This week's blog post prompt for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Edition by Amy Johnson Crow is Homestead.
In 1807, my maternal 4th Great Grandfather, William Smith (1775-1830) bought Spring Bank Plantation in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. The land passed to his son, my 3rd Great Grandfather, Henry John Smith (1807-1849) upon his death. The land stayed in family hands until after the civil war. It lay abandoned and in disrepair until it was bought and restructured by the Hadden family in 1930. A fire destroyed the home in 1947 and was rebuilt, it is said, using the original plans.
Springbank as it is today.
Part of the original log home built on the property. It has been expanded and is currently lived in.
Several large oaks continue to grow around the property. Many most likely were there when my ancestors walked the land.
Behind the brick wall and several yards down a small path is a cemetery. This is the burial place for many of the enslaved people of Springbank Plantation. Efforts have been made to find and mark the graves. Names and dates are unknown.
Walking the property was a special experience knowing that I was where my people once lived, loved and died.
Many changes have been made to Springbank since my ancestors lived there. It is now a retreat for those looking for peace and rest away from the world.
Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
