Trinity Cathedral & Hampton-Preston Mansion

From the journal of Lois Waddington and used with her kind permission.

Sunday was very eventful, beginning with services at Trinty Cathedral (Episcopal), built between 1847 and 1861. It was founded in 1812. The interior is absolutely beautiful, with stained glass windows and a marble altar. We were impressed by the number of young families and the music program. Two of the six ordained staff are women. I also liked the "blessing of the children" during the communion service.

The churchyard was equally fascinating. In the back of the church we found a map of the graveyard drawn by G. McDuffie Hampton, C.E., 10/1/1901. From it we located the plot of the Wade Hampton Family. I hadn't thought of this possibility! We spent some time trying to figure who belonged to which Wade Hampton, for each one had two or three wives. We finally gave up! We were particularly touched by the words on one tombstone, which reads as follows

Tribute of Affection
To the memory of
Mrs. Ann Hampton
consort of Col. Wade Hampton II and
daughter of the late Christopher Fitzsimmons, Esq.
Jan 1794 - Feb. 1833
This exemplary and interesting woman died
as she had lived, an example of every ennobling
quality of mind and every softer virture of
the heart which could dignify the Christian
or adorn the human character.
Thou art gone to the grave but we will not
deplore thee. Where God was thy ransom,
thy guardian, and guide, He gave thee,
He took thee and He will restore thee and
death has no sting, for the Savior has died.

This Wade Hampton loved horses and had a lot of race horses. We saw his portrait at the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Wade I was the richest man in the U.S. at the time of his death, having married three wealthy women. Mary Cantey, his third wife, outlived him by many years. She left the beautiful Hampton-Preston House to their daughter, Caroline Hampton Preston. After the Civil War she did much entertaining and Wade III was often a guest in her home.

We also visited the historic Robert Mills Home, right across the street. This house was never lived in because the owner died before its completion. It was home to Columbia Theol. Seminary, then Columbia Bible College. Work to demolish it had already begun when it was rescued by a group of concerned citizens.

Lois Waddington