Basic Information
- Location – Fairforest Creek (a branch of the Tyger River), Ninety Six District, Union County
Located southwest of the City of Union where SC 49 crosses over Fairforest Creek
- Origin of name – ?
- Other names – Fletchall's
- Current status – ?
Timeline
- ? – Earliest known date of existence
- ? – House built
The house at Fair Forest was probably built by Colonel Thomas Fletchall, a gentleman farmer. It was located on the south side of Fairforest Creek on 365 acres. On the north bank of the creek he owned 250 acres where he operated a saw mill and at least two grist mills (Charles, p.26-27).
- 1775 – Colonel Fletchall was a Loyalist, and on December 9 he was arrested for breaking the Treaty of Ninety Six. The Patriots found him hiding in a large sycamore tree downstream from his mills (Charles, p. 29-30).
- 1776 – Colonel Fletchall was released from prison, and upon returning to his plantation he found it looted. His family along with their slaves proceeded to rebuild the place (Charles, p. 33).
- 1780 – On October 10 Colonel Fletchall fled to Charleston for the safety of himself and his family. He left with his wife, five children, and fourteen slaves. He never returned to his plantation (Charles, p. 38).
- 1782 – Colonel Fletchall and his family and slaves left for Jamaica on December 1. His property was confiscated and sold at auction the same year. Colonel Thomas Brandon, a local hero, purchased most of Fletchall's property. Colonel Fletchall petitioned the Crown for compensation of lost property. He claimed to have lost his house, 2,665 acres, 3 good slaves that were stolen as well as 45 head of black cattle, 40 head of sheep, 60 hogs, and 560 bushels of corn, wheat, and rye (Charles, p. 46).
- 1802 – Colonel Thomas Brandon died at Fair Forest on February 5.
Land
- Number of acres – 615 in 1775 and 1782
- Primary crop – Corn, wheat, and rye
Owners
- Alphabetical list – Colonel Thomas Brandon, Colonel Thomas Fletchall
Slaves
- Number of slaves – 14 in 1780 (Fletchall)
Buildings
Web Resources
Print Resources
- Allan D. Charles, The Narrative History of Union County (Greenville, SC: A PRESS Printing Company, 1997).
