This historic home is located in the Altamaha community. According to Kent Pearson, “Laurence Pearson (1831-1911), a carpenter and joiner, did indeed build the house which was owned and occupied by four generations of the Pearson family. Laurence was the son of John Pearson (1777-1857) of Pennsylvania, who established the family in Tattnall County in the early 1800’s. John built the first sawmill in the area on Slaughter Creek when he purchased a 1000 acre parcel of virgin timber land in 1832 for the princely sum of $1,200, where the family homestead and farm were located. Laurence’s brother, John (Jr), was also a carpenter. Between them, they built a number of houses in the area. And according to John P. Rabun, Jr., John Pearson and George Merriman built a Greek Revival courthouse in Reidsville in 1857.“
This dogtrot house was the birthplace and childhood home of Leta Mac Stripling (1910-2011). It’s located near the Altamaha community and is soon to be restored. I’m grateful to the Stanley family, who now own the property, for allowing me access.
The small room seen above, at the front corner of the house, was probably used for storing vegetables or other essential items, though I’m unsure of its purpose. It’s much smaller than the two bedrooms.
The bedrooms were quite spacious to accommodate large families.
The original mantel in this room is still intact. There is usually little color to be found in houses like this, so the mantel adds a lot of character.
From the front porch a view down the partly open breezeway leads to the rear kitchen, seen here.
And finally, a view of the open hall, or dogtrot, from which this type of house gets its name.
This house began as a Plantation Plain but was made more formal with the addition of the vernacular Greek Revival portico. A substantial rear wing was also added at some point. It is located in the forgotten community of Altamaha, Georgia. John P. Rabun, Jr., writes: …the Pearson House was built by John Pearson ca. 1847. John Pearson, a native of Screven County, was one of the two builders of the fine 1857 Greek Revival Courthouse in Reidsville, which was replaced by the 1902 structure still standing but much altered. John Pearson died in 1863. There is another Pearson house built by John’s brother, Lawrence Pearson, still standing not far from this house. One of the Pearson ladies of a later generation married David Tod, a native of Scotland, and the house became known as the Tod House or the Pearson-Tod House. Unlike the Todd family living in Tattnall County when he arrived from Scotland, he spelled his name with only one “d”, saying – irreverently – that if one “d” was good enough for God it was good enough for Tod.
Cochise greets visitors, with the Pearson House in the background
Red Earth Farm is home to Janisse Ray & Raven Waters. Janisse is a well-known environmental activist and author. My family came to know her when her first book was published and we’ve always been honored to call her a friend. (Ecology of a Cracker Childhood; Wild Card Quilt; Pinhook; Drifting into Darien; and The Seed Undergroundare among her works.) Raven, originally from western New York, oversees the operations of the farm and is an accomplished potter and artist.
Front porch of the Pearson House
At the heart of Red Earth Farm is the beautifully restored circa-1850 Pearson Farmhouse.
Kale colors the winter garden (at right)
The farm is primarily for Janisse and Raven’s personal use, though they do limited retail with vegetables and livestock.
Winter greens with an old shed in the background
When I made these photographs, winter greens were growing. Red Earth Farm is an organic farm, so everything that doesn’t get eaten goes back into the earth. It’s a practical model of sustainable agriculture.
This was the norm on small farms a few generations ago.
Jersey calves
The calves were very interested in my camera. Winona and Wendell are here, plus one whose name I didn’t get. Most of the larger animals at Red Earth Farm are named for authors and activists.
Barbados Blackbelly Sheep
Barbados Blackbelly “Sojourner” and Katahdin “Mahatma”. Barbados Blackbellies and Katahdins are hair sheep varieties tolerant of heat; after many years of decline in numbers, both seem to be recovering.
Guineas
Guineas are an old-time favorite on South Georgia farms and are often considered the “watchdogs of the barnyard” for their habit of calling loudly at any disturbance. And they’re very attentive.
Royal Palm Turkey
Another shot of Cochise, a Royal Palm Turkey, seems a fitting bookend for this quick tour.
Built in the 1930s, this historic farmhouse was owned by the late Leta Mac Stripling, who recently passed away at the age of 100. Her descendants are presently modernizing the house while keeping her antiques a focal point.
Among my favorite items are the original Currier & Ives lithographs in the parlor, as well as lithographs by Nathaniel Currier before he went into partnership with James Merritt Ives.
Family photographs look out over antique shaving mugs in the hallway.
This upstairs bedroom is very typical of a country house of 80 years ago.
Several historic barns remain on the property.
Thanks to Janisse Ray for the invitation, and William and Jane Stanley for being wonderful hosts.
Pearson’s Chapel Methodist Church was organized by Reverend W. M. C. Conley in 1868 and the church is thought to have been built shortly thereafter. The congregation is small, but still active; meetings are held the first Sunday of each month and the public is welcome to attend.
