Flat Rock in Henderson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

C.G. Memminger

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 11, 2008

1. C.G. Memminger Marker

Inscription. Secretary of the treasury of the Confederacy. from Charleston. Native of Germany. Summer home and grave nearby.

Erected 1963 by Archives and Highway Departments. (Marker Number P-4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list.

Location. 35° 16.944′ N, 82° 26.57′ W. Marker is in Flat Rock, North Carolina, in Henderson County. It is on Greenville Hwy (U.S. 25) 0.1 miles north of Rutledge Dr.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Flat Rock NC 28731, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountains and in Greater Asheville.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. John in the Wilderness (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named St. John in the Wilderness (within shouting distance of this marker); James Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); George A. Trenholm (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mountain Lodge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hemlocks (approx. half a mile away); Flat Rock (approx. 0.6 miles away); Connemara (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flat Rock.

Regarding C.G. Memminger.

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Memminger was born in Nayhingen, Germany (in what was then the Kingdom of Württemberg). His father, Gottfried Memminger, was a military officer who died in combat a month after his son's birth. His mother, Eberhardina Kohler Memminger, immigrated to Charleston, South Carolina, in the United States but died of yellow fever in 1807. Christopher was placed in an orphanage.

Memminger's fortunes changed when, at the age of eleven, he was taken under the care of Thomas Bennett, a prominent lawyer and future Governor. Memminger was quite intelligent and entered South Carolina College at the age of 12 and graduating second in his class at 16. Memminger passed the bar in 1825 and became a successful lawyer. He married Mary Wilkinson in 1832. He entered state politics and served in the South Carolina state legislature from 1836 to 1852 and 1854 to 1860. Memminger was a staunch advocate of education and helped give Charleston one of the most comprehensive public school systems in the country.

C.G. Memminger Summer Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 12, 2008

2. C.G. Memminger Summer Home

The C.G. Memminger Summer Home later became The Carl Sandburg Home in 1945.

C.G. Memminger Grave Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 12, 2008

3. C.G. Memminger Grave Site

The Grave Site is located inside St. Johns in the Wilderness Church Cemetery.

C.G. Memminger image. Click for full size.

Historic Photo

4. C.G. Memminger

Christopher Gustavus Memminger Grave Marker, St John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2025

5. Christopher Gustavus Memminger Grave Marker, St John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church cemetery

Christopher Gustavus Memminger gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2025

6. Christopher Gustavus Memminger gravestone

Inscription:
In memory of
Christopher Gustavus
Memminger

Bora in Vaihingen
Kingdom of Würtemberg
Germany
9. January 1803.
Died 7. March 1888.

Oh for the death of them that die
Like Daylight in the West;
Thet sink in peace, like the waves of ore,
To calm, untroubled rest.
They stand before their Father's face
Their fears and conflicts o'er;
Redeemed and washed in Jesus' blood
They leave their Home, no more.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2008, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,781 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 11, 2008, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 12, 2008, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on September 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.