Fenwick Hall Short Stories ...true stories surrounding those that lived at Fenwick and their families... John's Island, SC
Fenwick's Wallington Hall, England
12th Century..
The Fenwicks built Fenwick Tower which was a 12th century tower house at Matfen, Northumberland, England. The house was the home of the Fenwick family from the 12th century until they moved into Wallington Castle (image left) in the 16th century.
In 1378, John Fenwick was granted a license to crenelate the house. The tower was largely demolished in about 1775 at which time a hoard of medieval coins was discovered.
The sparse remains of the tower are now incorporated into a 17th century farmhouse and are protected by Grade II listed building status.
Griffins at Wallington Hall
1692 The first Fenwick of this tribe arrives in Charles Town on the privateer ship, Loyal Jamaica.
1694, April
British Robert Fenwick, arrives in Charles Town aboard the privateer ship, Loyal Jamaica, from Jamaica. Robert is the first Fenwick of this family line to arrive in Carolina and he is the older brother of John Fenwick, who will arrive a few years later. Robert settles down and becomes a citizen of Carolina and records have him in 1694 the grantee of certain lots in Charles Town.
The crew of Loyal Jamaica were known in America at that time as "Red Sea Men". About seventy pirates arrived near Sullivan's Island with a vast quantity of gold from the Red Sea. The crew chose to stay in Charles Town and settle as planters and buy plantations, thus they abandoned their ship.
Sir John Fenwick of England--Beheaded! 1697
1697
A Fenwick Beheaded
Sir John Fenwick of Fenwick Castle in the Country of Northumberland (relative of John Fenwick of Fenwick Hall, John's Island), was beheaded for High Treason after conspiring to murder the Dutch born protestant King. Sir John's property and estate were confiscated by King William, who came into possession of Fenwick's horse called Sorrel. This horse was later to throw the King from its saddle after it stumbled near a mole hill in the grounds of Hampton Court. Shortly afterwards King William died from his injuries. The horse had thus fulfilled the wishes of its original master.
Moral of the Story: If your going to kill the "King of England", don't get caught!
Arrest of Sir John Fenwick for conspiring to murder the King of England.
1701
Robert Fenwick becomes a member of the Commons House of the Province, and introduces a bill to tax 'Virginia' horses imported to Carolina. Thus the Fenwick family continues their old english tradition of being involved with horses.
Robert married Sarah Patey (from the wealthy Patey family) but had no children.
1704/1705
John Fenwicke is now already in Charles Town from England and is issued another warrant for 500 acres of land on the Santee River adjoining another track which he had already owned.
September 21, 1727 Fenwick Coat of Arms
Robert Fenwick's, (the former pirate and brother of John, who built Fenwick Hall) wife, Sarah Fenwick dies and leaves Robert's silver seal with the Fenwick Coat of Arms on it to Margaret Clapp as they had no children of their own. Sarah and Robert also left Margaret 'two negroes'.
Ok, who has Robert's seal? I want it! The Fenwick seal is a "Pheonix". And back in those old days on John's Island, the slaves spoke the name Fenwick as "Fennick", which interesting enough, they pronounced 'Pheonix'.
1730 Secret Doors & Rooms John Fenwicke builds his Fenwick Castle on top of an old fort that becomes the deep basement.
Secret Door
One of the secret doors. As left behind by Fenwick Hall Hospital. Note hole in the wall paneling, upper right in photo drilled by the hospital. Photographer John R. Hauser.
1739
John Fenwicke's daughter, Elizabeth Fenwicke, becomes "Countess of Deloraine" by her marriage to Captain Scott, third Earl of Deloraine.
1740 CHARLES TOWN ON FIRE
1735- "The Friendly Society for the Mutual Insuring of Houses Against Fire". The First Fire Insurance Company in America was organized in Charles Towne in December of 1735. It was called "The Friendly Society" and advertised in the South Carolina Gazette with frequent advertisements and notices.The general meetings were held at the house of Captain William Pickney, John Fenwick was a officer and attorney for the Society. One of the promises of the Society was "within three days of the fire loss or damage, the officers shall survey the damage and communicate back to the directors". The Friendly Society was well known by its fire mark called the "Hand in Hand". Many fire companies were formed and if you did not have the fire mark for that company, they would not fight a fire on your property. And as the story goes, the last notice in the Gazette concerning the Friendly Society was: "On November 18, 1740, there was a large fire which consumed half of the town. The loss has been estimated at $1,500,000 and three hundred houses were destroyed".
The fire in all probability ruined the Friendly Society.
A Fenwick marries a Drayton !
Mary Drayton (Fenwick) was born 21 Dec 1734 in Charleston. She married, first, Edward Fenwick, son of John Fenwick and Elizabeth Gibbes Fenwick [23]. She married, second, John William Gerard De Brahm [24]. She died in 1806 [25].
In her will dated 20 May 1805 and proved 27 Mar 1806, Mary bequeathed small monetary tokens to daughter Sarah Fenwick Jones, daughter Charlotte Fenwick Jackson, grandaughter Mary Edwina Fenwick, nephew Jacob Drayton, Frederick William Mulcaster ("the grandson of my late husband") and friends Thomas Sparks and Thomas Thompson of England. Mary bequeathed five hundred pounds to the family of her late husband John Gerard DeBrahm. Daughter Selina Fenwick was to receive then thousand pounds and and personal items. Mary bequeathed the remainder of her estate to son John Roger Fenwick (you will see this guys name again!). Daughter Selina Fenwick was appointed Executrix of Mary's estate [26].
Mary Drayton [Fenwick] (1734-1806)
Name: Mary Drayton
Born: 21 Dec 1734
Place of Birth: Magnolia Plantation, St. Andrews Parish, Charleston District, SC
Married: 1. Edward Fenwick 2. John DeBrahm
Died: 5 Feb 1806
1774 Plat of 66 acres purchased by Robert Gibbes between the Gibbes and Fenwicke plantations. Later in 1787, Robert Gibbes son, John Gibbes, ends up purchasing the Fenwicke Plantation from Edward Jr. Edward Jr then moves to other Fenwick plantations and continues his horse breeding and racing. The Gibbes also participates and even purchases some of the Fenwick horses.
1774
Robert Gibbes, neighbor (and now relative by marriage) of Edward Fenwicke, purchases 66 additional acres that borders between the Gibbes current plantation and Edward Fenwick's estate to the east on John's Island.
<---Click on an actual copy of the legal plat from 1774.
Keep in mind the year 1774 was two years before the colonies became an offical nation.
26 Church St, Charleston.
c.1794 26 Church St, Charleston, SC Charlotte Fenwick Jackson In November 1794, when Charlotte Fenwick Jackson and her husband Ebenezer Jackson conveyed this property to John Splatt Cripps, there was an unfinished house on the site. lt was perhaps the tenement which Charlotte's father, Edward Fenwick, ordered by his will to be built with funds from his estate. The house was completed either by Cripps, who was a merchant, or by James Watt, who purchased the property in 1796 and lived and operated a grocery at the location. Originally, the house was located two doors south of Lynch's Lane. When the lane (now Atlantic Street) was widened, c. 1800, this house became the corner building. (Green, unpub. MS; SCHS; Stockton, unpub. notes.)
1776
The year 1776 is celebrated by the US as the official beginning of its nationhood.
1779 Colonel Thomas Fenwick 'Mr (Thomas) Fenwick, a gentleman of considerable property in South Carolina joined his Majesty's troops under General Prevost in the year 1779, continuing during the remainder of the war to give every assistance in his power to the British arms and proved himself on all occasions a steady zealous loyalist- written by British General, Lord Cornwallis..
British invade and take over Fenwick Hall. Sir Henry Clinton makes the manor house his Head Quarters. Painting by Italian, Andrea Soldi.
1780
Sir Henry Clinton
Another British invasion occurred in February 1780, when Sir Henry Clinton landed troops at Seabrook Island. Clinton occupied John's Island on February 17, making Fenwick Hall is Head Quarters.
The plantations list of famous visitors, wanted and unwanted, continues..even today!
Fenwick's Point, opposite Charles Town on the Ashley River. Click map to enlarge.
1780 Fenwick's Point
In addition to their Fenwick Hall Plantation on the Stono River, the Fenwicks owned several other plantations and they maintained a 'depot' on the Ashley River, immediately opposite Charles Town, to serve their plantations. This was the Fenwick's Wappoo plantation on which General Clinton established a battery during the seige of Charles town in 1780. The site was marked on the military maps with the name "Fenwick's Point".
Thomas Fenwick files War Claims
1781 Colonel Thomas Fenwick & Colonel Robert Ballingall
Colonel Robert Ballingall was a Scot who had been Edward Fenwick, Sr's manager of his plantations. During April 1781, Colonel Ballingall was under the command of a British Militia post called Fort Balfour, north of the Santee at Pocotaligo (the old capital of the Yamasee Indians). At Fort Balfour, Colonel Thomas Fenwick, who was visiting a hospital, was suprised and captured. Thereupon, Colonel Ballingall surrendered the Fort with 8 officers and 63 dragoons to the Whigs.
Colonel Thomas Fenwick was eventually exchanged and so was able to leave Charles Town with the British fleet at the evacuation. Not only was Thomas Fenwick banished from S.Carolina but he was also deprived of his inheritance (the plantations, including Fenwick Hall). Thomas became one of the unhappy group of expatriated Americans resident in London, who sought compenation from the Crown under the act of Parliment of 1783, passed for the relief of American Loyalist. Thomas estimated the aggregate value of his interest in his father's estate (Edward Fenwick) to be S15,542 plus a fifth share of the estates of his two deceased younger brothers; but no record has come to light of what he was allowed in compensation. December 19, 1787, is the last record of him in America when he gave his testimony in support of his claim. Thomas was thenceforth no longer a Carolina Fenwick.
Colonel Thomas Fenwick did end up filing a loyalist Claim with Britian for financial resitution for supporting England during the revoluntary war. This Fenwick was awarded over 19,000 and disappeared. See document on left.
Edward Fenwicke's Signature 1785
1785
Edward Fenwicke Jr's Signature
Edward Fenwick Jr loses his wallet in 1794. Courtesy SC Gazette, 1785
July 12, 1794. Edward Fenwick Jr was having a rough year. First his estates were consficated due to his loyality to England during the revolution, then he was banished from America. He was able to recover most of his property, but in the end lost Fenwick Plantation to his cousin, John Gibbes, due to Fenwick family litigation. And now he lost his wallet!
"Lost on Tuesday evening, a small red Morocco Pocket Book, containing one 20 bill, with a few receipts and other papers no use but to the owner. Whoever will deliver the same to the subscriber, or to Philip Gadsden, Esq, shall receive twenty shillings reward." Edward Fenwick July 12. 3t
1786, July 27th. Newspaper Notice by Edward Fenwick Jr, concerning two runaway slaves. An ulgy era of Fenwick's history. From the Columbian Herald Newspaper.
1794, September 30, Sherriff's Sale!
1794, September 30.
Sheriff's Sale!
Son of Edward Fenwick Sr, John Fenwick's downtown Charleston property is auctioned. It was the lots near 20 Church Street. The land also contained rental homes that were currently rented out. From 10.2.1794 South-Carolina State-Gazette Newspaper.
1806
In Nicholas Biddle's book "Nicholas Biddle in Greece, Journals & Letters of 1806", Biddle notes of a conversation with naval officer, Commodore John Rogers. As Commodore is discussing his naval officers with Biddle, Commodore states of John Roger Fenwick as being "irreproachable".
Commodore goes on to continue his career in the War of 1812.
Victor Morawetz, 1910. Sketch by British artist, William Rothenstein. Courtesy Fitzwilliam museum, UK
May 12, 1897
One of the most distinguished attorneys in the United States.
Victor Morawetz Although a comparatively young man yet, apparently not over forty years old, he has retired from general practice, and is said to have an annual income of $100,000. (in 1897!). Victor Morawetz, general counsel of the Santa Fe Railway Company is one of the most distinquished attorneys in the United States. He is the author of the largest, most exhaustive and most comprehensive treatise on corporations extant. This, it is said, was written by him when he was only about twenty-two years old.
(Noted restorer of Fenwick Hall, 1929)
Victor lives on! His book "The Banking and Currency Problem in the United States" written in 1900, has been released and reprinted in 2009! Pickup a copy!
The Ardent Fox Hunter of Baltimore Restores Fenwick Hall.
1908-SS Adriatic, by the White Star Line. Victor Morawetz takes a trip from N.York to London on this ship owned by the same owner as the Titanic.
July 25, 1908 Americans Now Flock To London (special cable to The Inquirer, by the N.York Herald Company).
The Adriatic's Wealthy Passengers.. The White Star Liner Adriatic, which arrived at Southhampton on Thursday, brought over a veritable cargo of millionaires. Among the passengers were Mr Victor Morawetz, counsel for many railways and financial houses, Mr George Baker, president of the First National Bank of N.York, Mr Levi Weir, president of the Adams Express Company, etc..
Trajedy struck on August 11, 1922 while at sea. There was an explosion in one of the Adriatic's coal bunkers, killing five crew members and injuring four.
The trip to London was one of the quickest for the time, only 9 days! And the Adriatic was the first ship to contain a 'swimming bath (pool)'.
Victor Morawetz, Esq, signature
Morawetz against Tax Law!
1912-1913 FEDERAL INCOME TAX Attorney Victor Morawetz along with William Guthrie (Meudon Estate) and Charles Steele, fought and won to have the income tax stopped until passage of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution.
Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified. 2/3/1913. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
Victor Morawetz was against the proposed Amendment. He co-authored a memorandum submitted to the Legislature of the State of New York in opposition to the proposed Sixteenth Article of Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Words from 1920's... (from Historic Houses of America)
Head Quarters House or Fenwick Castle, John's Island. Cornwallis made his headquarters at one time in this old house now rapidly falling into ruin. It was built by one of South Carolina's early settlers, Lord Ripon (Edward Fenwick(e)), who dropped his title. Nearby, the first owner laid out a race course, but no trace of it remains now. ~~~
1922 Victor Morawetz 3 Ponds/Woodlands Estate is built.
1912-1922 The Morawetz "Woodlands" mansion belongs to an era when everyone who was anyone chose the "Gold Coast" of Long Island as the site for their country home. Victor Morawetz, a well known corporate attorney, purchased these 120 acres in Woodbury in 1912 (before purchasing Fenwick) to build his estate. The property, originally two farms, became the nucleus of what is referred to today as the Bruce estate, called "Woodlands".by the architect team of Delano & Aldrich. It is thought that this architect team influenced the design on the Fenwick Gardens during it's restoration in the early 1930's. Note the similarity of the front door entrance of this mansions & Fenwicks.
1924, Sept 4, a wedding at the Morawetz "Woodlawn" Estate. No society snobs here! Marjorie Morawetz caters her maid's wedding in the Morawetz Long Island Mansion. Maid marries the Butler. Article is from a special edition to the N.York Times.
1928, October 7th. General Gouraud, military governor of Paris is shown bestowing the ceremonial kiss upon Mrs Victor (Marjorie) Morawetz, wife of the NY lawyer, after presenting her with the "Cross of the Legion of Honor" for services with the Red Cross during the World War. Actual copy of Newspaper Article from 1928. Congrats Marge!!!
Morawetz "Pink House", 17 Chalmers, constructed circa 1712. Restored and saved by Morawetz's in 1930s but few know that fact. No where on the Pink House are the Morawetz given credit for saving the building.
1930's renovation by the Morawetz. Pink House circa ~ 1712 saved byMorawetz
17 Chalmers
In the latter part of the nineteenth century, the Pink House deteriorated and was not really repaired until the 1930's when Mr and Mrs Victor Morawetz (New Yorkers who also restored Fenwick Hall and several other Lowcountry properties) purchased the little house and did extensive restoration. It was during this renovation that the small wing on the southeast corner was added, as space in which caterers could work, since the Morawetzes used the building strictly as a place to entertain.
Constructed of pinkish Bermuda Stone, it is the sole surviving 'ale house' from the bawdy colonial district.
1934-April. This is the original "Historical American Building Survey", (HABS), from April 1934 by the Department of Interior, National Park Service. Even back 75 years to 1934, previous owner, Victor Morawetz, understood the historical significance of the plantation and did all he could to preserve it and its history. The survey included the main house and the one remaining 'coach house'.
HABS lower part of 1934 survey
Victor plants a rare Cactus Garden at Fenwick Hall!
Victor becomes a Gardener! Imports and raises rare Cactus from South America on the coastal barrier island of John's Island, SC.
1937 Fenwick Hall Plantation in Charleston Tour of Homes
1937
Charleston Tour of Homes
March 3, 1937 from the Augusta Chronicle Newspaper. "Another interesting tour of 'old' Southern homes and plantations wil be held this week in Charleston when the Ladies Benevolent society sponsors its annual pilgrimage on Friday. Included will be....Fenwick Hall on John's Island, (winter home of Mr and Mrs Victor Morawetz of New York)...before the tour terminates at Oldtown plantation and the site of the original Charles Town settlement.
Eleanor Roosevelt Visits Marge Morawetz of Fenwick Hall. Click to enlarge.
April 15, 1937 Marjorie Morawetz & The First Lady of the United States
Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt has lunch in Charleston with her old friend, Fenwick Hall Restorer, Mrs Marjorie Morawetz.
<---click to enlarge
1936~1942 Historical Marker "Lost" Above ..old historical marker that was made between 1936-1942 by the Salem Foundry and Machine Works in Salem, Virginia. The State does not know what ever became of this marker that is no longer on Johns Island.
January 24, 1949
January 24, 1949
Daughters Of American Colonist Meet
A ladies group met to discuss Carolina's First historic homes including Fenwick Castle.. The plantation was worth discussing even back then! This newspaper article is from the Moberly Monitor and Democrat Newspaper in Missouri. Error in the article though...Fenwick was owned by John Fenwick first (Edward's Sr's father).
<---click to enlarge
Will the overture every play at Fenwick Hall again ?
Symphonic Overture: "The Legend of Fenwick" On February 27, 1970, the Columbia Philharmonic Orchestra performed the Symphonic Overture: "THE LEGENDOF FENWICK" composed by former plantation resident, Robert Igoe Blanchard. Bob took the story about Fenwick's daughter and the headless horseman and wrote a piece for orchestra. He wrote the overture in 1958 while in Washington, D.C. and grew up at Fenwick. The overture was first performed by The National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. (he actually directed it too) and again in Charleston by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.
Fenwick Hall Hospital Newsprint Advertisement from 1980's
1980's Fenwick Hall Hospital Newspaper Advertisment
This advertisment was printed in newspapers across the country with their slogan "Make a New Beginning".
1989 Cat 4, Hurricane Hugo hits S.Carolina's Coast. Fenwick's Oak Allee takes extreme damage to the old oak trees. Many trees were lost and during the past few years, over 200 new trees have been planted on the grounds.
1990's FENWICK CUISINE For years, at the Charleston Institution, called "Henry's House, a restaurant at 54 Market street featured a signature dish called "Beefsteak A La Fenwick".
Nine lights with new slate roof
1997 The book "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family" list Charleston as the #37 Place. And "Fenwick Hall Hospital" , a medical facility offering drug and alcohol rehab is listed as a positive in helping Charleston receive it's 37th place ranking.
Just something doesn't sound right about that..
2001 Fenwick Hall's Waterfront dock. There still exists today some of the original Fenwick Hall dock pier poles in Penny's Creek inside the Headquarters Island Gated Community..
Guest line up at Johns Island’s Legendary Fenwick Hall to hear background history on the plantation before touring the house.
May 7, 2005 Fundraiser at Fenwick Hall Plantation The Preservation Society of Charleston hosted an "Inside the Gates of Historic Fenwick Hall Plantation" fund-raiser to benefit the Preservation Society and to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month. The fund-raiser included special tours to interpret the preservation plans and architectural evolution of the plantation house, self-guided tours of the grounds and gardens, a jazz performance by Ann Caldwell, and light hors d'oeuvres and drinks, featuring mint juleps.
Sept 2010, Southern Living Magazine features Fenwick's Oak Allee'. Image courtesy of Southern Living Magazine.
September 2010
Fenwick's 300 year old Oak Allee' Featured in Southern Living Magazine.
For you 16 million magazine subscribers to Southern Living Magazine, check out page 35. Classic example of 'don't believe what you read'. As the photo is not of Georgia as one may be led to believe. Lulu was to be in the photo!
...more true storys to come...
2009. Wall of Fenwick- Brick work on left side of main house. Note the 'not quite round' cannon balls used as column toppers. Also the view in the background of the oak allee'. Photographer John R. Hauser.
2009. View of semi-circular Palm Garden on Stono River side of the main House. Photographer John R. Hauser.
2009. The two story wing is eight-sided about 50' x 18' and was not original to the house. It was thought to be added in the 1780's by the Fenwick's cousin, John Gibbes. The rooms in the wing also has unsually high celings on both levels and is considered fashioned in the 'Adamesque Style'. Photographer John R. Hauser.
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