I first thought this was a tenant house, but Ron Weatherford wrote to say that it was a store.
John R. Thompson writes: …I believe the Durdenville Store shown in this photo was last operated by the Willie M. and Clara Dekle family. It was very close to the ‘John Thompson Grocery’ store which was on the NW corner of hwy 192 and Lamb’s Bridge Road, and it was almost identical to the one in your photo. My Grandmother, Jeanie Mae Thompson was still operating the JT Grocery store in the 1950s. I remember the wooden doors, wood stove, Tom’s peanut jars and the Red Rock colas in the ‘drink box,’ and the old style gas pump out front. FYI, my Dad told me that the Thompson grocery store was moved back on the lot and remodeled into the house that still sits there…now inhabited by Mercer Timber Management...
Hello Brian. Enjoy your photos! I believe the Durdenville Store shown in this photo was last operated by the Willie M. and Clara Dekle family. It was very close to the ‘John Thompson Grocery’ store which was on the NW corner of hwy 192 and Lamb’s Bridge Road, and it was almost identical to the one in your photo. My Grandmother, Jeanie Mae Thompson was still operating the JT Grocery store in the 1950s. I remember the wooden doors, wood stove, Tom’s peanut jars and the Red Rock colas in the ‘drink box,’ and the old style gas pump out front. FYI, my Dad told me that the Thompson grocery store was moved back on the lot and remodeled into the house that still sits there…now inhabited by Mercer Timber Management. My Dad built the cabinets in the mid 50’s. My family lived in that house from 1987 to 1991. If/when you read this note, tag me by email and i’ll send you a couple of photos taken near the JT grocery. //s//John Thompson (Grandson of the grocery owner): email at oakpond@pineland.net
Hi Brian I my grandmother was a Durden from Emanuel County. I would love to have a copy of the Durden Store for my ancestry research. Patricia McIntosh pmcintosh2009@bellsouth.net
Good day, Patricia. I’m working on my ancestry, too. I recently saw that the Durden House was registered as a National Historic Place. In the application, I noticed that Henry Murray was named as the architect. I believe that he was my great-great-grandfather. He lived close by and purchased items from W. M. Durden & Bro. in Math, Ga, in 1890. I have a receipt from that General Merchandise store. If you have anything that might show that Henry Murray (married to Victoria) was my Henry, it sure would help the documentation of my line. Wooden courthouses burned and took so many vital records. Thank you, Butch Rodak
Hi Patricia.
What was your grandmother’s name? My GGG Grandmother was Elizabeth Durden, Dennis Saffold Durden was my GG Grandfather, and my Great Grandmother was Mary Etta Durden Hutcheson.
This was actually once a store ran by the person who lived in the larger home a few yards away
Thank you so much Ron!
Hi Brian, Nice set of photos. Those old wooden window shutters were certainly important in the winter to help keep out the cold winds. Also they were added security for the dwellers. Probably back in this time there were bears & panthers roaming the woods!!