Blog on Fenwick Castle & Links.. John's Island, SC
Fenwick Hall Wild Life Protest against the destruction of their nest, babies and feeding grounds!
Alert--Stono & Penny's Creek Wildlife in Danger by Man! Now, Today! The Stono and Penny's Creek wetlands have been home to both endangered and non-endangered species forever, until now. The original, native inhabitants of John's Island, the Indians, learned to live off the land without destroying it, cultivating it, and without destroying the wild animals. Thus the white man came along and felt the need to cut down, cultivate, and destroy. But the past 300 years of the Fenwick Hall Plantation Area of the Stono River, the wildlife was left alone. Many deer, wild turkey, geese, egrets, wood storks have permanent homes on the Stono River & Penny's Creek. Many species just pass thru each year and camp out on these wetlands. This has been a 'secret' Fenwick Hall Wildlife Reserve for hundreds of years. That area was left alone to wildlfe. Now in the name of 'progress' and to attempt to increase the tax revenue of Charleston, man will expand the bypass, onto James Island and John's Island and destroy these wetlands no matter what the impact is. There are NO plans in this 1/2 billion dollar expansion to minimize damage or to relocate the wildlife. How does one 'relocate' the nest of an endangered species? You can't..animals are not people that can packup and move. Humans will destroy these animals inherited abilities to return to home. There is so much more to the Fenwick Hall Historical District than just the 1730 Romantic Relic of the Manor House. Well , there was until man decided the dollar is more important than the life of other species, our history. What an ugly future history will be marked by this bypass. I hope the names of those involved in its construction, that is continuing over the majority of human inhabitants of both John's and James Island will be forever associated with this human disaster of a project. If you are against the destruction of John's and James Island, please call your mayors and City Council members. And remember to vote this fall...and keep voting as long as it takes to get our elected officials to listen and act.
I526 Bypass to destroy critical wilfe life habitat on the Stono River!
Geese protesting at Fenwick Wild Life Reserve! Geese protesting agains the destruction of their wetlands on the Stono River that is to be destroyed by Man (Charleston City Council, SCDOT, etc)
Fenwick Hall Wildlife Preserve Endangered by Man!
10.07.2010 The website is expanding again! Under construction and soon to be born is the 'Wildlife' page. The plantation is a wildlife preserve for many permanent two and four legged friends (and even a one legged guest). Some stay permanently and others stop and visit while passing through S.Carolina as they animals and birds are always welcome.
9.2010. Many local, elected officials ignore questions concerning the bypass and their stance. Many feel the tax revenue from new growth on James/John's Island is worth over riding the overwhelming opinion against the bypass. Vote those out of office that will not support the working class's rights..and you can this fall.
9.19.2010 The Fenwick Hall Historical District is against all 'alternate I-526 expansion plans' except the "no build' plan that was scraped. A representative of the historical district spoke at the both the James Island and John's Island town meetings this month against the SCDOT Plan. Please let your elected city council member know your personal thoughts of the bypass.
8.13.2010 City Council Member, Mr Dickie Schweers was kind enough to respond. Thank you Mr Schweers!
8.5.2010The Plantation is in Danger from two wreckless road projects. I 7,24.2010 Exciting news for diehard Fenwick Fans: the discovery of the existance of two original miniature paintings behind glass of Honorable Edward Fenwick Sr and his 2nd wife, Mary Drayton Fenwick. Descendant Mr Andrew Jones provided copies of the images to share on this Fenwick Website. Personally, I never thought I would ever get to see their images, as that time was so long ago. Their images are now part of the Fenwick History page. Now..can we hope to discover an image of Master John Fenwick himself? Father of Fenwick Place?
7.11.2010 Added recently discovered image of Ms Charlotte Fenwick and a little info about her to the history page. Also added a listing of Edward Fenwick's many children which includes Fenwick on the same history page. Also located an image of the Fenwick Crest, also added to history page.
6.21.2010 City of Charleston plans to build 2 additional roads near Fenwick Hall Plantation. One road, called Penny's Creek Road will actually cut right into one of the two Oak Allee's at Fenwick and basically destroy it. The City is hoping no one realizes what has happened until it is too late..
6.10.2010 Lulu, the Fenwick guard dog, shoots her magazine cover for a national magazine. Come back later for more exciting news about LuLu and her national debut.
4.5.2010 New "Camellia's at Fenwick" webpage is just being born and thrown together. Also some new photos were added to the homepage and the Coach House page. Never enuf time to do the fun stuff!
3.13.2010 Just any fyi...any comments or views expressed on this website are mine and not the view of the Top Dogs of Fenico.
2.13.2010 A rare light dusting of snow blankets Fenwick.
2.7.2010 Superbowl Sunday update. Oh my, this website and research takes a long time to do and/or I'm just really bad and slow at it! So here are the most recent updates: I've added some new old history and images to the website for the diehardFenico fan: 1934 image of Fenwick right after the Morawetz restoration, 1920's photo of the main house with 'models', 1970's image of left side entrance to the little wing, two old coach house photos, another view of the Blanchard's great room from the 70's including a console tv, photo of the upstairs rear octagonal wing bedroom, another old antique bed, image of the Morawetz 1930 kitchen as the Blanchards utilized it in the 70's. A few new true stories: Robert Fenwick-pirate, the Countess of Deloraine, a 1774 land survey and a 1780's map that shows "Fenwicks Point" (which is NOT the plantation). So I got some changes made to the website, but my lawn did not get the attention it needed this weekend! Hope someone enjoys the history.. P.S-Three new images submitted by Doctor Steve has been added to the 'friends' page. Thanks Doctor Steve.
2.5.2010 Finally got a-hold of the DVD movie from the 1970's, The Double McGuffin. The former side drive to Fenwick off Maybank Highway was to be used in the movie as the main drive to a boarding school. Nope. In the end, the director used another location in another city. Also Bob Blanchard's burgundy Cadillac was not used in the movie either. There is one more movie that may have contained scenes from Fenwick that I have to check out. Do you have any Fenwick history to share?
01.10.2010 More updates. An advertisement from 1788 to sell a section of the plantation by Ed Jr was added to the history page, along with a copy of the Gibbes family coat of arms. An advertisement for the horse races from 1788 was placed on the Johns Island Stud page.
01.02.2010 Additional photos have been added that were taken in May 1999 at the time the plantation was in transition again. Charter Hospital had pretty much abandoned the estate and it had not been resold yet. The buildings suffered during that time from lack of maintenance and upkeep including water damage. Thanks to Carol Dawn for digging out her scrapbooks and loaning us the photos that are now added to Fenwick Hall's history. Check out her photo of the interior of the old pool house and of the carriage house in really rough shape. Best wishes in 2010 to you!
....I've been thinking that it was too bad that Charter Hospital built their various additional buildings (costal cottage style) and patients lodges on the grounds instead of rebuilding the 'Stables' that once flanked the main house. Edward Fenwick built the Stables on one side and Carriage House on the other of the manor house to give the estate symmetry. The Stables could have been designed with the interior as the patient's dormitory. The returning stable would then bring the plantation back to it's former ~1780's appearance. Back then the plantation must have been quite a sight while arriving via boat on the Stono River and walking up to the main house through manicured gardens and ponds. But I'm pretty sure Charter Hospital & their architects knew nothing of the plantation's famous history of its stable and horse breeding and racing at the time.
12.13.09 Photo's from the Blanchard's family photo album have been added throughout the website. Thank s for sharing the photos Claude III! Another photo of Victor Morawetz was added to his history. The John's Island Horse farm page was updated and a few additional Fenwick Hall short stories was added. And lastly, an old newspaper advertisement for Fenwick when it was a rehab center was posted.
12.02.09 Edward Fenwick Jr's obituary was added to the history page. A newspaper advertisement for a Fenwick horse is now on the John's Island Stud page.
11.27.09 Photo of Victor Morawetz's wife "Marjorie Knott" was added to the Fenwick History Page. Also a sketch of their New York mansion was added. Interior photos of the replica of Fenwick Hall built in Atlanta were added.
9.13.09 "Friends of Fenwick" web page goes live. Send in 'your' old personal photos of Fenwick Hall for posting on the web page. The estate has been around for 279 years, so there has to be more photos out there. When was the 'camera' invented?
9.5.09 Fenwick Hall hits 21st century technology again and is now alive on Facebook. Slow going, but it is there. Become a friend and post your own personal Fenwick Hall photos on the Facebook Wall.
7.31.09 The "Sword Gate House" in downtown Charleston goes on the market for only 23 million. Yeah, it does have an interesting history but I'll put it up against the Fenwick Hall Estate anytime!
7.10.09 Does history repeat itself? Previous owner & restorer of Fenwick Hall, Victor Morawetz authored a book in 1909 titled "The Banking and Currency Problem in the United States". Victor was clearly under the opinion that extraordinary financial disturbances could be prevented by permanent safeguards against money stringencies and panics. Too bad he was not listened to.
7.10.09. So far no where on the website have I mentioned all the additional building that were added to what is remaining of the plantation. While it was Fenwick Hall Hospital, (1980's) many buildings were built and spread out all over the property. None of the buildings were built to look like they belonged. I sort of do not want to mention those buildings at all, but those changes are now also part of its history. It makes me wonder if in 200 years from now, archeologist will be digging up and exploring these current buildings to see how a rehab center operated. (As researched was recently done on the Fenwick grounds to research its past). I did read the architect of the newest buildings attempted to have them reflect the 'coast cottage' look.
7.7.09. July 7th is the anniversary of Edward Fenwick's death, 234 years ago. The Honorable member of the Kings Council of SC, died in N.York on a Tuesday, July 7, 1775. His widow and sons chartered the sloop "Commerce" for the voyage to Charles Town, where they temporary kept his remains.
Great Hall upper mantle detail
5.31.09 Well, the City of Charleston just can't 'get it' yet. I've had a link to the Angel Oak website on my web page for a good while now. And guess what? Now that 1,500 year old tree is going to be tread on by guess what? A 42 acre housing development that has already been permitted which can include up to 600 units next to the tree. The city states the development is part of their 'plan' and will stop 'sprawl'. HUH? I agree with James Town Councilman, Joe Qualey when he stated "It is time for all to realize that the city of Charleston is not as much interested in preservation as it is in tax dollars. That's the bottom line. City Parks Dept Deputy Director Matt Compton said the project "does not" endanger the tree and 'we support this project moving forward. Pathetic. www.angeloaktree.org/
5.24.09 I really enjoy reading and receiving guest book entries! The entry's make me think at least someone appreciates the info. Anyone ever come across an old advertisement for Fenwick Hall Hospital from the 1980's let me know. There were advertisements placed in magazines such as Esquire.
5.23.09 I'm running out of room on the website! And due to the amount of info posted, it must take too long to view the pages on a slow pc. Humm.. Wish I had more time for research and making a new website, but don't have it. I'm not even a Fenwick! (Well, not in this life at least).
Coast Conservation League-help save Fenwick plantation!
Simpler Adamesque Mantel from the 1780 Octagon Wing, North 2nd floor room facing the Stono River.
www.JohnrHauser.com
A miniature watercolor of Elizabeth Mary McPherson, 1792, by Pierre Henri. Photo courtesy of Gibbes Museum
Visit the "Gibbes Museum Of Art" (Tell them LuLu Fenwick sent you!) Victor Morawetz, former Fenwick owner/restorer and his wife, Marjorie, donated funds to the museum for purchases. The photo on the left is a minature watercolor, one of many paintings purchased by the Morawetz's generous gift.
www.gibbesmuseum.org
Godolphin.com (Not the original Godolphin line!)
ASTON MARTIN
The One-77 is built to be an exercise in what Aston Martin can accomplish when cost and exclusivity are no barrier. With a 7.3-liter V12 under the hood producing a proletariat-crushing 700 horsepower, the coupe exists in a world detached from reality. That's just fine, though, because Aston Martin is only building 77 of the cars, and with each coming in at a staggering $1.8 million, the people who can afford it aren't of this world anyway.
The Drayton Hall on the Ashley River. The Drayton family were good friends and family of the Fenwicks long ago. Not sure there was metal roofs and pvc shakes in those days as is now placed on Drayton Hall.
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. 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
The Angel Oak The Angel Oak is a Live Oak (Quercus Virginiana) a native species found throughout the Lowcountry. Believed to be in excess of 1400 years old, its massive, draping limbs and wide spreading canopy present the aura of an angel but the naming of this tree was acquired from the tree's previous owners, Martha and Justin Angel. ---Click on the Angel Oak Tree Photo for a link to www.angeloaktree.orgfor more info.
Height: 65 Feet
Circumference: 25.5 Feet
Area of Shade: 17,000 sq. Feet
Largest Limb: Circumference: 11.25 Feet Length: 89 Feet
Visit & help save Angel Oak, John's Island. A Tree of Souls?
Can a nation lose its memory? It happens every day when historic places are demolished. The National Trust for Historic Preservation helps preserves historic places, including 29 National Trust Historic Sites, to ensure that their stories remain a part of our lives today. When you visit a historic site you learn from their stories and help keep history alive. Historic places create connections to our heritage that help us understand our past, appreciate our triumphs, and learn from our mistakes. Historic places help define and distinguish our communities by building a strong sense of identity. In your travels, be sure to visit National Trust Historic Sites and discover great architecture, magnificent landscapes, and life-changing stories. www.preservationnation.org/
Natural Resources Defense Council
NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.2 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals. www.NRDC.org/
Get the Sea Dog Pirate Dog at www.LargoCargo.com Great old fashioned, hand drawn art work on tee shirts.
Another former Louisiana Plantation, "The Shadows on the Teche" in New Iberia. This plantation is similar to Fenwick (and many plantations) in that the Bayou or River side of the house is the 'front'. This image of the Shadows shows it's rear land side. Behind the green shutters on the left is the outside stair case. The Shadows is not nearly as old as Fenwick, but still impressive.
www.SIERRACLUB.org LINK
Sierra Club Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places, and the planet itself. We are the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. www.SIERRACLUB.org/
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. http://www.nps.gov/history/NR/
Thoroughbred Heritage Website
Lowcountry Open Land Trust
Lowcountry Open Land Trust
Our Mission: To protect and foster voluntary conservation of the irreplaceable Lowcountry forests, farmland, open spaces, wildlife habitat and wetlands, thus helping to conserve forever our community’s unique sense of place and quality of life. http://www.lolt.org/lolt
Victor & Marjorie Morawetz "Party House" in downtown Charleston at 17 Chalmers. Along with Fenwick Hall, the Morawetz saved and restored the Pirate House/Pink House in the late 1920's. They used it strictly to entertain guest when in town.
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The liberties we enjoy as Americans don’t come without a cost. The Special Forces bear the burden of having the highest number of wounded personnel of any other U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) proponent. The Green Beret Foundation serves these quiet professionals who bravely serve the American people and its freedoms.
(Thanks Dad!)
below: Veyron Super Sport, 2011, by Bugatti1, 200 hp 1,106 lbs torque ~258 mph -all sold out-
Veyron Super Sport by Bugatti. Got $2.5 million to invest?
