The
story of the Harper-Fowlkes House follows a long and fascinating
journey through time and families. Below is a detailed breakdown of the
history of the intriguing Harper-Fowlkes House:
•
John R. Gardner brought the house when it was under construction n
April 1843. He purchased the property from his brother Stephen, who was
having financial problems and needed to liquidate his assets.
• John R. Gardner sold the property to Aaron Champion in June of 1843 to recoup his losses.
•
The Deed of December 1, 1848 concerning the sale of the property to
William C. Daniel by Aaron Champion signified an amount that was way
over the actual value of the real property.
• The Deed of June 1, 1852 indicates the resale
of property to Mr. Champion for an amount exceeding the deed of 1848.
It was possible that Champion was mortgaging property rather than
selling it. In the 19th century to write a deed of sale when mortgaging
property, was “the amount of money noted as the sale price would have
been the mortgaged amount in the first deed and in the second deed the
amount plus interest.”
• Champion died in 1881, the property was left to
James W. McAlpin, Champions son-in-law and Aaron Champions grandson, to
be held in trust for his daughter, Maria, and her kids; Aaron, James W.
Jr., Henry, Mary, and Maria.
• Maria McAlpin died on September 18, 1890. Her
will did not say anything about the property only her personal items
were addressed.
• In October 1890 Maria’s children entered into
agreement to which Aaron Champion McAlpin relinquished his rights to
the property, including Trust lots 25 and 26 Jackson ward but not the
plantation The Hermitage. The agreement was recorded on March 26, 1895.
• May 8, 1895 Maria MCA. Schley, James W. McAlpin Jr., Mary E. Walker sold the property to brother, Henry McAlpin.
•
May 9, 1895, Henry sold property to father-in-law Elisha P. Wilbus, so
he could pay off mortgage, which was $15,000 being held by Douglas
Robertson. Mr. Wilbur gave property to Henry McAlpin in return on May
9, for one dollar to be held in trust for daughter, Isabel Wilbur
McAlpin and any children she may have.
• The first renovation was by Isabel in 1895 and
completed in 1896. The property renovation was extensive and increased
the value of the property by $6,000.
• Isabel died and left the property to her
husband Henry McAlpin in a will dated April 5, 1905. The second
renovation was done some time before or after her death, it is still
undetermined.
• Henry McAlpin died in April 1931; his third
wife Mary Auza McAlpin and daughter by his first wife Claudia McAlpin
Whitney were left equal shares of the property with the exception of
the plantation Idlewild.
• The executor of the will, the citizens and
Southern National Bank of Savannah had the Authority by the will to
sell any portion of the estate for investment purposes.
• A dispute arose concerning the estate to sell the property, Trust Lot 26 and the house, to settle the estate.
•
Alida Harper Fowlkes purchased the property through an auction held by
Citizens and Southern National Bank in October of 1939. She bought the
house for $9,000. An oral history interview stated that it was noted on
Alida’s mortgagee papers they stamped “WOMAN” across the top.
• The third renovation was done by Alida.
•
Alida died January 18, 1985. Her will left the property, to be held in
trust to the Society of the Cincinnati. This is an organization of
gentlemen who are direct descendants of George Washington’s officers
during the Revolution, Alida’s brother William E. Harper Jr., and late
father William E. Harper were society members.