I’m still working on the history of this house with Diane Willcox Weems, a descendant of the builder, but here’s what I’ve pieced together so far: It was built in the 1800s by a James (Jim) Willcox. I first thought it to have been built in the 1870s but now believe the front original section could be antebellum. It was owned for many years by Dr. Charles Hugh “Charlie” Willcox (1877-1938) and later passed to his daughter, Frances Willcox Duren (1923-1996). It was possibly built by Dr. Willcox’s father, Lewis Barge Willcox (1838-1904), but that is only an educated guess. Diane Willcox Weems notes: “ I have many sweet memories of that place. Spent a lot of time there. My Aunt Frances was born in the upstairs bedroom on the left of the side view.” After her death it passed to Marcus Fletcher and then to his niece, Angie Fletcher Bryan, the present owner. It remains a landmark of Irwin County. It is located in the Pinetta community, south of Irwinville.
As you can see in the photos above, an enlargement at the back of the house was done at some time. It blends in quite well, considering.
This outbuilding is barely hanging on, but it was an integral part of the farm for many years.
Jane Tucker Gentry remembers: “Frances used to have the most beautiful flowers but she BELIEVED in chicken manure for fertilizer. One day you would ride by and she would be so elegant looking, adoring her flower beauties, a week or so later she would have an old hat slammed down on her head and digging up dead flowers. She was a True Southern Lady…“
Here’s the scene in the rear view mirror, heading out Pinetta Road toward the Tifton Highway.
Thank you for giving some history on this house. I have wondered about it and admired it for years.
Beautiful home Brian, but I’m thinking this is anti-bellum, at least for the original house (probably 1840’s or 50’s) which was likely a 2 over 2 plain style “I” plan house. The front porch may not be original and the rear porches and lean-to are all additions likely added over 20 to 50 years later as is the 2 story leg off the back. This is really a nice example of a house favored by old south upper middle class agrarians. Not the huge plantation owner nor the hard-scrabble farmer. Please keep us informed as you learn more. Thanks for the post.
My guess was just post-bellum, Ben. But antebellum it could be. I know the family very well and hope to learn the real story very soon.
Surely would love to have a straight on shot of the front entry door. Does it have sidelights and / or transom?
This is such a beautiful house. Every time I drive by it, I could only wish I could live in it. I could tell it had some history to it. I can’t explain how i feel about how beautiful this house is. Just by looking at it feels like home. I tell my husband all the time, this is my future home. But it will never be. It is great to get to read about the history of this home. Thank you for sharing.