This house, built as a simple central hallway cottage in the Cabiness community, was moved here by oxcart in the 1850s. J.M. Ponder* bought the house circa 1859; he later added a second story and remodeled it in the Queen Anne Style. Charnell W. Hill bought the house in 1917 and added Colonial Revival elements in 1927. It was remodeled again in the 1950s.
*-The only J. M. Ponder I’ve been able to locate is James Monroe Ponder (1846-1926) and presume this is the J. M. Ponder referenced in the house history. It’s more likely that the local history source was incorrect and that his father, Daniel Ponder (1797-1864) was the original owner.
If your presumption of James Monroe Ponder is accurate, he would have bought the house when he was 13 years old. Amazing.
Good point. And my presumption is based on an architectural survey that was informed by local history. One of the problems with local history is that it’s often just “memories”. That said, in my review of cemetery records in Monroe County, he’s the only J. M. Ponder I located. Perhaps you’ve found another?
Perhaps someone in Forsyth with better knowledge will comment at some point.
His father, Daniel Ponder (1794-1867) may be a better candidate for the home’s original owner.
I certainly have not researched as you have.My hat’s off to you. I just follow your amazing photography. I agree with you that much of local “history” is based on memories and stories passed down from generation to generation.
Thanks. I sometimes don’t have time to dig into the history as much as I’d like, and often, very little is available. As someone with a history degree, it’s difficult to have only a local memory source. I don’t totally discount those, but they must be taken with a grain of salt. There’s some truth in most of it, but not always the whole truth. I really do appreciate you pointing out the anomaly regarding the dates. It helps me with my own research.
My degree is in history also. That may be the reason I follow you so closely. As you no doubt know, check your sources diligently. In today’s world much of what is acted upon is hearsay. Thanks again for all you provide. If you ever get to north Georgia i.e. Calhoun look me up. We have some wonderful, old properties here.
This house appears to be in a proper setting for its size and stature.
Interesting history.