Bordeaux in McCormick County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Guillebeau Home and Family Cemetery
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
1. Guillebeau Home and Family Cemetery Marker - Front
[Front]:
One half mile west is the pioneer home of Andre Guillebeau, a member of the original Huguenot group which settled New Bordeaux in 1764, having fled from the persecution in France under the leadership of the Reverend Jean Louis Gibert. The house is constructed of logs and, according to family tradition, was built sometime before 1800.
[Reverse]:
Among eighteen members of the Guillebeau family buried in the cemetery one half mile west are Andre Guillebeau, French Huguenot and soldier of the American Revolution, his wife, Mary Jane Roquemore, their son, Pierre Guillebeau, who was for many years a ruling elder of Willington Presbyterian Church, and his wife, Mary Jane Bellot.
Erected 1972 by Huguenot Society of South Carolina, McCormick County Historical Society, Long Cane Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. (Marker Number 33-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the South Carolina, McCormick County Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1764.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Andre Guillebeau (approx. 0.4 miles away); John De La Howe School Enterprise Market Program at "The Barn" (approx. one mile away); John De La Howe School (approx. one mile away); John De La Howe / John De La Howe School (approx. 1.2 miles away); De La Howe Hall (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cherry Hill / Noble Cemetery (approx. 2 miles away); Site of Willington Presbyterian Church (approx. 2 miles away); Willington Academy (approx. 2 miles away); Willington (approx. 2.1 miles away); Site of Willington Academy (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bordeaux.
Also see . . .
1. Guillebeau House. The Guillebeau House is a good example of Southern eighteenth-century pioneer construction. (Submitted on July 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. A History of New Bordeaux, South Carolina. In 1761, The Bounty Act was a direct result of the French and Indian War (1756-1759 in the colonies) and the Cherokee War (1760) in
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
2. Guillebeau Home and Family Cemetery Marker - Reverse
Additional commentary.
1. Guillebeau House
The Guillebeau House is a good example of Southern pioneer construction. Built on the double pen house plan developed extensively in the South, the house has one exterior chimney and two front entrances. Shed-roof porch across front, originally open, has been enclosed at either end to provide additional rooms. The original floor plan is still intact and consists of three rooms in front of three rooms. The second floor also has three rooms which were completed shortly after the Revolutionary War. At one time a dining room wing was attached at rear but is not believed to have been original.
Several of the large logs which provided original foundation supports are still intact. Walls are constructed of hand-hewn logs with mortise-and-tenon joints. Filling between logs.
Medium gable roof features typical pioneer construction method in which plates are used to support rafters which in turn support purl ins. Roof was covered with wooden shingles.
Original exterior end chimney is laid in Flemish bond in first two stages. In third stage, brickwork is done in all stretcher pattern with alternating
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
3. Guillebeau Cemetery
The family cemetery is included in the acreage nominated. It is maintained by the Guillebeau descendants.
Significance
With the revival of the Reformed Church in France by such leaders as Antoine Court, the French government enacted the vindictive Edict of 1724 which was in force until the 1787 Edict of Toleration. During this period of relentless Protestant persecution, a small group of French Huguenots led by the Reverend Jean Louis Gibert and the Reverend Pierre Boutiton petitioned George III for permission to establish a settlement in one of England's American colonies. Their petition was granted in 1763 when the Earl of Hillsborough wrote to Governor Boone of South Carolina that the king thought it advisable for the French to be established in South Carolina where their knowledge of the culture of vines and silks would be particularly useful. Hillsborough further instructed the governor to provide a "proper Township for them either upon the river Savannah or "some other Convenient river." After a long sea voyage from Plymouth, England and several months delay in Charleston and at Fort Lyttleton near Port Royal, the French settlers arrived at New Bordeaux in August 1764. Although there were several Huguenot settlements in the lowcountry, New Bordeaux was the only such settlement in the South Carolina upcountry.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
4. Guillebeau Cemetery
Military Significance
During the American Revolution, Andre Guillebeau served in the American militia under Captain Joseph Bouchillon (also a Huguenot settler at New Bordeaux) from August 1779 - May 1782. Andre wounded in action.
Architectural Significance
The Guillebeau House is a fine physical document on 18th Century pioneer construction in the South. It remains largely unaltered. Descendants of Andre Guillebeau continue to hold family reunions in New Bordeaux every other year and are most interested in promoting the purchase and restoration of the house. Since it is the only extant Huguenot building in New Bordeaux, its preservation is extremely important to the area and the state. (Source: National Register nomination form.)
— Submitted November 23, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
5. L. B. Guillebeau Tombstone
Aged 82 Years
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
6. Peter Guillebeau Tombstone
Aged 85 Years
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
7. Andrew Guillebeau Tombstone
Aged 82 Years
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
8. Peter D. Guillebeau Tombstone
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
9. Jane Guillebeau Tombstone
Aged 65 Years
Wife of
Peter D. Guillebeau.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
10. Andre Guillebeau Tombstone
Died in 1814 Aged 75 Yrs.
Died in 1814 Aged 75 Yrs.
the first settlers of this county.
Was a soldier in the
revolutionary war, and
received a wound in the hip.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
11. Mary Guillebeau Tombstone
aged 75 years
She emigrated from
France to this country
with her husband
(Andre Guillebeau).
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
12. Miss Susan Guillebeau Tombstone
Aged 75 Years
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
13. Catherine Guillebeau Tombstone
Aged 74 Years
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
14. Peter L. Guillebeau Tombstone
Died Jan. 13, 1891
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008
15. Top of Peter L. Guillebeau Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,948 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
