This Plantation Plain farmhouse, built circa 1836, is the oldest in Webster County. Typical of the transitional architecture of the time, it retains a strong Federal influence. It is an amazing treasure that has only survived because of good stewardship.
The house is best known today as the Spann-Bryson House. I’m indebted to Debbie Walker for her assistance in tracking down the history. She spoke with owner Mike Connor and he and his wife Ann have done an amazing job maintaining this venerable landmark. Mr. Connor noted that it was built by a Mr. Sanders and was identified in the Webster County history book as the Old Sanders Place.
We have been doing some family research and came across this post. My great great grandmother was Mary Catherine Sanders (1843-1925) (Her married name was Lloyd.) In her obituary it says she grew up in beautiful Fort Valley country in an antebellum home and that her family owned hundreds of acres. The place was “famed” for its “beauty and hospitality, so much so that it is still known as the Sanders Place.” I am curious about her possible connection to this house even though the town of Fort Valley is today about an hour away. Is there any information about the Sanders who lived here? I believe her father was a William or Warren Sanders and perhaps a grandfather was named Robert. I appreciate your help with this.
Family lore says that my great grandfather Wood King was raised by a Will Spann. Would this be the same William Spann mentioned by Alice Farlowe? Wood King was born in Webster County, Georgia to Larry and Lussie King. Larry King was said to be Jamaican. Please advise thank you.
I am researching my great grandfather Wood King. The name Will Spann is associated with his up bringing. In researching the name Saunders came up. I am trying to identify the Plantation owners. Wood King owned about 250 acres of land in Thomasville, Georgia. Wood King’s father was Larry King (Jamaican) Larry’s father was a Ben King.
Awesome Brian!
This is my story of the Bryson house. My husband and his family moved from Columbus , Ga. To the Bryson house in the Early 70’s. My husband and I met through a mutual friend. As we started dating my now husband Richard told me he would be late picking me up because he has to go down to the stream and fix the water pump . Their water came from the stream and was pumped to the house . I bet it still does . He said he and his family rented the house from Mrs. Bryson from Shellman, Ga. Well , low and behold … Mrs Bryson is my brothers wife’s Grandmother . Now how coincidental is that . Small world we live in . 🥰Neautiful old house and the back dining area has big windows. Nice place.
Hi my name is Terry Bryson and I am a direct descendants of the Bryson’s I’ve done the family tree and saw we owned slaves and lived on a plantation.could you please send me info on the plantation for my family tree I do have info on some names of the slaves in my family tree. Thank you for your time.
Terry Bryson
At least up here in my historic neighborhood in Nashville, earliest houses had entrances to the outside from all the rooms. My house originally did on both the main floor and lower level (where the kitchen was originally–it made sense, for ventilation. Later additions changed the pattern, so one of the front rooms was closed off when the upstairs was finished off and stairs to the attic were added. Old houses reflect changes over time.
Those screen doors are to die for!
I also wonder about what appears to be the extra doors into the 2 front rooms from the porch. If there was only one I would surmise if allowed access to a ”preacher’s” room but 2 is a puzzle.
OOPS, my 2 comments are reversed from the intended order…Great example Brian. Many Plain Style houses were originally without a full front porch with the porch being a later addition. In this case the high sills and small windows on the upper level indicates the porch is original with the columns are a salute to the Greek Revival style which was becoming ”fashionable” in the 1830’s.
Beautiful example Brian. Many Plain Style houses were originally built without a porch with a porch being added later. The high sills and small windows on the upper floor seem to indicate this porch was probably there from the beginning with the columns being a salute to the Greek Revival style which was becoming ”fashionable” in the 1830’s.