Joseph_Alston

Gov. Joseph Alston. Wikimedia Commons.

Alston, Joseph

ca. 1778–September 10, 1816

Images

Arcadia Plantation (Fairfield)

By 1770 Joseph Allston owned the land later named Fairfield which measured 700 acres on the Waccamaw River north of Hobcaw Barony. His son, William, dropped an “L” from his last name, and William’s descendants are known as Alstons. Alston built a four room house and installed an overseer to manage the plantation. The house was enlarged in 1793, and Alston, after fire destroyed his Clifton Plantation, moved his large family here. Between 1839 and 1881 Fairfield was the home of his son, Charles Alston, and remained in the Alston family until 1936. Sold to George Vanderbilt, Fairfield became the first part of Arcadia.

Alston Family Tombstone

This tombstone in the Allston family cemetery at the Oaks plantation, is for Joseph Alston, his wife, Theodosia and son, Aaron Burr Alston. The inscription reads, “the loss of this Citizen was no common one to the State. To its service he devoted himself from his early years. On the floor for its legislature, he was distinguished for his extensive information and correct decisions: And everywhere, he was distinguished for his zealous attachments to republican principles. In the capacity of Chief Magistrate of the State, when both the honor and the responsibility of the trust were heightened by the difficulties of the War of 1812, he by his indomitable activity and his salutary measures earned new titles to the respect and the Gratitude of his fellow citizens”.

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Title Alston, Joseph
  • Coverage ca. 1778–September 10, 1816
  • Author
  • Keywords Speaker of the House , Governor
  • Website Name South Carolina Encyclopedia
  • Publisher University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies
  • URL
  • Access Date March 28, 2024
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update July 14, 2022
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