This is one of the most historic homes in Guyton and I think it’s one of the nicest of its type in this area.
Federal Style House, Circa 1842, Guyton
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Category Archives: –EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA–
Georgian Cottage, Circa 1900, Effingham County
They may all look alike, after a fashion, but the Georgian cottages of Effingham County are an important collective resource and I am happy to document as many as I can. This one is particularly nice, with several protective Corgis greeting me with barks as I stood on the road and made my photograph.
A sign out front identified this as Mazie’s Place.
Corinth Baptist Church, 1916, Effingham County
Corinth Baptist church traces its origins to 1812, when the Little Ogeechee Baptist Church of Oliver established the Cowpen Mission here, beside Cowpen Branch. In 1875, the mission’s name was changed to Corinth Baptist Church.
Corinth Church Road, Effingham County
Consider taking a ride on some country roads if you need to get away. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but there’s no better therapy for clearing your head. I think the vastness of the countryside overwhelms a lot of city folk, but I know they appreciate it when they take the time to see the state this way.
This particular road turns into dirt as it crosses Cowpen Branch, just past the historic Corinth Church. People have lived in this part of Effingham County for over 200 years and I imagine the first white settlers were as taken with the beauty of the place just as I am today.
Folk Victorian Cottage, Effingham County
This is a dream of an old house to me, like something from a childhood nursery rhyme. In its abandoned state, it’s still full of charm and intrigue. I imagine its days are numbered but wouldn’t it be nice if someone could save it?
In form it appears to be a central hallway cottage, with an overall effect of the Folk Victorian style that was ubiquitous in Georgia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. What makes this one special, as you can see, is the small vented gable and the saw tooth header board along the screened-in front porch. An industrious carpenter, possibly the owner, certainly had an eclectic taste.
Gable Front Tenant Farmhouse, Effingham County
This is located near a large farm, so I’m identifying it as a tenant house. Many such residences became rental properties after the sharecropping era and as they became too expensive to modernize, were abandoned. The gable front form was a slight upgrade from the standard shotgun house, affording a little more space for hardworking families who labored nearby. The addition of a canopy over the porch was certainly an improvement.
Fergerson Cemetery, 1907, Guyton
Fergerson Cemetery was established in 1907. Annie, Minnie, and Alice Fergerson gave the land to the city of Guyton to be used as a “colored” cemetery. There are nearly 500 marked graves. As is the case in many historic African-American cemeteries, there are many unmarked or poorly marked graves, but working with Lucy Powell, Pearl Boynes, Robert Hunter and Michael Garvin of the Fergerson Cemetery Committee, volunteer JoAnn Clarke has helped to document many of them.
Many handmade headstones can be found throughout the cemetery and these are important historical resources. I’ve documented a few random examples. I’ve attempted to edit them to make them more readable. Some turned out better than others.
Maria Dobson was born in South Carolina, likely enslaved.
Willie Dobson was the son of Maria Dobson (1848-1934).
Jimmie C. Griffin was a Mason, indicated by the symbol on his memorial. He was the son of Will Griffin, a native of North Carolina, and Katie Dobson of Guyton. His wife was Amy Griffin.
James Macon’s memorial notes that he was a Mason and a deacon of his church.
This memorial appears to have been made by the same craftsman as James Macon’s, in the previous photograph. Though it’s difficult to see, there’s a star at the top. Her mother’s maiden name was Caroline Kent and considering her birthdate, Annie was likely born enslaved.
This marker has design elements in common with the previous two.
Mrs. Cuthbert’s memorial features a star. This is a common motif in cemeteries, but is more often found in African-American cemeteries.
Claudie Cuthbert was the husband of Rena Cuthbert. He was a deacon of his church and a Mason. This stone features a flower engraving, that’s difficult to see in the photograph.
Mr. Sheffield was born to Abraham and Rosa Sheffield, both natives of Bulloch County. Considering the dates, they were probably all enslaved.
Mr. Curry was likely born into slavery and hopefully his memorial will be raised out of the ground so he won’t be forgotten. Thankfully, volunteers are working to restore all of these endangered markers.
Mr. Hayes was likely born enslaved, as well. Knowing these people’s names and when they lived is something that needs to be documented all over the state. Sadly, many are lost to time, so the surviving records, i.e. burial sites, must be remembered.
In contrast to the many vernacular memorials in Fergerson Cemetery is the crypt of Samuel Smalls, Sr., known as Pop Smalls. He was one of the most prominent members of Effingham County’s African-American community and served on the Guyton City Council. A World War II Navy veteran, he was the owner of Small’s Funeral Home and was involved in numerous social and civic organizations.
Plantation Plain House, Effingham County
This Plantation Plain House is the anchor of an historic farm property that appears to have been abandoned for some time. It may be associated with the Arnsdorff family but that’s just a guess. It looks like it was maintained until somewhat recently, or at least an effort was made to make cosmetic improvements, such as the paint around the doorway.
A large barn is just around the driveway from the house.
Six over six windows are visible from the side of the house and look to be original. Boxed returns on the gables are another design element. Surveys date the house to the 1870s. Photographs before the vegetation got out of hand suggest an attached wing at the rear. The narrowness of the main section could indicate an earlier date.
Georgian Cottage, Effingham County
This is yet another example of the fine Georgian Cottages that were dominant in the Effingham County landscape throughout the late 19th century. As I may have indicated before, they’re locally described as having the “Salzburger Plan”, or simply called Salzburger Cottages. The style is not endemic to Effingham County, of course, but its dominance here gave rise to that particular identification.
I’m particularly fond of these unpainted examples and while I haven’t been able to identify this one, I would guess it dates to the 1870s or 1880s. A real estate index lists it at as 1920, but I think that’s wrong. It’s well-preserved, but its survival can be attributed to good material and carpentry skills. They just don’t build many houses like this today and that’s a shame because they were so simple and so practical.
Plantation Plain House, Effingham County
Seeing a house like this always makes me stop. But this house is a mystery. The main section is the I-house, and the building at the rear was probably a kitchen. There’s an enclosed breezeway which connects the main section to a newer section [barely visible, at right.]
The windows have all been changed, and since they’re a valuable clue, I’m at a loss on that means of dating the house. The boxed returns at the chimney could indicate an antebellum element but I’m more inclined to guess 1870s or 1880s.