Willtown Bluff
Also known as: Wilton, New LondonSW of Adams Run at end of CR 55 on banks of S. Edisto River, Adams Run, South Carolina
Map
Coordinates:
+32.67961, -80.4132632°40'47" N, 80°24'48" W
Description
Willtown was the second planned town to be established after the relocation of Charleston in 1682. It was one of two South Carolina precincts prior to the 1706 Church Act, and after that date served as a local governmental center (polling place, court of pleas, magistrate court). It was militarily important in the protection of the frontier and served as a regional commercial center. Willtown was located on a 25 foot high bluff overlooking the South Edisto River, called the Pon Pon River in the 18th century. The town site is almost all level, its lawn interspersed with large oak trees. Only the northern section is wooded and three early-nineteenth century buildings are located on the cleared portion: the ca. 1836 Parsonage, the ca. 1820 Willtown Plantation House, and the remains of a single column of the ca. 1836 Episcopal church. Unexposed remains are of a colonial village thought to have had 80 houses. The town was divided into 62 blocks with most having four one-acre lots. There were 17 streets with blocks set aside for an Episcopal church and a school. A market and a town garden were also provided locations. Listed in the National Register January 8, 1974. - SCDAH
National Register information
- Status
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on January 8, 1974
- Reference number
- 74001830
- Areas of significance
- Community Planning and Development; Commerce; Archeology - Non-Aboriginal; Military; Politics/Government
- Level of significance
- State
- Evaluation criteria
- A - Event; D - Information Potential
- Property type
- Site
- Historic functions
- Village site; Single dwelling; Fortification; Secondary structure
- Current functions
- Single dwelling; Secondary structure
- Periods of significance
- 1650-1699; 1700-1749
- Significant years
- 1697; 1704; 1714
- Number of properties
- Contributing buildings: 3
Contributing structures: 1
Contributing sites: 1
Contributing objects: 1
Non-contributing buildings: 1
Update Log
- January 25, 2016: Updated by Michael Miller: Corrected "GPS Coordinates"
- August 19, 2014: Photo imported by Michael Miller
- July 29, 2014: Updated by Michael Miller: Added "Description"