Frederick Nance House

Prominent local figure Frederick Nance House built this grand, antebellum Classical Revival home in 1825. Its size and design, which are unique in Newberry, reflect his leading status in the community and state in the early 1800s. Nance was a successful businessman, planter, and politician, serving as lieutenant governor of South Carolina from 1808 to 1810. The most notable feature of the house is the large portico with fluted Doric columns and pediment. There are three other structures on the property, one of which is a historic slave house built around the same time as the Nance House. The Nance House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Information about Frederick Nance's life is not readily available, but what is known is that he was one of the first settlers in Newberry and acquired a significant amount of property in the area. He was a respected figure and was often referred to as "Major Nance." In addition to serving as lieutenant governor, he also served in the state senate from 1812-1819. In the senate, he was a member of the committee that successfully convinced architect Robert Mills, who was known for designing the Washington Monument, to become the state engineer (Mills designed the Newberry courthouse and jail; he also may have designed the Nance House). After Nance died in 1840, the house remained in the family until 1862 when it was sold to a leading physician from Charleston. It has remained a private residence ever since.

Cross, William B. "Frederick Nance House." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. July 27, 2014. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/fb26ef32-dd93-4215-89f6-fae0dab54edb.