and a fan-shaped window over the front door with side lights. The building has not been significantly altered since its construction. The chimneys on the outside have never been blocked and remain as they were over a hundred years ago.
This site is funded by the SC Arts Commission, which recieves funding from the NEA, as well as, the Calhoun County Council, and the Friends of the Calhoun County Museum.
Property of the Calhoun County Museum Archives. Not to be used without written consent.
