Holly Hill

Front inscription

Holly Hill sits on a tract of land originally granted to James Robeson in 1768 as part of England’s expansion into the S.C. backcountry. Robeson sold this property in 1778 to Sarah and Jenkin Harris, whose sons, Jenkin Jr., John and Moses, became active in the development of Edgefield Village. Later Charles Goodwyn, lawyer and state senator, lived at the site until his death in 1824. Architectural study suggests that the eastern half of the house may date to the 18th century.

Reverse inscription

The house had a series of owners in the 19th and 20th centuries including Sheriff Humphrey Boulware, Irish immigrant and Catholic leader Peter McHugh, planter and physician Dr. C.P. Devore, and Edgefield socialites Wallace and Adrienne “Dollie” Dugas Sheppard. In 1919 the property was purchased by Benjamin Tillman Lanham who operated a dairy here. The Lanham family lived in the house until the 1970s.