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Dr. George R. C. Todd House

SC PICTURE PROJECT 4 Comments

SC Picture Project / Barnwell County / Dr. George R. C. Todd House

This home in downtown Barnwell was built around 1857 and is known to be the last residence of Dr. George R. C. Todd, brother of Mary Todd Lincoln and brother-in-law of President Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Todd was the youngest son of seven children, including Mary Todd, born to Robert Smith Todd and Eliza Parker Todd in Lexington, Kentucky. Eliza Todd died the day after giving birth to George Todd, and Robert Todd remarried Betsey Humphries 17 months later. Robert and Betsey Todd had eight more children. Despite the large number of Todd children under the care of Robert and Betsey, they were all well-educated, with George graduating from medical school in 1848.

George Todd House Barnwell

Melissa Roberts of Barnwell, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The following year, a cholera epidemic swept through Lexington, killing more than 500 people, including Robert Todd. George contested his father’s will, as George’s relationship with his stepmother was historically difficult. Despite this, the courts ordered all of Robert’s property to be sold at auction and divided among the remaining children and Betsey Todd. Shortly afterwards, Dr. Todd married his first wife, Anna Curry. However, she divorced him on grounds of cruelty just before the Civil War. They had a daughter together who later became the postmistress of Cynthiana, Kentucky.

George Todd House

Melissa Roberts of Barnwell, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

At the onset of the war, Dr. Todd joined the Confederate army as a surgeon. At odds with his brother-in-law President Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Todd referred to his sister, the First Lady, as “a poor, weak-minded woman.” It was in the role of Confederate officer that Dr. Todd’s brutality was most evident. He was frequently accused of maltreatment of Union prisoners and was known to abuse the corpses of Union soldiers while calling them “damn abolitionists.” Fellow officers complained directly to Confederate president Jefferson Davis of Dr. Todd’s behavior, and he was reassigned from his first post in Virginia to the 10th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. Here, his fellow Confederate soldiers endured more harshness from the doctor. In one recorded instance, Dr. Todd purchased an expensive keg of brandy and refused to share it with his troops. The soldiers later stole the keg from his tent, causing an outraged Dr. Todd to demand the arrest of the culprits, though no one was charged.

Todd House Entrance

Melissa Roberts of Barnwell, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Dr. Todd was transferred again to Charleston and then to Camden, where he met his second wife, Mattie Lyles. After the war, the Todds relocated to Barnwell, purchasing this house around 1870. He set up a medical practice within the home and had another daughter and a son, George, Jr. His daughter died before reaching the age of two. Mattie Lyles Todd died here in 1889, and Dr. George Todd lived in Barnwell until his death in 1900. The sign posted above the entrance to the Dr. Todd House reads, “Last home and office of Dr. George R. C. Todd. Born 7-4-1825, Died 4-27-1900. Surgeon in Civil War, Brother-in-Law of Abraham Lincoln.”

Plan Your Trip: Dr. George R. C. Todd House

Where is Dr. George R. C. Todd House located?
Address: 1418 Jackson Street, Barnwell, SC 29812
GPS Coordinates: 33.241987,-81.365171
What else should I see?
Buckingham House 0.1 mile
Christie House 0.1 mile
Barnwell Police Station 0.2 mile
Barnwell City Hall 0.2 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Barnwell Historic Sites
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    Dr. George R. C. Todd House Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Allen says

      July 8, 2019 at 11:00 AM

      Where in Barnwell is this house located?

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        July 9, 2019 at 12:11 AM

        Hello Linda! The home is located at 1418 Jackson Street, Barnwell, SC 29812. It is a private residence but can still be viewed from the street. For future reference, mostly every article we have in the SC Picture Project features the street address towards the bottom of the page, so you’re able to see the accessible sites in person. Thanks for checking in with us!

        Reply
    2. Steve Braun says

      January 20, 2017 at 11:30 AM

      Does anyone have photos of George R.C. Todd’s two wives – Ann H. Curry and Martha Belton Lyles? Thank you.

      Reply
    3. steve braun says

      August 27, 2016 at 1:38 PM

      Are there any photos of George R. C. Todd’s wives: Anna H Curry and Martha Belton Lyles Todd? I am collecting photos of the Todd siblings and their husbands and wives? Thank you. Steve Braun

      Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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