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| Another ancient St. Julien
seat. The residence when I was a boy, of Capt. Henry Ravenel*, a soldier
of the revolution and a worthy and respectable citizen, the brother of
the foregoing. He died unmarried in 1823, and the place became the property
of Daniel James Ravenel, by whom it was bequeathed to his nephew, Benjamin
Pierce Ravenel, son of Paul de St. Julien Ravenel. Mr. Ravenel married
his cousin Sarah, daughter of Francis
Marion of Goshen. Both he and his wife died early leaving only a daughter. Before his death he sold the place to Thomas Walter Peyre, Esqr., of St. Stephens who made it, his residence, and who was unfortunately for his country destroyed by fever in 1851. As he never married this time honoured Huguenot name perished with him, and Brunswick by inheritance passed to his sister Mrs. Isabella Porcher, the widow of Dr. William Porcher. Hereabouts are several remarkable sinks in the earth, which were formerly supposed to be Buffalo Licks; afterwards extinct fountains. They are caused, I believe, by the subsidence of the limestone substratum. These bottoms are firm enough to support a man's weight, but although very deep they never hold water even after the heaviest rains. I have frequently seen small holes made in this way. They are refilled with great difficulty. |
| *Brother of Rene Ravenel, third of the name of Pooshee. Capt. Henry Ravenel served at the battle of Eutaw Springs. He died in 1823. |
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