Craftsman has a window to the history of a home where South Carolina's governor fled to avoid Yankees. Robert Schmitt is working on its windows while the Dawkins House in Union awaits more funding for restoration, campus use

Robert Schmitt at work on windows and sashes (provided photo), McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture rendering of completed alumni house; how the weathered Dawkins dwelling looks today (Preservation South Carolina)

Robert Schmitt appreciates the craftsmanship and materials that went into mid-19^th century homes across the Piedmont region of South Carolina. For years, as a restoration expert, he’s rolled up his sleeves and touched the results of what workers created generations ago.

Schmitt, 74, sank a lot of money, passion and knowledge into restoring the stately Nathaniel Gist Jr. house outside of Union (Gist was first cousin of Confederate Brig. Gen. States Rights Gist).

Now Schmitt is helping repair windows at Union’s Dawkins House, a residence at the center of an interesting chapter in Civil War history. Union briefly served as the capital of the state after Columbia fell to Union forces in 1865.

The nonprofit Preservation South Carolina is working with partners to restore the dilapidated dwelling into an alumni and corporate events center for the University of South Carolina-Union.

Schmitt is removing old glazing and replacing any rot (Preservation South Carolina)

Schmitt is taking out old window glass, removing rot and replacing weathered glazing.

“These old windows were put together with mortise and pins and wooden pegs. That makes them reasonably easy to work on,” he said in a recent interview. “I like to preserve as much as the original as I can.”

Not surprisingly, the windows are much more substantial than modern ones.

“Part of that reason is the material they were made of. You can’t get that type of lumber anymore,” said Schmitt, adding the old yellow pine was heavy because of high rosin content.

Schmitt is working in the house’s yard in a “between” stage of the Judge Thomas Dawkins house restoration. The $300,000 state-funded Phase 1 shored up the building.

This fall, Preservation South Carolina (PSC) and the campus will launch a campaign to raise up to $1 million for the next phase. No state or federal funds are currently available, officials said. “Credible interest has already been expressed by potential corporate sponsors to participate in the funding,” said PSC.

Bill Comer, a Union native and head of the PSC’s Dawkins House rehab project, said Schmitt is taking good care of the windows, which have Roman numerals (right) that the original carpenters used to number each sash.

“He thinks about all the people who have looked through that pane,” Comer said of Schmitt.

'Putting the bones back in' deteriorated house

PSC just featured an update on the project in its September newsletter, sharing a rendering of what the property will look like after restoration is complete. Those stopping by the house -- purchased by PSC in 2023 -- will note there is a long way to go, with support beams in place and the roof sagging. Hurricane Helene in September 2024 caused further damage.

Phase 2 will be much more extensive and expensive, enabling PSC to hand over the house to the university for finishing and customization. Joanna Rothell, director of outreach and preservation for PSC, said Phase 2 will include:

-- Installation of new piers on concrete footings in the crawlspace;

-- Strengthening of porch, first and second floor framings, the roof system and all walls;

-- Installation of the required framing for a new interior staircase where the original historic, spiral staircase was located in the central hall. This will entail strengthening the floors and walls in this area, including any necessary new footings in the crawlspace.

“We are putting the bones back in it where the bones should be,” said Comer.

Interestingly, the Gist home (left) where Schmitt lives features a floating spiral staircase similar to what once was present in the Dawkins House. “I can’t help believe but the same craftsmen were involved,” Schmitt said.

PSC said It will measure the Gist staircase for creating construction drawings.

When Judge Dawkins built his residence in 1845, he expanded upon a pre-existing, two-story structure,” the organization said in its newsletter.

“Further examination has revealed that the materials used in the construction of the older portion of the house dates closer to 1760, rather than the previously estimated 1800s.”

Governor had to run to keep from hiding

The Dawkins House, on North Church Street, was nicknamed “The Shrubs” and was occupied by Judge Dawkins and his English-born wife Mary Poulton Dawkins. The 1850 Federal slave schedule indicates they owned about 30 enslaved persons before the war. 

The property is best known for several weeks in spring 1865.

Gov. Andrew Magrath, before fleeing Columbia as Federal troops closed in, got in touch with college chum Dawkins about using the home and others nearby to conduct business amid the chaos.

South Carolina already was the symbol of the South’s rebellion. Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman and his troops entered the state from Georgia with an eye on a full prosecution of the war. While they are behind some fires that ravaged Columbia, others were caused by other parties.

Union was a community with a small business district and nearby plantations.

From about Feb. 15, 1865, until sometime in March or early April, Magrath ran the state from the Dawkins House. He apparently worked in an informal library near the drawing room. Chaos ruled across South Carolina.

According to histories and local legend, Magrath and his subordinates burned possibly incriminating documents and correspondence in the fireplaces. (The building served as South Carolina's capitol while the city was briefly is capital.) Magrath and his staff raced away from Union as Federal troops moved in. He was eventually captured on May 25 and imprisoned at Fort Pulaski near Savannah, Ga., until release that December.

Comer said Magrath’s stint in Union is not well-known or covered in textbooks.

“Also, per a University of South Carolina Southern studies professor with whom I spoke recently, not many documents exist about that period … which I suspect is because most government documents were burned in the house’s eight fireplaces to avoid the identification of Confederate operatives who would be captured and tried for treason.”

Looking to Wofford for inspiration

Annie Smith, USC-Union marketing and development director, previously told the Picket an alumni association was being established to enhance recruiting efforts, develop a community between current, former and future students, and to provide outside funding and resources.

The small campus with about 1,400 students this year is celebrating its 60^th anniversary.

Given the age of the Dawkins House and wear, any college or community events will need to occur on the main floor. The upstairs won’t be able to handle large crowds, so it likely will be office space, according to PSC.

Looking for ideas and inspiration, a team of campus officials in July toured the alumni house (left) at Wofford College in nearby Spartanburg. The Kilgo-Clinkscales House previously was a dwelling for campus leaders at Wofford.

“The Wofford Alumni house was stunning and (has a) very similar layout to Dawkins,” said Smith. “The visit gave us a helpful look at how another institution transformed a historic residence into a vibrant and usable location. We came away with great ideas about how our space can serve multiple purposes -- welcoming alumni, community events, space for corporations to meet and more.”