Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-05-19
The Home of the Prestons and Hamp-
tons.


around which cluster more interest
ing associations than are connected
with the Preston mansion, situated
in Columbia. This place was few
months ago sold to the nuns OF the
Ursuline Convent. 1t was built by
Ansley Hall, an Englishman, and
was subsequently sold to Wade
Hampton, the grandfather of Sena-
tor Hampton. 1t was occupied by
the Hampton family until 1910, when
it became the property of Gen. John
S. Preston, brother of the celebrated
statesman, William G. Preston.
That was the period of South Caro-
lina's power, when she was at the
zenith of her wealth, and no nation
eclipsed her in culture and refine
ment. This home of the Prestons
was a typical Southern home. 1t
was an illustration of the States rise
and her decline. Fortress like in its
stony strength, it stood amid forest
of tropical foliage. Within was all
that was rich and rare. Paintings
from the brush of eminent artists
decorated the walls, and statuary
cleaned in marble witness from
niche and alcove. Gorgeous tapes
tries and rugs of brilliant colors
illumined the sombre oaken panels
and floors with light and warmth.
This oriental luxury was EN- anced
by slaves who moved moi &lessly
about, hearing silver trays of fruit and
wine, while Others stood like statues
of ebony, awaiting the call of their
masters.
1t was here that the ruling spirits
of the day assembled. Pettegrew
and O'Neil, Preston and Hayne,
formed a galaxy, from which flashed
in rival a splendor darts of wit and
wisdom. Stately women presided
over this home with queenly grace.
This monarchal regime continued
until the outbreak of the war in
1861.
During General Sherman's occu-
pancy of Columbia the following in
cident occurred:
1t was the morning after The dread
full confagration that left the city in
ruins, that groop of homeless wo-
men were assembled in the graveyard
of st. Peters church. The sun was
rising in FURNISHED bars of light over
the smouldering city, and in the
dawn of the new day the scene was
wierd and pitiful. This littlenumber
who lowered together were the nuns
of the "Ursuline Convent" There
they stood, watching the convent
near in sight. the flames, like
serpents of fire, crawled from tier to
tier of the smoking walls, until sud-
denly they trembled and fell. In
their heavy arms they buried all that
was most sacred to those Christian
women. The crucifix, the shrines
and all else was transformed into dust
and ashes, and there they waited
these desolate sisters. Some bowed
low, until their sombre wells trailed
with the dank weeds and grass of the
grave, while others stood with a
sublime faith Illuminating their pale
faces. BY chance General Sherman
and staff passed by. Seeing the
desolate little group, he dismounted,
and approaching them, he extended
his hand to Mother Superior, and
cheerfully said, "Sister these are
times to practice Christian fortitude."
Fhe tall figure of Mother Superior
shrouded in the habiliments Of hel
church, lowered grandly, as she
calmly replied: "You, General, have
made them So" For a moment the
great soldiers face flushed, and he
was silent. "Madam, 1 am very sorry
that your Convent is burned" hi
said, "bnt you shall not remain
homeless; select any unoccupiec
house in the city, and it shall b.
yours" Mother Superior asked fol
the Preston House. Thisrequest wa
granted.
The mansion was accordingly oc
cupied and, retained by them unit
many months after the close of thu
war, when it twas again taken pos
session of by the Preston family. /
was then a wreck of its former
grandeur. The gigantic old tree
were enveloped in vines, and thu
walls were Wondering beneath mat
ted ivy and moss. The tropica
exuberance of bloom was replaced by
unkept hedges; water from broker
fOunfoinc drinOad on bodc of will