Near Bordeaux in McCormick County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
De La Howe Hall
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
1. De La Howe Hall Marker
Lethe Agricultural Seminary, founded 1797, was moved to this site in 1918 when it became a state school with the name changed to John De La Howe. A granite building with all facilities was built in sections from 1919 through 1925. Trustees serving were: J.M. Nickles, Rev. J.L. Tyler, J.U. Wardlaw, J.L. Sherard, W.I. Johns, Henry Buck, Albert Gilbert, S.C. Hodges, W.D. Morrah, Rev. W.H.K. Pendleton and advisory: Mrs. E.C. Von Tresckow, Mrs. P. Bradley Morrah and Mrs. A.F. McKissick. Rev. H.B. Blakely, superintendent 1913-19, was succeeded in 1919 by Rev. J.B. Branch who served until his death in 1931. Rev E.F. Gettys was superintendent from 1931-1966.
The granite building named De La Howe Hall in 1925, burned in 1937 and was replaced in 1938 with the present administration building also named De La Howe Hall.
De La Howe Hall was renovated in 1971. Trustees are Dave L. Hayes, Chairman; Mrs. Cy Young, Vice-Chairman; Jack R. Callison; T.A. Campbell, M.D.; John A McAlister; Frank E. O'Sheal, M.D.; Mrs. Grace P. Rhodes. Advisory: Mrs. Homer S. Blackwell and Mrs. C.K. Epting.
Erected 1938.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John De La Howe / John De La Howe School (approx. 0.2 miles away); John De La Howe School (approx. 0.3 miles away); John De La Howe School Enterprise Market Program at "The Barn" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Guillebeau Home and Family Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Andre Guillebeau (approx. 1.6 miles away); John De La Howe School Lethe Farm Trail (approx. 1.9 miles away); John De La Howe Forest (approx. 2 miles away); New Bordeaux (1764) (approx. 2.4 miles away); New Bordeaux Worship Site (approx. 2.6 miles away); Cherry Hill / Noble Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bordeaux.
Also see . . . Facebook: John de la Howe School. Official Facebook page of the John de la Howe School. (Submitted on December 13, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. About John de la Howe
The welfare of orphans not taken into homes was mainly left to individual benefactors. John de la Howe settled on the Savannah River after the revocation
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
2. De La Howe Hall - Main Entrance
— Submitted November 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
2. Dr. John de la Howe Death Notice
Died, on the 2d inst. at Long-Cane, in Abbeville county, district of Ninety-Six, in the 80th year of his age, Doctor John De La Howe. As a practitioner of physic, he was eminent in this country, for upwards of 30 years past; as a man of extensive learning he had few equals, and his benevolence endeared him to all who knew him. About twelve years ago he retired to Abbeville county, of which he was made a judge; there his whole time was spent in assisting those who stood in need of his advice. By his last will, having no children, he has left his estate to support a public school in Abbeville county. (Wednesday Jan. 18, 1797.) (Source: The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Volume 23 by the South Carolina Historical
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
3. De La Howe Hall
— Submitted November 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
3. The De La Howe Gift
Dr. John De La Howe, of Abbeville District, on the 7th day of September, 1796, made his last will and testament and thereby gave all of his estate, consisting of both personal and real, to the Agricultural Society of South Carolina, in trust, for the purpose of establishing on the plantation where he resided an agricultural farm and school, out of the yearly income, to feed, clothe and educate twelve poor boys and twelve poor girls, giving orphan children the preference. The testator requested Peter Gibert, Esq., to act as executor of the will until the Agricultural Society should name some of its members to perform that duty. By a codicil, without date, he appointed William Hutton a joint executor with Mr. Gibert. Dr. De La Howe died on the 2d day of January, 1797, and his will was admitted to probate on the 27th of March, 1797, by the County Court of Abbeville. An appraisement was made on the 5th of April, 1797. The appraised value of the personal property at that time amounted to $5,438.68.
In 1805 the Agricultural Society surrendered their trust to the Legislature, who accepted it, and by Act passed on the I4th of December, same year, appointed
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
4. Flag Pole and Plaza from the Steps of De La Howe Hall
On the 3Oth of December, 1806, the trustees sold the residue of the personal property. This sale amounted to $6,556.14. On the 27th of June they returned a statement of the personal estate, at that time amounting to $10,639.69.
The real estate consisted of quite a number of tracts of land situated in the Districts of Abbeville, Edgefield, and on the Edisto River. A certain part of the land was sold about this time, which produced a sum—added to the amount realized from sale of personal property—aggregating some $32,237.
The institution has had a changing experience since the above date. Today the institution is in possession of 2,700 acres of land, valued at $54,000, besides having $14,000 invested in good bonds. There is erected on the premises one brick building containing twelve rooms for the use of Superintendent and girls, and one four-room brick building for the boys, a commodious chapel in which preaching is held regularly—preacher paid by the trustees. The annual income of the farm is $3,500; expenses for maintaining school, Superintendent, etc., are $2,000.
In
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. John De La Howe Barn and Silos -
Front (East) Side
Front (East) Side
Dr. De La Howe was buried on the hill opposite to the dwelling on the plantation named by him "Lethe Farm." He requested a substantial brick wall should be built around his grave—not less than ten feet square, eight feet above the ground, with an iron door and lock, and that the following inscription, in large iron capitals, shall ever be kept encased: "Joes De La Howe, fundator, hipes Seminarie Agriculturalis," with date of his decease. (Source: Handbook of South Carolina, 2nd Edition by South Carolina Department of Agriculture (1908), pg 215.)
— Submitted November 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
4. Description of the De La Howe School
The American Farmer
1831
We have no information of the character of the deceased, nor of his wealth or will, but what is contained in an advertisement which we
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
6. McKissick Memorial Chapel -
West of De La Howe Hall
West of De La Howe Hall
— Submitted November 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
5. An Act to Establish the Dr. John De La Howe Industrial School
An Act to Establish the Dr. John De La Howe Industrial School, and Provide for Its Government and Maintenance.
Section 1. Dr. John De La Howe Industrial School Established.—Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, That there shall be, and is hereby, established under the provisions of this Act an institution to be known as the "Dr. John De La Howe Industrial
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
7. John De La Howe Forest Marker and Cemetery
The white structure is De Le Howe's Crypt. His wishes were that his grave not be marked by a headstone or monument, but by a wall. Others buried in the small cemetery are: Grave 1: Rev. James Bennett Branch, Aug 2, 1882-Jul 8, 1931, Superintendent of the de la Howe School, 1919-1931; his wife, Nora Pryse Branch, Apr 3, 1881-May 4, 1983. Grave 2: James Bennett Branch, Born Nov 13, 1921, Died May 10, 1945; He gave his life in the service of his country at the battle of Okinawa in WWII. Grave 3: Mary Naomi Beard, Mar 12,1909-Jun 9, 1936, wife of P.B. Moragne. Grave 4: Ernest Gray, Born Jul 28, 1916, Died May 18, 1929. Grave 5: In memory of Clifford Williams, Jan 1, 1919-Jan 23, 1929. Grave 6 and 7: Unmarked.
§ 2. Body Corporate—Powers.—That the Dr. John De La Howe Industrial School is hereby declared to be a body corporate and, as such, may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in its corporate name; may have and use a proper seal, which it may alter at its pleasure; and shall have the right to acquire by purchase, deed, devise, lease for a term of years, bequest, or otherwise, such property, real and personal, in fee simple without limitations, as may be necessary or proper for carrying out the purposes of its organization as herein declared.
§ 3. Appointment of Trustees—Term of Office.—That the business, property and affairs of the said Industrial School shall be under the control of a Board of Trustees, consisting of five members, who shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The terms of the members of the said Board first appointed shall be one, two, three, four and five years, respectively, commencing on the first day of April, nineteen hundred and eighteen, and thereafter upon the expiration of the term of a member of the said Board, his successor shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years; appointments to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or removal before the expiration of such terms shall be made for the residue of such terms in the same manner as herein provided for original
Photographed By Brian Scott, July 19, 2008
8. De La Howe Water Tower
The members of the said Board may at any time be removed by the Governor for good cause. The failure of any member of the said Board to attend at least one meeting thereof in any year, unless excused by formal vote of the Board, may be construed by the Governor as the resignation of such non-attending member. The said Board shall meet quarterly and oftener as may be required, at least one meeting each year being held at the said Industrial School. The said Board shall appoint an Advisory Committee of three women, for such terms as the said Board may determine, who shall visit the said Industrial School at least quarterly, and shall advise with the said Board as to its management and any other pertinent matters. All members of said Board and of the Advisory Committee of women shall serve without compensation, but their necessary traveling and other expenses shall be paid.
§ 4. Election and Powers of Superintendent.—That the said Board shall elect a Superintendent for said Industrial School, at such salary and for such term as they may fix. Thereafter, the Superintendent shall employ and discharge all employees of the said Industrial School, subject to the approval of the said Board.
§ 5. Oath of Trustees and Superintendent.—That all the members of the said Board and the Superintendent of the said Industrial School, shall, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, take an oath faithfully to perform any and all duties imposed upon them under this Act and amendments hereto. The Superintendent shall execute a bond payable to the State in such sum as shall be required by the said Board, with sufficient security, which bond shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.
§ 6. Purpose of School.—That in establishing the Dr. John De La Howe Industrial School, it is hereby declared to be the purpose and policy of the State to take over the property, now in McCormick, but formerly in Abbeville county, left by Dr. John De La Howe, and to maintain and develop same in accordance with the purposes of the will of the said Dr. John De La Howe as interpreted by the Supreme Court of South Carolina, Mars v. Gibert, 93 South Carolina, pages 455-467, namely: "First, The establishment and maintenance of an agricultural and mechanical school as an institution in Abbeville county, stimulating and improving the industrial life of the entire community; second, the training, free of charge, of twenty-four boys and girls, not as college men and women, but in the beginning of school life; and, third, the like training of the children of the neighborhood not supported by the fund." It is hereby declared, however, that the terms "Abbeville county" shall be understood to mean that portion of South Carolina known as "Abbe
ville county" at the time this will of Dr. John De La Howe was dated, namely, January 2, 1797.
§ 7. Trustees to Make Rules—Admission of Pupils.—That in accordance with the purposes of the said Industrial School as herein defined, the said Board of Trustees shall make such rules and regulations for their own government and for the management of the said Industrial School as they may deem necessary, consistent with the laws of this State and with the terms of the will of Dr. John De La Howe: Provided, That all applications for admission as boarding pupils shall be submitted by the said Board of Trustees to the State Board of Charities and Corrections before being granted. Thereupon, the State Board of Charities and Corrections shall investigate the applications and report their findings with their recommendations to the said Board of Trustees, who shall then, in accordance with such rules as they may make, determine which of these applications for admission shall be granted and in what order: Provided, further, That it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State that pupils at the said Industrial School, whose estates are sufficient, or the relatives of said pupils liable in law for their support, whose estates are sufficient, shall be required to pay for the maintenance of such pupils in said Industrial School in whole or in part; the manner and method of determining such financial ability and the collecting of the amounts required to be paid shall be similar to that now in force with regard to the students in the State colleges.
§ 8. Appropriation for Building—Certain Funds to Be Delivered to Trustees.—That for the purpose of erecting an adequate building for the use of said Industrial School and for further carrying out the provisions of this Act, the sum of thirty thousand ($30,000.00) dollars is hereby appropriated out of the funds of the State not otherwise appropriated, fifteen thousand ($15,000.00) dollars to be paid during the year 1918 and fifteen thousand ($15,000.00) dollars during the year 1919, to be expended from the public treasury on order of the Treasurer of said Industrial School, approved by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees: Provided, That all of the money now or hereafter in the hands of the Trustees of the estate of Dr. John De La Howe shall by them be delivered to the Board of Trustees created by this Act when so requested to do by the said Board of Trustees; and that thereafter all amounts received from said estate and its operation shall be appropriated for the support and development of said Industrial School, in the discretion of the said Board of Trustees.
§ 9. Act Effective on Approval—Inconsistent Acts Repealed.—That this Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the Governor; and all Acts or parts of Acts in conflict with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.
Approved the 19th day of February, A.D. 1918. (Source: Acts and Joint Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina (1917), pgs 803-807.)
— Submitted December 13, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,869 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5. submitted on July 17, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on November 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7. submitted on July 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 8. submitted on November 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
