Pineville, a historic refuge Part 5: Theodore Gourdin II

Charles Fraser retired from law in 1818 and spent the remaining 42 years of his life producing miniatures of Charleston's leading citizens. He painted images of Theodore and Elizabeth Gourdin on a double locket after Theodore's death showing the love of a wife for her husband. This locket is now in the Yale University Art Museum. By Warner M. Montgomery

Warner@TheColumbiaStar.com

Louis Gourdin was a Huguenot who emigrated from France to Charleston during 1693- 95 in search of religious freedom and a new way of life. He and his sons were awarded vast grants of land from the colonial government, and with the aid of slave laborers they accumulated great wealth growing rice and indigo. By the time of the Civil War, the Gourdin family was one of the wealthiest families in S.C., owning nearly 200,000 acres of land and more than 600 slaves.

Louis Gourdin's great grandson, Theodore I, settled on the north side of the Santee River at Red Clay Plantation near what is now called the Gourdin community. When Theodore Gourdin I died in 1774, he left a considerable estate including 113 negroes, seven oxen, 63 head of cattle, 12 horses, seven sheep, and 60 hogs for a total value of 53,786 pounds plus 1,500 acres of land.

Young Theodore II, nine- years- old at his father's death, moved across the river to live with his uncle at Spring Plains Plantation. A few years later, he was sent to Europe for his education. He returned in 1783, just in time to witness the formation of the new American government.

Gourdin married Elizabeth Gaillard (1785), moved to Spring Plains Plantation near Pineville, which he had inherited from his uncle, and jumped into farming, land acquisition, and politics. He purchased plantations on both sides of the Santee River, eventually owning over 150,000 acres. It was said he could walk from Pineville to Georgetown without leaving his own land. His major crops were cotton, corn, and peas. He also produced rice, potatoes, oats, and sweet potatoes.

The valuable ferries over the Santee (Nelson's, Murray's and Lenud's) and their adjoining houses and plantations came into his possession giving him revenue from all traffic between Charleston and the Upcountry.

Theodore and Elizabeth maintained a home at Richmond Plantation in the village of Pineville where eight children were raised to adulthood. The 1820 census listed Theodore Gourdin II's household as seven white people, 461 slaves, and nine free persons of color. Twenty- five of his slaves were engaged in manufacturing, the rest in farming.

Gourdin's first public position was that of tax collector for St. John's Parish, Berkeley County, in 1787. Soon he expanded his role in county politics serving as commissioner of roads, commissioner of ferries, and trustee of Williamsburg Academy. In 1786, he was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives and in 1796 the S.C. Senate.

When the call came for someone to represent the district in Congress in 1813, Gourdin ran as a Republican and won. He served one term in Washington then returned to Pineville where he spent his remaining years farming and serving the Episcopal Church. Gourdin died in 1826 and was buried in the cemetery at the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.

His children divided his property and wealth. His descendants watched Pineville burn in 1865, suffered through Reconstruction, and gradually restored the land to productivity in the early 20th century. Much of the land has changed now. Except for three historic homes and the Episcopal Church, the village of Pineville has faded into the pages of history.

The blood of Theodore Gourdin II runs through the veins of Keith Gourdin who lives in Pineville today. As Keith tends to his farm on Buck Hall Plantation, he listens to the spirits of Thomas Walter, renowned biologist; Theodore Gourdin II, wealthy planter and politician; Gen. Francis Marion, hero of the American Revolution; and many others who took refuge in Pineville over the past two centuries.

Author's note: In this series, I am following Keith as he conducts tours of the village of our forefathers. What I am discovering is a rich history and a valuable legacy.

(Next week: Gen. Francis Marion)