This classic Plantation Plain farmhouse was built by Jason Franklin (1845-1917) in the late 1860s, soon after his marriage to America Rountree (1845-1922). It was actually built around a much smaller log house attributed to Benjamin Turner, with some sources dating its construction to the late 1700s. I cannot confirm that date; however, the expansion of pre-existing dwellings was a common practice among yeoman farmers and planters in the 19th century.
Jason Franklin was a successful farmer and prominent in local politics. He and America had 11 children. Three of their sons were doctors: Dr. Virgil Eugene Franklin (1870-1940); Dr. John Russell Franklin, dentist (1874-1937); and Dr. Rufus Cecil Franklin (1881-1942). They provided care to neighbors in the upstairs portion of the house before establishing their own offices.
In 1906, the Jason and America moved to Statesboro, but kept the farmhouse. The house was essentially abandoned after their deaths, but was restored in 1949 by their daughter-in-law, Pearl Dekle Franklin (1882-1978). Anthony Wayne Franklin writes: “I lived in the old Jason Franklin house from just after my birth in 1955 until I was 13 years of age in 1968. My father was H.V. Franklin Jr. The house is much older than 1900. My great grandfather Jason bought a log cabin from a Mr. Turner in 1868. He built over the log cabin to the structure that it is today. It is a shame no one has the money to bring it back to life!“
Thanks to Burney C. Marsh for the identification.
At one point in time my wife and I had negotiated a deal with Georgia Southern’s history department to deed the house, buildings and grounds to the college. They were going to fully restore it and turn it into a living museum. We were ecstatic. When we went to the meeting to sign the deal, Southern backed out. Said the cost to fully restore everything would have been over $100,000 and they could not agree to that kind of investment. We could not provide them the money either so that was the end of that.
I lived in the old Jason Franklin house from just after my birth in 1955 until Was 13 years of age in 1968. My father was H.V. Franklin Jr. The house is much older than 1900. My great grandfather Jason bought a log cabin from a Mr. Turner in 1868. He built over the log cabin to the structure that it is today. It is ashamed no one has the money to bring it back to life!
My dad and his friends lived in this house in the late 70’s! They called it the Adabelle Hilton.
Looks somewhat like your photo heading !