This abandoned farmhouse in the rural Colleton County town of Williams was built by Colonel George Warren in 1842. The town was known initially as Buck Head, but by the end of the nineteenth century, it was called Williams for Tom Williams, Colonel Warren’s brother-in-law, who donated land for a church and served as the town’s first postmaster in 1895.
A descendant of Colonel Warren, J.L.B. Warren, was the editor of the local newspaper, The Press and Standard. He also published a book on nearby Walterboro in 1939 entitled Little Pieces on Doings in the Nineties, With Peeps into the More Remote Past.
Paula Broderick Finley, whose family once owned the home, shared the following history with us in our Facebook group:
This was my great-great-grandfather’s house near Williams, SC. It was sold out of our family, regretfully, about ten to fifteen years ago. Col. George Warren first had a sawmill near Smoaks, SC.
He used a “branch” to move the lumber by water to this location to build the house. Later he built another sawmill near the house and a small village developed there. Later that mill was moved to Williams and is still owned by descendants of George Warren.
Col. Warren had a family here, farmed and was the High Sheriff of Colleton District. His daughter, Amelia Warren, (my great-grandmother) was raised here. She married Sidney Milton Key and lived many years in Beaufort. They had a son, Warren Eve Key (my Grandfather) who brought his wife (Ellen Nora Adams Key) back to this house In Williams where they farmed and raised eight children. My mother, Caroline Key Broderick, was born and raised in this house (DOB 8/8/1909).
My grandparents moved from the house to Walterboro to retire in 1945. The house looks rough around the edges now, but the structure is rock solid!
Several in my generation had great hopes of restoring the house for family gatherings. Unfortunately, that did not happen! I still love that house and our old family cemetery which is across the road. When turning onto George Warren Road to drive to Williams, I have such a wonderful feeling! I know who I am and where I came from. Having “roots” is fantastic! Most importantly, I have seven first cousins, [as well as] second, third, fourth, and fifth cousins and their families who proudly share this heritage with me!
A square grand piano used in this house is on display in the Colleton Museum.”
Interior Pictures of Warren Farm
Reflections on Warren Farm
Photographer Brandon Coffey says, “The first time I ever came across this magnificent house I had been traveling a new route between St. George and the Donnelly WMA. I had spent the day shooting wildlife and was starting to feel tired as the sun was setting. Driving along that old country road I happened to glance left just as the sun was setting and making the old worn windows of this farmhouse glow as if it were alive. Immediately I slammed on brakes and flipped around – I had to shoot this house! The way the sun filled the home filled it with an energy that was exciting to see. Ever since that chance encounter this has been a favorite spot of mine to revisit from time to time.”
The story of the origin of the mill in Williams confuses me as it is known that the Warrens purchased the mill from Lovic Pierce Griffin, my late husband’s grandfather. Mr. Griffin’s home was on the same property, and Russell D. Warren and his wife lived in Mr. L.P. Griffin’s home until Mr. and Mrs. Griffin died.
Thanks to the SC Picture Project and all who have contributed to the tribute to the GEORGE WARREN HOME post. My heart sings to see the pictures and read all the comments about our ancestral home. There are literally many, many cousins who appreciate your interest and celebrate our family history.
Paula Finley
Oh, I love the story of this beautiful house! I know exactly where the house is, and I have stopped and admired it from the road many times. My best friend is Lamar Smyly of Ruffin, and we admire this house. Lamar’s grandmother used to visit the lady of the house there in the early 1900s and has a great story from one of her visits about a runaway fugitive spending the night there! Thank you, Mrs. Finley, for your wonderful history of the house. You can be mighty proud, indeed, of your history!
This house was the home of my 3x great-grandfather, George Warren (b. 1803). A factual account of his family appears in my book, “Warren Cousins of Warren Township Colleton County, South Carolina.” I am unaware of any ghosts.
Ms. Brunson,
Your book “Warren Cousins of Warren Township Colleton County, South Carolina” sounds very interesting. Where is it sold? I would love to buy a copy. Your consideration regarding this request is tremendously appreciated.
Ingrid Morrow (843-991-7854)
Ms. Brunson, your book “Warren Cousins of Warren Township, Colleton County, South Carolina” sounds very interesting. Where is it sold? I would love to buy a copy. Your consideration regarding this request is tremendously appreciated.
Ingrid Morrow (843-991-7854)
My great-grandparents lived here with his family late [in the] 1890s until his death in the 1970s. Hebert and Eva Pringle. The owner who owned the property back then let them stay rent free. The owner told my great-grandfather that the place had ghosts, and I have heard a lot of stories of strange things happening – apparitions, dragging, talking, walking, slamming, piano playing, etc. My grand aunts and uncles, my mother and her cousins had stories for days of being terrified by the things that occupied that house. I’m curious as well as to the history and what happened here.
Jozetta, I knew your great-grandparents. My grandparents, Warren and Nellie Key, lived here and turned the house over to your family. We visited your family fairly often and always enjoyed it. Miss Eva took such wonderful care of the house and the square grand piano that was left there for them to use. It is now at the Colleton Museum if you would like to see it. Miss Eva kept quilts stacked on it for protection. It was a 16th birthday gift for Laura Adams Goodwin, my grandmother’s sister.
The first Warren was George Warren and his wife was Elizabeth. He was born in England and died after 1800. To give a time frame: George's son was Daniel Warren, Sr. born in 1765 (wife, Martha). Daniel died after 1840. Not sure where this George fits in.
In regards to the Warren Farm house and family cemetery, does anyone know what went on inside of the house? That house attracts a lot of bored teenagers looking for ghosts. I’ve been there a few times myself and it is super creepy.