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Located just across the county border, sits a remarkable home that represents the glory that was the Old South. Woodburn stands as an excellent example of an early 19th century plantation house. Its functional architectural features and its distinguished owners combine to make it a worthy historical restoration.
The four story house, situated on a knoll, was designed for the enjoyment of the "delicious climate" of the Upcountry. High ceilings, cross ventilation, and wide columned verandas upstairs and down, back and front, all serve this purpose well.
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Woodburn became the summer home of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney around 1830. He belonged to a family distinguished for its devotion to public service, both state and nation. His father, General (and Governor) Thomas Pinckney, had served as Minister to England (1792-94); his famous uncle, General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, for whom he was named, was a prominate member of the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787. His brother, Thomas, who preceded him to Pendleton was the first president of the Pendleton Farmers' Society.
Cotesworth, as he was called, was elected Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina in 1833. Although a graduate of Harvard Law School in 1808, he preferred the life of a planter. He also was a leader in promoting the religious education of the Negroes in his area and state. His wife was Phoebe Caroline Elliott whose brother Ralph owned the country place "Rockcell," adjoining Woodburn. In 1838, the Pinckneys' daughter Caroline was married at Woodburn to Archibald Seabrook, son of Governor Whitemarsh B. Seabrook. Their grandson, Archibald Rutledge, was South Carolina's poet laureate for many years.
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In 1826, the Pinckneys' brother-in-law, Francis Kinloch Huger, has brought his family to live at Pendleton. One daughter, Anna Isabella, married Edward Harleston and they lived for twenty years at nearby Grumblethorpe Hall; in fact, they lived briefly at Woodburn when their house was sold in 1846. Another Huger daughter, Mary, wrote her memoir, "The Recollection of a Happy Childhood" which describes the life of these famous families at Pendleton during the 1830s. (This memoir has been published by the Foundation.)
In 1848 Woodburn was sold to David Taylor. His wife was Lucy Hannah Taliaferro. They lived there until 1852 when it became home to Dr. John Bailey Adger; and from then on to 1908 Woodburn was in the hands of the Adger family -- over 50 years.
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Dr. Adger was a noted Presbyterian minister who served as Missionary to Asia Minor, where he translated the Bible into modern Armenian. His wife was Elizabeth Shrewsbury. In search of health, he came to Pendleton, where he fell in love with Woodburn at first sight. In his autobiography, "My Life and Times," he refers to the enlargements he made at Woodburn in the six happy years of his residence. During this time he became guardian of his brother William's family, who lived at Dunean, later called MiCasa. A call to teach in the Theological Seminary in Columbia caused him to leave Woodburn in 1859. However, he returned to Pendleton for summers at Boscobel and later spent his retirement years at Pendleton.
In 1859 he sold Woodburn to his younger brother, Joseph Ellison Adger, who owned it for more that 20 years. Many of the kin and connections in Charleston refugeed at Woodburn during the war years. Another brother, Robert Adger, was then living at nearby Rivoli while his daughter Clarissa (Mrs. O.A. Bowen) was at Ashtabula where she kept a diary which recorded the family affairs during the war. (This dairy has also been published by the Foundation.)
In 1881 Woodburn became the property of the Adger brothers' nephew, Major Augustine T. Smythe. His wife was Louisa McCord, granddaughter of Langdon Cheves, distinguished lawyer, banker, and builder, who had a home at Portman Shoals. Major Smythe developed Woodburn plantation into a splendid stock farm with high bred horses and cattle. Bonneau Harris who later became S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture was his manager. Major Smythe was a Trustee of Clemson College for the years 1900-1906.
Born on the Woodburn farm in 1882 was an African-American girl, Jane Edna Harris Hunter who later became the founder of the Phyllis Wheatley Association. In her autobiography, "A Nickel and a Prayer," she refers to her life at Woodburn Plantation during the Smythe residency. Smythe children and grandchildren have also recorded memories. Susan Smythe Bennett wrote, "I think I loved Woodburn more than any place anywhere."
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After the Smythes left Woodburn, there were several owners, each of whom tried to keep up the large property. But by the time of the depression of the thirties, many farmers and landowners were unable to make a living from the land and pay their taxes. To help the people in this area, the U.S. government through the Resettlement Administration bought three hundred farms. In the early 1950s, thousands of acres of this land was given to Clemson College. This gift included Hopewell (home of General Andrew Pickens), Altamont II (home of Col. Thomas Pickney), Woodburn, and other interesting historic places.
On August 1, 1966, Clemson University deeded to the Foundation for Historical Restoration in the Pendleton Area, Woodburn and 6.26 acres of land. Then began the continuing job of saving and restoring this fine old house that had suffered the ravages of neglect and vandalism. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2010, remains of a other buildings at Woodcare were unearthed. Click here for more information.To give area residents an opportunity to walk the invaluable historical trail, the Foundation is offering a special, never-seen-before, guided trail tour on Saturday, June 5 from 10 AM until 11 AM. For $2 per adult, the trail also includes guided tours of three reconstructed plantation outbuildings outside of the main house: a log cabin, tenant farmer cabin, and carriage house. Guests wishing to see the house after the walking tour is complete can do so for an additional, but discounted rate of $4 per person. The 1/2 mile round trip waling trail is rated “easy” going down, and “moderate” traveling back towards the house. Sturdy walking shoes, or hiking boots are recommended.Other guests wanting to tour Woodburn Historical House without taking the historic walking trail may do so for the regular rate of $6 per person, starting at 11 AM.
The Foundation for Historic Restoration in the Pendleton Area was founded in 1960 "to preserve, restore and display again some of our cultural heritage ... that we and those who come after us may experience again the virtues and greatness of those who lived here before us." All workers are volunteers. All gifts to the Foundation of funds or items are tax deductible. Volunteer hostesses open Woodburn April - November: Sunday (2-6PM) (April - Aug also Mon & Tues (10AM - 4 PM); other times by special arrngement.
For more information:
Pendleton Historic Foundation
Post Office Box 444
Pendleton, S.C. 29670
1-864-646-7249
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City of Clemson
Phone: 864-653-2030 or email.
1250 Tiger Blvd. Suite 1
Clemson, SC 29631
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