J. Outfield HERRIOT^[1]

• Name	J. Outfield HERRIOT
  Gender	Male
  HIST	Reflections by Sammy Way: J. Frank Williams, master farmer and preservationist SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS Needwood was the home of J. Frank Williams and his family in the Stateburg community on the King's Highway. Posted Saturday, June 19, 2021 6:00 am Reflections looks back at John Frank Williams, who became one of Sumter's most remembered farm agents who lived at Needwood, a beautiful plantation constructed in the Stateburg community; Mr. Williams and his family restored the beautiful antebellum structure circa 1910. This historic home became Mr. Williams' agricultural research site. Information provided for this article was obtained from The Sumter Item archives as well as the writings of Dr. Anne King Gregorie and Cassie Nichols. Research notes that "Needwood Plantation was constructed in 1827, and its first known resident was J. Outfield Herriot. The home was later purchased at a sheriff's sale by Frederick Wentworth Rees, grandfather of the noted lawyer Mark Reynolds. The house has passed through numerous owners including Benjamin Hodges, Mrs. Clara Reynolds, Samuel H. Ramsey and in 1910 J. Frank Williams, who completed a beautiful restoration on the house." According to the writings of Nichols, Mr. Williams " died at Medic Home Health Center in Melbourne, Florida, on January 4, 1980, shortly after celebrating his 99th birthday. He was convalescing there following an automobile accident which led to his failing health. He was born in Pickens County, son of Barnett Holloway and Melissa Robinson Williams; he received his education in the Easley schools and at Clemson, where he graduated in 1904. He married the former Florence Hendricks, who preceded him in death. They were the parents of eight daughters and one son." Ms. Nichols' research states, "Mr. Williams came to Sumter County as a teacher of agriculture and mathematics assigned to the General Thomas Sumter Academy located at the historic Acton Plantation. His students did their practice work in agriculture on the farm near the school, and thus began the initial pioneer demonstration farm in the country." This information was taken from family records provided by Josephine Williams Wilder and Mrs. A. H. Sr. "In 1908, he became farm agent of Sumter County, a position he held until 1924. He then began his own farming operations on the Needwood plantation in the Stateburg area; he and Mrs. Williams became Sumter's first Master Farm Family." Additional information in Dr. Gregorie's History of Sumter County indicates that J. Frank Williams took the position of farm agent following the resignation of Luther Martin, who served as agent for a brief period before retiring because of illness. He began instruction at Acton Plantation using materials supplied by the school. This home was in use until it was destroyed by fire in 1911. Williams taught agriculture there for one day a week in addition to supervising a demonstration plot for the school; for the other five days, he used a horse and buggy and drove through the county visiting farmers. When Acton was destroyed, Williams was forced to transfer his headquarters to Sumter and continued his work under the Board of Trade. In 1924, Mr. Williams resigned his position as farm agent to devote his entire time to his own farms and to develop his handsome residence at Needwood. He was replaced by J. M. Eleazer, who served for 22 years before being recalled to Clemson College. Needwood is restored Needwood became J. Frank Williams' obsession. The house was described as once being plastered on the outside, possessing a modified classic design which was typical of the structures of its era. The home had an above-ground basement supporting a white frame. The structure was also set far back from the main road then known as the King's Highway. The building was flanked by towering trees, and visitors traveling to the house passed through arching Carolina laurel. The building was distinguished by its wide portico, old-fashioned double parlors with unique folding doors and hand-carved mantels. The maintenance and restoration of Needwood was not the only contribution made by J. Frank Williams to the Sumter community. Ms. Nichols states, "He was one of the organizers of the Sumter County Fair Association, serving as its president for several years. He was also instrumental in forming the County Farmers' Union and served as president and was also elected vice president of the State Farmers' Union. He is credited with the organization of the Union Brokerage Co. and served as president of that corporation; he also helped in the establishment of Sumter Dairies and served for a time as its president." "John Frank Williams was a dedicated member of Wedgefield Baptist Church and served as senior deacon. He was interested in the welfare of others; he was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Sumter, a trustee of Tuomey Hospital and chairman of the board of trustees of the Stateburg School District for many years.  [1]
  HIST	Reflections by Sammy Way: J. Frank Williams, master farmer and preservationist SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS Needwood was the home of J. Frank Williams and his family in the Stateburg community on the King's Highway. Posted Saturday, June 19, 2021 6:00 am Reflections looks back at John Frank Williams, who became one of Sumter's most remembered farm agents who lived at Needwood, a beautiful plantation constructed in the Stateburg community; Mr. Williams and his family restored the beautiful antebellum structure circa 1910. This historic home became Mr. Williams' agricultural research site. Information provided for this article was obtained from The Sumter Item archives as well as the writings of Dr. Anne King Gregorie and Cassie Nichols. Research notes that "Needwood Plantation was constructed in 1827, and its first known resident was J. Outfield Herriot. The home was later purchased at a sheriff's sale by Frederick Wentworth Rees, grandfather of the noted lawyer Mark Reynolds. The house has passed through numerous owners including Benjamin Hodges, Mrs. Clara Reynolds, Samuel H. Ramsey and in 1910 J. Frank Williams, who completed a beautiful restoration on the house." According to the writings of Nichols, Mr. Williams " died at Medic Home Health Center in Melbourne, Florida, on January 4, 1980, shortly after celebrating his 99th birthday. He was convalescing there following an automobile accident which led to his failing health. He was born in Pickens County, son of Barnett Holloway and Melissa Robinson Williams; he received his education in the Easley schools and at Clemson, where he graduated in 1904. He married the former Florence Hendricks, who preceded him in death. They were the parents of eight daughters and one son." Ms. Nichols' research states, "Mr. Williams came to Sumter County as a teacher of agriculture and mathematics assigned to the General Thomas Sumter Academy located at the historic Acton Plantation. His students did their practice work in agriculture on the farm near the school, and thus began the initial pioneer demonstration farm in the country." This information was taken from family records provided by Josephine Williams Wilder and Mrs. A. H. Sr. "In 1908, he became farm agent of Sumter County, a position he held until 1924. He then began his own farming operations on the Needwood plantation in the Stateburg area; he and Mrs. Williams became Sumter's first Master Farm Family." Additional information in Dr. Gregorie's History of Sumter County indicates that J. Frank Williams took the position of farm agent following the resignation of Luther Martin, who served as agent for a brief period before retiring because of illness. He began instruction at Acton Plantation using materials supplied by the school. This home was in use until it was destroyed by fire in 1911. Williams taught agriculture there for one day a week in addition to supervising a demonstration plot for the school; for the other five days, he used a horse and buggy and drove through the county visiting farmers. When Acton was destroyed, Williams was forced to transfer his headquarters to Sumter and continued his work under the Board of Trade. In 1924, Mr. Williams resigned his position as farm agent to devote his entire time to his own farms and to develop his handsome residence at Needwood. He was replaced by J. M. Eleazer, who served for 22 years before being recalled to Clemson College. Needwood is restored Needwood became J. Frank Williams' obsession. The house was described as once being plastered on the outside, possessing a modified classic design which was typical of the structures of its era. The home had an above-ground basement supporting a white frame. The structure was also set far back from the main road then known as the King's Highway. The building was flanked by towering trees, and visitors traveling to the house passed through arching Carolina laurel. The building was distinguished by its wide portico, old-fashioned double parlors with unique folding doors and hand-carved mantels. The maintenance and restoration of Needwood was not the only contribution made by J. Frank Williams to the Sumter community. Ms. Nichols states, "He was one of the organizers of the Sumter County Fair Association, serving as its president for several years. He was also instrumental in forming the County Farmers' Union and served as president and was also elected vice president of the State Farmers' Union. He is credited with the organization of the Union Brokerage Co. and served as president of that corporation; he also helped in the establishment of Sumter Dairies and served for a time as its president." "John Frank Williams was a dedicated member of Wedgefield Baptist Church and served as senior deacon. He was interested in the welfare of others; he was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Sumter, a trustee of Tuomey Hospital and chairman of the board of trustees of the Stateburg School District for many years.
  _UID	61772A0E87004F44B1587E477765C668021F
  _UID	61772A0E87004F44B1587E477765C668021F
  Person ID	I333383	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	20 Jun 2021

  
  

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  [S28952] J. Frank Williams, master farmer and preservationist.