County Considered Demolishing Courthouse in 1937

Kingstree residents of today should be grateful for another former resident, Nell Flinn Gilland, who used her considerable writing talent to preserve some of the history of Kingstree and Williamsburg County. She was the daughter of John William Flinn, a professor of philosophy and chaplain at the University of South Carolina. She moved to Kingstree after her marriage to Louis W. Gilland, an attorney and former mayor of Kingstree for whom Gilland Memorial Park is named.

The Williamsburg County Courthouse as it looks today.

The following story, written by Nell Gilland, was published in the October 3, 1937, News & Courier.

"A central depository at the University of South Carolina for the preservation of courthouse records no longer in use was authorized by an act signed by Governor Olin D. Johnston during the last session of the legislature.

"This act grew out of concern felt by those interested in seeing that South Carolina should not lose by destruction due to indifference or lack of space valuable state material. In the past, fire, war, and unawareness of the value of records have caused irreparable loss of data which never can be replaced. The new wings which will be added to the fine old library building at the university will offer room for filing the state's records.

"Williamsburg, Colleton, and Spartanburg delegations introduced bills to secure permission to destroy old records on account of lack of space. It was this proposed legislation which aroused the university to offer to become custodian of unwanted records either temporarily or permanently.

"Chester, Barnwell, and Edgefield counties have added fireproof annexes, like the head of a "T" across the rear of their old courthouses to provide space for records and in an effort to preserve the beauty of the architecture of their honored courthouse buildings. Georgetown has built an annex in the courthouse grounds for offices and records, thus not interfering in the slightest with the form of their old buildings.

"In Williamsburg County there is a movement afoot either to add to the present building, build a new one, or make some other provision for needed space and modernization of offices.

"It would be tragic should the present historic courthouse in Williamsburg suffer demolition, and many citizens of the county feel that even the addition of an extension or wings might interfere with the beauty of the building, which stands as a monument to the skill of South Carolina's distinguished architect Robert Mills. With the massive columns and portico typical of Mills' architecture, the building is of classical design with walls thirty inches thick and has been occupied since 1823. In 1883, (newspaper articles from 1889 prove this date to be incorrect) the second story of the building caught fire and burned three days. But the offices in the vaulted ground floor proved fireproof and were occupied by officials before the flames upstairs were quenched, the records being quite safe.

"Williamsburg became a circuit court district by act of 1804. It was then the intention of the county to erect a courthouse on the public parade ground, which had played an important part in the history of the county since its first settling in 1732. But with the irregularity which existed in early days, William Brady had built a house on the site and claimed the lot. After his death (in 1820), the commissioners regained possession of the parade grounds for the county, and $10,000 was appropriated by legislature for the building.

"The late J.J.B. Montgomery, for many years county auditor and whose son, Donald Montgomery, has succeeded him to that office, used to tell how many of the earliest courthouse records were lost in an effort to save them from destruction at the hands of Sherman's army. In anticipation of the of the enemy's approach, record books were collected hastily and not too wisely entrusted to wagons to be carried off to Sumter and Camden for protection.

Former Williamsburg County Auditor J.J.B. Montgomery, known to all as "Daddy" Montgomery.

Donald Montgomery, who followed in his father's footsteps as county auditor.

"Some arrived safely at their destinations, but others were spilled along the wayside. In later years, a book of Williamsburg County records would turn up every now and then in some church along the route presumably taken by the emissaries. Mr. Montgomery said it was assumed that such books had fallen from the wagons unnoticed by the drivers and had been afterwards picked up and taken into a church for safe keeping. Some were irrevocably lost.

"It is the accumulation of records since that time which now are a problem. Office space also is inadequate, and the heating of the old building is accomplished by quaint open grates in the basement offices and by stoves in the courtroom. County officials are faced with the problem of effecting modern convenience and space without destroying or defacing a landmark which is a pride to the entire state.

"The courthouse grounds in Kingstree have recently been landscaped as part of the WPA beautification project, greatly enhancing the beauty of the old building set amid spreading oaks. An outdoor stage has been arranged for May Day festivals and other occasions with a lily pool between the stage and the audience.

"On these grounds the Craven County regiment held its parades and gala days two centuries ago, and here during the Revolution, the men of Williamsburg met when they came from every corner and by-way of the county to form themselves into four companies under the leadership of Major John James and became the nucleus of Marion's Brigade.

"During the days of the Confederacy and in the years of Reconstruction, the courthouse grounds were the center of patriotic gatherings. The World War saw the descendants of Marion's Brigade again mustering in at their country's call to arms. And not only in war, but also in peace, the courthouse and its grounds have seen the history of Williamsburg made. Fiery political gatherings have been held under the shade of the trees in the shadow of the building. Citizens have met to discuss local problems there, and meetings designed to disseminate among the people valuable information, as to improved farming methods have brought the people of Williamsburg to its courthouse as a shrine. Tourists and visitors from many distant states have stopped to admire the stately building.

"However present officials meet their problem of needed additional space, the beautiful courthouse stands, mutely testifying to its ancient dignity, its wealth of historical tradition."

The courthouse, of course, was not demolished, and 17 years after this article was published, an addition was added to the rear of the courthouse, and changes were made to the front entrance to the courtroom.

AND ONE MORE THING:

An early addition was apparently added to the courthouse in 1854. A classified advertisement in the February 18, 1854, issue of the Charleston Courier states: To Contractors and Builders–The Commissioners of Public Buildings for Williamsburgh District will receive sealed proposals on or until the 10th day of March next, for building an ADDITION TO THE COURTHOUSE, 16 feet in length and of the same width and height as the present building. Also for building new roof, removing present Jury rooms, gallery and four pillars placed there to support the present roof. For particulars as to plan and specifications, contractors are requested to address or call on Col. N.G. Rich, Kingstree, South Carolina, by whom the desired information will be given.

D.M. MASON

Chairman, Commission of Public Buildings