Athens in Limestone County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Pleasant Hill
Home of Rev. Robert Donnell (1784-1855)
Built abt. 1849 by Rev. Robert Donnell, a native of North Carolina, and his second wife Clara Lindley Donnell. He was greatly inspired by the Great Spiritual Revival of 1800 and became a Presbyterian circuit rider, one of the "flaming fires," so called because of their spiritual intensity. Donnell held the first camp meeting in the settlement that became Huntsville, started new churches in North Alabama and Tennessee, and retired as minister of the Athens Cumberland Presbyterian Church. For his service and dedication, the North Alabama Presbytery was named in his honor.
After the death of Rev. Donnell in 1855, this house and surrounding acreage passed to his son James Webb Smith Donnell.
J.W.S. Donnell and his family lived here during
the Civil War, even though he was wanted by the Union Army for aiding the Confederacy. In 1862, during the sacking of Athens, Federal troops camped on the house grounds, looted and damaged the house.
The Donnells lost the house through bankruptcy after the war. It served as a boarding school for boys for a time and later as the home of Athens School Superintendent, Julian Newman and his family.
In the 1970s, a campaign to save and restore the house was initiated by local historians and authors Christine W. Edwards and Faye A. Axford. Local citizens, businesses and Donnell descendants contributed to the restoration of this historical landmark.
Erected 2006 by Limestone County Historical Society and Donnell House Board.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 34° 47.778′ N, 86° 58.084′ W. Marker is in Athens, Alabama, in Limestone County. Marker is at the intersection of South Clinton Street and East Forrest Street, on the right when traveling north on South Clinton Street. Marker is in front of the Donnell House, located on the grounds of Athens Middle School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601˝ S Clinton St, Athens AL 35611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Town Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Coleman Family (approx. 0.4 miles away); Washington Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); Courthouse and South Side of Square (approx. half a mile away); Trinity School Cistern (approx. half a mile away); Athens Big Spring Memorial Park (approx. half a mile away); Athens, Alabama (approx. half a mile away); Limestone County Beirut Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.
Additional commentary.
1. Limestone County Antebellum Trail
Pleasant Hill/Donnell House is stop number one on the Antebellum Trail, a collection of twelve historical properties (homes, churches, &c) located in Limestone County. A copy of the tour brochure can be found at www.tourathens.com
— Submitted March 8, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,011 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 8, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.