Flat Grove, The Bonham House

photo of the Bonham House

Flat Grove was the birthplace of Alamo hero James Butler Bonham. In 1989, Edwin Matthews deeded Flat Grove to the Saluda County Historical Society. It had been vacant for several decades and was literally falling in. Two rooms were already on the ground.

People all over the United States have contributed to the restoration of this local, state, and national treasure. The society received a grant from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, but all other funds used have been donated by private individuals and businesses. The house--a two-story, hand-hewn log structure built before the Revolutionary War--provides a glimpse of what plantation life was like in the early days of this region. Jacob Smith, the grandfather of James Butler Bonham, built Flat Grove on Richland Creek in what was then Ninety Six District. An examination of the house today reveals that it was first a four-room, dog-trot structure built of logs sheathed with clapboard. In the early 1800’s two back rooms were added. The late 1800’s saw the final addition--a kitchen, pantry, and a back porch.

Flat Grove’s chief claim to fame lies in the fact that it is the only house still standing where an Alamo hero was born. James Butler Bonham, who was a messenger for William Barrett Travis (Commander at the Alamo and Bonham’s friend from childhood days in South Carolina), twice rode out of the Alamo while it was surrounded to attempt to secure troops to assist the small group inside. When he returned the second time, he knew he faced certain death. The house was also the home of Milledge Luke Bonham, younger brother of James Butler Bonham. Milledge Luke was a Brigadier General during the Civil War and was South Carolina’s governor when Sherman burned Columbia. His son Milledge Lipscomb Bonham, who became Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, was also born at Flat Grove.

The Saluda County Historical Society has as its goal to fully restore Flat Grove and use it as a house/museum to educate young people about its unique history and architecture and as a memorial to the achievements and bravery of all those who lived within its walls.

External Site of Interest:
James Butler Bonham web site