Mingledorff Farmhouse, Circa 1855, Effingham County

I’m grateful to Kenneth Dixon for sharing the history of this home: The Mingledorff Farmhouse was built in 1858 by Norman Mingledorff (1830-1864). “DG 1858” is carved into a brick near the top of the chimney, the initials most likely being those of Georgia Ann Dasher, Norman’s wife. The house has stayed in the Mingledorff family since it was built, and a descendant of Norman and Georgia is slowly trying to restore the house.

Dan Frawley writes: Norman was our great-great grandfather… we have been told through the family that the house was built in 1855. Also told that when a chimney was added back in the day, it was customary for the brick mason to add his initials and the year of completion …

J M E March 1, 2026 at 4:47 PM

I am just an admirer of this beautiful and fascinating house, as I ride by there on Clyo-Kildare Road on my way to the coast, and have done so for many years. Last year in 2025, maybe 2024, the old gentleman sitting in his chair on the front porch would look at me as I passed, and I would wave. He sometimes had his HUGE American flag waving proudly, and it brought a tear to my eye, so once or twice I slowed down, rolled down my window, and hollered “Thank you for your service”! He waved at me a couple of times too.
I wanted to stop in but he had a rather large dog that was there too, and HE was watching me too.

Anyway, over the last few months I’ve noticed the gentleman is no longer sitting on the front porch, and also that the front porch looks really disheveled like nobody is there anymore. I was deeply saddened to think, “Oh Lord, no, maybe he has passed away.” Now as I ride by I am so very sad, as definitely no one is there. ….I had wanted to talk to him and shake his hand. I’ve been searching the address but it is not well-marked, and I came up with several names but no further information. It occurred to me that maybe the church down the road, Mizpah Church, might have note of him– maybe he was a member, etc– so I dug deeper into “Mizpah’s recent funerals or obituaries” and the Mingledorff name appeared, so at least I know the original owner. But I am not sure about the fellow who sat on the porch over the last 2-3 years, and if he lived alone, etc, etc. I am a doctor, and my father was a doctor in Augusta, GA, but other than that, all my ancestors were farmers across North Georgia (father’s family) or Middle Georgia (mother’s family) except for one grandfather who was a pastor, so I felt a strange kinship to this gentleman, at least in spirit, to a kind soul who lived in a rural house far from a city, so that is the reason for my inquiry. anyone wishing to enlighten me I would be grateful. I will call Mizpah Church soon and leave contact info. Ask for “the doctor from Augusta”. God Bless, March 1, 2026.

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