Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site House Tour

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Welcome to
Redcliffe Plantation
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How to use this slide tour
Begin the Tour
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Four Generations of Hammonds
Owners of Redcliffe 1855-1975

Julia Hammond Richards and Henry Cumming
Hammond 1916-1935
James Henry Hammond and Catherine Fitzsimons
Hammond 1855-1873
John Shaw Billings and Frederica Wade
Billings 1935-1975
Harry Hammond and Emily Cumming
Hammond 1873-1916
Click the portraits of each family member to see
more information
Return to How to Use
Information about the Collection
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James Henry Hammond and Catherine Fitzsimons
Hammond
James Henry Hammond was a United States Senator
and Governor of South Carolina. Hammond owned
four plantations and enslaved over 300 African
Americans. Redcliffe was built for Hammond and
his wife, Catherine Fitzsimons Hammond, who moved
into the house in 1859. Hammond lived at
Redcliffe until his death in 1864.
Upon Hammonds death, Catherine took over
Redcliffe until she sold the plantation to her
oldest son, Harry Hammond in 1873.
Return to Hammond Families
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Harry Hammond and Emily Cumming Hammond
Harry Hammond and Emily Cumming Hammond owned
Redcliffe from 1873 until 1916. Emily Cumming was
from a wealthy family in Augusta, GA, and when
they moved into Redcliffe, she brought along some
of her familys bigger pieces of furniture, such
as two beds and a piano, to fill the house.
Emily passed away in 1911 and Harrys death
followed five years later.
Return to Hammond Families
Photo courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, USC
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Julia Hammond Richards and Henry Cumming Hammond
Julia Bryan Hammond and Henry Cumming Hammond,
two of Harry and Emily Hammonds children, took
over ownership of Redcliffe in 1916. The siblings
co-owned the house until 1935. During the Great
Depression, the house fell into disrepair. After
his sisters death, Henry decided to sell the
house to his nephew John Shaw Billings.
Return to Hammond Families
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John and Frederica Billings
John Shaw Billings and Frederica Wade Billings
purchased Redcliffe in 1935. While still living
in New York, John and Frederica worked on
renovations during vacations spent at Redcliffe.
In 1954 John retired as Senior Editor from
Time-Life Publications and the couple moved
permanently to Redcliffe.
In 1957, Billings created an inventory of the
collection at Redcliffe. The inventory includes
pictures and family information about many of the
artifacts and provides a very useful source for
us at Redcliffe.
As early as 1963 John began making provisions to
donate Redcliffe to the South Carolina State Park
Service, who took control of the property in 1975
upon his death.
Return to Hammond Families
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Redcliffes Collection

• Redcliffes collection consists of over 4000
  original artifacts including all types of
  artifacts from photographs and painted portraits
  to silver and books and many things in between!
• Some artifacts found their way to Redcliffe
  through family members who married into the
  Hammond family and some family members were
  antique collectors themselves.
• While it is difficult to know who owned each
  object the chart below provides an overview of
  the collection

Return to Hammond Families
Proceed to Magnolia Lane
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Magnolia Lane was used as the original driveway
leading to the east side of the mansion. Now
closed to vehicular traffic, the lane is
available as a short walking path for visitors.
Return to Collection Information
See the house
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Back to Magnolia Lane
Enter the House View the Floor Plan
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Click on a room name to see the room. Click the
in each room to find out more information
about the specific artifacts. After viewing each
room be sure to take a look at the workyard!
Work Yard
Back Porch
First Floor Bedroom
Library
MainHall
Begin Your Tour Here
Dining Room
Parlor
Front Porch
Second Floor
First Floor
Front of House
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Click on a room name to see the room. Click the
in each room to find out more information
about the specific artifacts. After viewing each
room be sure to take a look at the workyard!
Back Porch
Work Yard
First Floor Bedroom
Library
MainHall
Dining Room
Parlor
Front Porch
Second Floor
First Floor
Front of House
View the Work Yard
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1st Floor Main Hall
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Dont forget to click on the in each room to
find out information about the artifacts!
Back to Floor Plan
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William and Mary of Orange
Oil-on-canvas portraits of William and Mary of
Orange. Though the paintings appear to have areas
of repaint, the original painting may date as far
back as the late 17th century. The painter is
unknown. From the inventory created by John Shaw
Billings, the last Hammond descendant to own
Redcliffe An undocumented family story James
H. Hammond accepted them for a 20,000 debt from
Gov. Hamilton of S.C. only to find that they were
not originals.
Return to Main Hall
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Victorian Chaise Lounge
This antique Victorian period chaise lounge,
circa 1860, according to family tradition is the
couch where James Henry Hammond died. According
to Billings inventory, Hammond designed the
couch himself. During the years Billings owned
the lounge, the upholstery was changed at least
three times.
Return to Main Hall
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Parlor
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See more of the Parlor
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Parlor
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Previous view of Parlor
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Dunham Grand Piano
Antique American Square Grand Piano. Made by
Dunham Piano Company of New York, c. 1840's. The
piano has a Rosewood case and harp made of wood
and iron. Emily Cumming Hammond received this
piano for her 9th birthday!

Return to Parlor
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Mourning Portrait of Annie Cumming Hall
The high infant mortality rate in the 1800s and
early 1900s popularized the practice of
posthumous portraits of both children and women.
This painting portrays Emily Cumming Hammonds
sister, Annie, who passed away when she was 22.
We know from family records that this painting
was done posthumously and given to Annies
mother, but there are also several clues that
point to this being a mourning portrait. Annie
appears pale and stiff and wears a black dress
and a red shawl, colors associated with death.
Also, note the faint lily shown in the background
to the right of Annie which is another symbol of
death.
Return to Parlor
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The Transfiguration of Christ
The Transfiguration, an oil-on-canvas painting in
Redcliffes parlor was painted by August Temmel,
an Italian artist during the 18th century.
Temmels copy of Raphaels original circa 1518
painting, measures 96 x 62 about half the size
of the original. The painting depicts Jesus
Christ ascending into Heaven. A family story
explains that this painting was purchased by
James Henry Hammond on an 1855 trip to Europe.
Return to Parlor
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Minton Tiles
Minton Pottery Hearth Tiles, mid 19th century.
This is one example of how wealthy planters
attempted to impress their guests. Each rooms
fireplace on the first floor has a different
pattern of tile on the hearth. On the second
floor, there are only plain hearth stones around
the fireplace. It would have been uncommon for
guests to spend their time on the second floor so
there was only a need for tiles on the first
floor. Also significant in Hammonds time, these
were the same type of tile found in the U.S.
Capitol.
Information about the Capitols restoration of
their Minton tile can be found by following the
link http//www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/minton.cfm
Return to Parlor
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Library
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Back to Floor Plan
See more of the Library
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Library
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Previous view of Library
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Katherine Hammond Bust
The collection at Redcliffe includes several
busts of significant figures in Classical Greek
and Roman history, European literature and
American politics. One bust, less familiar than
the others, stands separate on a pedestal in the
library among these well known characters. This
marble statue is in the likeness of James Henry
Hammonds daughter, Katherine Hammond
(1840-1882), also known as Cattie.
Return to Library
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1904 Photograph of Three Generations of
Redcliffes Owners
This black and white framed photograph, taken in
the front of the mansion in February 1904,
features three generations of Redcliffe owners.
The photograph captures a young John Shaw
Billings with Emily Cumming Hammond, holding a
cup and saucer, and Henry Cumming Hammond, seated.
Return to Library
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Mosaic Souvenir
While this artwork may appear to be an ordinary
painting of the Coliseum of Rome, this painting
is actually an Italian micro-mosaic plaque made
of minute pieces of tile. Harry Hammond purchased
this artwork as a souvenir while in Rome in 1855.
The Coliseum is a popular tourist attraction and
these mosaics were often produced as a memento
for those vacationing on Grand Tours of Europe.
Return to Library
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Frederica Wade Billings
Frederica, nicknamed Skeeter, was Frederica and
John Shaw Billings only child. Shortly before
her 3rd birthday, Skeeter became ill on a family
vacation and died on September 28, 1929. The
Billings did not purchase Redcliffe until 1935 so
Skeeter never lived in the house, but these
portraits were displayed in the library while
Billings owned Redcliffe as reminders of her
short life.
Return to Library
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Time-Life
Included among over 2000 library books in
Redcliffes collection, there are 60 volumes of
Time and Life bound volumes dating from 1929 to
1944. John Shaw Billings worked at Time, Inc.
from 1929 to 1954. He began at Time, Inc. as a
National Affairs Editor and eventually became the
Editorial Director of all four publications
produced by Time, Inc., Time, Life, Fortune, and
Architectural Forum.
Return to Library
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First Floor Bedroom
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Back to Floor Plan
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1840s Four Poster Bed
Mahogany and Pine American Four Poster Bed, c.
1840. Family story suggests that the bed belonged
to the mother of Emily Cumming Hammond, the
second generation of Hammonds to own Redcliffe.
Her mother passed away on the bed at her home in
Augusta, GA. The bed was then crated and sent to
Emily at Redcliffe where it stayed crated in the
attic until John Shaw Billings moved into the
home in 1935.
Return to First Floor Bedroom
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Dining Room
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See more of the Dining Room
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Dining Room
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Previous view of Dining Room
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1890s Highchair
Antique Oak Highchair. Circa 1890. John Shaw
Billings notes that he used this highchair as a
child on his visits to Redcliffe.
Return to Dining Room
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Wooden Buddha Sculpture
From Billings inventory A gift from the Orient
to John Shaw Billings grandfather Billings in
Washington in 1880s. Johns Shaw Billings
inherited it from his father in 1928.
Return to Dining Room
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Tin Plate Warmer
Redcliffes kitchen was originally a separate
structure in the back work yard of the house.
This antique plate warmer could be placed in
front of the fire and because it is made of tin,
it would heat up quickly. The food plates could
be placed on the shelf to warm the food after
carrying it into the house on a cold winters day.
Return to Dining Room
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James Henry Hammond Portrait

This painting is a 1952 copy by Gerald Foster.
Billings suggests that the original, currently on
display in the main hall, was probably completed
in 1832 when James Henry Hammond was commissioned
to raise regiment in Barnwell for Nullification
as a young man. The uniform is unorthodox and
probably of his own design.
Return to Dining Room
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2nd Floor Main Hall
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Back to Floor Plan
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Louis XV Style Boule Center Table
Antique Louis XV Style Boule Center Table, circa
1840. The table is made of mahogany and pine with
bronze adornments, brass cutwork and inset
tortoise shell.  Due to the tables condition, it
is currently displayed in the 2nd floor hallway
of Redcliffe. Originally this Hammond showpiece
would have been a focal point in the 1st floor
hall or in the parlor, the two areas in which
guests spent the most time.
Return to 2nd Floor Main Hall
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Cumming Family Tree
Table of the Descendents of William Cumming of
Frederick County, Maryland. Compiled and Arranged
by Montgomery Cumming. Washington, DC, July 1,
1905. This framed family tree measures 30 x
48. Emily Cumming Hammond is shown as a
great-grandchild of William Cumming. Along with
the Redcliffe family history shown on this chart,
it is also interesting to take a look at the
large family sizes. Many families listed here
have over 10 children in their families!
Return to 2nd Floor Main Hall
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Map of Africa
Chart of the Western Coast of Africa. Extending
from Sierra Leone and the Isles de Los, to the
Cape of Good Hope. 1834. Created by J.W. Norie.
This map measures 32 wide x 82 long. It is
made of three sections and mounted on a wood
panel.
Return to 2nd Floor Main Hall
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Northeast Bedroom
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See more of Northeast Bedroom
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Northeast Bedroom
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Previous view of Northeast Bedroom
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1850s Victorian Bed
Circa 1850s Victorian Mahogany Bed Frame. This
bed has Emily Cumming Hammond and her aunts,
Sarah Wallace Cumming, initials engraved in the
headboard. After Sarahs death, Emily had the bed
made with the money left to her by her aunt. This
bed is thought to be the bed where John Shaw
Billings was born.
Return to Northeast Bedroom
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Wakefield Earth Closet
This is an early type of indoor toilet called an
earth closet. The back section held fine soil or
ashes which would have been deposited to the
lower compartment after each use to cover any
odors that occurred. After years of using the
basic chamber pot, the Wakefield Earth Closet,
patented in 1870, was publicly praised for its
vast improvements in hygiene.
Return to Northeast Bedroom
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Apothecary Box

• Antique Doctor's Apothecary Box, circa 1820-1830.
  The box is made primarily of mahogany wood with
  pine as a secondary wood.
• There are 10 glass medicine bottles in this box.
  Some still have labels including
• Syrup of Squill- to help with coughing
• PotassIodid- used as an antibiotic
• Extract of English Valeria- for diseases of the
  nervous system and headaches

Return to Northeast Bedroom
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Southeast Bedroom
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Back to Floor Plan
See more of Southeast Bedroom
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Southeast Bedroom
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Previous view of Southeast Bedroom
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Seth Thomas Sons Mantle Clock
This 1967 spelter mantle clock has an enameled
metal face with Roman numerals. The case is
decorated with lines and scrollwork. Two cast
griffins form the handles. Mounted on the cases
top is a cast covered urn form. An appraiser
noted that originally the case would have had a
bronze patina and also believed the top urn form
to be a replacement.
Return to Southeast Bedroom
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1860s Fleur di Lis Bed
Antique Victorian Period Bed Frame, circa 1860.
The frame is made of walnut. The high arched
headboard includes an inset tri-lobed panel and
carved crest. The decorative crest is carved with
a modified 'Fleur di Lis' and foliage scrolls.
Return to Southeast Bedroom
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Childrens Rocking Chairs
Antique Child's Rocking Chair, circa 1870. This
chair is made of walnut and has a woven cane seat
and back. According to Billings inventory of
Redcliffe, this chair belonged to Julia Hammond
Richards.
Antique childs wood and wicker rocking chair,
circa 1900 produced by Heywood and Wakefield. The
chair was purchased for John Shaw Billings only
child, Frederica Wade Billings, Jr.
Return to Southeast Bedroom
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Southwest Bedroom
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Back to Floor Plan
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Tin Hat Bathtub
To use this bathtub, the person being washed
would sit on the flat seat, and a slave or
servant would pour water over the person being
washed. A hole underneath the seat leads out
through the back so the tub could be tipped
backwards and dirty water could be
discarded. Tin hat bathtubs were used at
Redcliffe until 1935 when John Shaw Billings
installed modern plumbing.
Return to Southwest Bedroom
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Seven Piece Wash Set
Circa 1900 seven piece ironstone wash stand set.
The set is pink and white with gold flake
highlights and includes a toothbrush holder,
wash basin, cold water pitcher, hot water
pitcher, soap dish, shaving mug, and chamber pot.
Return to Southwest Bedroom
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In 1935, Billings constructed a dividing wall in
the original fourth bedroom to create two
bathrooms. This is an example of one of those
bathrooms which was very modern at the time.
His and Her Bathrooms
Back to Floor Plan
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The work yard originally consisted of four slave
quarters, a two-wing stables, cistern, kitchen,
and wash house. Two of the original slave
quarters structures remain. One slave quarters
was converted into a carriage house and later
became a garage for Billings. The cistern and one
wing of the stables have also stayed intact.
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Click on a below to look inside the stables
and slave quarters and to learn more information
about the garage, cistern, and kitchen.
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Go back inside the house
Learn more about taking a tour of Redcliffe
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To Work Yard
See Inside Stables
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Redcliffes existing stables were built in 1908
for Harry Hammond, James Henry Hammonds son.
Originally the stables included two wings as seen
in the photograph below. In the photograph to the
left, the hay chute and the basket for the hay
can be seen.
Photo courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, USC
Return to Stables
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Cistern
This cistern was probably installed at the turn
of the 20th century. The cistern collected rain
water that could be used to cook, wash clothes
and provide water for the animals.
A glimpse inside the underground cistern
Overhead view of the cistern
Return to Work Yard
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See Inside Slave Quarters
To Work Yard
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Exterior view of Slave Quarters
See 2nd room of slave quarters
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Back to 1st room of Slave Quarters
Learn about one of Redcliffes African American
families
Directly Back to Work yard
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Click on the stars to the right to find out more
information about individuals in the Henley family
Anthony and Lucy Henley
Sophie and Kiziah Henley
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Louis and Anthony Henley
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Joyce Ann Dunbar and Patricia Henley
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Dennis and James Henley
Back to Slave Quarters
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Anthony and Lucy Henley Enslaved Individuals
Anthony Henley was purchased by James H. Hammond
on October 22, 1834, along with two other
individuals, for 450.00. His wife Lucy was
probably purchased in the mid-1840s before the
birth of their first child, Louis, on August 25,
1847. We know little about their life during
enslavement beyond purchase dates, birth dates
and a general idea of their work. In the List of
Negroes 21 Feb. 1846 from James H. Hammonds
Plantation Manuals, Anthony is listed among the
general work hand population, and Lucy is listed
as working in the yard, or as a house slave.
Back to Henley Family Tree
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Louis and Anthony Henley Sharecroppers
Henley, Anthony
1870 US Federal Census for Hammond Township,
Edgefield County, South Carolina, USA. Featuring
the Anthony Henley, Henry Hogg (wife Maggie
Henley Hogg), and Louis Henley Households.
Henley, Louis
Following the Civil War, the Henley family is
listed in the 1870 US Federal Census on the page
before the current inhabitants of the mansion at
Redcliffe, probably an indication that they
lived close to or on the Redcliffe property. The
names of Louis Henley and his son Anthony are
mentioned throughout the account books of the
second owner of Redcliffe Harry Hammond
indicating members of the family were now
sharecroppers and tenant famers on Hammond lands.
Back to Henley Family Tree
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Dennis and Jim HenleyPaid Employees
Dennis and Jim Henley c. 1930s. JSB Scrapbook
Collection.
Letter to John Shaw Billings from Harry Hammond
dated November 6, 1953. Mentions both Dennis and
Jim.
Photo courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, USC
The family of Louis son, Dennis, features quite
prominently at Redcliffe in the 20th century. Of
Dennis twelve children, six are known to have
worked at Redcliffe including Jim who is
identified in the photograph and letter here.
Back to Henley Family Tree
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Sophie and Kiziah Henley Paid Employees
Two of Dennis daughters, Kiziah and Sophie, are
known to have worked at Redcliffe along with
siblings Jim, David, Lucy and Sarah.
I give, devise and bequeath the sum of Two
Thousand and 00/100 (2000.00) dollars to each of
my faithful employees David Henly, James Henly,
Kazzie (Kate) Willis, Lucy Dunbar and Sophie
Henly, if they shall survive me. The Last Will
and Testament of John Shaw Billings, Item 4
Back to Henley Family Tree
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Joyce Ann Dunbar and Patricia Henley The Fifth
Generation
Great-great-grandchildren of Anthony Henley,
Joyce Ann and Patricia. Joyce Ann is seen with
John Shaw Billings wife, Frederica in a 1962
black and white photograph from Billings
scrapbook. The 1961 color photo shows Patricia,
Sophie Henleys daughter.
Back to Henley Family Tree
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Redcliffes collection does not include any
original artifacts that belonged directly to the
enslaved or paid workers who lived in Redcliffes
slave quarters. We do have records from James
Henry Hammond that give us clues about the lives
of enslaved individuals. James Henry Hammonds
plantation manual includes information about what
kind of clothing provisions were given to the
slaves. Click the arrow below to see an excerpt
from Hammonds plantation journal regarding
clothing.
Return to Slave Quarters
View Historical Document
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Excerpted from James Henry Hammonds Plantation
Manual
(Hammond, James Henry. Plantation Books,
1832-1858. Library of Congress Manuscripts
Division.)
Return to Clothing Exhibit
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Kitchen
This location is believed to be where the
original kitchen structure once stood. Cooking
was one of the primary tasks of the enslaved
women and later paid servants at Redcliffe. John
Shaw Billings, as an infant, along with a few
paid servants are seen in this 1900s photograph
with the structure believed to be the kitchen.
The kitchen burned down and was rebuilt several
times. John Shaw Billings relocated the kitchen
into the basement of Redcliffe.
Photo courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, USC
Return to Work Yard
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Learn more about the Garage
To Work Yard
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Garage
This building is one of the original four slave
quarters. It was converted into a carriage house
in the late 1800s and then used as a garage
beginning in 1935 after John Shaw Billings
purchased Redcliffe.
Photo courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, USC
Photo courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, USC
This turn of the century photograph, circa 1900,
shows the slave quarters being used as a storage
shed.
Billings 1936 Packard parked in the garage.
Return to Garage
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Thanks for taking our online tour!
We hope you'll visit soon!

• Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site
• Open Thursday - Monday
• Grounds open at 900 am and close at 500 pm
• (600 pm during Daylight Savings Time)
• The Mansion is open to the public for house tours
  at 100, 200 and 300 pm
• Admission to the grounds is free.
• House tour admission
• Adults 4.00
• Students (6-16 year olds) 3.00
• SC Seniors 2.50
• Questions or comments Please contact us at
  803-827-1473 or email us at redcliffe_at_scprt.com

To Work Yard
Start the tour over!
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Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site Open
Thursday - Monday Grounds open at 900 am and
close at 500 pm (600 pm during Daylight
Savings Time) The Mansion is open to the public
for house tours at 100, 200 and 300
pm. Admission to the grounds is free. House tour
admission Adults 4.00 Students (6-16 year olds)
3.00 SC Seniors 2.50 Questions or comments
Please contact us at 803-827-1473 or email us at
redcliffe_at_scprt.com
Start the tour!