Near Sheldon in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ruins of Old Sheldon
Prince William's Parish Church
Photographed by Michael Stroud, January 2008
1. Ruins of Old Sheldon Marker
Built 1745-55. Burned 1779 by British. Rebuilt 1826. Burned 1865 by Federal Army. Named for ancestral home of the Bull family in Warwickshire, England.
Second Sunday after Easter
Erected 1956 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Beaufort County Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Beaufort County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1779.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 32° 37.091′ N, 80° 46.866′ W. Marker was near Sheldon, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It was on Old Sheldon Church Road north of Bailey Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Yemassee SC 29945, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, in the Ashepoo and Combahee
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Prince William's Parish Church (a few steps from this marker); Church of Prince William's Parish (within shouting distance of this marker); William Bull (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheldon Union Academy / Sheldon School (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Beginning (approx. 5.4 miles away); African American Troops at Honey Hill (approx. 5.4 miles away); Frampton Line (approx. 5.4 miles away); The Lowcountry (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sheldon.
Other markers no longer nearby. "The Frampton Line" (was approx. 5.4 miles away but has been
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 31, 2009
2. Ruins of Old Sheldon Marker
Also see . . .
1. Sheldon Church. Beaufort County Churches (Submitted on January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. Old Sheldon Church. More photos of the ruins, and a discussion of the Bull family and the surrounding community. (Submitted on January 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. from article Beaufort County Churches
The red-brick ruins of Sheldon Church, are off U.S. 17 on Old Sheldon Church Road, was originally Prince William's Parish Church. The Anglican church was built on land donated by William Bull beginning in 1745, finished around 1755. Bull was buried there in 1755. The original was adorned with equestrian statue of Prince William under a porch supported by the four free-standing Doric columns, that still exist. The church was burned by the British 1779. c1825, the church was partially restored. The church was burned a second time in 1865 by troops commanded by Gen. John
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 31, 2009
3. "Sheldon Church Ruins"
National Register Historic Places # 70000562
— Submitted January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
2. National Register of Historical Places:
Sheldon Church Ruins ** (added 1970 - Site - #70000562)
Also known as Prince William`s Parish Church
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
Architectural Style: Greek Revival
Area of Significance: Architecture, Social History, Military, Politics/Government
Period of Significance: 1750-1799, 1850-1874, 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Funerary, Religion
Historic Sub-function: Cemetery, Religious Structure
Current Function: Funerary, Religion
Current Sub-function: Cemetery, Religious Structure
— Submitted January 15, 2011.
Historic American Buildings Survey
4. Ruins of Old Sheldon Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC,7-SHELD,1-1
Photographed by Michael Stroud, June 2006
5. Ruins Of Old Sheldon
Today, all that stands of the old church are four brick columns and four exterior brick walls
containing arched windows and doors. It stands as a true testament to the hardships and
warfare that this state has experienced over its 300-year history. The cemetery contains the
graves of those brave men who stood for freedom and independence, as well as many others
who later followed their example. Several of the tombstones date to before 1700, making them
some of the oldest in the state.
Photographed by Brian Scott
6. Ruins of Old Sheldon Prince William's Parish Church
Photographed by Brian Scott
7. Ruins of Old Sheldon Prince William's Parish Church
Photographed by Brian Scott
8. Ruins of Old Sheldon Prince William's Parish Church
Photographed by Michael Stroud, June 2006
9. View from backside
Historic American Buildings Survey, circa 1940
10. Ruins of Old Sheldon
Historic American Engineering Record, HABS SC,7-SHELD,1-2
August 11, 2006
11. Grave of William Bull
William Bull of Sheldon
Born 1683
Son of Stephen Bull, the immigrant
Member of Colonial House of Common 1700-1719
Colonel of Berkley County Regiment, Tuscarora and Yemessee Wars
Lord's Proprietors Deputy 1719
Member and President of Council 1721-1737
Assisted in laying out of Savannah 1733
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina 1737-1744
Commissioner under the Church Act
He and his younger brothers, Burnaby and John Bull, were Commissioners for the building of Sheldon Church 1755
Died at Sheldon, March 21, 1755
His body lies buried here
Born 1683
Son of Stephen Bull, the immigrant
Member of Colonial House of Common 1700-1719
Colonel of Berkley County Regiment, Tuscarora and Yemessee Wars
Lord's Proprietors Deputy 1719
Member and President of Council 1721-1737
Assisted in laying out of Savannah 1733
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina 1737-1744
Commissioner under the Church Act
He and his younger brothers, Burnaby and John Bull, were Commissioners for the building of Sheldon Church 1755
Died at Sheldon, March 21, 1755
His body lies buried here
August 11, 2006
12. Visiting Friends
Friends
Who have come into our Church yard.
Please
Treat these sacred ruins, the gaves and grounds that surround them with the respectful reverence they deserve.
Let us
leave feeling Old Sheldon is not worse but better for our presence.
Who have come into our Church yard.
Please
Treat these sacred ruins, the gaves and grounds that surround them with the respectful reverence they deserve.
Let us
leave feeling Old Sheldon is not worse but better for our presence.
Historic American Buildings Survey, circa 1940
13. Ruins of Old Sheldon
Historic American Engineering Record,HABS SC,7-SHELD,1-3
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 6,811 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on January 11, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on June 15, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 26, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 9. submitted on January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 10. submitted on May 7, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 11, 12. submitted on January 17, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 13. submitted on May 7, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
