Five Ancestral Families of Longtown, Fairfield County, South Carolina

Ross, Rochelle, Harrison, Kirkland, Whitaker

Page Updated 8 Apr 2012

In a 3-4 day visit to Fairfield & Kershaw Cos. court houses, the Fairfield Co. Museum, and the SC State Archives in March 1999, I found a total of 455 deeds and grants to or from Ross, Rochelle, Harrison, and Kirkland. Part of them were mortgages or releases included in the Deed Books. Fairfield and Kershaw Cos. were created 1798 out of Camden District, which was discontinued. Camden, one of the Original SC Districts, was created 1769.

One of two Peay grave enclosures at Longtown Baptist Church Cemetery is Arabella Rochelle Peay and husband; the tall monument is for Senator Austin Peay. The church having burned and the congregation scattered, this old cemetery is grown up with briars.

Eastern half of Fairfield Co., SC (bordering Kershaw Co.), shows Longtown where our ancestors owned land, the Longtown Baptist and Longton Presbyterian Church Cemeteries, Dutchman's Creek where Abner Ross's second plantation lay and empties into the Wateree River (and Lake Wateree) was owned by Reuben Harrison, and Thorntree Creek south of Longtown where Abner Ross's first plantation lay. Abner was buried on his Dutchman's Creek plantation, apparently now in the yard of a private home.

SOME DEEDS

Reuben Harrison gave each of his daughters a plantation and built them a large home when they married. The one he gave daughter Nancy Ann and husband Anderson Rochelle survived until about 1970, when it burned. The Gift Deed specified that it pass to their three children, named (James, Sarah, and Mary). Accordingly, Anderson and Nancy sold it to her brother John Harrison when they moved to Alabama, but the deed was not recorded until years later.

Gift Deed to Anderson Rochelle from his father-in-law, Reuben Harrison:

Gift Deed GIFT DEED - Reuben HARRISON of the District of Fairfield to Anderson ROCHELLE and ANN ROCHELLE his wife all that tract of land containing 818 1/2 acres situated on Morisons Creek waters of the Wateree River bounded by Reuben Harrisons land & by Darrell Fords land & by Willis Whitaker and Austin F. Peays land and . . . Anderson ROCHELLE and Ann his wife during their natural lives and at their decease to belong to the children Mary A. ROCHELLE, Sarah E. ROCHELLE, James H. Rochelle their heirs executors and to other children Anderson ROCHELLE has by his wife, Ann ROCHELLE. . . heirs and assigns forever. Witness my hand and seal this 20 December 1825. Reuben HARRISON Witnesses Alex. McKASKILL, & Francis B. HARRISON Recorded 0 Apr 1826

Reuben Harrison's Grave shown at HARRISON Family

On a 1779 Map of South Carolina, the Broad River was named, but the Wateree was not. The Wateree was shown on a 1725 map of His Majesty's Flourishing Colony of South Carolina. (University of Georgia at Athens' Rare Map Collection at the Hargrett Library.)

See http://scarlett.libs.uga.edu/darchive/hargrett/maps/1779n44.jpg. ; http://scarlett.libs.uga.edu/darchive/hargrett/maps/1725h4.jpg

For a School GIFT OF LAND This indenture made between Isaac ARLEDGE planter of Fairfield District of the one part and Abner ROSS, James ROCHELLE, Charles MOORES and John RIVES trustees of the Long Town Academy of the other part for the time being witnesseth that the said Isaac ARLEDGE as well for an in consideration of the good wishes I have and bear toward the present and rising posterity for their improvement and Education of all youth and more especially for all those which are in reach and also all those which may come in reach of the aforesaid Academy, also for the better maintenance and support of the aforesaid Academy, hath given granted and confirmed and by these presents doth give grant and confirm unto the aforesaid trustees and their successors for ever three acres of land lying on the So. East side of the aforesaid Academy having such shape and form as a plat will represent made by M. Cashel D.L. which three acres of land is inserted in a plat of five acres more which the aforesaid Trustees are to get a letter from Major W. WHITAKER for the same purpose which said track of three acres of land. Together with all and singular the rights, members, hereditaments and appurtenances . . . Witnesseth my hand and seal this 4th day of August in the year of our Lord eight hundred and twenty five. In the presence of James W. ROSS, John A. Ross Isaac ARLEDGE Fairfield Dist. Personally appeared James ROSS and made oath that he saw Isaac ARLEDGE sign seal and deliver the within deed of conveyance for the uses and purposes therein mentioned and that he together with John A. ROSS in the presence of each other witnessed the due execution thereof Sworn to before me the 4th Oct 1825 James W. ROSS Abner ROSS NOTE: The plat shows the tract surrounded by Major WHITAKER land, Reuben HARRISON land, and Isaac ARLEDGE's land. Deed Book GG, p. 1  Maj. Willis Whitaker was Abner Ross's brother-in-law. James W. and John A. Ross were Abner's sons. James W. Ross married Sarah E. J. Rochelle, granddaughter of Reuben Harrison and James Rochelle, Sr. (deceased in 1802). James Rochelle on the above deed was James Jr., a son-in-law of Charles Moores. John Rives was a grandson of Darling Jones and married a granddaughter of Reuben Harrison.

Longtown Academy was mentioned in Fairfield Sketchbook/

NOTE: Sloan Mason learned in Feb 2003 that the Rochelle cemetery in Fairfield Co., SC, which was fenced in, was destroyed by logging and loggers' roads, leaving no trace.

Wills and Estates of James Rochelle, his wife Margaret Evans Rochelle, Abner Ross, Reuben Harrison, and a Gift Deed to Reuben from his mother Nancy Kirkland Harrison Graves

Will of Abner Ross

Estate of James Rochelle

Many Rochelle documents and abstracts generously provided by Sloan Mason

James Rochelle died intestate before 18 August 1802 and his widow Margaret Evans Rochelle was made administrator.

p. 145-147, Margret Rochell applied for admn. on the estate of James Rochell, 28 Aug. 1802. Bond: Margret Rochell, Admx, George Evans, William McGee, securities, 20 Sept 1802, penalty $4000.
17th Sept 1802, Know all men by these presents, that we (Agnes-crossed out) Margret Rochell, George Evans, and William McGee are holden and firmly bound unto John Buchanon, Ordinary for the District Aforesaid in the full and just sum of $4000 dollars , etc.... The condition of the above Obligation is sunch that if the above bound Margaret (Agnes-crossed out) Rochelle, administrax of the goods, chattels, and credits of James Rochele, deceased, do make a true perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of the said Agnes Rochelle, etc. . . signed, sealed: J. Buchanon
Margaret Roachell George Evans William McGee

p. 99-90, Warrant of appraisement directed by Margaret Rochell, admx. of estate of James Rochell, to Thos. Starke, Zach Nettles, Darling Jones, David George, Gardner Ford, 20 Sept 1802. Sworn 14 Dec 1802 before John Mickle, J. P., Thomas Starke, Jr., Darling Jones, Zach. Nettles. Order of sale dated, 16 Nov 1802.

p.91-92, Letters of admn. on the estate of James Rochell, granted to Margaret Rochell, 20 Sept 1802. Rec 23 Dec 1802, Bk. 29, p. 434

pp.184-185, Order of sale on the estate of James Rochell decd. 20 Sept 1802.

Whereas I, Margaret Rochelle, by my bond or obligation bearing date 22 Oct 1805 held and firmly bound unto the said George Evans in the penal sum of $4000. with a condition thereunder written for securing the said George Evans and indemnifying him against the damages which he might sustain by his having become security for the said Margaret in an adm. bond by them entered into the Ordinary of Fairfield Co., etc. Now know ye that the said Margaret Rochell for the better securing the said George Evans and for insuring unto him a ----- with performance by me of all things on the condition of the said bond contained by me to be performed have bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain and sell and in plain and open market deliver unto the said George Evans the following negro Slaves: Jimbo, Daff, Denny, Barbey, Sarah, Tobey, Silvey, Charles, Lucy, Isham, Silvey, Hardy, Dinah, Jude, Harry, Reuben, Aggy, Suke, Hannah, Jack, Isaac, Dick, Toney and Garbiel. To have and to hold the above mentioned negro slaves unto the said George Evans, his exec., adm. and assigns forever, provided that if the said Margaret Rochelle shall and do accord ing to the said bond and obligation, keep and perform everything in the condition of bond, then this deed of bargain shall cease and be of no effect. And the said Margaret does promise and agree to the said George Evans that if at any time she fail to keep and perform all and everything in the condition of the agreement that George Evans, or his adm. can take all and every of the said negro slaves into his custody or possession to sell and dispose of at his will and pleasure. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of John Evans, T. Watts, Josiah Evans. Signed: Margaret Rochell

Kershaw Dist. Josiah Evans personally appeared before me and made oath that he was present and saw the named Margaret [Evans] Rochell sign, seal and deliver the winthin instrument of writing and that he together with John Evans and T. Watts in the presence of each other subscribed their names as witness.
Sworn: 3 Sept. 1806 Josiah Evans Abram Blanding, J.P.

Margaret out-lived her husband more than forty years, during which she bought and sold various pieces of property. For example, on 30 Jan 1830 she gave a deed of gift of certain slaves to her son George Rochelle, and on the same date to his children "for love and affection."

Mrs. Margaret M. Rochelle of Fairfield County . . . a deed of gift with love and affection I bear towards the Children (not named) of my son, George Rochelle, a certain slave . . .

James and Margaret Rochelle had four sons: John, who died single ca 1805, James Jr., Anderson (by James's 1st wife Sylvia Jordan), and George. From dowers on deeds, James Jr's wife was Nancy, Anderson Rochelle's wife was [Nancy] Ann [Harrison], and George Rochelle's wife was Elizabeth. Margaret gave deeds of gift to her sons James Rochelle and [stepson] Anderson Rochelle, but did not leave them anything since they had been provided for by their father.
Preceding Margaret in death was her daughter Helen.

Will of Margaret Evans Rochelle

Margaret's will dated 10 September 1842, probated 9 December 1847 in Camden, Kershaw County, named as legatees her daughters Cynthia Rochelle, Arabella E. Peay, Charlotte Kennedy, and grandsons Thomas and James D. Stark, sons of Margaret Stark. She did not mention her daughter Dorcas, wife of George Peay. The estate was appraised by William L. Pickett, James Harrison, W. B. Huckabee, and John Robertson.

Kershaw District, S.C. - 10 Sept. 1842 - In the name of God Amen. I MARGARET ROCHELLE of Kershaw district in the State of S.C. being weak of body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, thanks be to God for the same, do make this may last will and Testament in manner and form following: I give and bequeath unto THOMAS STARKE and JAMES D. STARKE the following negro slaves viz: PHILLIS, MICHAEL, RACHEL, ALFRED and HANNAH and their increase to hold to them the said THOMAS STARK and JAMES D. STARKE their executors and adm. in trust and upon the special confidence that they or the survivor of them or the exec. or adm. of such survivor shall permit my daughter CHARLOTTE L. KENNEDY during her life to have and retain the possession of the said negro slaves, and their increase and to have and enjoy the use and benefit of their labor in such manner that the said negro slaves and their increase shall in no way or in any manner be liable for any debts contract default or liability of her husband JOHN A. KENNEDY: and upon this further trust and special confidence that from and immediately after the death of the said CHARLOTTE L. KENNEDY the said THOMAS STARKE and JAMES D. STARKE or the survivor of them or the executor or adm. of such survivor shall stand possessed of the said negro slaves and their increase to the use and for the benefit of their heirs of the body of the said CHARLOTTE L. KENNEDY who may be living at the time of her death, to be divided among the said heirs of her body share and share alike. I give my daughter MARGARET L. STARKE negro slaves BETTY and BOB and one half of my household furniture to her and her heirs forever. I give to my daughters ARABELLA E. PEAY and CYNTHIA ROCHELLE to be equally divided between them the balance that may be left of the money that may be due me for negro heir after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses and the expence of proving this my Will and to my said daughter ARABELLA E. PEAY I give also the other half of my household furniture; and I do make nominate and appoint the said THOMAS STARKE and JAMES D. STARKE executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all and every other will and wills at any time heretofore by me made; and do declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 10th day of Sept. in the year of our Lord 1842. Signed sealed declared and published by the above named MARGARET ROCHELLE the testatrix as and for her last Will and testament. Margaret ROCHELLE (seal) In the presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses: H. H. CLARKE, JOHN ROBERTSON, M. F. ROBERTSON, L. A. GOODWYN Probated 9 Dec. 1848 Kershaw District, SC Will Book A, p. 118

Nancy Kirkland Harrison Graves

After the death of William Harrison, his widow Nancy Ann Kirkland married 2nd a Mr. John Graves. It was written, "As evidence of the favorable character of the climate are in many instances of longevity, which have been found in the district . . . Mrs. Graves, mother of Mr. Reuben Harrison, at upwards of 100 years."

On 8 January 1813, she gave a gift deed to her son Reuben:

DEED OF GIFT, State of SC, Fairfield Dist, Know awl men by these presents that I ANN GRAVES of the State and District above mentioned do by this presents give an bequeth unto my Son REUBEN HARRISON Six Negroes. Namely, DAVID, GOVERNOR and MASSINTRIN, FRANK, DANIEL and BOB, and all my Cattle and awl of my movible property. to his ownly use and Behoof forever. on the account of my Son REUBIN having paid up all the rest of my Children the full amount of their parts of my Estate and having Supported me in my old age. and having his papers Burnt in his house, the Receipts of the Same from awl the remainder of my Children, in witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal the Eighth day of January in the year of my Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Thirteen the Thirty Eighth year of independence of America. Signed sealed in the presents of us who at her Request and at her presents have hereunto subscribed our Names. ANN (her X mark) GRAVES THOMAS BRIGGS KEZIAH BURGE ANN TRABBAT Personally appeared before me DARLING JONES, J. G____m & THOMAS BRIGGS . . . Recorded 29 Mar 1816

Reuben Harrison

We had a death date for Reuben of 13 Mar 1835 (don't know the origin of that), and if so, he signed this the day he died.

WILL OF REUBEN HARRISON South Carolina § Fairfield District § In the name of God, Amen, I REUBEN HARRISON of the State & District aforesaid, being of sound mind & disposing memory, do make & ordrain this my last will and testament. In consideration of the care and attention bestowed on me by my wife NANCY HARRISON. I give and bequeath unto my said Wife the four following Negro Slaves, namely, HARRY & his wife. MARIA, and their two children LETTY and PEGGY, with the increase of the females, also, my riding Horse, for her use & behoof for and during her natural life only. These slaves I give in addition to what I settled on her in her marriage contract. From and after the death of my wife the Slaves given to her above in this will, and the future increase of the females are to return to my Son DAVID HARRISON, his heirs and assigns forever. As I have already given to my three childrfen, namely, KIRKLAND HARRISON, FRANCES BREVARD, and DAVID HARRISON, all that I ever intended for their share or part of my estate except the revision in those negroes above mentioned, they are to have no part in my present property or Estate. The remainder of my estate that I have not already given off I wish divided as follows.- That is to say, To the children of WILLIAM HARRISON, for their sole use and benefit, one Seventh part, share & share alike- To RICHARD B. HARRISON one Seventh part. To JOHN HARRISON one Seventh part. To the children of WILLOUGHBY HARRISON, one Seventh part, share and share alike. To JAMES HARRISON one Seventh part, to my Daughter NANCY ROCHELLE the wife of ANDERSON ROCHELLE, one Seventh part. and to my Daughter MARY MOORES, the wife of CHARLES MOORES one Seventh part. But I wish it distinctly understood that my Son DAVID is to keep and remain in quiet possession of all my Negroes, Horses & mules, except those given my wife, until he has paid the last dollar for the land he purchased of JOHN J. MICKLE. And I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my Son DAVID HARRISON as the Sole Executor of this my last will and Testament, revoking all other wills and Testaments whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this Thirteenth day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred & thirty-five. The name William interlined before signed. Signed, Sealed published and declared by the said REUBEN HARRISON, to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence & that of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto . . his Reuben (H) Harrison {Seal} JOS. MICKLE mark JOSIAH B. FURMAN JAMES W. ROCHELL Proved June 24, 1836 John R. Buchanan, O. F. D. Recorded in Book No. 14, p. 359 (date not found), Apt. 52 File 808

Reuben's health had apparently declined so that he was able only to make his mark on this Will, rather than signing as on earlier documents. I was hoping for a Final Settlement to show where the heirs all lived, but there was none, just an Inventory and Appraisement signed by A. J. PEAY, Abraham D. JONES, Thos. ROBERTSON, Thos. C. BRYANT.

[NOTE that Thomas Robertson married Abner Ross's daughter Harriot; Thos. C. Bryant married Mary Ann Rochelle, dau. of Nancy Ann Harrison & Anderson Rochelle; Austin F. Peay was a grandson of James Rochelle & 2nd wife Margaret Evans - son of James's daughter, Tabitha Dorcas Leonora Rochelle. Peay's daughter married a Mickle.]

The Inventory and Appraisement dated 10 July 1835, listed the following 63 slaves:
Leonard, Pleasant, Mary, Anderson, Rochelle, Celia, Tom, Wanctom (?blurred), Bob Brown, Lucy, Dorcas, Edmund, Nelly, Nancy, Little Edmund, Amy, Jesse, Winney, Hobes, Cynda, Emma, Luvinia, Tony, Lawrence, John, Adaline, Spencer, Old Doctor, Pimbu(?), Dr. Zork, Titus blind, Mary, Mariah, Letty, Peggy, Jim, Pembie (?), Buster, Miles, Lonnon, Aaron, Drucilla, Drucilla Jr., Susan, Hinly, Madis, Martin, Bob Tucker, Daniel, Amy, William, Caroline, Old Toney, Bob, Milly, Anna, Patty, Billar, Abbey, March, Old Lilly, Old Tom, Old George, Ole Finely (Tilley?).
Their appraised value each ranged from 000 for OLD DOCTOR, $20 for TITUS-blind, to $700 for several males, $950 for NANCY, and $1200 for JOHN.

These names might help someone identify his or her ancestors.

Excerpts from

A Fairfield Sketchbook

by
Julian Stevenson Bolick
copyright 1963 by Julian Bolick, Ltd. Ed 750 copies (out of print)
printed Clinton, SC, Jacobs Brothers

describing homes of our family

Extracts by Doris Johnston

SECTION I. HISTORY OF RIDGEWAY AND LONGTOWN
Charles E. Thomas

LONGTOWN, the easternmost settlement in Fairfield, and the oldest in that part of the county, is perhaps the least chronicled. It is probably due to its antiquity that much of Longtown's early history has been lost, for many of its oldest and grandest homes have been destroyed by fire and other ravages of time and war.

"Through the wooded land ran a picturesque Indian trail" is the way one historian described the beginning of Longtown. This was the Indian fur-trade route from North Carolina and the Piedmont area of South Carolina that followed the western slope of the Wateree River south to the Santee River and Georgetown, Charleston, and Savannah . . . first known as Log-Town because of the log houses built along the Indian trail, the name later becoming Longtown, well named, for it is hard to define the limits of Longtown.

The "town" of Longtown is that area which borders the Ridgeway-Camden Road and covers the area from near Fairview, the old Ridgeway Hunting Club, southwest to the Kershaw County line, and east from the Wateree River to Dutchman's Creek, and west to the old Winnsboro Road . . .

. . . Charles Tidwell came down the Indian trail from the area of Jamestown, Virginia, and settled in the Bryant Hill section of Longtown. His grave at Bryant Hill Cemetery, with his birthdate of 1690, might well be the earliest gravestone extant in the county. . .

There was an academy near the Kershaw County line, with Professor McCandless (or McCandlers) in charge. He was said to have come from Georgia and was "an educator of high type." Boarding students came from Camden and Liberty Hill with day scholars from the entire Longtown area. The professor had many visits from irate mothers, whose sons he is said to have whipped on frequent occasions . . .
Longtown's Baptist Church was a great force in the early years . . . it has been the burial place of some of the earlier families. The church building no longer remains, however, the Presbyterian Church which flourishes today has generally been supplied by the paster of Ridgeway's historic Aimwell Church. Its cemetery is now the burial place of many influential Longtown families, some of whom had been among the earliest settlers . . .

Note separate brick kitchen to left side of house

BLINK BONNIE,* in the Longtown section of Fairfield, commands one of the most majestic views in the county. From its spacious veranda portions of several counties, towns, and settlements may be clearly seen without the aid of binoculars. In the summer the varying shades of green melt away into purple tints where the heavenly blue of the sky meets the horion. Several glistening creeks, the Wateree River, and Lake Wateree cut their own patterns through the forest. The panorama from this point is a challenge to any artist who might try to capture it on canvas.

In 1822 a Camden banker, Darling Jones, built this house for a summer residence. The design and construction of the commodious home show that the builder had all the good taste and hospital traits of the era . . . After the death of Darling Jones the place passed to his son, Abram Jones, who continued to use it in the same manner as his father. The Jones' entertained on a lavish scale, and this fine old home was the social center of the community where the Virginia reels, quadrilles, and cotillions were danced. It was probably the inspiration for the fabulous Peay mansion, MELROSE,** which was built in the 1850s.

When the Confederate War ended, there was a great change at BLINK BONNIE. The war had cost the Jones family their fortune. The plantation was sold at public auction and was bought by W. O. Robertson, who with his family occupied the place for many years. When the Robertson family moved away, BLINK BONNIE was used as a stage house or "station." Then it was rented to a long succession of tenants. Finally, after falling into bad repair, it became vacant for some time, a sad reminder of bygone splendor.

This deplorable plight ended in 1950 when the plantation was purchased by the M. A. Kirklands. Kirkland, a native of Camden and a descendant of the Kirklands who were among the first settlers in this section, before the Revolutionary War, had long admired the old place. He and his talented wife began a restoration of the house immediately after they bought the property. Today BLINK BONNIE again stands proud and majestic in all the magnificence and grandeur that made her famous in the past . . .

* Blink Bonnie is Scotch for "beautiful view."

** MELROSE was described by Rosa Starke, a former slave of Nicholas Peay, as one of nineteen plantations owned by Peay. It had thirty rooms, 365 windows. Melrose was burned by Sherman's March to the Sea.

DIXON HOUSE
Harrison - Moores - Harrison - Dixon

This old landmark is sadly in need of restoration but it still stands, defying time, in spite of its sad plight. The front doorway is still beautiful and outstanding in design, giving the old place a lasting semblance of dignity and refinement.

The place belonged to Reuben Harrison, a Revolutionary soldier. In the period before the war he was associated with Thomas Woodward, the "Regulator," in keeping law and order. He was twice married: Lucy Burge was the first wife and Nancy Kirkland the second. He died in 1835 and left each of his eight children two thousand acres of land. In addition to this he built homes for his three daughters, leaving the home place to his widow for her life.

One daughter, Frances, married a Brevard. Her home was behind the Darling Jones House [Blink Bonnie, which I visited - Doris] and was built similar to it. It was razed a few years ago but the fine old mantels and woodwork were saved and are now still in use in a house near Camden. Nancy the second daughter, married a Rochelle, and their big three-story house stood on a hill near what is now "Fairview," The Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center. It finally fell into disuse and was taken down a few years ago. The third daughter, Mary, married Charles Moore[s] [they sold and moved to N.E. Texas 1837-40 - Doris], and their house is the only one left standing of the many Harrison homes.

About 1830 all of the daughters and their families sold their property and moved West [Nancy Harrison and husband Anderson Rochelle moved to Perry Co., AL - Doris]. John Harrison bought most of his family's estate as his brothers and sisters moved away. He was a very rich man, owning thousands of acres of land and listed as one of the largest slave owners in the upcountry. He was also a sportsman and lover of fine horses. His animals were raced on all of the South Carolina tracks, taking many honors and trophies. His son Eli Hunt Harrison, who married Elizabeth Fleming Douglas, became owner of the Moores' place. Eli and his three sons were all in the Confederate Army. His daughter, Lucy Rives, married Samuel Dixon, from Liberty Hill and owned and lived at the Moores' place which is now called the Dixon place. It is still owned and occupied by their daughters who are all well along in years . . .

. . . according to family tradition, Cornwallis passed by and rested at the site of this place on his way from Camden to Winnsboro during the Revolutionary War.

GOZA HOUSE
Tidwell - Harrison - Rochelle - Harrison - Goza

This old house stood on a high hill below FAIRVIEW until it was razed during the past decade . . . The property on which the house was located was a part of the original Harrison tract that was granted the first of that family to come to South Carolina from Virginia before the Revolutionary War. Reuben Harrison, a son of the first settler, owned this property after the Revolution. He built the house for one of his daughters who married into the Rochelle family. The Rochelles moved West with other members of the family in the 1830s and in 1835 Mrs. Rochelle's brother, John Harrison, purchased her property.

Little can be learned of the place from this point until after the War Between the States when the place was occupied by the Goza family. They lived here for many years and the plantation became known as the Goza House . . . When the Gozas left the house several tenants inhabited it and the last to live here was a Negro family. After them it remained abandoned and vacant. It was a bleak, eerie-looking old building, with its porch gone and rear wing faling in, as its empty windows seemed to peer down the road from the lofty perch on a rough hilltop. Many stories and legends became linked with the place and it finally became known as a "haunted house" or the "Ghosty House." The latter name probably originated with and became confused in pronunciation with "Goza."
[pp. 48-53, extracted by Doris ~ was told the house burned a few years ago].

ELLIOTT HOUSE
Campbell - Elliott - Sitgreaves - Elliott

Diagonally across Congress Street from Winnsboro's post office is one of the town's traditional landmarks, the old ELLIOTT HOUSE.

The building is another typical "mosquito cottage," a design that became popular in Fairfield County during the 1820s and was still used during the Confederate War era. The footings are massive granite blocks under the thick brick walls of the basement or first floor, which is below the ground level on the front but well above on the rear. Oversized chimneys afford fireplaces for all the rooms, from the first to the third floor.

The interior is adorned with fine mantels and woodwork, adding much to the dignity of the high-ceilinged rooms and halls.

The front of the building is almost classic, with a gabled portico across the central portion, supported by stout, fluted, square columns. The gable of the portico is plain. It does not have the usual ornamental window or fanlight in the center. In the old days there was in front of this house a public well which supplied water for several of the buildings in the vicinity and was a popular watering place for horses and livestock.

In 1810 Reuben Harrison sold the lot on which this house now stands to William McCreight. At that time a house on the lot was referred to as "Lot No. 187 on east corner of Congress and College Streets where David Campbell formerly lived." The house referred to was later moved to the rear of the lot and enlarged. It is the house now owned and occupied by Mrs. Maymie W. Stevenson . . .
[extracted from pp. 110, 112 by Doris]

Anderson & Nancy Ann (Harrison) Rochelle, their son Dr. James Rochelle, their daughters Mary Ann and Sarah E. J. Rochelle and husbands Thomas C. Bryant and James W. Ross, and James W's brother John A. Ross went to Perry Co., AL.

NOTE: Harrison and William McCreight, and Darling Jones had many grants, deeds and mortgage transactions in Kershaw Dist., Fairfield Co., and the State Grant Books in Columbia

• HARRISON Family
• KIRKLAND Family
• Harrison Descendants
• Kirkland Descendants
• ROSS Family
• ROCHELLE Family
• WHITAKER Family
• Abner Ross's daughter Harriot Ross Robertson
• Abner Ross's daughter Molsey Ross Durham
• Donny Durham's site about Molsey Ross Durham
• Abner Ross Descendants
• Abner Ross Ancestry
• Molesy Ross Durham, dau. of Abner
• The Other Ross Family in Fairfield/Kershaw Cos., SC -- Isaac Ross b. 1708 from NJ and Mecklenberg Co., NC
• Isaac Ross DNA matches descendants of George Ross b. ca 1629
• Rosa Starke b. 1855, former slave of Nicholas Peay
• Ancestors of Reuben Harrison's wife, Sarah Burge
• ANCESTRY of Mary "Polly" WHITAKER
• MOORES-HARRISON-ROCHELLE-WHITAKER Trek SC to TX