Embedded Files
Families Residing Here
Families Residing Here
This is the oldest Octagon House in the State of Mississippi; it is one of two Octagon Houses with Longwood in Natchez, MS being the other home. Built in 1844, this home has had ONLY four families living here in its 175-year history: Raines, Blythe, Hutchison, and Swilley
This is the oldest Octagon House in the State of Mississippi; it is one of two Octagon Houses with Longwood in Natchez, MS being the other home. Built in 1844, this home has had ONLY four families living here in its 175-year history: Raines, Blythe, Hutchison, and Swilley
Raines Family (1844 – 1852)
Raines Family (1844 – 1852)
Dr. William Nathaniel Raines, with his wife, Ann Eldridge, came to DeSoto County, Mississippi, in 1844 from Sussex County, Virginia. He first came to that section of DeSoto County called “Little Virginia.” (Horn Lake was its post office). He had just completed his medical training at the University of Pennsylvania, married and had come immediately to this new land. He first bought land on the old Horn Lake Road and began the building of this famous eight-sided Octagon House as a gift to his lovely bride, Anne Eliza Eldridge in 1844 in what is now known as Horn Lake, MS.
Dr. William Nathaniel Raines, with his wife, Ann Eldridge, came to DeSoto County, Mississippi, in 1844 from Sussex County, Virginia. He first came to that section of DeSoto County called “Little Virginia.” (Horn Lake was its post office). He had just completed his medical training at the University of Pennsylvania, married and had come immediately to this new land. He first bought land on the old Horn Lake Road and began the building of this famous eight-sided Octagon House as a gift to his lovely bride, Anne Eliza Eldridge in 1844 in what is now known as Horn Lake, MS.
At the time of their marriage on the 15th of January 1844, William N. Raines was 20 and his wife was 18. Three of their children were born here – William Augustus, Samuel Lanier and Alfred Eldridge. Dr. William Raines and his wife Ann would go on to have 12 children in a 20-year period; sadly, half of these children would die before the age of six.
At the time of their marriage on the 15th of January 1844, William N. Raines was 20 and his wife was 18. Three of their children were born here – William Augustus, Samuel Lanier and Alfred Eldridge. Dr. William Raines and his wife Ann would go on to have 12 children in a 20-year period; sadly, half of these children would die before the age of six.
Since this land was still claimed by the Indians, it would be several years before he could legally claim title to it.
Since this land was still claimed by the Indians, it would be several years before he could legally claim title to it.
Blythe Family (1852 – 1899)
Blythe Family (1852 – 1899)
Dr. William N. Raines moved his growing family to a larger home in Hernando, MS where he continued his medical practice. He sold his Octagon home and surrounding lands to Greene Lee Blythe (age 28).
Dr. William N. Raines moved his growing family to a larger home in Hernando, MS where he continued his medical practice. He sold his Octagon home and surrounding lands to Greene Lee Blythe (age 28).
Greene Lee Blythe was a local land owner and he had married his first wife G. Abbie Smith Blythe in 1845 here in DeSoto, Mississippi. They had three children...one of them born in 1853. Records do not indicate what happened to G. Abbie Smith Blythe but Blythe married again on 17 November 1857 to Evaline B. McCuller. He would go on to have nine children by his second wife...two of them during the Civil War! Half of Blythe's children would not live until adulthood.
Greene Lee Blythe was a local land owner and he had married his first wife G. Abbie Smith Blythe in 1845 here in DeSoto, Mississippi. They had three children...one of them born in 1853. Records do not indicate what happened to G. Abbie Smith Blythe but Blythe married again on 17 November 1857 to Evaline B. McCuller. He would go on to have nine children by his second wife...two of them during the Civil War! Half of Blythe's children would not live until adulthood.
Hutchison Family (1899 – 1969)
Hutchison Family (1899 – 1969)
William H. Hutchison (age 34) acquired the Octagon House and 60 acres in December 1899 from Minnie Blythe Taylor (1873-1956), one of the three surviving children of Colonel Greene Lee Blythe. William was married to Ella A. Neeley in 1889 and they had six sons by 1899. Ella would later give birth to two daughters in 1900 and 1904 (the last daughter only lived for 8 days).
William H. Hutchison (age 34) acquired the Octagon House and 60 acres in December 1899 from Minnie Blythe Taylor (1873-1956), one of the three surviving children of Colonel Greene Lee Blythe. William was married to Ella A. Neeley in 1889 and they had six sons by 1899. Ella would later give birth to two daughters in 1900 and 1904 (the last daughter only lived for 8 days).
His wife Ella would die on May 23, 1912 and William H. Hutchison would die on November 23, 1929. Per William’s will, the house passed to two of his sons – John Ross Hutchison (1894-1963) and to Robert Henry Hutchison (1898 – 1974)
His wife Ella would die on May 23, 1912 and William H. Hutchison would die on November 23, 1929. Per William’s will, the house passed to two of his sons – John Ross Hutchison (1894-1963) and to Robert Henry Hutchison (1898 – 1974)
In 1953, the home was still owned by R.H. Hutchison but was used as a rental.
In 1953, the home was still owned by R.H. Hutchison but was used as a rental.
By the 1960’s, the house had been vacant for many years and was all but destroyed by weather and vandalism.
By the 1960’s, the house had been vacant for many years and was all but destroyed by weather and vandalism.
Swilley Family (1969 – Present)
Swilley Family (1969 – Present)
Bryan L. Swilley purchased the Octagon House and sixty acres for $60,000 in February 1969 from R.H. (Robert Henry) Hutchison (last surviving child of William H. Hutchison). When “Bo” Swilley first bought this property, he initially had planned to have the long-vacant, dilapidated house torn down. But the history and romance of the house directed him otherwise.
Bryan L. Swilley purchased the Octagon House and sixty acres for $60,000 in February 1969 from R.H. (Robert Henry) Hutchison (last surviving child of William H. Hutchison). When “Bo” Swilley first bought this property, he initially had planned to have the long-vacant, dilapidated house torn down. But the history and romance of the house directed him otherwise.
Fortunately, he was influenced by the late Gladys Slayden, owner of the antebellum Magnolias home in Holly Springs. Slayden toured Swilley’s dilapidated house and persuaded him to undertake what would become a three-year restoration, ending in 1972, of what Swilley called Mon Amour – “my love” because the house to him was akin to “a gracious lady who has seen better days”. While the revival’s cost, aided by New York expert Roy Munday, was not so lovely at the time, this home has become his “pride and joy” over the last fifty years!
Fortunately, he was influenced by the late Gladys Slayden, owner of the antebellum Magnolias home in Holly Springs. Slayden toured Swilley’s dilapidated house and persuaded him to undertake what would become a three-year restoration, ending in 1972, of what Swilley called Mon Amour – “my love” because the house to him was akin to “a gracious lady who has seen better days”. While the revival’s cost, aided by New York expert Roy Munday, was not so lovely at the time, this home has become his “pride and joy” over the last fifty years!
But no home, even “Mon Amour” would be complete without his bride-to-be Carolyn Reynolds whom he married in 1973.
But no home, even “Mon Amour” would be complete without his bride-to-be Carolyn Reynolds whom he married in 1973.
Before Restoration
Before Restoration
After Restoration
After Restoration
Google Sites
Report abuse