Calhoun County Museum
Come and enjoy the history of Calhoun County and South Carolina presented with a personal southern touch.
William Russell Thomson was an officer of the American Revolution; Justice of the Peace for Orangeburgh District, 1785; manager of election for St. Matthews Parish, 1786; elected to South Carolina House of Representatives, St. Matthews Parish, 1790; appointed Ordinary of Orangeburgh District by the Legislature, October, 1791; elected Sheriff of Orangeburgh District by Legislature, December, 1794; and was an unsuccessful candidate for State Senator in 1800.
As a young man of seventeen years, William Russell Thomson was captured by the British and held captive at Belleville along with his father. Colonel Thomson was removed to Charleston where he was held prisoner in the Provost Custom House while young Thomson continued to be held prisoner at Belleville.
William Russell Thomson married Elizabeth Sabb who was born at Bellebroughton June 27, 1761, and died at Totness on November 8, 1838. Apparently, after the death of William Russell, Cave Hall was no longer a Thomson residence, since Elizabeth Sabb Thomson left there sometime after his death.
We do not know the location of the house site—a site which would prove to be one of the earliest in the county.
Part of an old Indian Path which ran from Charleston to the Congarees, from the Congarees to Ninety Six, and then from Ninety Six to Keowee and Cherokee Indian Country.
This old Indian path became the most noted route to the Cherokee Country and eventually became the chief highway of the province and state.
The part in Calhoun County led near Sandy Run Lutheran Church and Haig’s Hill and down to the “Russells” near “Amelia” which would be near where state secondary road #43 today crosses Halfway Swamp Creek.
This old, antebellum mansion built in 1854-1857 has been long unoccupied. One room, the large, high-ceiling parlor, is being restored to its former beauty. Dantzler family papers dating back to the 1840s and kitchen utensils that belonged to Captain Dantzler’s uncle, David Houser of Houser’s Stagecoach Inn, were exhibited in another room in 1970.
This dwelling was built about 1850 by Jacob M. Dantzler or his son Colonel Olin M. Dantzler. It has the distinction of being the oldest house in St. Matthews.
There was a village here in 1850; however, surrounding the town is a series of large plantations dating to the colonial period. In 1875, Fort Motte was incorporated and by 1907, was a flourishing town with a post office, stores and two banks. Today only a remnant remains of a thriving economy. The town jail has a cornerstone listing the town officers of 1907.
Calhoun County Historical Sites (cont.)
James A. Dantzler House
Property of Calhoun County Museum Archives.
Not to be used without written consent.
