This Greek-Revival Georgian home was the center of large plantation owned by Josephus Hillman (c.1827-1880), who was one of the wealthiest men in what would eventually become McDuffie County. Though 1860 is generally accepted as the date of construction, there is no official documentation of this date. Typical of his time, Hillman was an enslaver, and the success of his agricultural operations was dependent on this fact. He became a Baptist minister during the Civil War and served as pastor of Thomson First Baptist Church in 1870-1871. Though his fortunes were greatly reduced by the end of the Civil War, he was able to continue his operation with tenant farmers and sharecroppers, including 11 of his former slaves. Failing health led Hillman to sell his plantation to Methodist minister Felix P. Brown in 1879.
Brown sold the farm to the Pylant brothers in 1897 and the property again changed hands in 1905, when it was purchased by William K. Miller as an investment. Paul Akers Bowden (1876-1968) ) bought the farm in 1916. Bowden, nor its next owner, Lucille Bowden Johnson (1903-1994), never lived full-time in the house, but Lucille undertook major renovations in the 1950s. After Lucille’s death, it was owned for a time by the Wrightsboro Quaker Community Foundation, but I believe it is once again a private residence.
National Register of Historic Places
I own this house. It was definitely not 1860 nor Greek revival originally. The columns and front gable were added mid to late 1800s, which is why i believeit thought tk have been built then. We have found several things that tend to make us think it was built more towards the early 1800s and possibly late 1790s. But definitely before 1820. I’ve also found some information at the Thomson library that suggested the house was here when Josephus acquired the property. The property was owned towards the end of the 1700s by my 8th great grandmother, who was the wife of Thomas Ansley. Not sure how she came to own it or when it was sold.
Thanks, David. Fascinating. I will update soon.
This is a beautiful old house typical of the end of the antebellum era. Wasn’t is true that most, if not all, of the antebellum plantations were built by the enslavers workers of the fields?
Absolutely, John. I’ve been trying to identify nearly all of these grand southern homes as “slave constructions” because it’s such an important aspect of the story of Southern architecture.
Interesting story! Thanks for sharing.