I’ve found numerous prominent homes in scattered Georgia towns which are examples of architectural evolution, or put simply, houses that grew over time. The Usry House may be one of the best examples of this practical phenomenon, having originated as a one or two room cottage and expanded throughout the years to its present appearance. The suspended balcony is said to be one of the largest in Georgia.
Long before McDuffie County or Thomson existed, the land on which this house was built was part of Warren County. William Usry’s family moved to Georgia from Virginia and first appear in the Warren County Tax Digest in 1805. Per Jonathon Davila: [The house, now called The Usry-Davila House, was built in 1795. My husband and I are the current owners. The roof, walls and floor of the original 2 room cottage are still here, the large house was built around the original cottage. Even though my husband is a very distant relation to the Usrys, we are the first family to live in the house that wasn’t directly Usry. Hence, the name change]. Usry was a successful plantation owner and like all plantations of the time, its success was dependent on the labor of enslaved men, women, and children. After the war, the Usry family wisely looked beyond agriculture for income and created the Goodrich-Usry Railroad to move timber from their vast holdings along Little Briar Creek to nearby markets. They were successful entrepreneurs in various pursuits.
Members of the Usry family lived here and maintained its historical character for well over two centuries.
National Register of Historic Places
Hello,
My name is Ellen Adkins Sanford. My father was born in the Usry home. He was the son of iEllie Usry Adkins. I fondly remember playing in the yard as my grandmother lived in a beautiful home ( sometime ago) across the street. I am so glad to see the house in good condition. The last time I visited there when Jim was in residence. My family is very fortunate to have preserved many of the artifacts and furniture from the home. It is so much a part of my childhood memories.
Ellen Sanford
The house, now called The Usry-Davila House, was built in 1795. My husband and I are the current owners. The roof, walls and floor of the original 2 room cottage are still here, the large house was built around the original cottage. Even though my husband is a very distant relation to the Usry’s, we are the first family to live in the house that wasn’t directly Usry. Hence, the name change.
Hello, Davila! So glad that a distant cousin of the Usrys owns the home! Actually, as far as I know Jim Usry owned the home several years ago. My sister and I visited with Cousin Jim and were blessed to be given a tour of the home and a bit of the history of the home. My sister, Darlene, painted an oil of the home. Is this painting still there?
I want to see interior pics of all your posts!! 😊
I wish I could go inside all of them, Debra.
It’s not Usry it’s Ussery and I’m Misty Ussery
Misty, according to the current family living there, and the historical record, this family spells it “Usry”…As with many family names, different branches spell it differently.
The family name in England was spelled Ussery. Upon moving to the colonies, some families shortened it to Usry. Both are legal and both are correct. We are the current home owners and I studied it’s history in depth. I am also a distant relative though I didn’t know it when we bought the house.
It is Usry. I am a longtime friend of the family , including the last owner of Usry House, Jim Usry.
It is Usry. I am a long time friend of the family – including the last member of the family to own Usry House, Jim Usry.
This family has always spelled their name USRY and are not related to the Ussery family.
Nice post, especially the history of the family starting out from VA.
Continuity of family ownership! Kind of story that does my heart good.
Beautiful home. I applaud the show of patriotism.
What a grand and elegant old house. I’m so glad it’s remained in the same family for generations.