Dye-White Farm, County Road 244, Heardmont

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA,53-HEAR.V,2-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Jim White, owner of the largest amount of land held by a black in the Heardmont neighborhood, was the only black person in that community to accumulate a sizeable acreage without inheriting all or part of his land. Black ownership of more than one hundred acres was most unusual in Elbert County in the early twentieth century. The barn, smokehouse, and one-story center-hall-plan house were the only structures on the farmstead when White moved there in at present there are thirty-seven out~ buildings associated with the farm. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History 1. Date of erection: Early twentieth century.

According to Ed Brownlee, the house was built by Bynum Dye and his son, Shelton, sometime prior to Dye finished only one room of the house before he began occupying it; the other rooms were finished and the addition added before Jim White moved there in 2. Architect: none known 3. Original and subsequent owners: The deeds for Bynum Dye's original acquisition and Jim White's purchase from him cannot be located. Deed Book 7, page Jim White purchased two 50-acre tracts from the heirs of Bynum Dye, Shelton Dye and Estelle Bone, for This property had a house on it; it was probably one of the houses near Beaverdam Creek labeled Dye" on Baker's map. The White family moved to that house about and lived there until DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO.

GA-31 (page 2) Deed book 12, pages 492 and Jim White ac- quired four and one-half acres from Martin Dye for and two 100-acre tracts from the heirs of W. F. Anderson for each. Unrecorded. Jim White's land was purchased by the Wateree Power Company and he used this money to buy 50 acres, including a farmstead from Shelton Dye, who was forced to sell his land because he could not pay the taxes on it. This is the Dye-White Farm. Deed book 17, page Jim White increased his acreage, buying 57 acres from Elizabeth Tutt for Deed book 21, page Jim White bought another 15 acres from Elizabeth Tutt for Jim White died in his wife having predeceased him in Ownership of the land and management of the farm passed to their four unmarried daugh- ters, Laura, Ludie, Emma C, and Inez. The U. S.

Army Corps of Engineers acquired the farm from the White sisters. 4. Original plans and construction: The house, which retains its original appearance, is a frame, one-and-a- half story, center-hall-plan structure with four rooms and a rear addition. The main block has a hipped roof with two front gables. The one-story three-room addition has a shed roof. 5. Alterations and additions: The rear addition, consisting of a kitchen and two pantries, was added before Jim White bought the farm in and may be considered part of the original structure. Jim White made few alterations to the house during his thirty-year occupancy. The interior was not altered until when Inez White installed panelling in the hallway and southwest bedroom.

Card- board was tacked on over the wallpaper in the other rooms and painted. Salvageable wood was removed from the house after the White sisters vacated in B. Historical Context The community of Heardmont is so named because it lies adja- cent to the antebellum plantation of Governor Stephen Heard. The community was always agricultural rather than industrial, DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (Page 3) and the crossroads town of Heardmont included the offices of prominent white landowners of the community, their general stores and gins, the post office, and the Heardmont railroad depot. In about approximately one hundred families comprised the Heardmont rural community. In the early twentieth century, several white landowners con- trolled the majority of land in the area.

The largest farm was that of the McCalla estate, comprising more than acres. Sam Mattox had the next largest farm, and Frierson and Orr also had a substantial amount of land, although they rented part of the land they farmed. McCalla was the largest employer of black farmhands and tenants in the neighborhood, and Frierson and Orr had nearly as many; the White sisters estimate that they each employed between 100 and 200 hands. Mattox used prison chain gangs as well as tenants and hired hands. Most of the tenants of white landowners, and many of the black landowners, left the area in the and early because of the poor economic conditions. For the most part, they migrated north to the cities and never returned to this area.

The amount of land owned by blacks in Elbert County varied year to year but increased gradually after The per- centage of land owned by blacks in Elbert County ranged from 4 to 6% between and and increased to 8% by Black land ownership in the Ruckersville Militia District, which contains the rural communities of Ruckersville and Heardmont, is significantly different than that of the county as a whole. Before the Civil War, three white landowners in the district fathered children by one of their black slaves, and in each case their mulatto children inherited land from them. This was the basis for the disproportionately high per- centage of black land ownership in the two neighborhoods. In 16% of the land in the Ruckersville District was black- owned .

In the Heardmont neighborhood, almost all the black-owned land was held by Jarret, Bynum, and Laura Dye and their descendants, the exceptions being Willie and Mary Wall and Jim White. By there were only three black landowners in Elbert County who had holdings larger than 200 acres. Within the Ruckers- ville District, Jim White was the largest single black land- owner in with 357 acres, followed by Ed Brownlee with 228 acres, Marion Heard with 150 acres, and Martin Dye with 100 acres. The other ten black landowners in the District all had holdings of less than 65 acres. DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (page 4) Jim White came from Ninety-Six, South Carolina, to the Heard- mont area in to work on the construction of the Georgia, Carolina and Northern Railroad.

In he married Addie Heard; they had eleven children. Until about Jim White worked for the railroad in South Carolina, coming home to Heardmont on weekends. Then he began tenant farming. From about he rented from Mildred Elliott on the Beverly Plantation. In he began acquiring his own farm land. Jim White's success at farming was undoubtedly due to the fact that he diversified. In the early twentieth century in Elbert County, cotton-based agriculture became increasingly less profitable. Few farms rotated crops or introduced a variety. Jim White, though, was able to sell produce and meat as cash crops when the price of cotton was low and other farmers were forced into debt.

The growth of White's farmstead reflected his increasing farm production: between and he added a new barn every year or two during the slack season in July until he had four or five substantial barns on his farm. The Whites grew almost every southern crop on their farm except rice: cotton, peas, corn, wheat, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and sugar cane; they also had a vegetable garden and fruit trees. They owned a syrup mill and canned 70 to 80 gallons of syrup a year, mostly for home consumption. Live- stock included hogs, cattle, chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys. They had three milk cows but no springhouse or milkhouse. Milk was kept cool by placing it in a pail of cool well water, which was changed several times a day.

Fish from the Beaverdam Creek formed a significant part of the family's diet. In about the White family sold approximately one-third of what they produced. Since most tenant families in the area had little or no garden, and no significant acreage in peas or sweet potatoes, the whites found a ready market for their stored produce in the late winter and early spring months. Sweet potatoes were a basic foodstuff, as they were everywhere in the south at that time. Because the Whites planted a large potato crop to sell, a special building (copied from Jerry Johnson, another diversified farmer in the neighborhood) was constructed to hold the potatoes during the winter months.

The sweet potatoes were covered with a canvas to protect them from frost in the winter and were uncovered when it got too hot. DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (page 5) When the White family traded at Heardmont in the early there were three general stores, all owned by prominent white landlords in the community: T. B. Tucker, G. W. Gray, and Frierson and Orr. Both Frierson and T. B. Tucker owned cotton gins as well as general stores. As early as the turn of the century there was a black-owned sawmill and cotton gin in the Heardmont community, both owned by Bynum Dye. Black land- owners and tenants, unlike sharecroppers, were free to choose the gins and mills that offered the best rates, and to negoti- ate the purchase of supplies in the larger towns.

Four black carpenters built homes for residents of the Heard- mont area. George Verdell was a carpenter, as were George Gray and his two sons, Johnny and Wiley Gray. The houses and outbuildings common in the neighborhood were very similar to the major structures still extant on the Jim White farm: one- story, four-room frame houses with a center-hall plan and collections of small frame single- or dual-purpose outbuild- ings constructed in familiar forms. Many early twentieth century outbuildings were of log construction; the White sisters remember helping to strip the bark off logs as children to build their barns and outbuildings. According to the White sisters, most of these log outbuildings were con- structed with either half-dovetail or full-dovetail notching.

After Addie White died in followed by her husband less than two years later, their four unmarried daughters, who were still living and working on the farm, took over its management. They were Laura, born in Ludie, born in Emma C, born in and Inez, born in Only Inez, a school- teacher who spent several summers at school in Savannah, Atlanta, and Athens, has spent more than a week or two away from the farm. The White sisters continued farming as their father had before them. As the soil became poorer as a result of over-intensive cultivation, the White sisters decreased the number of acres planted. They grew their last cotton crop in but as late as had 61 acres of cropland. They never owned a tractor, preferring to rely on mules.

In the White sisters were relocated by the Corps of Engineers to a site one-half mile west of this one, where they continue their subsistence farming. DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (page 6) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1. Architectural character: The hip-roofed, one-and-a-half story frame Dye-White house is built on a traditional center-hall plan with a one-story shed-roofed addition to the rear. 2. Condition of fabric: The house was badly vandalized in July B. Description of Exterior 1. Overall dimensions: One story, essentially square with a rear ell. 2. Foundations: Log piers with some cement block piers. 3. Walls: Weatherboard siding, 5V wide, over frame. 4. Structural system, framing: Conventional frame construc- tion.

Studs and rafters are rough-cut lumber, 2" x 4", studs spaced 2! on center. The joists are 2" x 5. Porches: The porch across the east front had a wall about 3* high covered with weatherboard siding, 2" x 4" posts, and a shed roof. It was screened. The porch on the rear was similar. 6. Chimneys: Two brick chimneys 7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: None remaining. b. Windows: All of the windows had two-over-two-light double-hung sash with screens. 8. Roof: Hip roof with two gables on the east front. Green asphalt shingles cover the original shakes. C. Description of Interior 1. Floor plan: Center-hall plan, four rooms. Kitchen wing on rear. # DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (Page 7) 2. Flooring: Tongue and groove boards 4" wide covered with linoleum. 3.

Wall and ceiling finish: Walls and ceilings are beaded 3" x V' tongue and groove boards. The porch walls have plasterboard finish. Some interior walls were plastered with newspaper. There was a dropped ceiling in the house at one time. D. Site 1. General setting and orientation: The farm is located on the crest of a hill .5 mile north of Beaverdam Creek and 1.4 miles southeast of the former town of Heardmont. The house is located at the highest point of the crest with a valley south of the main house. The outbuildings are located mainly to the southeast and southwest. There is a heavy forest to the northwest, south, and southeast of the farm. There are several large fields located to the southwest, north, and east of the main house. 2.

Outbuildings: The thirty-seven outbuildings illustrate the agricultural development of the farm from the early twentieth century until the present. The structures built before were of simple frame construction, built with local lumber, with logs used for sills and some posts. After buildings and repairs were made with rough-sawn lumber, small logs and branches nailed together, chicken wire, and rolled tarpaper roofing. a. Outbuildings constructed before by Bynum and Shelton Dye: (1) Cow Barn: A three-bay barn, x with shed-roofed additions on the southwest and northeast sides. Frame construction with rough- sawn lumber, corner posts measuring and interior wall studs measuring Some log posts on the interior. Roof was tarpaper with a metal ridge. The sheds have small logs for roof rafters.

The exterior walls were vertical plank siding. The building has totally col- lapsed. DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (page 8) (2) Smokehouse: The small rectangular smokehouse has completely collapsed. It is not possible to determine its original form. (3) Fruit tree grove: Originally containing apple, pear, cherry, and peach trees, this grove was replanted with peach trees as the original trees died, beginning ca. (4) First well: This well was never finished. A spring located northwest of the farmstead was used as the source of water until b. Outbuildings constructed between and by Jim White: (1) Corn crib: Built in the one-and-a-half- story corn crib measures x with shed additions, the main building measuring ll'-O" x Frame construction with log studs 2' on center. Log foundations.

Gable roof has 2" x 6" rafters covered with roll asphalt with many patches. The siding is horizontal planks which measure x 8" to Horizontal plank door on the first level and vertical plank door on the second level. By the summer of the building had col- lapsed. (2) Corn and pea barn: Built in the one- story corn and pea barn measures 14' -0" x 24' The shed additions on the north and south sides are 8' wide; the main structure measures 8' x The structure has two levels, with the second level used for light storage. The foundations are stone piers. The structure is built of logs and small tree trunks, with horizontal planks measuring x 8" to 10" for siding. The elevated plank floor was supported by four logs 3 V apart.

There is a gable roof with metal covering on the main structure, and the shed roofs on the additions have rolled asphalt roofing. DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (page 9) (3) Hog pens: This set of outbuildings was begun in and repairs and construction of ad- ditional buildings have been extensive. The pens are constructed out of log posts and branches with a few 2" x 4"s here and there. The branches are from 1" to 3" in diameter. Planks covered with rolled asphalt roofing form the roof. The fences are constructed of barbed wire with 3" diameter log posts and some angle bracing at the corners. (4) Grape arbors: The first grape arbor was con- structed in and two others were added later.

(5) First dog house: Constructed in the build- ing consists of short poles nailed horizontally to a wood frame, with tarpaper roofing. (6) Fencing: Initially the Whites had no fenced pasture; the cows were staked out until enough woodland was cleared for a pasture. Fencing consists of wood posts and barbed wire. (7) Calf barn: Built in the calf barn is a lean-to structure 16'long and 6' deep, with the open end facing northeast. Constructed of branches with rolled asphalt roofing. (8) Privy: Built in the privy measures 6' x 5' . Stone foundation. Shed roof with rolled asphalt. Siding is horizontal planks measuring x 6". (9) Hay barn: Built in the hay barn measures x with sheds on the south, west, and north sides. The main structure is x with the side sheds lO'-O" and the rear shed deep.

Log foundations. Floor- ing is 1" x 6" to 10" planks supported on 2" x 8" joists. The corner-posts are 4" x 6" and the studs are 2" x 4", 2' on center. The siding consists of weatherboards 5V wide. The roofing is rolled asphalt set on planking. There is a loft on the interior. DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (page 10) Chicken houses: The chicken brooder house was built in and other chicken houses were built in First Greenhouse: Built in c. Outbuildings constructed between and by the White sisters: (1) Cow pens: The first of this set of three build- ings enclosed in two fenced areas was built in The pens measure x x and x The structural system is log framing members nailed together and covered with horizontal planking. The shed roofs are planking covered with rolled asphalt.

(2) Chicken houses: built in (3) Cow and mule barn: Built in this barn measures x It has conventional frame construction with horizontal planking on the exterior. The shed roof has rolled asphalt roofing. There are two front doors and an interior partition dividing the building into two sections. (4) Fruit jar storage and lye soap storage house: These two special-purpose storage buildings were constructed in I960 and respectively. (5) Second well: The second well was drilled in (6) Second and third greenhouses: Built in and These greenhouses were constructed of wood members covered with pliofilm sheeting. (7) Turkey house and chicken house: Both built in (8) Garage: Built in the garage measures x With no foundation, it is of frame construction with horizontal siding 5 V wide.

The gable roof has rolled asphalt roof- ing. There are two vertical-plank hinged doors. DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (page 11) (9) Second and third dog houses: Built in and Children's play house: Built in d. Other outbuildings: As the White sisters remember the farmstead ca. there was at least one more large barn and several smaller log outbuildings. After their father's death in these were moved out or disassembled and used to construct new structures. PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION A. Early Views: The Corps of Engineers Real Estate Office in Elberton has color photographs of the house, greenhouse, and two barns before they were vandalized; photos undated. B. Interviews: Interview with Laura, Ludie, Emma C.

, and Inez White at their new home near Beaverdam Creek, August 7 and 9, Telephone interview with Ed Brownlee of rural Elbert County, August 14, C. Bibliography 1. Primary and unpublished sources: Elbert County Deed Records, Clerk of Courts Office, Elbert County Courthouse, Elberton, Georgia. Elbert County Marriage Records, Colored, Book B., page Elbert County Tax Digests, Georgia State Archives, Atlanta, Georgia. "Maps of Elbert County, Georgia, by J. W. Baker, Copyright by J. W. Baker, Hartwell, Georgia. Field- work by H. K. Ertzberger, Penwork by H. H. Wilcox." Georgia State Archives: Department of the Surveyor General, Atlanta, Georgia. Research files, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Real Estate Office, Elberton, Georgia. DYE-WHITE FARM HABS NO. GA-31 (page 12) 2.

Secondary and published sources: Fisher, James S. "Negro Farm Ownership in the South," Anna1s, American Association of Geographers, (December pp. Johnson, Charles S. Statistical Atlas of Southern Counties: Listing and Analysis of Socio-Economic Indices of Southern Counties. Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Press, p. 95- Prepared by: LeAnne Baird Project Historian and Richard J. Cronenberger Project Supervisor HABS Summer PART

Project Information

The documentation of the historic resources within the Richard B. Russell Dam Project was undertaken by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in cooperation with the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service's Interagency Archeological Services (IAS), Atlanta, Georgia, and cosponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District Office in compliance with Executive Order as a mitigative effort in the construction of the lake. The project was executed under the direction of John C. Poppeliers, Chief, and Kenneth L. Anderson, Principal Architect, of HABS. The emergency recording was carried out during the fall of by the Historic American Buildings Survey's Washington, office: Project Supervisor, Richard J. Cronenberger; Staff Architects, Reginald A.

Berry (Howard University), David T. Marsh, Jr. (Howard University); and Staff Landscape Architect, Paul D. Dolinsky. The buildings were researched in the summer of by LeAnne Baird, Project Historian, and Marcie Robertson, Assistant Historian. The written data were edited by Alison K. Hoagland in the HABS Washington Office in February