This intriguing landmark has been owned by the Mendes, Gnann, and Helmuth families during its history. Charles L. Helmuth writes: ...My family purchased the house from the Neil Ratchford way back in the 60s. I understand that the rabbi I. P. Mendes had the house built. Rabbi Mendes was head of the Jewish community in Savannah. About the time we took possession, Guyton was coming into prominence for its historical relevance. “The Rabbi” was suggested by Dr. Willie Todd, and so it became known as “The Rabbi”. I understand that it once housed some school teachers and at one time an RFD mail carrier. I also head that it once caught fire, which did a litle damage to the interior.
Guyton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, TO THE FOLKS WONDERING ABOUT THE NAME HELMUTH AND THE HOUSE CALLED THE RABBI TO CONNECT ME WITH THE HOUSE I AM CHARLES HELMUTH I AND MY FAMILY PURCHASED THE HOUSE FROM THE NEIL RATCHFORD FAMILY WAY BACK IN THE 60’S I UNDERSTAND THAT THE RABBI I P MENDES HAD THE HOUSE BUILT, RABBI MENDES WAS HEAD OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN SAVANNAH. ALONG ABOUT THE TIME WE TOOK POSSESSION, GUYTON WAS COMING INTO PROMINENCE FOR IT’S HISTORICAL RELEVANCE THE NAME “THE RABBI” WAS SUGGESTED BY DR. WILLIE TODD, AND SO IT BECAME KNOWN AS “THE RABBI” I UNDERSTAND THAT IT ONCE HOUSED SOME SCHOOL TEACHERS AND AT ONE TIME AN RFD MAIL CARRIER I ALSO HEARD THAT ONCE IT CAUGHT FIRE THAT DID A LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR LET ME TELL YOU FOLKS THESE THINGS I’M TOUTING ARE NOT ABSOLUTE, JUST SOME THINGS I PICKED UP ALONG THE WAY.DR. TODD WAS AN HISTORIAN AND TAUGHT HISTORY OVER AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN. AND SHE TOOK A LOT OF HISTORY TO HER GRAVE. IN 1989 I SIGNED THE PLACE OVER TO MY WIFE SHE IN TURN DEEDED IT TO GREG AND LISA SINCE THEN GREG HAS LIVED THERE, AND OWNS IT LOCK STOCK AND BARREL,THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKIN TO IT CH.
OK Brian, you have to enlighten us on where the name comes from. Are all the former owners Jewish and was any ever a member of the clergy?
I really haven’t been able to find out, Ben. It’s an intriguing name, for sure. Hopefully, some of our friends in Effingham can shed light.