Thorntree
National Register Listing
Street Address:
SC 527, in Fluitt-Nelson Memorial Park, Kingstree, SC (Williamsburg County)
Alternate Name:
Witherspoon House
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817745009
Description and Narrative:
(Witherspoon House) The oldest known residence in the Pee Dee area, Thorntree is an excellent example of the earliest plantation houses constructed entirely of native materials. Built by Irish immigrant James Witherspoon in 1749, the house possesses a progressive rural domestic design. The house was located in the wilderness and adapted to the New World, but with refinements recalling the good life in the Old World. The two-story frame “I-House” type house has a hall and parlor plan with exterior end chimneys, and full-length piazzas on the front and rear elevations. Its brick piers support hand-hewn heart pine beams. All twenty-four windows have pine paneled shutters fastened with hand-forged strap hinges. The entire interior is pine: the floors, walls, ceilings, cornices, mantels and all overmantels (except two that are plastered). The house was moved from an inaccessible rural site to preserve it. The original site was unavailable for purchase, and unprotected against fire and vandalism. The present site is within the city on land donated as a memorial park. Victorian trim, south piazza, and shed rooms added ca. 1800 have been removed. The house now stands as it was in the eighteenth century. Listed in the National Register October 28, 1970.
Period of Significance:
1749
Level of Significance:
State
Area of Significance:
Architecture;Landscape Architecture;Military
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
October 28 1970
